Cable/Satelite Top Boxes are Power Hungry?

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KemoSabi

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A recent study by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) made headlines when it revealed that the biggest energy drain in your house likely isn't the fridge, air conditioner, or heater--it is, unbelievably, the TV set-top box. These ridiculously energy-inefficient boxes, typically provided by your cable company, have received little scrutiny until now, which means the cable companies have had little reason to embrace readily available methods to decrease their energy use. We've put together a list of the best and worst existing set-top boxes, so you can at least know what you're getting...
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http://www.popsci.com/gadgets/article/2011-06/least-electric-bill-murdering-dvrs-every-provider

Can Anyone Confirm whether or not our Decoders are the same? I am not a huge tech fundi, so maybe someone who is could verify, or dismiss this hopefully...not that this is a crazy high number. But in a country where energy keeps climbing who knows.

Anyway not a major issue, just more of a "I wonder".
 
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12V 1.5A PSU on a DSD1131. That is 18W worst case scenario, right? That a lot less than your fridge and aircon... Read the comment section on the article you linked to.
 
It's all about wattage.
90W for PVR vs 3000W for geyser element...

Sigh...
 
Given that those devices (aircon, fridge, geyser) are not always on, but I still don't see the STB using the most kWh of all your appliances...
 
Quantum Theory said:
Then you must have it checked. The thermostat is supposed to switch it on and off, as needed... ;)
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dude when i open that door the light is on, as far as im concered its always on :D

but in all seriosness, the fridge and geyser is technicaly the bigest users of power compared to your set top boxes, once it goes above (fridge) or below (geyser) a certain temp it switches on again
 
yes, your set top box is definitely the most power hungry device in your house. Phone your cable company and ask them to replace it. We, here in South Africa, have far more efficient units and I can gladly export one to the United States for you. :whistle:
 
What I don't understand, is that the HD PVR 2P stays warm, whether it is on or in standby... Why doesn't it have a proper power-down / power saving mode.
 
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