MediaMVP & Energy Saving Strategies

[drain]

drain,

I can't get your file. I'm receiving the following error:

File does not begin with '%PDF-'.

Any ideas?

Strage. When I click on the links it works just fine. Try this link.

[ww4397]

Strage. When I click on the links it works just fine. Try this link.

Yes, the new link works fine for me. Thanks.


FWIW, I went back and tried the other link and still get the error message.

[borgs5]

PDF of circuit attached. I've probably missed out some important details, so don't be afraid to ask questions, or for more details about construction.

ww4397: My internal modem wakes my PC on ring just fine. I was trying to use it as an answer phone, but the software that came with the modem is utter crap. Can anyone suggest good answer phone software?

[ATTACHMENT NOT FOUND]

Cheers for that drain, a very useful circuit!

I see you live in New Zealand, don't know whether you have scart cables in NZ? I was just wondering if the circuit can be simplified for users with the scart version of the MVP, by making use of the Function Switching pin on the scart connector?

Cheers

[ww4397]

drain,

I read this in your file:

"You’ll need to run a cable (or use a spare pair in your network cable) for the RI output form your MVP to the PC."

Would this mean it won't work with MVPs that are wirelessly connected to a network (like mine)?

[homerjatmoes]

drain,

I read this in your file:

"You’ll need to run a cable (or use a spare pair in your network cable) for the RI output form your MVP to the PC."

Would this mean it won't work with MVPs that are wirelessly connected to a network (like mine)?

There are some RF Serial Tx and Rx plans and kits on the web.

[borgs5]

I've done some power usage checking with my "power meter block". It's not very scientific but will give people a rough idea of what uses what:

MVP = ~9W (regardless of whether it is in standby or on or whether it is playing video / music)

4 Port network switch = ~3W

External telephone answer machine / modem = ~8W

EPIA PC 550Mhz (~Intel=350Mhz), 40Gb 2.5" HD, PVR 150MCE, USB-UIRT, ADSL modem - running MVP server and GBPVR recording components only i.e. no GBPVR client running.

Off = ~8W
Powering up = 35-40W
Idle = ~32W
Streaming to MVP = ~32W
Recording TV = ~36W
STR sleep = ~8W

Standard Desktop PC (4 years old), 1Ghz Pentium 3, 2x80Gb 3.5" HDs, GeForce 2 MX graphics, DVD writer, DVD ROM, network card, a few USB components.

Off = ~ 10W
Powering up = ~85W, max 110W
Idle = ~65W
Copying a file between HDs = 75-80W
Standby (standard NON-STR sleep - fan remains on on my PC) = 38W!
Hibernate = ~10W

Sorry, on that PC I do not have a PVR card and it won't go into STR sleep.

Interesting points
-----------------

PC transformers seem to always use some power when plugged in.

Your standby (if its not STR) may use more power than you think.

Standard PCs do use a reasonable amount of power. Note. Those readings were for an old, not very powerful PC and do not include the monitor power usage. The PC processor was hardly being taxed.

[homerjatmoes]

I've done some power usage checking with my "power meter block". It's not very scientific but will give people a rough idea of what uses what:

MVP = ~9W (regardless of whether it is in standby or on or whether it is playing video / music)

4 Port network switch = ~3W

External telephone answer machine / modem = ~8W

EPIA PC 550Mhz (~Intel=350Mhz), 40Gb 2.5" HD, PVR 150MCE, USB-UIRT, ADSL modem - running MVP server and GBPVR recording components only i.e. no GBPVR client running.

Off = ~8W
Powering up = 35-40W
Idle = ~32W
Streaming to MVP = ~32W
Recording TV = ~36W
STR sleep = ~8W

Standard Desktop PC (4 years old), 1Ghz Pentium 3, 2x80Gb 3.5" HDs, GeForce 2 MX graphics, DVD writer, DVD ROM, network card, a few USB components.

Off = ~ 10W
Powering up = ~85W, max 110W
Idle = ~65W
Copying a file between HDs = 75-80W
Standby (standard NON-STR sleep - fan remains on on my PC) = 38W!
Hibernate = ~10W

Sorry, on that PC I do not have a PVR card and it won't go into STR sleep.

Interesting points
-----------------

PC transformers seem to always use some power when plugged in.

Your standby (if its not STR) may use more power than you think.

Standard PCs do use a reasonable amount of power. Note. Those readings were for an old, not very powerful PC and do not include the monitor power usage. The PC processor was hardly being taxed.

Any device that has a "soft" power switch will always draw power, it needs some power to trigger the switch. Older computers using the AT style power supplies will not draw power as they have a hard switch that shuts off one leg of power from the outlet. Anything that uses a "wall wart" style transformer will draw power all the time as it's cuircuitry is always converting outlet power to what the device needs.

I am now interested in doing some checking of my own. If my PC is drawing only 55~100 watts more running at idle than when its off or hibernating or shut down, I'll continue to err on the side of convienence. I have cut my energy usage a lot in the past few months and my main heating source is wood so I think I deserve one energy "splurge."

[drain]

Cheers for that drain, a very useful circuit!

I see you live in New Zealand, don't know whether you have scart cables in NZ? I was just wondering if the circuit can be simplified for users with the scart version of the MVP, by making use of the Function Switching pin on the scart connector?

Cheers

No, SCART is not very common here. I just did a search to find out more about the function switching pin, and if the MVP supports it, it looks like it will work with my circuit if you switch the inputs to the first op-amp. Furthermore, the voltage is high enough that you could connect this directly to the RI of the serial port - a positive signal indicates the phone is ringing (and will wake the PC).

Give it a try and let me know how you get on.

[wrocky]

Yep, I use a device like this one:

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?Modu...&doy=25m10

It's a bit more convenient than the ammeter, it's probably not quite as accurate mind.

For those in North America, there is another version. They probably make them with 220 Volts as well.
http://www.p3international.com/products/...00-CE.html
I picked one of these up off eBay a while back and have used it to monitor my 24x7 Server. F.Y.I. it draws about 65 Watts active with an MVP, and about 58 when the hard disks spin down.

A lot of sites/labs use the new SeaSonic PowerAngel monitor. Basically the same as above, but with a different form factor.
http://www.seasonicusa.com/products.php?lineId=8

Wrocky