Coming soon: green HDTVs

HDTV manufacturers are planning to produce green HDTVs

With an increased focus on environmentally sustainable technologies in automotive, energy and appliance sectors, it should come as no surprise that the trend would eventually reach television manufacturers.

Samsung is leading the charge by incorporating several new, more energy-efficient technologies into their latest HDTV sets. One involves switching from LCD technology - the industry standard along with plasma displays - to backlit LED, which can consume up to 40 percent less energy. LCD screens also contain mercury, which can cause difficulties in safely disposing of unwanted or broken sets.

Two other technologies Samsung plans to roll out are called local dimming and adaptive luminance. Both work similarly in that they dynamically allocate power to areas of the screen based on what is being displayed, but the former searches for dark spots from which it can divert power, while the latter decreases overall brightness and sends more power to areas where higher brightness is detected.

The drawback to these new methods of powering the TV's display are in the price tag, which is currently higher than what consumers would pay for LCD HDTVs . Even so, the cost may be offset in the long run by savings in energy bills.

Like all developing technologies, green HDTVs will need a steady stream of qualified engineers to provide improvements and innovations. Those who wish to be among those engineers may want to speak to engineering program administrators to find the one that suits them best.