DO you leave your A-TV running all the time ?

[markV]

I was wondering, do any of you turn off or unplug your apple tv overnight?
Is it safe to just leave it running all the time ?? 24/7/365 ?

Thanks

[Piarco]

I use my aTV in my bedroom, and in standby I can here the HDD clicking periodically as it seems to sync whilst even in standby. It also remains quite warm even in standby, so I've gotten into the habbit of unplugging it at night. I would have like a proper off switch though...

[skinnylegs]

I turned my :apple: TV off for the first time, yesterday, 'cause my utility bills have skyrocketed and I guess it all adds up. BTW.....you can turn it off by holding down the center button.

[gavd]

I put mine in Standby but I don't unplug it. I would if I wasn't going to use it for a period of time, but it's being used everyday at the minute.

[sandman42]

BTW.....you can turn it off by holding down the center button.

I don't think this actually turns it off. I have made it a habit to use the 'hold down center button' method, until the screen goes blank and the white light on the front of the :apple:TV goes dark, but later when my iTunes wants to sync with the :apple:TV it does so with no problem. Wouldn't be able to if the :apple:TV were actually off. I think the only thing it actually stops doing is sending a signal to the TV.

[Passante]

I've left mine on cause I didn't know that there was a standby mode.

[Piarco]

I turned my :apple: TV off for the first time, yesterday, 'cause my utility bills have skyrocketed and I guess it all adds up. BTW.....you can turn it off by holding down the center button.

I don't think this actually turns it off. I have made it a habit to use the 'hold down center button' method, until the screen goes blank and the white light on the front of the :apple:TV goes dark, but later when my iTunes wants to sync with the :apple:TV it does so with no problem. Wouldn't be able to if the :apple:TV were actually off. I think the only thing it actually stops doing is sending a signal to the TV.

Exactly - :apple:TV doesn't have a proper "off" - only a standby which maintains an active wireless connection at the very least. I'm still switching off at the socket at night.

[superga]

It's a disgusting waste of energy that thousands (and if Apple get their way, millions) of these boxes are constantly powered up and chewing through power. Do these companies live in utter isolation from the world outside??

Suspect it's part of Apple's big plan for the boxes - powered up all the time, calling home to Daddy Steve, and in time they'll be downloading 'feature' ads and programs that Apple get money to shove down your throat...

Just my 2pence worth.

[illegalprelude]

so if its on standby mode, its still able to get content from iTunes?

[Phobophobia]

The Nintendo Wii has its wireless connection on all the time as well.

[sandman42]

so if its on standby mode, its still able to get content from iTunes?

Yes:

I don't think this actually turns it off. I have made it a habit to use the 'hold down center button' method, until the screen goes blank and the white light on the front of the :apple:TV goes dark, but later when my iTunes wants to sync with the :apple:TV it does so with no problem. Wouldn't be able to if the :apple:TV were actually off. I think the only thing it actually stops doing is sending a signal to the TV.

[flemingljr]

It's a disgusting waste of energy that thousands (and if Apple get their way, millions) of these boxes are constantly powered up and chewing through power. Do these companies live in utter isolation from the world outside??

Suspect it's part of Apple's big plan for the boxes - powered up all the time, calling home to Daddy Steve, and in time they'll be downloading 'feature' ads and programs that Apple get money to shove down your throat...

Just my 2pence worth.

It's 20-22 watts when turned on, 17 watts in standby mode. Not much of a "sleep" mode, but not a huge power draw either. Windows PC's draw 100-130 watts when turned on, my A/C unit draws 3000+ watts when running, and my pool pump just under 2000 for comparison.

[clevin]

I was wondering, do any of you turn off or unplug your apple tv overnight?
Is it safe to just leave it running all the time ?? 24/7/365 ?

Thanks
it does not have a turn off option at all. unless you just unplug it.

[gtoney]

I turn my ATV off unless I'm using it to watch (obviously) or downloading something or syncing with iTunes. I use a Belkin power strip with a remote on/off switch. It works very nicely.

[TJRiver]

It's a disgusting waste of energy that thousands (and if Apple get their way, millions) of these boxes are constantly powered up and chewing through power. Do these companies live in utter isolation from the world outside??

Suspect it's part of Apple's big plan for the boxes - powered up all the time, calling home to Daddy Steve, and in time they'll be downloading 'feature' ads and programs that Apple get money to shove down your throat...

Just my 2pence worth.


How's that tin foil hat working out for you?:D

[sanPietro98]

I keep it on all the time. It's used every day.

But in the winter it also makes a great space heater!

[celica73]

How's that tin foil hat working out for you?:D

17W 24 hours per day 356 days per year equates to about $13/year on my electric bill. That's $13 out of an annual $624, or 2.1%.

I actually do believe that is significant.

Based on the heat output, I suspect my two cable boxes (which also never sleep) are consuming just as much, so now for some always on AV devices I am at $40/year. Add in a few other AV parasites and I can account for 10% of my annual electric bill. It doesn't take a lot to make these things significant.

If every US household is wasting the same 434 kWh/year that I am, we now have 434 kWh/household*105,500,000 households (2000 census) = 45,675,000,000 kWh.

A barrel of oil is 1,700 kWh, so take 45,675,000,000 and divide by 1700 and we get 26,867,647 barrels of oil per year because of a few electrical devices that don't sleep well.

Insignificant taken as a single unit, but a whole lot of energy as a whole.

Scott

[iSaygoodbye]

i never unplug it i put it in stand by all the time though

[pprior]

On always.

Wish it would go to sleep (wastes power)

[Mav3067]

If you are concerned about drawing too much power even in standby I might suggest the Smart Power Strip.

http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/001087.php

Just plug your TV into the blue socket and your cable boxes into the red ones and it will cut power to them when you turn off your TV.

Cheers, Mav

[mags631]

Has anyone measured their AppleTV using Kill-a-watt or something similar? I would guess that the AppleTV draws 20 W. So in this scenario, it would consume 175.2 kWH. At 0.10/kWH (which is higher than the rate I pay), you are look at $17.20 a year, or $1.43/month.

It would be good to have some real data on energy consumption, though...

[CyberBob859]

so if its on standby mode, its still able to get content from iTunes?

Technically yes, but lately for me, I have problems accessing the iTunes Store (just sits there and the icon "spins" forever) along with problems syncing with my Mac

If I unplug the :apple:TV and plug it back in (essentially a reboot), these problems go away - at least for awhile.

I've tried keeping the unit on all the time, and also tried keeping it in standby mode - no difference. I prefer standby, though.

So, I've resolved to just reboot at least once a week and hope that Apple fixes this with the next system release.

[hotrod54chevy]

ok,guys,seriously? you think it's THAT big of a power draw? i have an iMac, a Dell,a DVR,Nintendo Wii,Apple TV and a lamp in my living room with 1 bulb and a lamp in my computer room with 3 bulbs. I leave these running 24/7/365 and my current electric bill is $70/month...i honestly cant think of the :apple:tv drawing that much juice...but if tv stuff (a LUXURY) is that bad,i'd just unplug it until i needed it.

[alFR]

i honestly cant think of the :apple:tv drawing that much juice...but if tv stuff (a LUXURY) is that bad,i'd just unplug it until i needed it.

Our TV rack full of stuff (ATV, Xbox, satellite box, receiver, dvd player, TV) draws about 90W when everything is in standby. Since I found that out I turn it off at the plug when we're not watching - it's like leaving a light burning all the time for no reason! The ATV draws about 30W in standby or when active (there's no measurable difference between the two).

[dolphin842]

The Nintendo Wii has its wireless connection on all the time as well.

At least you have an option to turn it off for the Wii.

ok,guys,seriously? you think it's THAT big of a power draw? i have an iMac, a Dell,a DVR,Nintendo Wii,Apple TV and a lamp in my living room with 1 bulb and a lamp in my computer room with 3 bulbs. I leave these running 24/7/365 and my current electric bill is $70/month...i honestly cant think of the :apple:tv drawing that much juice...but if tv stuff (a LUXURY) is that bad,i'd just unplug it until i needed it.

It all depends on the cost of electricity. Here in coal country, it's 8 cents/kwh, but in the SF Bay area I understand it can get up to 40.

Based on actual measurements I've found, the :apple:tv uses 15W when idle and 24W when under load. According to the prior poster, it could be even higher. Idling at 15W or 30W is unacceptable, and is why the :apple:tv isn't Energy Star certified. The next round of Energy Star specs will be even more stringent, so let's hope Apple figures out how to change the syncing behavior.

[mohanman]

I have two appletvs (one in the living room, one in the bedroom) and both are connected to one of those power conserving power strips that only powers on if the tv is on. I know this may sound crazy, but my electricity bill has decreased maybe 10-20 bucks/month. Whether its because of the appletv, or other things attached to my power-strip I have no idea.

I just don't like thing whirring around all day, emitting heat. Just turn the damn thing off, and turn it on when the tv is on.. it only takes a few seconds to boot up.

Mo

[minik]

I have two appletvs (one in the living room, one in the bedroom) and both are connected to one of those power conserving power strips that only powers on if the tv is on. I know this may sound crazy, but my electricity bill has decreased maybe 10-20 bucks/month. Whether its because of the appletv, or other things attached to my power-strip I have no idea.

I just don't like thing whirring around all day, emitting heat. Just turn the damn thing off, and turn it on when the tv is on.. it only takes a few seconds to boot up.

Mo

I'm looking for those 'Green' surge protector for my ordered Sony TV, PS3, Wii, and Apple TV. Which brand do you have? APC, Belkin?

[pprior]

Is there any possibility of corruption or damage to the ATV if you just cut the power to it via a power strip? I.e. do you have to remember to "standby" everytime?

I am rethinking leaving mine on all the time given how much electricity it uses.

[kikykuang]

I always turn my TV off and it can save electroform
:)

[minik]

Nowadays, I unplug my Apple TV when it's not being used.

[stonewall123]

Its pretty ridiculous that they don't have better energy management than they do. I'd like an appleTV but won;t buy one until a) they have much bigger hard drives and 2) they have an energy star energy mode when not in use.

[minik]

Its pretty ridiculous that they don't have better energy management than they do. I'd like an appleTV but won;t buy one until a) they have much bigger hard drives and 2) they have an energy star energy mode when not in use.

I agree. Could it be Apple treat the Apple TV as an instant-on device? 'Hobbyist' does not want to sit through the boot up process.

[MacBoobsPro]

The ATV could REALLY do with physical power off switch as well as being more energy efficient. If I want to cut power to mine I have to man handle my 42" TV (luckily its on a swivel base) squeeze through the tinniest of gaps without knocking my TV over and try and bend down to flick the wall socket off. I dont like just pulling the cable out of the ATV because trying to plug it back in you get a nice white spark. Well I do at least.

On a side note I found out how much power my PowerMac G5 uses and it has scared the hell out of me. :eek: Because the ATV drives are so damn small I have to have G5 running along with it streaming my content and obviously the TV on too. The ATV is a real power hungry set up. :(

To be fair the latest MacPros use about half the power of my G5 and Intel/Apples hard work at getting power consumption is quite impressive, especially when you consider the increases in performance in the products.

Anyhoo, I digress, my ATV stays on standy because it has no off switch and the wall socket is a nightmare to get to.

[mohanman]

The ATV could REALLY do with physical power off switch as well as being more energy efficient. If I want to cut power to mine I have to man handle my 42" TV (luckily its on a swivel base) squeeze through the tinniest of gaps without knocking my TV over and try and bend down to flick the wall socket off. I dont like just pulling the cable out of the ATV because trying to plug it back in you get a nice white spark. Well I do at least.

On a side note I found out how much power my PowerMac G5 uses and it has scared the hell out of me. :eek: Because the ATV drives are so damn small I have to have G5 running along with it streaming my content and obviously the TV on too. The ATV is a real power hungry set up. :(

To be fair the latest MacPros use about half the power of my G5 and Intel/Apples hard work at getting power consumption is quite impressive, especially when you consider the increases in performance in the products.

Anyhoo, I digress, my ATV stays on standy because it has no off switch and the wall socket is a nightmare to get to.

Just get one of those switches we mentioned above. Plug the TV into the outlet that "regulates" the other outlets. That way if the tv is on, the other switches are on, if not then off. Its simple, and the appletv literally takes only a few seconds to boot up..

When you turn off the tv, it cuts power to the appletv .. simple as that. And all your settings are saved, never had a problem where I lost data or settings.

Its easy as pie (as my friends in the south say)

[eleven59]

At least you have an option to turn it off for the Wii.


and at least the wii can download and install its own updates if it is in sleep mode... the ATV seems to just want to stay on for no reason other than to be ready to play

[xraydoc]

I have 3. Not very "green," but I leave them on virtually all the time. I do put them in to standby when I know I wont be using them any further for the day, but they'll automatically come out of stand by when I add/change something on my iTunes server.

[Marvin1379]

I also unplug it when not in use. Startup takes but 2 mins and then it syncs quickly. I plug it in several mins before I want to use it and it is ready to go when I am. The power management is terrible. No sense in letting the thing cook if it doesn't have to.

[Keebler]

i unplug it when not in use. i'm not a 'power user' per say, but i think leaving it on for any length of unused time is wasteful.

i try to turn off as much as I can. i'm not a green thumb per say, but it just doesn't make sense to keep it on.

just another expense to the long list and every penny saved....

[trule]

I wonder if the hardware supports a proper sleep mode like the iMacs? Perhaps there is a command you could run over ssh that would put it to sleep.

I see this on the web http://tumblr.caseyliss.com/post/38262076

#!/bin/bash
echo Going to sleep in 30 seconds...
sleep 30
osascript -e 'tell application "System Events" to sleep'

Perhaps someone with ssh setup on their ATV can try it.

EDIT: or sudo osascript -e 'tell app "Finder" to sleep'

[nüb]

so if its on standby mode, its still able to get content from iTunes?

Yes. I believe it still receives updates when in Stand-By. It definitely syncs to your Mac in Stand-By.

[nüb]

The ATV could REALLY do with physical power off switch as well as being more energy efficient. If I want to cut power to mine I have to man handle my 42" TV (luckily its on a swivel base) squeeze through the tinniest of gaps without knocking my TV over and try and bend down to flick the wall socket off. I dont like just pulling the cable out of the ATV because trying to plug it back in you get a nice white spark. Well I do at least.

On a side note I found out how much power my PowerMac G5 uses and it has scared the hell out of me. :eek: Because the ATV drives are so damn small I have to have G5 running along with it streaming my content and obviously the TV on too. The ATV is a real power hungry set up. :(

To be fair the latest MacPros use about half the power of my G5 and Intel/Apples hard work at getting power consumption is quite impressive, especially when you consider the increases in performance in the products.

Anyhoo, I digress, my ATV stays on standy because it has no off switch and the wall socket is a nightmare to get to.

I have a Denon receiver and am going to return to plugging the TV into the receiver's power distribution (i have two ungrounded plugs on the back of my receiver). This way, when i turn off my receiver, which ALL my signals run to, the ATV turns off too!