UPS for home theatre?

[jstutman]

Is there any practical use in owning a UPS for a home theatre setup? Its not so much for the backup function as it is for the power conditioning that some claim to do. Would a power condition alone (without an UPS) be a better solution?

[PatrickL2009]

what is a ups

[Disky76]

Originally Posted by jstutman

Is there any practical use in owning a UPS for a home theatre setup? Its not so much for the backup function as it is for the power conditioning that some claim to do. Would a power condition alone (without an UPS) be a better solution?

It depends on the extent of your setup. The UPS will keep the power going for a few minutes if the power goes out. In my case, I need a UPS as I have a projector, and if the power goes out when the projector is in use, the UPS keeps the projector running long enough for the lamp to cool properly.

A UPS would be helpful if any of your components have cooling mechanisms that engage when the shut down process begins.

[Kryptron]

I use one for my Satellite DVR. We get at least 1 brownout per month around here so it keeps the receiver on. Without it not only would it ruin whatever i was recording but it would take almost 10 minutes to boot back up and download the program information so having a UPS is a plus.

Now the UPS i use is not really ment for Home theater. But it was ok to use it on the dvr or even an LCD monitor or tv. If you want to provide battery backup to a surround receiver for example, you will need something really high wattage made for Home theater that provides the equipment with what is called a "true sine wave".

Originally Posted by PatrickL2009

what is a ups

It's eitheir
A) United Parcel Service
or
B) Uninterruptible power supply

*in this case the correct answer is B.

[werewuf]

Originally Posted by PatrickL2009

what is a ups

Uninterruptible power supply

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uninter...e_power_supply

[tlmaclennan]

I don't think there is a huge advantage to using a UPS with your home theater. I have heard that plasma TVs need a proper shut down and that cutting the power instantly can harm it, but I'm not sure if that is true or not.

Personally, considering I'm not expert with electrical systems, it would be better to have the power conditioning and surge protection over UPS. I know that you can get an all-in-one power conditioner that has UPS capabilities, but it gets expensive.

What were you looking at hooking up to the UPS? Right now I have a separate UPS from my power conditioner that I use for my HTPC and various non-home theater electronics. My TV, receiver, cable box, and subwoofer are connected to the power conditioner.

[un4gvn94538]

if your using a ps3 in your set up i would highly recommend a ups. its always noted not to turn off the power when doing an update or whenever the hard drive is being accessed so if the power goes out during this, it wont potentially mess it up.

[kefrank]

Originally Posted by tlmaclennan

Personally, considering I'm not expert with electrical systems, it would be better to have the power conditioning and surge protection over UPS. I know that you can get an all-in-one power conditioner that has UPS capabilities, but it gets expensive.

Really? I think most UPS's provide surge protection and power conditioning. I paid $100 for my Tripp-Lite UPS that provides power conditioning and surge suppression. It's not really all that expensive.

[tlmaclennan]

I'm just basing that off the APC product line. The APC H15 seems to be really popular here, especially with the huge price drop on the silver unit. To get the APC H15 plus UPS capabilities you would have to buy the APC S15, which ronges from $900 and up.

My UPS has just surge protection, and it's just basic. I have never seen a UPS with power conditioning that was as cheap as $100.

[jstutman]

Looks like it has an AVR built in, the only other large difference is the H-15 states to have a noise filter.

http://www.staples.com/office/suppli...plies_2_SEARCH

[Hammie]

I have a Tripp-Lite HT1000UPS in my system. It offers battery backup, voltage regulation, and surge suppression. I think it was right around $100.00.

[tlmaclennan]

I'm curious what the difference is between the CyberPower and APC systems. We use APC at work for various small projects. I assume that APC uses higher quality components to justify the higher cost.

[Kryptron]

Originally Posted by tlmaclennan

I'm curious what the difference is between the CyberPower and APC systems. We use APC at work for various small projects. I assume that APC uses higher quality components to justify the higher cost.

I use a Cyberpower for my dvr. I think the main difference is that the ones specifically designed for home theater provide the equipment with what is known as a "true sine wave" and not a simulated one. Most computers power supply can accept simulated sine but some home theater equipment powers supply are not meant to be powered by a simulated wave. Be careful.

[jstutman]

Originally Posted by tlmaclennan

I'm curious what the difference is between the CyberPower and APC systems. We use APC at work for various small projects. I assume that APC uses higher quality components to justify the higher cost.

I was told its just the name, cause its not there special warranty....search google on how many people have been denied there warranties

[Jbald87]

Originally Posted by tlmaclennan

I'm curious what the difference is between the CyberPower and APC systems. We use APC at work for various small projects. I assume that APC uses higher quality components to justify the higher cost.

We use APC were we work too.. A single one of our APC units can ran 3 computers for 4 hours. O.o Kinda over kill if you ask me.

[kefrank]

Originally Posted by louhamilton

I have a Tripp-Lite HT1000UPS in my system. It offers battery backup, voltage regulation, and surge suppression. I think it was right around $100.00.

Yeah, I have the Tripp-Lite G1000U which I got at Costco for $100 (probably Costco's version of the same model). According to Tripp-Lite:

Tripp Lite's G1000U Line-Interactive Digital UPS System offers automatic voltage regulation, surge suppression, noise filtering and long-lasting battery support for computers, peripherals, audio/video components and home theater systems.