|  Tripp
Lite is well known for their power products. HT1210ISOCTR Isobar Audio/Video Power
Center is one of their latest products specifically designed to protect the components
of an entertainment system. The HT1210ISOCTR is capable of clamping surges as
high as 5700 joules. The filtration circuits prevent disruptive EMI/RFI line noise
from causing noise in the Audio/Video system. Isolated Filter Banks help eliminate
noise interference between components. The metal chassis is built in a 2U rackmount/console
design with rack ears included. The unit comes with a long 10-ft. power cord with
a right-angle plug. The HT1210ISOCTR includes a 6-ft. gold coaxial cable, 6-ft.
phone cable and 6-ft. network cable. Best of all, the HT1210ISOCTR has a $150,000
Ultimate Lifetime Insurance coverage (USA/Canada only) and lifetime product warranty.
Front
Panel
The front panel is loaded with information including dual digital
LED displays with 12 additional LEDs that show input voltage levels, component
load levels and 4 operational conditions (power, protection, grounding, selected
outlets). The Power LED indicates that utility power is available to the
unit while the On LED illuminates when the unit power switch is turned
on. The Ground LED lights when the unit has a proper ground connection
to utility power. The Protected LED illuminates when the HT1210ISOCTR is
properly protecting the components connected to it. Should this light fail to
illuminate, the unit is no longer fully protecting the hardware connected to it
and should be serviced. We wish there was a control for the light level, but we
didn't see any capability to adjust it. The
Select and Enter button located on the front panel are used to manually
control the four groups of outlets on the rear. Pressing the Select button
will select the outlet while the Enter button toggles the power to that
outlet. These buttons are used in conjunction with the Outlet Select LEDs
and Power On LEDs. Hidden in the front panel is a pair of DIP switches
used to select the delay time between relay closures during power-on and power-off.
The two switches provide four timing combinations (0 sec, 1 sec, 10 sec, and 30
sec). The power must be cycled on the unit for any new switch setting to take
effect.  Rear
Panel
The rear panel of the HT1210ISOCTR Isobar Audio/Video Power Center
has a total of twelve NEMA 5-15R AC outlets grouped into three filter banks. The
Digital Filter Bank (Clean 1) has a total of five outlets, one of which is controlled
by IR1. The Analog Filter Bank (Clean 2) also has five outlets with one controlled
IR2 output. Finally, the High Current Bank (Clean 3) has a two outlets which are
controlled by IR3 & IR4 respectively. Each switched output (IR1, IR2, IR3,
& IR4) can be controlled individually using the remote or front panel interface.
The delay switches on the front panel set the time between the IR relays. The
turn-on sequence is 1, 2, 3, & 4 with a turnoff sequence in the reverse order.
This can help prevent speaker thump when using a separate preamplifier to drive
a powered subwoofer.
Three
pairs of gold-plated coaxial F-connectors offer surge protection for antenna,
cable TV and satellite feeds. There is also protection for one telephone/modem
and one ethernet interface. A standard 3.5mm (1/8") IR input jack is available
if the unit is hidden away in a cabinet without access to the front panel. Inside
 The
internals of the HT1210ISOCTR are not complicated with plenty of room for protection
circuitry. There are no isolation transformers used in this design. Only a small
power transformer supplies power to the displays and controller. Two small circuit
boards (see photo) handle the display interface for voltage and current readings.
The top board has common mode choke and filtration circuitry. The larger board
has a total of four 30 amp relays used to switch the four IR outlets. The high
current rating on the relay contacts help increase their life. The input power
and outlets use heavy 14 gauge wire to help minimize impedance and voltage drop
through the unit. The phone, ethernet, and F-connectors all have their own dedicated
protection circuits that do not interface to the other boards. Conclusion
Tripp Lite offers affordable protection for your entertainment system with the
HT1210ISOCTR Isobar Audio/Video Power Center. Twelve outlets protect your investments
from surges that may otherwise damage electronic components. The high-end look
provides important visual feedback of both voltage and current used by the system
with health indicators for line power and internal protection. Virtually all types
of common A/V components can be connected to the HT1210ISOCTR including terrestrial
receivers, cable boxes and satellite receivers. Phone and wired media servers
can also be connected to protect them from potential damage. The
four sequentially timed outlets provide additional flexibility for control of
components such as power amplifiers and powered subwoofers. The convenient IR
remote and IR input jack allow custom installers to make full use of the features.
With a street price of under $300, you will be hard pressed to find a more powerful
A/V Power Center for the money. -
Kevin Nakano | 
