Should the eco-minded shopper say farewell to CDs?

My husband and I are at a crossroads in our marriage: Do we continue to buy CDs or do we do just go with the download? We’ve totally embraced the digital age—iTunes, iPods and iPhones are always within arm’s reach. Docks, players and car adapters—plus those quaint little things called headphones—allow us to listen to our digital music anywhere.

But are we ready to completely abandon the physical medium?

Have you embraced your TV’s power-saving features?

It seems like every TV manufacturer is trying to sell us on its products’ energy efficiency, mostly by touting the TVs’ power-saving features.

Be warned, though: Not all power-saving modes are created equal, so it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the different options to know exactly what you’re getting.

All the power, none of the guilt

Geoff, Brent, Adrienne and Josh take a look at the trend in the A/V and custom install world of green products and practices.

From ENERGYSTAR to digital amplifiers, to setting up your TV correctly to a rather in-depth conversation on regulation and deregulation, we take a look at ways companies and you can and are keeping performance up and keeping melting glaciers down. Not, "melting glaciers down" but... you know what I mean.

Download links after the jump...

Southern California dealer wants your TVs

Diamond Case Designs, Inc. in Anaheim wants to give you cash towards your purchase of an Energy Star rated television.

And it's not just for TVs, it's for all your old electronics.

Pretty cool idea, eh? All the info after the jump...

Where are we in the great “producer responsibility” debate?

When we last tackled the issue of recycling we discussed how most everyone in the consumer electronics field agrees there is a serious problem with e-waste. But who is responsible for the cost of recycling? Is it the manufacturer, the retailer, the consumer or the government?

A year later, the debate still rages and, from a legal perspective, is heating up.

Guilt-Free HT: Solar panels help get your theater off the grid.

All across the consumer electronics industry, manufacturers are looking for ways to make their products more energy-efficient. Power reduction is a great goal, but let’s talk about power generation.

If you could create enough clean energy to power all of your A/V components, then you could spend less time fretting over individual watts and more time enjoying the fruits of your theater’s labor.

Dim the Lights: The Eco-Friendly Way

Light dimmers can increase the ambience in any room.

With the added benefit of being eco-friendly, Lutron Electronics eco-minders, Maestro and Meadowlark, not only dim light, but can also dim your energy bills.

Learn more…

To Regulate or Not to Regulate - California considers mandate for TV energy efficiency.

When it comes to environmental policy and regulation, it’s often said that, as goes California, so goes the nation. From clean air to fuel efficiency, the Golden State has led the pack in its attempts to regulate for the sake of the environment. Perhaps that’s why a new California Energy Commission proposal is turning heads in the consumer electronics industry.

Or does it?

Green was definitely a big theme at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show this past January. Almost every major manufacturer devoted a portion of its press conference to environmental issues.

“Green” products and practices were prominently displayed at many booths.

From all of this marketing, one might assume that the consumer electronics industry has transformed itself into a model of environmental stewardship overnight. But has it?

Smart lighting control can lead to real energy savings.

Lighting control can be as addictive as a DVR. Once you’ve experienced the convenience of a well-implemented lighting control system in your home, there’s no going back. I know my enjoyment of my home theater went up dramatically just by installing a simple wireless dimmer, controlled by my universal remote.

If you feel like a lighting control system is more luxury than necessity, know that light management can lead to energy and potentially money savings as well.