The invention relates to a method for switching a
multimedia source and
multimedia sink from an operating mode to a standby mode, and a method for switching a
multimedia source and multimedia sink from a standby mode to an operating mode. When the
consumer device comprises two distributed boxes, such as a TV in which the display (multimedia sink) is separated from the
processing unit (multimedia source) via a cable, then meeting the green rules for
standby power becomes more complicated. The
power consumption of
processing unit and display unit should be minimal in standby mode. The methods of the invention provide for
synchronizing the power states of both units, such that only the relevant parts remain active. The method is applicable on configurations where a
DisplayPort link is used between a multimedia source, such as a set-top box, and a multimedia sink, such as a display. The invention provides a reduction in overall
power consumption, while still complying with the Display-Port configuration and operation standard. In an embodiment of the invention, the source and sink are configured to allow communication of standby and wake-up requests / commands when the
transmitter and
receiver for the auxiliary channel are powered down. The invention also provides embodiments where the switching to and from standby of the source is triggered by user