Digi002r On or Off?

[Jsswtpmp182]

Quick question. Should I be turning my Digi002r off when not using it? Or should I leave it on like I do my computer? Is there a way that is better for it? Thanks.

[Obsidian Dragon]

Let me start by saying that this is my opinion and not necessarily a fact. I have been in the computer industry for over 25 years so my experience may have some credibility (up to you to decide if you agree). If you leave your PC on all the time, then I suggest you also leave your 002R on all the time. If you turn your PC on and off normally then I would likewise turn the 002R on and off. My reason is quite simple. Both USB and Firewire (IEEE1394) are "Plug and Play" but not necessarily "Unplug and Unplay." You will notice that if you have ever "unplug/remove/turn off" a USB or Firewire device, your Windows XP OS will tell you that you should stop this device via an icon on the device tray first (bottom right corner of the Windows XP screen) or you might suffer damage to the port or device. Hence the proper procedure is either to stop the device via the icon on the device tray first before physically disconnecting the 002R or turning the 002R off. It is also safe to shut down the computer first (without stopping the device via the icon on the device tray) as shutting down Windows also logically shuts down the device tray devices. At that point you can trun off the 002R via it's physical power switch or an attached power source. Powering up is different as that makes use of Windows "Plug and Play" capabilities so there is no need to start the device logically via any icons. I hope this answers your question more than raise additional questions. Sorry if it is confusing.

[JFreak]

Windows does not have plug-and-play and it never will have. It has been plug-and-pray and will stay that way unless they really rewrite the whole thing. USB and FireWire are the most idiot-proof connections I can think of, and still Windows has trouble handling the devices. Unbelievable.

Coming from a Mac-land, I would point out that whatever the device, just look at the powre supply and decide yourself. If it says <100W, then it's probably better to leave on than take your time to plug and unplug every now and then. If it consumes a lot of power (and therefore dissipates a lot of heat), then it is better to turn it off when not used. Common sense.

That said,

I'd recommend chaning all your studio gear behind one power switch or fuse and then just turn off all devices at once after the computer has been shut down. And in the morning, just turn on all devices at once and then start the computer.

Things can be made easy.