Ups

[goughl]

I want to get a UPS for my PVR (721), what is recommend? wattage, VA, time duration?

[Kagato]

500 to 700 VA should work well for any overnight outages. If you have a powered switch make sure that goes on UPS too. Pay a bit more and get a name brand. I've had several generic UPS's go out on me over the past couple years. Save your reciepts too as you'll need them if you ever want service.

[gcutler]

Pretty much any UPS out there that you can buy will do the job for a 721 (depends on what else you wish to put out there on the UPS???) Time duration is also dependant on what you want out of it. For Brownouts and momentary power loss (like we get in the Georgia alot) then any unit will do. But if there is an extended power loss (like what happened last week in the North East) that also depends on how long you want the reciever to stay on. The larger the UPS capacity the longer you can keep the 721 on. But if your goal is after 5-10 minutes to have time to shut it down properly, most will do the job as well (remember the UPS will probably be ringing every minutes so not like you can enjoy watching your program for 10-20 minutes waiting for power to come back on, but it will continue to record for as long as it is on)

Get as large VA as you can afford and you will get the longest powered times and/or can add more devices, but spending as little as $30 just for the 721 will probably give you the most basic protection (brownouts and the momentary power loss which can quickly harm your device, the quick power up and power loss can be a killer) You might want to see what you can get for $50-$100 the extra protection afforded for the extra $25-$50 will give you more leeway...

350VA for $35
http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=294979&pfp=BROWSE

500VA for $60
http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=294980&pfp=BROWSE

725VA for $90
http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=300487&pfp=BROWSE

If you are looking for exact specs...(Just remember the 721 is like a stand alone desktop PC without a monitor and most other PC features, someone can probably give you better specs...)
http://www.apc.com/template/size/apc/index.cfm?action=single_workstation&temp_country=US&device_type=workstation

[Mark Holtz]

One thing to watch out for with Dish systems.... if you are using a powered switch like a SW-44 or SW-64, then you need to put a UPS on the power inserter as well.

Please don't hold me to this, but I have seen a 500VA UPS at Sam's club for $49-59 from APC. In addition, Costco is selling a 1000VA UPS from Tripplite for $99, and includes a USB port so that the UPS can give a status report to the PC to shut down. Needless to say, I've been severly tempted to move my PC to this higher UPS, and move my older 500VA UPS (with a new battery) to power the DVR and VCR. (I don't link my VCR blinking 12:00). :)

[goughl]

What are your thoughts on the Energizer 600VA at CC for 89.99?

[Neil Derryberry]

Personally, I would stick with an apc or a tripp-lite.. I prefer the apc because I can (and have had to) replace the batteries.

My guess is that the 721, even if it is powering a dp34 switch, probably doesn't pull more than 1.5 amps, and that is worst case. Even the smallest UPS will hold it up long enough to weather most power outages. If you want extended run time, buy a bigger ups. If you need to run your tv as well, buy a large one, the biggest you can afford.

[Chris Blount]

I just purchased this APC UPS at Sam's Club. It's a 1000VA (670 Watts) for $118. Runs my entire home theater sound system including my 508 (my HDTV is on a separate UPS).

http://www.samsclub.com/eclub/main_shopping.jsp?n=0&oidPath=0%3a-23542%3a-23588%3a-24197%3a687288&coe=0&BV_SessionID=_SC_1616406308.1061230807_CS_&BV_EngineID=ccdgadcjdkjfejfcfkfcfkjdgoodfkf.0

[goughl]

I just purchased this APC UPS at Sam's Club. It's a 1000VA (670 Watts) for $118. Runs my entire home theater sound system including my 508 (my HDTV is on a separate UPS).

http://www.samsclub.com/eclub/main_shopping.jsp?n=0&oidPath=0%3a-23542%3a-23588%3a-24197%3a687288&coe=0&BV_SessionID=_SC_1616406308.1061230807_CS_&BV_EngineID=ccdgadcjdkjfejfcfkfcfkjdgoodfkf.0
Thanks to all that replied, I look at the one Chris mention on the Sams Club web site, I think thats the one it will be.
Thanks again to all.

[Bob Haller]

The other day the power went out while I was watching TV. I had put the tv on the UPS, and everything died but the tv and receiver. It was real wierd. I quixckly turned the tv off but my 700 ran the combo for over 20 minutes, then kept the 721 running till the power was restored.

[gcutler]

Unlike PCs, tooo bad the PVRs won't interface with the UPS data connection. So you can set it up so that after X many minutes it shuts down automatically & gracefuly the PVR . Because if you aren't home the unit will run till the battery runs out (and can still cause a crash) or your manually turn off the reciever.

But at least typically the power outages are short lived (except of course like happened last week.)

[Cheyenne]

Just purchased a APC 500VA for $40, after $20 rebate at OfficeDepot. Using it on my CPU, but at this price, may get another for TV and IRD.

[Bob Haller]

Probably over 99% of outages last less than 5 hours. But a UPS is really needed when the reboot time is 4 mnutes:(

I wish they sold a UPS that you could turn the alarm OFF, the beeping is really annoying.

[johnsbin]

It is tempting to get the best deal on an UPS but keep this in mind:

Residential power is typically not well regulated and can drop below 95v throughout the day due to load variations. You may not notice this but a computer device like the 721 will and this can cause bad data writes to the hard drive causing glitches in your recordings or even errors in the software, forcing a reboot and reload.

IF your UPS does not provide AVR, automatic voltage regulation, it will not protect you from these voltage dips - just complete outages - and you will still see some problems from your 721 and your home computer for that matter.

Look for AVR or Brown-out protection. CompUSA has a 900VA unit with AVR for 79.95 online after a rebate. There are many others also available whereever you buy computer accessories.

[Chris Blount]

Johnsbin is partially right. AVR is a good thing to have but not necessarily something that you must have. Some power supplies have their own output voltage regulation when input voltage from the AC wall socket varies. It really all depends on how much you want to spend for the insurance of having stable AC power. I've had my 721 hooked to the wall socket for several months now with no problems. The only thing that is a problem is when the power shuts off and then right back on again. The 721 will reboot which takes several minutes. First chance I get I plan on picking up another UPS for my 721.

[Mark Holtz]

I was at Sam's Club, and the 500VA was $47.

Hmmmm.... anyone have any ideas how long a HDVR2+VCR will run on a 500VA Tripp-Lite Supply?

Also, if I replace the 500VA to a 1000VA, how long will my computer running a Athlon XP 2200+ with a 435 Watt Power Supply and a 15" monitor?

[goughl]

Just back from Sams Club in Charlottesville where I purchased the APC 1000VA UPS. Dam this is a large, heavy piece of equipment! This should be more than enough for the TV and the 721..

[gcutler]

Just back from Sams Club in Charlottesville where I purchased the APC 1000VA UPS. Dam this is a large, heavy piece of equipment! This should be more than enough for the TV and the 721..

Consider it a car battery with some sophisticated stuff added to it. And Batteries are heavy... I once made the mistake of getting a battery powered electric (no power cord) Lawn mower, the thing is so heavy that pushing it up hill is a major workout, I'm actually happy when I reach a downhill portion.

[Chris Blount]

Just back from Sams Club in Charlottesville where I purchased the APC 1000VA UPS. Dam this is a large, heavy piece of equipment! This should be more than enough for the TV and the 721..I know what you mean. You should have seen my wife's face when I brought that baby home. But hey, while watching my home theater system that little green light gives comfort. Now when a storm starts outside threatening to cut the power for a few moments, I say "Bring it on!". :D

[goughl]

Just back from Sams Club in Charlottesville where I purchased the APC 1000VA UPS. Dam this is a large, heavy piece of equipment! This should be more than enough for the TV and the 721..


I stand corrected, its 1100VA and 42+lbs.

[Mike Richardson]

I once made the mistake of getting a battery powered electric (no power cord) Lawn mower, the thing is so heavy that pushing it up hill is a major workout, I'm actually happy when I reach a downhill portion.

I've got an electric lawnmower, but there's really no hills here in Houston :p