>I just gave you a list of consumer devices in my home that do NOT have >physical power switches. So I would argue that "most consumer devices" >do not have a physical switch to disconnect power anymore. > All components in my HiFi rack (Amp, CD player, Tape Deck) have physical power switches, except my Transporter. I have 3 TV's, and each have a power off, and my Surround sound amp on the TV stand also has a physical power off. My DVD player doesn't, but it has very low power consumption in standby. I don't often use it though, so turn it off at the power socket.
In July 2006, the British Government announced it would outlaw televisions and video players that exceed the maximum standby-mode power consumption standard (1 watt). In July 2007, California's 2005 appliance standards came into effect, limiting external power supply standby power to 0.5 watts. In July 2008, the European Commission accepted a proposal to reduce standby power consumption to either 1 W (if there is a reactivation function) or 2 W (if there is an information or status display) by 2010, which will be halved to 0.5 and 1 watt, respectively, by 2012. I think there was a strong suggestion by the European Commission that devices should have a 0W hard power off switch, but not made law - there is still some leeway on that. Squeezebox devices don't achieve any of these requirements, so I think Logitech are breaking European laws. Not sure exactly what that means, but it can't be a good thing. >Really I would not want to spend the extra money to have that switch when >unplugging the device does EXACTLY the same thing. > I'm not so sure it is exactly the same. I think power switches on devices are built to not put as much strain on descrete components - you're less likely to damage something than cutting the power (can cause spikes). Also, it's a lot less convenient to power off at a wall socket. eg. plugs can be behind furniture units, etc. Some people pull the cable out of the back of SB's to stop standby (vampire) power consumption. I'd have to do that to switch off my bedroom SB3, because the wall socket is located within a cupboard and the cable comes through a small hole to a bedside table. A Touch on my desk has it's power socket underneath the desk on a 4-way power block, which doesn't have individual power switches, and I wouldn't want to turn off other devices connected to that power strip. I had been pulling the power cable out the back of the Touch, but it's very awkward (esp. with a USB stick inserted), and definitely causes wear and tear on the connection. >Do you really flip the switch on your TV every time you turn it on and >off? The power switch is prominent on the top of the TV. I turn it off at night, and whenever I leave the house. During the day, I sometimes switch it to standby, but often it is easier to press the TV power off button than locate the remote control! It's not just about saving power consumption (and thus saving money). It also prevents unecessary heat, and reduces fire risk. >If you do then you fall into a very small community of people. I don't think so - I think a lot of people physically turn off devices at night or if they are going to be out for long periods. Phil _______________________________________________ Touch mailing list Touch@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/touch
