Is it better to turn off the power of the cable box when not in use?

JohnJSal · 12-31-2009, 02:07 PM

(Also posted in the Cable Provider forum, but this forum seems more appropriate. Sorry.)

I have a Scientific Atlanta 8300HD box. I've always been told that it's best to leave the power on and just turn off the TV itself. But the 8300 manual recommends turning off the power. Is it better to turn it off or leave it on, or does it matter?

(I always hear my box making noises, which I suppose is the HDD or the fan, etc. doing stuff, so turning it off might actually reduce this noise. But I wanted to make sure it's okay to leave it off. I had thought turning off the box power would reset things. For one thing, it always puts the channel back on channel 2 when I turn the TV back on, which is annoying.)

Thanks.

BIslander · 12-31-2009, 02:34 PM

We have a Comcast Motorola 3412 that I always leave on. We do that because it doesn't respond consistently to the power on command from our Harmony remote, which got to be a real drag. There's an added benefit that the DVR is always buffering two shows. If either tuner is set to the channel I want to watch, I can tune in late and not miss anything.

hi2udavid · 12-31-2009, 03:47 PM

We turn the power off but the unit continues to get updates via cable thoughout the night. I'd check with your service provider too but you should not need to leave it powered on. However, keep it plugged in.

HD Goofnut · 12-31-2009, 03:54 PM

It's always better to turn any electronic device you're not using off.

BIslander · 12-31-2009, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HD Goofnut

It's always better to turn any electronic device you're not using off.

Do set top boxes actually turn off when you hit the power off button? They continue to record shows, process updates, and perform other such functions while turned "off". What is better about turning off that kind of equipment?

Semp1 · 01-01-2010, 07:12 PM

I have the same box you can go into setting and make it so when you turn it back on it goes on to the channel you left off. On top of that the fan will still go on every now and then when it's off it's more of a stand by mode not off and by turning it off nothing is reset.

JohnJSal · 01-01-2010, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Semp1

I have the same box you can go into setting and make it so when you turn it back on it goes on to the channel you left off. On top of that the fan will still go on every now and then when it's off it's more of a stand by mode not off and by turning it off nothing is reset.

Good to know, thanks!

HD Goofnut · 01-01-2010, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BIslander

Do set top boxes actually turn off when you hit the power off button? They continue to record shows, process updates, and perform other such functions while turned "off". What is better about turning off that kind of equipment?

They are still 'on' per say, but they consume less power.

JohnJSal · 01-01-2010, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HD Goofnut

They are still 'on' per say, but they consume less power.

Is it basically the same thing that happens when the box goes into a standby mode on its own? This apparently happens to mine between 1am-6am, although I believe the power light stays on, or I've just been asleep and never noticed.

BIslander · 01-01-2010, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HD Goofnut

They are still 'on' per say, but they consume less power.

OK. So, your comment was environmental in nature - about reducing energy consumption?

HD Goofnut · 01-01-2010, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BIslander

OK. So, your comment was environmental in nature - about reducing energy consumption?

Indeed and cutting down on your electricity bill.

12-31-2009, 02:07 PM	#1
JohnJSal High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 267	Is it better to turn off the power of the cable box when not in use? (Also posted in the Cable Provider forum, but this forum seems more appropriate. Sorry.) I have a Scientific Atlanta 8300HD box. I've always been told that it's best to leave the power on and just turn off the TV itself. But the 8300 manual recommends turning off the power. Is it better to turn it off or leave it on, or does it matter? (I always hear my box making noises, which I suppose is the HDD or the fan, etc. doing stuff, so turning it off might actually reduce this noise. But I wanted to make sure it's okay to leave it off. I had thought turning off the box power would reset things. For one thing, it always puts the channel back on channel 2 when I turn the TV back on, which is annoying.) Thanks. __________________ Panasonic TC-P42G10 Panasonic DMP-BD60

12-31-2009, 03:47 PM	#3
hi2udavid Sony 34xbr970 since 9/06 Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 47	We turn the power off but the unit continues to get updates via cable thoughout the night. I'd check with your service provider too but you should not need to leave it powered on. However, keep it plugged in. __________________ Panasonic TCP-V10 58 since 2/1/2010 Denon 1910 Scientific Atlantic DVR via Astound! Roku Oppo 83

12-31-2009, 03:54 PM	#4
HD Goofnut Official HDF BD Reviewer Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Mississippi, U.S.A. Your resident Dune, Star Wars, and war film expert Posts: 9,556	It's always better to turn any electronic device you're not using off. __________________ BenQ MP512ST, Panasonic TC-L55ET5 55" 360Hz LED/3D, Sharp LC-46SB57UN 46" 120 Hz LCD, Sanyo DP46848 46" 60Hz LCD, HP 21.5" 60Hz LCD Onkyo TX-NR709 7.1/Onkyo SKS-HT540 ASUS BD Drive, LG BH200, Sony Optiarc Blu-ray Burner, Sony BDP-590, Vizio VBR220 My Motion Picture Collection Latest BD Review: *Jack Reacher*

01-01-2010, 07:12 PM	#6
Semp1 Obsessed with Hi-Def. Join Date: May 2005 Location: Brooklyn. NY Age: 32 Posts: 779	I have the same box you can go into setting and make it so when you turn it back on it goes on to the channel you left off. On top of that the fan will still go on every now and then when it's off it's more of a stand by mode not off and by turning it off nothing is reset. __________________ Panasonic TCP65VT30, Onkyo TX-NR709,Polk TSI300(Fronts), TSI100(Rears), CS110(Center), Outlaw LFM-1 Plus(Sub)

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12-31-2009, 02:34 PM	#2
BIslander Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Bainbridge Island, WA Posts: 1,502	We have a Comcast Motorola 3412 that I always leave on. We do that because it doesn't respond consistently to the power on command from our Harmony remote, which got to be a real drag. There's an added benefit that the DVR is always buffering two shows. If either tuner is set to the channel I want to watch, I can tune in late and not miss anything.