New 'Zero-Watt' Computer Monitor Uses No Power in Standby Mode
by Michael Graham Richard, Ottawa, Canada 
on 04.29.08
As far back as 2004, we were writing about 'phantom power', all that energy used by your electronics to make sure that they catch the 'power on' signal from the remote and come back to life fast enough, and how to combat it.
A new computer monitor by Fujitsu Siemens Computers breaks with its brethren and uses no power at all in idle mode. It works with a clever switch that shuts down the monitor when there's no signal from the computer, and turns it back on when there is one.
If we extrapolate a bit, we see that this probably can't be used on all electronics if we want remotes to still work, but in a home entertainment system (stereo, TV, etc), it could easily be fitted on all accessories except one that would catch the signal from the remote, and then when it powers on, that would give the signal to the rest to follow suit.
Beginning in the summer of 2008, this “zero-watt monitor” will be sold for the price of a conventional monitor.
In these times of rising energy costs, we can assume that other electronics makers will also incorporate similar technologies in their products so as not to let Fujitsu Siemens with a competitive advantage in that area.
The zero-watt monitor from Fujitsu Siemens Computers was chosen as “Innovation of the Year” at this year’s CeBIT computer trade show.
::, ::No Power Use in Standby: New Zero-Watt Monitor
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Or how about the user just getting up off of his/her butt to turn on that first switch, and then no single component will have to draw standby power while waiting for a "power on" signal from the remote. I can understand wanting to use the remote to switch channels, adjust volume, etc. while sitting and watching, but turning the power on is a one-time action that I think we should do manually, thereby eliminating vampire power drain altogether. The only people who would need a remote to turn the power on are those who are bedridden or otherwise incapable of walking up to the switch.
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ed: I don't think there's any downsides to automating this process. Sure people should do it manually, but some will always forget or not care. Especially in companies with 1000s of computers.
I agree, Brian, about having a switch on the TV to turn it on or off, then letting a remote take over.
Sometimes good ideas are so simple, but people try to make them too complicated.
Brian,
People are basically lazy. If you want the teaming masses onboard with the environmental movement you're going to have to make it extremely easy for them. I completely agree with you, but lets be realistic, people aren't going to give up their conveniences very easily.
It would only work with LCD TV, not CRTs. The tubes are kept running on very low power, otherwise it takes a long time to "warm up".
Not a good excuse, but thats what it is.
Uh..."zero watts in standby mode"
Wouldn't that just be called "off?"
"Off" wouldn't switch on again, when the signal comes back.
Many brand (LG, Samsung, HP, etc.) LCD/TFT monitor consumes 8-10 watts of power even if its switched off by the front power button. I have a digital watt-o-meter, and the results are terrible. Most "soft-switch" electronic goods consumes power even if its OFF....