Anybody noted energy usage difference between high res streaming and lower res streaming?

softdown

720p vs 480p for example?

i almost entirely watch educational podcasts so 1080 and 4k are not at all necessary. 

mike_s

The difference should be insignificant. Either will run on a Roku, which doesn't use more than about 5 watts total, and the difference would be much less than that. And, when compared to what the TV/monitor takes (you're probably looking at at least 20 W for small one), it's inconsequential.

softdown

I'm referring to the internet modem energy usage. I had a meter on it and it usually showed about a 22 watt pull. I figure the cell phone signal booster, on the same power cord, was likely about 5 watts of that. 

The ~42' tv with Amazon stick only draws about 30 watts. So combined with internet modem and cell phone signal booster that is only about 52 watts or so. Surprised me because I feel like the battery drain seems a lot higher than ~52 watts.

Have too much on my mind to do a proper study myself. 

mike_s

softdown said:

I'm referring to the internet modem energy usage.

That would be even less of a difference.

SteveK

For a point of comparison here is what my Fiberoptic modem uses in a typical day. Lots of varying resolution streaming up to 4K. Game play. Security IP cameras. Naz Forum! Lots of up/downloading. 100% streaming here with two laptops and a  52" 4k tv.

littleharbor2

Seems to me the question would be, Does it use much more data in hi res? It would seem that it would.

softdown

littleharbor2 said:

Seems to me the question would be, Does it use much more data in hi res? It would seem that it would.

Yes of course. I have unlimited data though. 

Nobody thinks the energy usage difference is significant. 

How are things in Baja? I've been studying the heck out of Ecuador and liking so much of it. But keep thinking that Baja would be 50 times easier. 

Plus it is entirely possible to only have a couple days, or less, to bug out. I expect the unexpected. Someday. 

littleharbor2

Baja been bery bery good to me. lol No seriously aside from the brutal summer heat on the east side it is great.. Nice and mellow just the way I like it. One thing for sure Baja is 50 times closer in the event you need to get back to the USA.

Marc Kurth

softdown said:

 I've been studying the heck out of Ecuador and liking so much of it. But keep thinking that Baja would be 50 times easier. 

Plus it is entirely possible to only have a couple days, or less, to bug out. I expect the unexpected. Someday. 

Seems to me that you have invested considerable effort to make your place good for digging in and hunkering down. Moving abroad needs to happen long before - not during. littleharbor2 has it wired.

The grass is always greener........

softdown

Summer heat should mean mild winters. A perfect fit for me as I have a short season for making money in the Colorado mountains at 10,000'. The winters here have been called brutal by a few. 

My Denver home is for sale. The last contract just fell through due to insane investor demands, It will still sell for plenty someday. A very thorough inspection only came up with a back yard grade complaint and older, though still good condition, roof. No radon or sewer pipe problems etc. 

So I am very interested in a modest home buy for less than $60,000 if that is still possible. Its just me and the doggo. Don't need too much to get through ~ 3-4 months of winter. Buenos Dias!




littleharbor2 said:

Baja been bert bery good to me. lol No seriously aside from the brutal summer heat on the east side it is great.. Nice and mellow just the way I like it. One thing for sure Baja is 50 times closer in the event you need to get back to the USA.

softdown

Agreed. A lot of things contributed to sub optimal retirement funding. Hurricanes, coronavirus, thefts, unexpected family deaths etc. But I could like royalty in Ecuador when I do really retire in ~ 5 years. Ecuador is the way America was in 1950. That is the way I like it. 

I have extremely grave concerns about the path this nation has been following for the past couple decades. It grows darker every year. If you don't see it that way then you are lucky. Not going to alter my viewpoints though. The gov. is pretty committed to that and fails quite miserably. 




Marc Kurth said:

softdown said:

 I've been studying the heck out of Ecuador and liking so much of it. But keep thinking that Baja would be 50 times easier. 

Plus it is entirely possible to only have a couple days, or less, to bug out. I expect the unexpected. Someday. 

Seems to me that you have invested considerable effort to make your place good for digging in and hunkering down. Moving abroad needs to happen long before - not during. littleharbor2 has it wired.

The grass is always greener........

softdown

To be clear, I think it is prudent to have three living options readily available. I suspect the USA and Mexico and Ecuador trio would be quite viable. 

Marc Kurth

I will not challenge your opinion on where this country is heading, and yes, it is clearly by design. My point is that it is looking like time is short to set up a home in another country.

softdown

I'm going as fast as I can. Dropping home price by 5k/week. Can't do much until home sells. Plus i have a couple local construction projects that keep me occupied. 

There are ALWAYS reasons to be frightened. The current fear mongering is absolutely off the charts. We shall see. 

SteveK

I hear property prices in Palm Beach are plummeting. An 18 acre mansion that was worth over a billion dollars is now valued at 18 million according to our new Royal Class in NYC....

My sis and brother-in-law bought property to expatriate in Costa Rica. Then there was a political upheaval and coup attempt in the neighboring country so they bought a villa in Panama and are very happy there part time. 4 hours to Miami.

The one investment that has been great was the beans I put up in 2009.

softdown

I doubt it was worth a billion dollars. Values usually drop in the second half of the year. The next recession is almost certain to manifest within the next 10 months according to historical data. I certainly hope things remain afloat until the current home sale closes in a few weeks. Nothing would surprise me. Selling a home in a deteriorating market is not for the faint of heart. A buyer back out can cost the seller very, very dearly. 

Ecopolitics in Central and South America are historically unstable. Though Uruguay has a pretty good record. Good thing the CIA always does their best to work on behalf of the common man. 

Costa Rica, Panama and Mexico are all extremely popular. Living expenses reflect that. Mexico now requires an income of $2000/mt to retire there. I find that quite shocking. The average American retirement income is said to be ~ $1600/mt. Though I don't always believe too many official stats anymore. 

The current upheaval is so interesting. Southern California had it ALL. Now destroyed by psychopathic narcissists who gravitate into positions of public influence and control. We often elect the worst and dumbest instead of the best and brightest who are appalled at the idea of running for public office.

Anyways, smaller is better in governance. Small countries are rarely interested in micro managing every detail of the lives of their citizenry. For one thing they can't afford to. Rich and powerful governments have simply horrific track records.

JRHill

Softdown, does it really make a difference to you? I notice a difference in audio but not much in video with Starlink. You must have utility internet. My gosh... When TSHTF you think its gonna be better? When that happens we have lots of good books. Several of which I have to read again.

Do you want some book suggestions for your library?

softdown

i think surviving will keep the survivors occupied. Thread drift!

Utility internet? I guess. Tower is ~ 10 miles away. Service is decent.