I just can't do it captain, I don't have the power!

Hi everyone!

This week I decided to tackle a question that my mom has been bugging me about for years now:

Since my dad started installing home theatres 5 years ago, we’ve had quite a few components going in and out of our living room. My mom has always complained that none of them ever actually turn off; making the room have a constant hum and sucking up energy 24 hours a day. While these are advertised as low-power standby modes, the vast majority of users would not care about whether the component turned on 3 seconds faster by using this much more energy. Until now the only solution would be to individually unplug the components that could be unplugged, such as the TV, DVD player, and receiver. (The DVR and surge protector need to be plugged in so that your favorite shows can still be recorded. Who could miss The Office??) However, the task of getting behind all the components each time you’d like to watch TV or turn it off is frankly far too annoying and bothersome to actually do it on a regular basis.

But there is finally a solution: Belkin recently announced a new surge protector which would allow you to wirelessly turn off 6 of the 8 available outlets with the press of a button. Not only will you save power, but the annoying lights and humming noises that come along with stand by mode will be a thing of the past.

Don't go searching for it just yet though - it's not scheduled for release until this coming summer.

Now if we could only find a way to wirelessly power most of the components and get rid of the sea of cables, my life would be complete.

Hope this helps mom!!