[mythtv-users] Cable box always on

[John Drescher]

On Sun, Mar 30, 2008 at 8:00 PM, Kim Wall <kim at ductilebiscuit.net> wrote:
> Steve Peters - Priority Electronics wrote:
>
> > So does everyone just leave the cable box on all the time? Or is there
>  > something that can be done to turn it on and off automatically in myth
>  > (or by an external script)?
>
>  One solution, which I'm using for a Sky satellite receiver here in the
>  UK:  My backend is on a dedicated box which shuts itself down when idle
>  (woken by ACPI for recordings and WOL by frontends).  I simply used a
>  12V relay with mains-rated contacts, powered from the backend machine's
>  +12V supply, to switch power to the STB (and an RF distribution
>  amplifier feeding the two DVB tuner cards).  So when the backend
>  machine's on, the STB and amp are on, and when it's off they're off.
>  All done with suitable enclosures and connectors, of course.
>
>  The STB takes a couple of minutes to sort itself out after being
>  deprived of power, so I've got a script that sleeps for an appropriate
>  length of time and sends a "power on" command via IR blaster before
>  mythbackend is allowed to start.
>
I was going to say this will probably be very important with cable
boxes. Because if I pull the plug on mine (SA explorer 3100) it may
take 5 minutes or more before it becomes usable.

John