While it is well known that I once did a burlesque show under the name TrickleStar in Weimar Germany, many of you don’t know that TrickleStar is also a system for shutting down idling hardware next to your TV or PC. I’m here to tell you, my kleine Kuchen, that it’s really great.
Think about your own sad situation: you have a computer or TV that you turn off. The constellation of devices that orbit these central devices remain on or in a standby state. The TrickleStars solve that problem by turning everything off when the main items are off.
How does it work? The TV model has three cables – a power-in, a “master” cable, and a “slave.” When juice is flowing to the master device, the slave turns on. A small wheel sets the sensitivity – some TVs, unfortunately, aren’t fully off when you expect them to be and that’s that. Nothing else to fiddle with. You can even connect a power strip to the slave cable, thereby turning off multiple devices at once.
Don’t worry: the ‘Merican model has ‘Merican plugs.
The PC model is a bit different. This model senses if your computer is on or off via USB. Once juice stops flowing to the USB ports the slave cable turns off. I currently have my monitor, printer, external hard drives, and vibrating chair attached to the TrickleStar and when I’m done with work for the day – at around 1pm – the rest of the devices turn off.
Obviously you don’t want to connect mission critical items to the TrickleStar stuff. TiVos and cable boxes are out as is your pressure washer and Aibo charging station (you want that stuff to be available at a moment’s notice). Otherwise, you’re good to go.
Where the magic happens
The PC model costs $24.95 and the TV model costs $34.95. They are all available at TrickleStar.com.
in australia they sell a powerboard version of the same concept; 1 normal outlet; 1 master, 3 slaves at aldi. works all the time.
i think this is actually australian. they just started selling them here.
Looking good!
I bought a Smart Strip LCG4 from Newegg which has the auto sensing power down feature. It has something like 10 outlets which works for my computer setup. It was around $30.
I guess I just don’t see the necessity. Maybe, this is for lazy people? Personally, I just make a conscious decision to turn off certain electronics that I’m not using. It’s not rocket science. Plus, the standby mode for my FIOS DVR (Yes, the clock is not displayed) & Stereo Receiver hardly use any power.
Honestly, I think people should be more concerned with the power that their water heaters & other heating elements use. Let’s not forget those Air Conditioners….
lol look at that modern day sweatshop
That is *not* a sweatshop. All electronic production lines in 1st world western countries look like that, as do the better factories in developing countries.
It is a boring job, but it is not slave labor.
I kid, I kid. Its just that… theyre all asian… and we all know how much they treasure their sweat shops! And yes, they dont look like theyre sweating. Maybe its tears… of joy. They cry from working in a wonderful stimulating and not at all monotonous environment!
yeah. he’s right. that’s how EVERYTHING is made. those folks are hardly sweating.
yeah, it’s either that or robots take over the job and then all those people in the picture are unemployed :(
the Belkin Conserve solves the problem a different way… with a bit remote control :)
http://bit.ly/11u5CY
Both of these need one extra capability though … a small delay in turning slave devices off, and a UPS style notification that power is going (I want to turn off my Media Center PC when I shut down the TV but these guys just yank the power rather than letting a graceful shutdown happen
Did you just call us all your little chickens?
Yeah and he did it from an electric vibrating chair!
I feel dirty.
i thought it was Cakes.
I bought a Tricklestar after Engadget covered the TV model of the device. Box showed up about 3 days after I ordered it and it was set up in about 5 minutes, and it works perfectly out of the box. It blocks my game consoles and audio receiver. I’ve rarely given praise to random electronics but this thing is damn clever and worth the buy.
I don’t own the PC version since I don’t own a desktop computer but I imagine that the features and quality is comparable.
There is a surge protector called “Smart Strip” that solves this same problem:
http://www.amazon.com/Smart-Strip-LCG3-Autoswitching-Technology/dp/B0006PUDQK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1251475476&sr=8-1
So, some people turn off their computers??? Interesting concept.
This is hardly news. These have been out in Sweden for a few years already, both in USB form and in master/slave form.
Slow news day?
“kleine Kuchen”?! Never heard that in Germany although I’m a german :P
i am happy 2 have……………..
In Germany we use this kind of powersurges for years. i have mine since 2000. Electricity should get expansive in US too …