Engadget: Smart TV standby mode aids faster startup, updates and OLED panel care

According to Engadget, the biggest downside of fully shutting down or switching off a TV is the wait when it is turned back on. Newer sets run full operating systems such as LG's WebOS, Google TV, Amazon's Fire TV OS and Roku OS. Booting them can take about as long as powering on a smartphone, and many TVs take longer because they often ship with lower-end processors and storage chips than flagship phones.

Standby mode also lets smart TVs update software in the background. That can spare viewers from waiting for an operating system update before watching something, the report says. Streaming apps including Netflix and YouTube also receive frequent updates that can be completed while the TV is in standby.

For OLED TVs, standby mode serves a critical function, according to Engadget. When the power button is pressed, the TV enters standby and a feature known as an automatic compensation cycle, or pixel refresh, often begins to reduce the risk of image retention or burn-in. Because burn-in is one of the biggest drawbacks of OLED displays, manufacturers design these panel-care features to run in standby. Shutting down or unplugging a TV immediately after viewing prevents the process from running. Repeatedly interrupting it could eventually lead to uneven display wear or burn-in.

The report says most TVs consume relatively little power in standby. In the United States, ENERGY STAR-certified TVs must use no more than one watt while in standby, even when connected to a network. Several jurisdictions around the world have moved to make the one-watt standby threshold a requirement under the One Watt Initiative. One watt drawn throughout a year translates to about 9 KWh of energy, which increases a power bill by about $1.50. Electricity costs more in some places; the average household in California pays twice as much per unit of energy as the national average, for example.

Engadget says unplugging the TV is probably the easiest way to avoid wasting standby power during an extended absence. There are also reasons to reboot a TV from time to time. A reboot allows the set to clear background processes stored in memory, which can make a significant difference to overall responsiveness. Persistent lag or sluggishness may be improved by a reboot.

The report advises checking the manual for reboot instructions because abruptly pulling the cord can interrupt maintenance tasks. On some TVs, holding down the power button on the remote brings up a menu with options to shut down and restart.