Are surge protectors necessary? - Blu-ray Forum

Valore · 04-28-2007, 02:43 PM

After I purchaed my PS3 tv and hdmi and all that fun stuff...the sales man at the store continued to urge me to bye a surge protector. And when I say urge, I mean was like implying that in order to have the best possible set up I need this device. In some ways I understand the use for one...however, I wanted some other thoughts. Do those of you out there with home entertainment systems use surge protectors? If so what kind? or is everyone strictly a "plug it into the wall and go" type? Thanks

DrinkMore · 04-28-2007, 02:53 PM

This is my general statement on the matter. It is coming from an IT professional that has installed over 2000+ machines.

You are a fool to run all that expensive equipment without a 50 dollar or less safeguard!

All it will take is one good surge to destroy your investment. Guess what, its not covered under any warranty, home owners, manufacturers. None. However, MOST respecatble surge protectors (APC, Monster) offer warranties that if they fail, they will cover the items connected to them that were disabled.

Long story short - get an APC or Monster surge protector. You don't have to spend hundreds. Around 50 bux is all you need.

Wheelman1970 · 04-28-2007, 03:39 PM

While I was purchaseing my $8,000 entertainment package, I did include a $500 PureAV surge protector and energy cleaner. A little excessive for $8,000 but it does protect my investment which is the main idea (I don't want to replace the equipment for 10 years). Every piece of equipement is plugged directly into the surge protector and there is one main out.

Buy one for sure.

jbuttler007 · 04-28-2007, 03:45 PM

Drinkmore, you hit the nail right on the head. I couldn't have said it better myself. Listen to this guy.

GoldenRedux · 04-28-2007, 04:24 PM

Thread moved to Home Theatre Discussion.

BTBuck1 · 04-28-2007, 05:46 PM

There have been several articles written on the validity of "Clean power" surge suppressors, etc. The consensus is, that they help maintain a clean path of power, and that the clean power helps reduce spikes in current that could damage sensitive diodes,integrated circuits, bulbs in rptv's etc. En gadget had the best write up on it I had seen a few months back. It was something about getting th most out of you're DLP/LCD RPTV's bulb.

My personal experience with them was back in 2002 when I bought My first (and last) Plasma TV. I was running the TV off of a entry model Monster Surge protector that had no clean power. It was fine for my previous 32" Sony \WEGA tube. But Within days I noticed weird occurrences with my TV.
If My wife turned on the garbage disposal I'd get lines in the screen on the TV. If she vacuumed, The TV actually cut off monetarily. And I would periodically get this ticking sound through my speakers that seemed to come and go. Even turning on an electric blanket caused interference in the TV.

So I said what the Heck, I'll spring for the HTS1100 power bar from monster.

This was the first time a product worked like it was supposed to. I immediately plugged in the vacuum, turned on the garbage disposer, got out the electric blanket...nothing, just pure picture. So yes...they do work!

MatrixS2000 · 04-28-2007, 05:51 PM

^ that is true...you should also put a voltmeter on your line to the tv then turn on and off some of those appliances and see what happens.

LxTxNx · 04-28-2007, 06:40 PM

What do you guys think about this one?

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1051384501817

clyon · 04-28-2007, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LxTxNx

What do you guys think about this one?

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1051384501817

You can get the exactly same thing at RadioShack for $30 or $35

& if you have a RP or FP tv you NEED a Back-UPS something like:

http://www.apcguard.com/Back-UPS_ES.asp

I got the 500VA for $59 & free shipping from amazon

Filterlab · 04-28-2007, 08:30 PM

Any surge protector that offers a guarantee is worth it, just stick to manufacturers you've heard of and don't grab the cheapest thing to come along.

MrBogey · 04-28-2007, 08:52 PM

I use an APC UPS with voltage regulation. It cleans out spikes and brown-out dips that shorten the life of components. My parents lost 2 TVs and a DVD player because low power trickle burnt up the transformers inside the TV.

Valore · 04-29-2007, 03:39 PM

Well, I went to BB yesturday and picked up the monster MP HTS 950

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1153336298823

seems to be working excellent and you can't beat the $200,000 backup plan they offer. Makes me feel like my investment is well protected.

Ashplisken · 04-29-2007, 04:49 PM

You can actually purchase a surge protector for your entire breaker box as well. It takes the place of a circuit breaker or two, goes for $200 and down, and protects everything in the house from surges. It isn't going to give you clean power, and you will still want a surge protector on your home entertainment system, but this is still a rather wise investment.

BTBuck1 · 04-29-2007, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valore

Well, I went to BB yesturday and picked up the monster MP HTS 950

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1153336298823

seems to be working excellent and you can't beat the $200,000 backup plan they offer. Makes me feel like my investment is well protected.

Valore, good choice!

shadowmoon · 04-29-2007, 05:22 PM

http://www.panamax.com/literature/pdf/M5500EX_L551A.pdf

This is the surge protector Im using. Display voltage input and current amp output. Get it on amazon as it is a LOT cheaper than BB.

BOSS10L · 04-29-2007, 05:29 PM

I've heard great stuff about Panamax, higher end models are too pricey for me though.

Rustmonsteru · 04-29-2007, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shadowmoon

http://www.panamax.com/literature/pdf/M5500EX_L551A.pdf

This is the surge protector Im using. Display voltage input and current amp output. Get it on amazon as it is a LOT cheaper than BB.

I had a Panamax 5500 but I turned it in for a 5400; I found the isolation transformer made a bit of low grade noise that bothered me during quiet scenes. I also have an older model with analogue meters that essentially does the same thing but in a less flashy way.

Before I had them, I lost two computers and a dvd player from fluctuating power. I can watch the voltage go up & down all day on my 5400; it's nuts. They're simply the best line conditioners/surge protectors around IMO.

oops, almost forgot... two stipulations for their warranty you should know before buying:
1. You must buy them from an authorized Panamax dealer. I believe their website has a list (or did when I bought mine). Years back the only major authorized online retailer was Crutchfield, I don't know about now.
2. if you need to conncect anything by extension cords you must use theirs.

thunderhawk · 04-29-2007, 07:47 PM

Voltage surges?

Never heard of any case before here. Unless someone plugs a 230V device on a 400V current...

Anyway, surges should be limited to some percentage. No?

Rustmonsteru · 04-29-2007, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thunderhawk

Voltage surges?

Never heard of any case before here. Unless someone plugs a 230V device on a 400V current...

Anyway, surges should be limited to some percentage. No?

I just have really bad fluctuations where I'm at. 120v is standard but I get anywhere from 117v - 124v up and down throughout the day. Yucky.

sakbarzad · 04-30-2007, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rustmonsteru

I just have really bad fluctuations where I'm at. 120v is standard but I get anywhere from 117v - 124v up and down throughout the day. Yucky.

i have that same problem at my house
but these are my surge protectors...
the one in my bed room (monster hts1600)

the one in my living room (monster pro3600 comes with an add on light

)

04-28-2007, 02:43 PM	#1
Valore Power Member Member since:Feb 2007 Location:Somewhere between here and there Blu-ray collection:148 DVD collection:84 Blu-ray reviews: 2 Trading Score:1	Are surge protectors necessary? After I purchaed my PS3 tv and hdmi and all that fun stuff...the sales man at the store continued to urge me to bye a surge protector. And when I say urge, I mean was like implying that in order to have the best possible set up I need this device. In some ways I understand the use for one...however, I wanted some other thoughts. Do those of you out there with home entertainment systems use surge protectors? If so what kind? or is everyone strictly a "plug it into the wall and go" type? Thanks

04-29-2007, 07:47 PM	#18
thunderhawk Moderator Member since:Jul 2004 Location:Belgium	Voltage surges? Never heard of any case before here. Unless someone plugs a 230V device on a 400V current... Anyway, surges should be limited to some percentage. No? Last edited by thunderhawk; 04-29-2007 at 07:56 PM.

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04-28-2007, 02:53 PM	#2
DrinkMore Banned Member since:Apr 2007 Location:That's What She Said! Blu-ray collection:140 Blu-ray reviews:7 Trading Score:3	This is my general statement on the matter. It is coming from an IT professional that has installed over 2000+ machines. You are a fool to run all that expensive equipment without a 50 dollar or less safeguard! All it will take is one good surge to destroy your investment. Guess what, its not covered under any warranty, home owners, manufacturers. None. However, MOST respecatble surge protectors (APC, Monster) offer warranties that if they fail, they will cover the items connected to them that were disabled. Long story short - get an APC or Monster surge protector. You don't have to spend hundreds. Around 50 bux is all you need.

04-28-2007, 03:39 PM	#3
Wheelman1970 Senior Member Member since:Feb 2007 Location:Calgary, AB	While I was purchaseing my $8,000 entertainment package, I did include a $500 PureAV surge protector and energy cleaner. A little excessive for $8,000 but it does protect my investment which is the main idea (I don't want to replace the equipment for 10 years). Every piece of equipement is plugged directly into the surge protector and there is one main out. Buy one for sure.

04-28-2007, 03:45 PM	#4
jbuttler007 Active Member Member since:Mar 2007 Location:Ayase-Shi, Japan	Drinkmore, you hit the nail right on the head. I couldn't have said it better myself. Listen to this guy.

04-28-2007, 04:24 PM	#5
GoldenRedux Power Member Member since:Sep 2006 Blu-ray reviews:1	Thread moved to Home Theatre Discussion.

04-28-2007, 05:46 PM	#6
BTBuck1 Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Jun 2006 Location:Oceanside, CA. Blu-ray collection:507 DVD collection:1	There have been several articles written on the validity of "Clean power" surge suppressors, etc. The consensus is, that they help maintain a clean path of power, and that the clean power helps reduce spikes in current that could damage sensitive diodes,integrated circuits, bulbs in rptv's etc. En gadget had the best write up on it I had seen a few months back. It was something about getting th most out of you're DLP/LCD RPTV's bulb. My personal experience with them was back in 2002 when I bought My first (and last) Plasma TV. I was running the TV off of a entry model Monster Surge protector that had no clean power. It was fine for my previous 32" Sony \WEGA tube. But Within days I noticed weird occurrences with my TV. If My wife turned on the garbage disposal I'd get lines in the screen on the TV. If she vacuumed, The TV actually cut off monetarily. And I would periodically get this ticking sound through my speakers that seemed to come and go. Even turning on an electric blanket caused interference in the TV. So I said what the Heck, I'll spring for the HTS1100 power bar from monster. This was the first time a product worked like it was supposed to. I immediately plugged in the vacuum, turned on the garbage disposer, got out the electric blanket...nothing, just pure picture. So yes...they do work!

04-28-2007, 05:51 PM	#7
MatrixS2000 Power Member Member since:Mar 2007 Location:Toronto, Canada 4K collection:48 Blu-ray collection:305 Trading Score:6	^ that is true...you should also put a voltmeter on your line to the tv then turn on and off some of those appliances and see what happens.

04-28-2007, 06:40 PM	#8
LxTxNx Member Member since:Mar 2007 Blu-ray reviews:4	What do you guys think about this one? http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1051384501817

04-28-2007, 08:30 PM	#10
Filterlab Senior Member Member since:Mar 2007 Location:East Molesey, Surrey, UK	Any surge protector that offers a guarantee is worth it, just stick to manufacturers you've heard of and don't grab the cheapest thing to come along.

04-28-2007, 08:52 PM	#11
MrBogey Expert Member Member since:Jan 2007	I use an APC UPS with voltage regulation. It cleans out spikes and brown-out dips that shorten the life of components. My parents lost 2 TVs and a DVD player because low power trickle burnt up the transformers inside the TV.

04-29-2007, 03:39 PM	#12
Valore Power Member Member since:Feb 2007 Location:Somewhere between here and there Blu-ray collection:148 DVD collection:84 Blu-ray reviews: 2 Trading Score:1	Well, I went to BB yesturday and picked up the monster MP HTS 950 http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1153336298823 seems to be working excellent and you can't beat the $200,000 backup plan they offer. Makes me feel like my investment is well protected.

04-29-2007, 04:49 PM	#13
Ashplisken Member Member since:Feb 2007 Location:New Jersey	You can actually purchase a surge protector for your entire breaker box as well. It takes the place of a circuit breaker or two, goes for $200 and down, and protects everything in the house from surges. It isn't going to give you clean power, and you will still want a surge protector on your home entertainment system, but this is still a rather wise investment.

04-29-2007, 05:22 PM	#15
shadowmoon Active Member Member since:Mar 2007 Location:Sparks, NV Blu-ray reviews:1	http://www.panamax.com/literature/pdf/M5500EX_L551A.pdf This is the surge protector Im using. Display voltage input and current amp output. Get it on amazon as it is a LOT cheaper than BB.

04-29-2007, 05:29 PM	#16
BOSS10L Active Member Member since:May 2006	I've heard great stuff about Panamax, higher end models are too pricey for me though.

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