For anyone who values their home theater experience, understanding the importance of power management is key. Whether it’s the latest audio integration, a high-resolution display, or any other device that enhances your enjoyment, ensuring these devices are properly powered is the first step to a long-lasting and trouble-free investment.
Avoid an overload
When preparing a space for electronics-driven entertainment, it’s essential to consider the power needs of every device. A comprehensive estimate of your total power requirements should include all display devices, audio products, source devices, and accessories. This thorough approach ensures that you never come close to overloading a particular wall outlet or circuit, which can lead to power outages, damage to your devices, or even fire hazards. A manufacturer’s product page includes an estimate for typical device power consumption. Real-time tools like the Kill A Watt are especially helpful for accurately measuring the needs of a single device or several connected to a power strip.
Remember that most manufacturer-provided power consumption figures are for “normal” operating conditions and not for a device’s maximum power consumption (unless explicitly stated) – this is especially true for larger audio amplifiers and receivers.
For audio/video (AV) devices that require significant power during operation, consider installing or using a dedicated electrical circuit to prevent overloading and ensure consistent power delivery. Affordable devices like the Klein Tools E310 also help one better understand what circuit breaker links to a particular outlet and verify proper wiring.
Recognizing our limits when it comes to DIY projects is a commendable trait. Before making any significant changes or additions to a room or home’s electrical service, we should be ready to consult a qualified expert familiar with local codes and regulations to ensure the work is done safely and correctly.
Power Protection
Power strips with integrated surge projection won’t stop a direct lighting strike from frying your gear. Still, they can help better organize cable clutter while providing security against moderate spikes in power delivery. Well-reviewed surge-protecting power strips from Furman and Tripp Lite offer improved outlet isolation, noise filtering features, and automatic shut-off in over-voltage scenarios. Remember that most surge protection devices lose effectiveness over time (years) and may cease functioning once worn out.
Uninterruptible power supply (UPS) products provide a battery backup that powers devices during an electrical outage. UPS devices from companies like APC and CyberPower also feature automatic voltage regulation that smooths out power sags and surges before they can reach sensitive electronic devices. UPS devices are especially ideal for applications where there is a possibility of data loss or corruption (e.g., NAS devices and computer workstations). Maintaining power during an electrical service outage isn’t critical for most home theater gear configurations, and a quality surge-suppressing power strip or whole-home device will provide adequate system protection. Only for a home theater environment that experiences brief and frequent power sags or interruptions would a UPS for sensitive equipment be worth the added expense.
Power management and performance
Many home theater products feature settings that affect power consumption and can influence a device’s practical longevity. The brightness of display devices like televisions, monitors, and projectors is directly related to power consumption. New TVs default to a picture preset designed to consume as little power as possible to comply with mandated regulations. Unfortunately, these energy-saving picture presets limit a TV’s picture performance to, often, unacceptable levels. That said, a few moments spent optimizing picture controls can produce eye-pleasing picture quality without excessive power consumption.
Unsurprisingly, operating lamp-based projectors in the brightest mode decreases the usable lifespan of the lamp module, requiring more frequent replacement. Operating any projector in its brightest mode generates more waste heat and increased noise from the cooling fans that must work harder.
When selecting home theater products, consider energy efficiency. Older display technologies, like plasma televisions, consume twice as much (or more) power as a similarly sized modern LCD or OLED TV that can deliver three to ten times the measured brightness. Many televisions feature sensors that automatically adjust picture brightness based on a room’s ambient lighting conditions – brighter when needed and more eye-friendly for dimly lit viewing environments. An example of this technology is Dolby Vision IQ, which also factors content metadata to provide an accurate viewing experience under various lighting conditions.
Efficiency considerations exist in the audio space, too. A loudspeaker’s sensitivity and impedance provide insight into how loud it will sound compared to other brands and models when fed a similarly configured reference signal. Generally speaking, a more sensitive speaker (expressed in a greater dB value) requires less power to achieve a specific volume level than a less sensitive speaker.
One of the easiest (and underused) ways to maximize the lifespan of electronic devices is to turn them off when not in use. Most display devices can power off automatically after a set time or when no input signals are detected. Also, the “quick startup” function available in most TVs and source devices significantly increases standby power consumption when unused. Standby power consumption refers to the energy used by a device when it’s turned off but still plugged in. In most cases, the additional wait time added when disabling this feature can be measured in seconds – you won’t notice it. Smart plugs, outlets, or home automation systems can also provide more granular control over the power consumption of connected entertainment devices.
Keep it cool
As we strive to build more efficient products, there is no escaping the fact that all electronic devices expel waste heat during operation. Following the manufacturer’s suggestions for providing adequate ventilation for home theater gear is essential to prevent overheating. Periodic maintenance should also include examining air vents for dust buildup and cleaning them when necessary – a particularly critical task with hot-running devices such as video projectors. Condensing home theater components into a convenient stack placed in an enclosed space or cabinet must always include a plan for managing excess heat. Companies like AC Infinity specialize in well-reviewed cooling fan systems for rack installations, enclosures, and individual components.
Bad batteries
User-replaceable batteries are an easily overlooked bane of any home theater setup. While some newer device remote and game console controls are transitioning to integrated rechargeable (and generally more robust) lithium-based battery technology, many are still dependent on commodity battery cells to function. Too often, a long-neglected remote control will be damaged by battery leakage, resulting in destructive corrosion that ruins the device. The cost of an OEM replacement remote for a premium TV, projector, or AV receiver can easily approach three digits – if the manufacturer even offers an identical replacement. While the potential for battery leakage exists for practically all cell types, quality rechargeables like Panasonic’s Eneloop brand destroy fewer devices while providing long-term reusability compared to standard alkaline chemistry. However, the best advice is to remove batteries from any infrequently used device.
The big picture
A home theater can vary from a solitary smart TV to a dedicated room with commercial-grade AV equipment. Someone has invested time and resources to create a personalized entertainment space. Ensuring consistent and sufficient power for these devices is a crucial first step for safe and trouble-free enjoyment. Following up with regular maintenance and minimizing excessive heat buildup will make for a longer and more comfortable relationship for all.
Robert is a technologist with over 20 years of experience testing and evaluating consumer electronics devices, primarily focusing on commercial and home theater equipment.
Robert's expertise as an audio-visual professional derives from testing and reviewing hundreds of related products, managing a successful AV test lab, and maintaining continuous education and certifications through organizations such as CEDIA, the Imaging Science Foundation (ISF), and THX.
More recently, Robert has specialized in analyzing audio and video display systems, offering comprehensive feedback, and implementing corrective measures per industry standards. He aims to deliver an experience that reflects the artists' intent and provides coworkers and the public with clear, insightful product information.
- Robert Heronhttps://www.avnation.tv/author/robert-heron/
- Robert Heronhttps://www.avnation.tv/author/robert-heron/
- Robert Heronhttps://www.avnation.tv/author/robert-heron/
- Robert Heronhttps://www.avnation.tv/author/robert-heron/
