A UK climate change economist and co-director of the UK Energy Research Centre (UKERC) has recently suggested that governments should consider taxing plasma televisions, due to the fact that these new, larger displays consume more energy than their traditional CRT predecessors.

Plasma televisions, which are 50% bigger than their cathode-ray tube equivalents, consume about four times more energy, according to the government-funded Energy Saving Trust.

A cathode-ray tube TV costs about £25 per year to run and accounts for 100kg of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions, whereas a plasma TV costs about £100 per year and accounts for 400kg of CO₂.

But another recent study, this one conducted by the Imaging Science Foundation in conjunction with environmental consultancy ECOS Consulting, finds that there may be a simpler, less burdensome solution.

• A well-designed Sony LCD used for ISF’s Microsoft Media Center certification program had 100% superior black levels after calibration – and a 50% energy saving

• A Sharp 1080p DLP projector set to “Eco-Quiet” mode produced over a 50% improvement in picture quality – and a 30% energy saving

• A high-end Runco 1080p projector with ISFccc Certified Day and Night mode was flexible enough to optimize picture quality for evening ambient home lighting – and in ISF Night mode, a 30% energy saving

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