On Mon, 02 Nov 2009 20:18:50 -0700, D Yuniskis
wrote:

Spin the disk down when it isn;t being used!

Sure, but I don't have any control over the DirecTV firmware. What I
have is what I have to live with. My guess(tm) is that they spin the
disk continuously to improve the operating life of the hard disk
drive. I have servers that run 24x7x365 that never seem to eat a disk
drive. I have one in the office that's been running continuously
since about 1995. However, the same drives, will die after 3-5 years
with start-stop operation.

Done properly, even that 6W figure could turn into 1/2W as
the entire device could sleep when not in use -- and just
wake-up when the next "alarm time" is scheduled *or* when
IR is sensed from the remote.

Well, it's not quite so simple. The box downloads firmware updates
and program listings erratically. It also calls home on the phone
line in the middle of the night for pay per view and quality control.
I can also make record schedule entries via the internet. If the LNB
is powered down, it takes about a minute for things to settle down and
stabilize again. Power consumption can probably be drastically
reduced using some manner of standby mode, but my box is VERY busy,
which means the algorithm may be rather complex and the savings rather
limited. If it costs me about $3/month to avoid complications and
extend the life of the hard disk, I would probably pay the price.

--
Jeff Liebermann
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558