Leaving HR21 on all the time......good or bad?

[VOLBEAT]

I was reading some of the posts in the thread about the latest software version, and some people having "freeze up" problems after inactivity............and I noticed one person said they leave their HR21 on all the time, not on standby, so that raised my question. Is it o.k. to leave it on all the time? Any disadvantages? Or, for that matter, what may be the advantage? Just curious. Thanks!

[Earl Bonovich]

When you "turn off" an HR20/21 all you are doing is turning off the front lights, and the output from the system.

Everything else is still running

[VOLBEAT]

When you "turn off" an HR20/21 all you are doing is turning off the front lights, and the output from the system.

Everything else is still running
So that's standby, correct? I read a post where a person said they leave it on all the time, so they must have meant they just leave the display lights on I guess.

[randyk47]

I turn mine "off" but as stated above that's really just the lights. Kind of a habit and somewhat driven by my universal remote with the one-button on/off. Did that more for my wife as the 4-5 remotes kind of got on her nerves. Still control the HR20 with its remote though as the universal is kind of a pain to switch from one source to another.

[texasbrit]

I use a universal remote and mine is programmed so it can't be used to switch "off" either of my two HR20s - they stay on all the time. Maybe it is a coincidence but my HR20s (one -100, one -600) are reliable, no lock-ups, no missed recordings etc etc.

[cygnusloop]

I use a universal remote and mine is programmed so it can't be used to switch "off" either of my two HR20s - they stay on all the time. Maybe it is a coincidence but my HR20s (one -100, one -600) are reliable, no lock-ups, no missed recordings etc etc.

Absolutely agree. My Harmony is programmed to leave the HR20 "on" all the time. It is also worth noting that the fact that the outputs are switched off can create issues with some HDTV's, particularly if HDMI is used. Unless it's a bedroom installation or some other situation where the front panel lights are an annoyance, I see no reason to put the unit into standby.

[VOLBEAT]

So, it sounds like I'm better off leaving it on?? Does there appear to be somewhat of a link to turnimg it "off" and lockups and other problems? I vaguely remember something of that nature, but then I'm new to the whole DVR thing........just got our first one 3 weeks ago.

[gully_foyle]

Absolutely agree. My Harmony is programmed to leave the HR20 "on" all the time. It is also worth noting that the fact that the outputs are switched off can create issues with some HDTV's, particularly if HDMI is used. Unless it's a bedroom installation or some other situation where the front panel lights are an annoyance, I see no reason to put the unit into standby.Agreed. My universal remote has a "system off" function that I've set to only turn off the TV and Amp. I could probably put the DVD players in there, but I found I was turning them back on to take out the disc, so I turn the active one off manually. The DVRs I leave on because 1) habit; and 2) at least one of them doesn't have a discrete off.

[cygnusloop]

So, it sounds like I'm better off leaving it on?? Does there appear to be somewhat of a link to turnimg it "off" and lockups and other problems? I vaguely remember something of that nature, but then I'm new to the whole DVR thing........just got our first one 3 weeks ago.

Months and months ago, there was a general consensus that putting the unit into standby was causing lockups, etc... The recommendation was, at that time, to leave the box "on". This particular issue has since been addressed in the software, and many, many people put their boxes into standby without any issues.

I think the best reason to leave it on is to avoid any timing and handshaking issues with the TV if you are using HDMI. If the drive spun down, or there was any other significant power savings, it might be a different story, but unless the front panel lights bother you, I would just leave it on.

[reggie]

I turn my HR21 off with the TV. No lockups and I am using HMDI.

[mndwalsh]

Months and months ago, there was a general consensus that putting the unit into standby was causing lockups, etc... The recommendation was, at that time, to leave the box "on". This particular issue has since been addressed in the software, and many, many people put their boxes into standby without any issues.

I think the best reason to leave it on is to avoid any timing and handshaking issues with the TV if you are using HDMI. If the drive spun down, or there was any other significant power savings, it might be a different story, but unless the front panel lights bother you, I would just leave it on.

I leave mine on all the time, never had a problem until the last few days when I leave it on NHL network. When the TV turns on it is a major scramble pic froze but with live audio. It has been since the last software update, I turn it off and on again and the channel comes up fine. Nice to have strange things happen once and a while, keeps me on my toes.

[ATARI]

I put my HR20-100 in standby and have never had lockups, so I assumed it was a good thing to do. Give the unit a little 'down time' to perform clean up chores.

I use HDMI and it has always worked fine.

Of course, YMMV.

[mobouser]

These units use about 40watts of power off and about 50watts on. Thats 40wattsx24hrsx7daysx52weeks. (i think I got it right) Thats about 40 dollars of energy a year. (very rough estimate)

[mobouser]

I tried putting mine on a switch to save energy but it really messes things up to turn power off on them.

[Earl Bonovich]

I tried putting mine on a switch to save energy but it really messes things up to turn power off on them.

VERY VERY much so...
The systems are designed to be on 24/7

[davring]

Both my -700's are switched off (standby)with the TV and no troubles in over a year. My main set up uses a cabinet cooling fan which is switched by my Kenwood, so "off" turns everything off. I have not seen much of a temperature variation (HR20)with the cabinet exhaust fan on or off.