[mythtv-users] Desk Top Power

[Michael Watson]

On 15/05/2015 9:24 AM, Daryl McDonald wrote:
> Has anyone had success powering Ethernet switches, HDHR's, or Set Top 
> Boxes from the power supply of a PC?
> I can see 5 or 12 VDC among the red black and yellow wires, I know it 
> would be polarity critical, and I really only need the gadgets when 
> the PC is on, or turns itself on.
>
> Any ideas pro or con?
>
There are many of the shelf products that can achieve this, often called 
a "smart switch/powerboard" or "energy saving switch/powerboard" that 
turn one or more plugs off/on depending on the load used by the master plug.

Using one PC power supply has merit in saving energy as well.  You only 
have the energy efficiency losses in one power supply to worry about.  
Each step-down power supply has its own losses in the step down process, 
so a good quality PC Power supply powering PC, Ethernet Switch, Router, 
HDHR may well use less power than the same pieces of hardware running 
off there individual power supplies.

Regards
Michael Watson