Sorry, but I couldnt find ther exact answer I was looking for in any past threads...
Do i need a a cable input?
Ive seen some with and others without.
Any other basic recommmendations?
Im not looking for a huge, expensive tower like think-just a good reliable power strip.
There are so many different types and im just not sure what I need for a 50" Plasma, a cable box, surround sound sytem and dvd player.
Thank for the help.

Sorry, but I couldnt find ther exact answer I was looking for in any past threads...
Do i need a a cable input?
Ive seen some with and others without.
Any other basic recommmendations?
Im not looking for a huge, expensive tower like think-just a good reliable power strip.
There are so many different types and im just not sure what I need for a 50" Plasma, a cable box, surround sound sytem and dvd player.
Thank for the help.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=277384

scroll down to post 24...all you need... i just put an order in for Zerosurge 15watt tower ....

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=277384

scroll down to post 24...all you need... i just put an order in for Zerosurge 15watt tower ....

Jaybar-thanx so much for that link.
Heres my question: I live in NYC-do I need to buy one of these $250+ power surge towers?
Will I be okay using a regular old power strip by Monster?
I dont think I can afford the former-but I dont think I have ever heard of anyones equipment being blown in NYC due to a storm or power surge.
Although I could be wrong...

Jaybar-thanx so much for that link.
Heres my question: I live in NYC-do I need to buy one of these $250+ power surge towers?
Will I be okay using a regular old power strip by Monster?
I dont think I can afford the former-but I dont think I have ever heard of anyones equipment being blown in NYC due to a storm or power surge.
Although I could be wrong...


How much equipment do you have, or how much is it worth. I'm pretty sure Monster strips use MOV's (read the link regarding them) So you still not fully protected. The question you need to ask your self is "Is it worth 200 dollars to protect a 2k plasma, 500 dollar receiver etc...and whatever else you have). Thats what it boils down to....

How much equipment do you have, or how much is it worth. I'm pretty sure Monster strips use MOV's (read the link regarding them) So you still not fully protected. The question you need to ask your self is "Is it worth 200 dollars to protect a 2k plasma, 500 dollar receiver etc...and whatever else you have). Thats what it boils down to....

Its definitely worth it to me, I just simply cannot afford and ive got a new plasma being delivered next week!
I had no idea of the specifics pertaining to MOV's and now that ive been made aware of them im a bit nervous.
I think I will just have to get an MOV for now and then hope all goes well with it until I can afford a proper protector.

As for MOV's-anything in particular I should be looking for?

Guys-ive got my plasma coming in days and I am still unsure as to what kind of surge protector to buy.
I will be buying an MOV and not an APC-b/c I just cant afford it RIGHT NOW.
Assuming I can ONLY buy an MOV/power strip-what am I looking for in the specs?
There are quite a few monster cable son Ebay, but some are $10 while others are $50.
Any help is really appreciated.

Buy the best surge protector you can afford. Keep in mind that if you live in an area with frequent thunderstorm activity during the Spring and Summer months, the best protection is to be diligent about unplugging all of your Audio and Video equipment when it is not being used. A power strip, even an inexpensive one, makes this easier as there is only one plug to remove from the wall receptacle. If you use a cable box and a VCR or DVR to record programs for later viewing, at least unplug the plasma screen from the power source. This will not eliminate the chance that a nearby lightning strike will result in an electrical surge that can jump from the cable to the plasma screen, or via the video cable that connects to the plasma screeen.

I have experienced damage to audio/video equipment due to electrical storms twice in the past three decades. The first time, a television was damaged by a power surge. The television power circuit was damaged and would not turn off the set, it could only be powered off by pulling the plug. This was repaired. The second time a laptop computer was damaged by a power surge that took out an inexpensive MOV surge protector that was connected to a laser printer. The laser printer was undamaged but the electrical surge passed throught the printer to the laptop (which was unplugged from the AC power at the time) via the printer cable. The motherboard of the laptop had to be replaced. The surge protector was crispy inside when I opened it up. The MOV had disintegrated.

With expensive equipment like a plasma set, why take the chance. Just unplug it.

The pole just outside my house was directly hit by lightning. The surge went to my house and the house across the street. The poor guy across the street even had to replace his wiring in the house. It even fried my can opener. I had my computer equipment on a Cyber Power UPS. The UPS also got fried. Cyber Power paid off after they received copies of the insurance payout costs estimate for replacement. What I am trying to say is to get a major brand serge protector and a good one at that. A lot of the brands out there that advertise huge payouts always have a way of trying to get out of paying.

The four brands of surge protectors I would recommend to you are APC, CyberPower, Tripp Lite and Belkin. All four are synonymous with the IT industry and are reliable for the ratings that are advertised. The one that does an excellent job for the price is the CyberPower 895.