Thanks guys, lots of information to absorb and different strategies to explore.
@ Beagle - Reece, I know you weren't ranting at me mate, besides, I like your rants!
@ Jeff - I should have qualified what I meant by  "switching the entire studio on with one switch". It's true that it's all powered from one socket, but when I switch on initially, all this does is power up my rack, desk, monitors (video) & interface. Then I power up the pc, then finally my monitors (audio)

The important devices to have protected are the computer (obviously) and video monitors.

UPS's I have looked at talk about a 4ms switchover time. Is this quick enough to protect my pc?

How long you want the system to run on the UPS is another factor.  If you want it to be able to run for "x" minutes you have to have something with the capacity to allow you to run for the "x" minutes (e.g. 5 minutes or 10 minutes).  Some lower rated UPS' may be OK, even with a higher load, for momentary dropouts but not enough for however minimum time you want it to run on battery.

With regards to how many amps one really needs:

from: http://www.furmansound.co...v=03&id=AC_CURRENT

"Q: I understand each of my power amplifiers require a 20 amp circuit, and that my power amplifiers can draw as much as 50 amps! Won't I have a problem with a 15 or 20 amp AC power conditioner shutting down?


A: It’s VERY unlikely. What the amplifier manufacture has failed to explain is that they are concerned with peak current draw, not RMS current draw. There are very few power amplifiers manufactured regardless of price or topology that will exceed 5 amps RMS at FULL VOLUME! Typically, it’s half that amount."

fireberd


How long you want the system to run on the UPS is another factor.  If you want it to be able to run for "x" minutes you have to have something with the capacity to allow you to run for the "x" minutes (e.g. 5 minutes or 10 minutes).  Some lower rated UPS' may be OK, even with a higher load, for momentary dropouts but not enough for however minimum time you want it to run on battery.

I'm thinking of trying to protect the system from power cuts.


In the event of one happening, I'd simply like enough time to save what I'm doing, powering everything down safely and disconnecting from the mains, so a couple of minutes tops.

Also, look for one that connects to your PC (usually USB).  Windows will detect it and allow you to set up what/when to "orderly" shutdown the PC.   This is good for times when the PC is powered on but unattended.