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You are here: MacNN Forums > Hardware - Troubleshooting and Discussion > Consumer Hardware & Components > Apple TV: Does it ever power down?

Apple TV: Does it ever power down?
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Wiskedjak
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Jun 3, 2007, 11:44 PM
 
Seems like the thing is always on, even when forced to sleep by holding down the Play button, as it continues to generate heat. It'll also sync while "asleep", leading me to believe that it's just pretending to sleep, not unlike my 5yr old daughter.
     
Jasoco
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Jun 4, 2007, 11:06 AM
 
It goes to sleep. Or so it makes you think. I dunno but yeah, it does get hot. I think it stays awake for syncing and stuff. Does it matter?
     
Adam Betts
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Jun 4, 2007, 12:46 PM
 
It doesn't power down at all even when not streaming. It got so hot it got me worried and had to unplug the power plug. No fan and tiny air vent isn't a good idea =/
     
krove
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Jun 4, 2007, 01:06 PM
 
My Apple TV is in an enclosed space, and is barely warm when not in use and gets warmer in use. Never too hot to touch, though.

How did it come to this? Goodbye PowerPC. | sensory output
     
Wiskedjak  (op)
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Jun 4, 2007, 03:57 PM
 
The heat it generates isn't much of an issue to me, so much as an indicator that it's still consuming a good amount of power when "asleep". The issue for me is keeping my electricity consumption down.

Apparently, the aTV consumes 18.5 watts during normal use, and 15 watts when asleep. Sure, it's not alot of electricity, but every little bit adds up. Also, putting it into standby only results in a 20% drop in power consumption???

I'd like to see 4 power modes:
1. Full power
2. Low power (current stand-by mode)
3. Sleep (like my Macbook sleeps ... bare minimum power consumption just to keep the active memory)
4. Off (if I'm going away on vacation, I'd like to be able to shut it down without just pulling the plug. Computers don't like having their plugs pulled before going through a shut-down procedure). As it doesn't have a power switch, I don't mind having to plug it in to turn it on. I generally unplug my more expensive electronics when I go on vacation anyways.
     
imitchellg5
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Jun 4, 2007, 04:51 PM
 
Nope it never powers down. Mine gets uber hot. I worry about it sometimes. When I know I won't be using it for a while I unplug it. You can put it in some kind of semi-sleep mode but pressing and holding play/pause for a few seconds (I think it just spins down the HD).
     
alligator
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Jun 4, 2007, 09:46 PM
 
The power light turns off if you hold the play button for a few seconds. At least you are saving a couple milliwatts of power for the front LED.
     
Wiskedjak  (op)
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Jun 8, 2007, 11:45 AM
 
Just discovered something somewhat annoying with the aTV and power. Last night I had a power outage. When the power came back on, the aTV went through it's boot-up sequence. I rarely turn off the stereo speakers, so the aTV bootup sequence was blaring through my house at 2am.
     
studgrade
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Jun 8, 2007, 03:25 PM
 
Originally Posted by Wiskedjak View Post
Just discovered something somewhat annoying with the aTV and power. Last night I had a power outage. When the power came back on, the aTV went through it's boot-up sequence. I rarely turn off the stereo speakers, so the aTV bootup sequence was blaring through my house at 2am.
Now, that is funny!!!!!!!!

Stud out....
     
peeb
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Jun 8, 2007, 03:30 PM
 
These days, everything needs to have an option to shut it off so it draws NO power.
     
krove
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Jun 8, 2007, 03:38 PM
 
The only way for electronics to truly draw NO power is to unplug the device. Anything plugged in, even while off, still draws electricity.

I've heard of several companies trying to tackle this problem, but obviously, given the lack of such products in the marketplace, these solutions have yet to materialize.

How did it come to this? Goodbye PowerPC. | sensory output
     
peeb
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Jun 8, 2007, 05:32 PM
 
Originally Posted by krove View Post
The only way for electronics to truly draw NO power is to unplug the device. Anything plugged in, even while off, still draws electricity.

I've heard of several companies trying to tackle this problem, but obviously, given the lack of such products in the marketplace, these solutions have yet to materialize.
I don't think that is true - that would mean lightbulbs draw power even when they are off. They don't - if a device has a switch that disconnects it so that no circuit is made, then it draws no power.
     
Wiskedjak  (op)
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Jun 8, 2007, 05:36 PM
 
I suspect krove is thinking about devices that we turn on and off with remotes. In which case, yes, they are never truly off unless unplugged.
     
peeb
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Jun 8, 2007, 06:08 PM
 
Right, but even those should have the option to be turned OFF, not 'standby'.
     
Railroader
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Jun 10, 2007, 03:50 PM
 
Originally Posted by peeb View Post
Right, but even those should have the option to be turned OFF, not 'standby'.
Then how is it going to detect the remote telling it to turn back "on"?
     
Railroader
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Jun 10, 2007, 03:50 PM
 
Originally Posted by peeb View Post
Right, but even those should have the option to be turned OFF, not 'standby'.
Then how is it going to detect the remote telling it to turn back "on"?
     
peeb
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Jun 10, 2007, 06:02 PM
 
It's not. That's what standby is for.
     
krove
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Jun 10, 2007, 08:31 PM
 
There is an option if you want to turn it off: unplug it.

Doing that is no more difficult than having to push a button at the device (which you'll have to do to turn it on, since it would be completely off and won't respond to the remote).

How did it come to this? Goodbye PowerPC. | sensory output
     
peeb
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Jun 10, 2007, 10:03 PM
 
Originally Posted by Railroader View Post
Then how is it going to detect the remote telling it to turn back "on"?
Originally Posted by krove View Post
There is an option if you want to turn it off: unplug it.

Doing that is no more difficult than having to push a button at the device (which you'll have to do to turn it on, since it would be completely off and won't respond to the remote).
That may be true if your sockets are visible, but mine are behind a cabinet, well out of reach. Having to rummage behind to pull plugs out is not anything like as convenient as having an 'off' button. Likewise, throwing a switch on the machine is much easier than reaching around to plug it in. I have literally no idea why you would not include a real 'off' button.
     
krove
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Jun 10, 2007, 11:06 PM
 
Aye, there be the rub.

How did it come to this? Goodbye PowerPC. | sensory output
     
Railroader
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Jun 10, 2007, 11:43 PM
 
Originally Posted by peeb View Post
I have literally no idea why you would not include a real 'off' button.
Let's see... how about $ ?
     
peeb
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Jun 11, 2007, 01:39 AM
 
Originally Posted by Railroader View Post
Let's see... how about $ ?
25 cents?
     
Wiskedjak  (op)
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Jun 11, 2007, 08:56 AM
 
Originally Posted by peeb View Post
25 cents?
Maybe for a Radioshack switch. An Apple switch would be at least $5 marked up to $25.
     
peeb
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Jun 11, 2007, 11:12 AM
 
There's a lot of fuss in Europe about this right now, it turns out that 'phantom load' as it's called (machines that you think are off but are still drawing power) draws a substantial amount over the millions of people in the EU - something like three power stations worth.
"Some studies have suggested that the total phantom load caused by the United States alone would provide enough power to handle the electric needs of Vietnam, Peru, and Greece [2]." Wikipedia, of all places.
     
krove
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Jun 11, 2007, 11:36 AM
 
I believe it. The wasted energy and loss of efficiency is just horrendous and continues to worsen as more and more electronics are added to homes.

How did it come to this? Goodbye PowerPC. | sensory output
     
Railroader
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Jun 12, 2007, 10:25 PM
 
Originally Posted by peeb View Post
25 cents?
Let's see... 25¢ times a couple million... hmmm....
     
peeb
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Jun 12, 2007, 10:28 PM
 
Yeah, that's why the EU is planning to legislate on this. Companies can't be trusted to take the interests of the customer and the planet into account.
     
Wiskedjak  (op)
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Jun 12, 2007, 10:40 PM
 
Originally Posted by Railroader View Post
Let's see... 25¢ times a couple million... hmmm....
you mean "times a couple million marked up an extra $1 to cover the 25¢" ... hmmm ....
     
   
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