I've just bought a Sony 32EX403 HD Freeview set. The set has no on/off switch, so I just leave it on stand-by overnight. Does anyone know if there's a reason for the lack of an on/off switch?

Could it be amything to do with updating software or EPGs overnight?

We're off on holiday soon...can I leave it turned off at the wall for a week, or should I leave it on standby?

I have a virginmedis V+ box plugged in, which I normally leave on standby, but I'm happy to leave this switched off for a week.

Absolutely no reason whatsoever why you have to leave the TV on 24/7. Or for that matter no reason why you need to switch it off ever either. Entirely your choice. Depends on how paranoid you are that it will burst into flames while you are out

The Freeview EPG is broadcast continuously so there is no reason for the TV to just update at any specific time. It more than likely does so continuously anyway.

Similarly any software updates are usually broadcast over a period of days, usually a week, again 24 hours a day apart from the first and last day of the period. So there is equally no reason for a TV to have to update itself only overnight. It can do so perfectly well at any time during the day as long as it is switched on.

Some sets may check for updates in the early hours of the morning simply because there is less chance of you watching at that time so perhaps less chance of you being interrupted. But there is no reason why you have to let them do this. In fact many sets allow you to turn off auto updates altogether. And since most of the time there is no software update being broadcast it seems pretty pointless looking for something that is not there? The DTG website publishes a list of available updates so you can manually download it if you wish.

http://www.dtg.org.uk/industry/download_schedule.php

As for why the manufacturers save themselves about 10p on a switch, who knows

Switches cost a LOT more than 10p , and historically it's always been a major failure point.

Only the very cheapest sets (such as Vestel clones) have mains switches, better brands usually have a soft ON/OFF switch which powers down to an even lower state than standby.

And before anyone asks, yes mains ON/OFF switches do still fail in LCD/Plasma, just as they did in CRT sets.

Basically the sets are designed not to need a mains switch, but switching it off at the wall has got to be a good idea, particularly when going away.

OK I lied 20p for 1 or 15p for 500

http://uk.rs-online.com/web/search/s...7064379#header

Agree that switches are a pain in the wotsits at times though. If a bit of electronic kit is going to fail chances are it is the mechanical bits that go first.

Doesn't look a TV quality switch, it doesn't look like any kind of quality

RS are usually better than that.

Are you sure it doesn't have a on off switch, my bedroom Sony KDL40u2000 doesn't have a on/off switch as such, well it does but when i hit the standby button on the TV or remote it goes to less than 1watt standby and after 30 mins actually cuts all power except for the IR to allow remote to switch back on. im pretty sure your TV will do he same.

check the manual or if you get chance switch off and listen for 30 mins to the TV at some point you should here a click.

[edit]after look around, it seems to only go into standby but is less than 1 watt and all power from everything except IR receiver and Software Switch is disconnected so it sounds quite safe and enviro friendly to leave in standby.

Your U series TV has a 'soft' switch, which powers the set down further, and means you can't bring it back on from the remote.

Some of the new sets don't have that, only a standby mode.

Okay, thanks. I'll switch the TV off, but I'll have to leave the V+ box on standby - we're going to have lots of programmes on "record".

I'll admit, I don't like leaving things switched on while we're away, but we do it for the phone, an alarm clock/radio, the V+ box.....why should a TV be liable to catch fire?

Doe that mean that None of the actual power switches on all of the Panasonic range are power switches.........?

I don't see many Panasonics, and can't say I've ever noticed what they use

Although with various other makes (which I've seen LESS of than Panasonics) I've specifically noticed have used a mechanical mains switch. So I'd like to think that Panasonic don't, because I'd be more likely to notice if they did, than if they didn't - if you see what I mean

Next time I see one I'll try and remember to specifically check.

Any device that is using electricity is at risk of catching fire. Albeit a very very very small risk in the vast majority of cases.

Components can and do fail and depending on the component involved and the voltages and currents passing through the component the result can be pretty spectacular.

But as I said the risk is generally not that great.

OK. I'll try and ask our boys too on Monday!

I never bother switching off at the wall generally, but have a remote power plug for the TV so if I go away for extended periods I can just power off with the remote. Saves messing about behind the TV. The PVR is left on though (pointless having it otherwise).
I suppose it all depends on personal paranoia.

So the cheaply 'made in China' remote power plug is at less risk of fire than the expensively made TV?

Decent quality TV's are at least made to meet UK safety standards (probably the highest in the world?), cheap Chinese junk probably isn't, and each batch is probably completely different as well.

Yes you are right....The only reason the switch is there is to enable my Wife to relax when we go away...

To be honest, you could ask for no better reason!

My Sony W4000 has a power button on top of the TV which seems to turn the TV off, well almost off I assume, the red light goes out and the remote can't turn it on.... I assume this is the 1watt low power off mode?

Personally I'd worry more about all those DVD recorders and Sky boxes that are never turned off.

Actually I don't worry about them in all honesty :d

i only tend to disconnect stuff when i go away. (and then i leave the recorder on to do its stuff.

i think the biggest worry is surely electrical storms frying equipment. I lost an internal modem in a PC that way.

Google its specs, if its recent model its unlikely its "standby" power is more than a watt or two.

My Sony 40" LCD. 0.19W or less in sby.