For $30, that Belkin AV strip is comparable to other high-end surge protectors. The fact that it will turn off all your peripherals at the same time is really cool too. However, I wouldn't plug in my DVR, how is it going to record my shows when its got no power?
[citation][nom]wotan31[/nom]Who cares about saving electricity? Electric service is so cheap in most developed countries it's just silly. That and the parasitic draw of electronic devices is just a few watts, which equals mere pennies over the course of a year. Yes, lets all go out and spend $29,95 on a fancy power strip to save $0.37 cents in electricity. Too many enviro-nazi's out there, and not enough common sense.[/citation]
You obviously missed the first page of the article talking about how with vigilant use, these strips will pay for themselves within a year (even at cheap North American electricity prices).
[citation][nom]iconslim[/nom]No you simply do not be an idiot and unplug all cables from the wall that you are not using. Or buy a cheapo power strip that you can switch off if you are not using those devices.[/citation]
Clearly, this product isn't intended for you. The most practical device (the Belkin AV) is obviously intended for households with children. I can imagine a child rarely remembers to turn off the XBox when they turn off the TV. Imagine if the powerstrip could detect the TV is off, and turn off the XBox too (along with the amp and surround speakers and the lamp next to the TV)? Its not just about leakage into a "soft-off" device, its also about turning off a device that might otherwise be left on when it shouldn't be. For $30, its not a bad investment compared to a regular, high-quality surge protector.
The timer-button and the old ones with the remove might not buy you that much, you still have to remember to use them. The Conserve AV, on the other hand, works without any user interaction, and that will benefit the less diligent user greatly.
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