New house, need help with everything!

[Desert Toad]

Hi there,

Hopefully I can explain what help I need, so here goes.

I currently have a small Sony home theater in a box thing that's been acting up for awhile, so it needs replacing. Also, I just lost my tv, so I bought a new Sharp Aquos 32D40U with HDMI inputs.

So here's the first question - with the HDMI input, can I buy a receiver than will handle ALL my video inputs (dvd player, satellite dish receiver, playstation, old vcr, kids plugin games, etc) and just run a single HDMI cable up the wall to my tv? HDMI will have good video rather than the three cables currently used for the dvd player?

Which leads to my second problem, since the walls in the new house don't have sheetrock yet, what all should I install? I plan on my sat. cable running down low behind the receiver cabinet, it will go into the receiver and back up inside the wall and into the tv. I have a power oulet behind where the tv will hang as well. And of course speaker wires will go in the wall as well - probably ceiling mount all the surround sound speakers?

My room is about 21.5 by 14.5 with a 9ft ceiling. So what would make for good audio (I want it to sound good, but don't want to go broke doing so). I'd like to add a second zone of speakers later for the back patio. I see a good deal on the Yamaha HTR 5990 that people like, that a good start for me?

Whew! Thanks for reading. Building a house has a million decisions, so I'd like to solve this one soon.

DT

 

[darien87]

Welcome Toad,

I live in a condo, so I can't answer your construction questions. However for your HDMI query. You probably won't see much of a difference in picture quality between HDMI and component video, (I noticed NO difference between the 2 with my TV). HDMI is just more convenient, (1 cable with audio included as opposed to 3 video and a separate cable for audio).

 

[superstar]

So here's the first question - with the HDMI input, can I buy a receiver than will handle ALL my video inputs (dvd player, satellite dish receiver, playstation, old vcr, kids plugin games, etc) and just run a single HDMI cable up the wall to my tv? HDMI will have good video rather than the three cables currently used for the dvd player?

There are receivers that do upconvert component, composite to HDMI, make sure you don't confuse them with upscaling. As for which one to get, I don't have one that upconverts, nor I have seen one in action, so I can't comment on that.

Which leads to my second problem, since the walls in the new house don't have sheetrock yet, what all should I install? I plan on my sat. cable running down low behind the receiver cabinet, it will go into the receiver and back up inside the wall and into the tv. I have a power oulet behind where the tv will hang as well. And of course speaker wires will go in the wall as well - probably ceiling mount all the surround sound speakers?

For the speaker wires 14 gauge is the standard of what people are using.

 

[westcott]

I suggest you run every cable known to man while the walls are still open.

Phone line for sat boxes, ethernet for future interactive stuff and internet support for devices and surfing, composite, component, HDMI, RG6, power if necessary, speaker wires, subwoofer cable(s), IR cables if you think you may want an automated screen or other device that are controlled with IR, and the list goes on. It may cost more to do now with all the wires you may never use but consider the alternative.

HDMI is a great concept and I am sure it will get better as times goes on but a back up plan should be considered if you have trouble with HDMI interface to your components. It would be nice to just buy and run one video cable but I would not put all my eggs in one very small basket.

 

[Desert Toad]

Thank to all for the help so far. Right now I have power and an empty box behind the tv. Lower down by the floor I have power, phone, sat, and another empty box for whatever I run up the wall to the tv. It's a short, straight run, so it would be easy to pull something up the wall. So the next question is what receiver would you folks suggest? I want something good that will last quite awhile, and run a separate zone for the outside patio. It needs to handle dvd and standard rca inputs for games and whatnot, perhaps an itv from apple down the road.

thanks again,

DT

 

[superstar]

Thank to all for the help so far. Right now I have power and an empty box behind the tv. Lower down by the floor I have power, phone, sat, and another empty box for whatever I run up the wall to the tv. It's a short, straight run, so it would be easy to pull something up the wall. So the next question is what receiver would you folks suggest? I want something good that will last quite awhile, and run a separate zone for the outside patio. It needs to handle dvd and standard rca inputs for games and whatnot, perhaps an itv from apple down the road.

thanks again,

DT

I would love to have this Onkyo TX-NR1000 but I got the mid range model 604, for the NR1000 it has anything that you will need, it upconverts and upscales, THX certified, HDMIs, and ethernet connection so you can play music from your pc. Pioneer VSX-1016TXVK THX Select AV Receiver Onkyo 674

 

[Desert Toad]

Wow! Looks like a great price on the 674, the Yamaha 5990 I see here so often isn't that great?

I know the Onkyo brand, and was actually looking a while ago at the home theater in a box.

 

[jcPanny]

Receiver options

The Yamaha HTR-5990 is a good option. I have seen some deals posted in the $5-600 range. I have one of their lesser models w/out HDMI (HTR-5860).

In addition to the video cabeling, check out the Dolby speaker setup docs on this site and decide if you want a 7.1 or 5.1 system with in-wall, bookshelf, or floorstanding speakers so you can run speaker wire to the appropriate locations.

Westlake Electronic is a good source for quality Belden speaker wire that is rated for in-wall installation.
14 AWG 2 conductor: to HT speaker, from VC to outdoor speakers.
http://www.westlake-electronic.com/cgi-bin/store.php?search=yes&detail=yes&item_no=BEL-5100UE-C
14 AWG 4 conductor: to outdoor VC.
http://www.westlake-electronic.com/cgi-bin/store.php?search=Search&search_sent=1&keywords=5102&category=&SUBCAT=&and=2&available_only=1

Also, now wood be a good time to wire for the outdoor speakers including a volume control if desired.

 

[jaxvon]

The Yamaha HTR-5990 is a good option. I have seen some deals posted in the $5-600 range. I have one of their lesser models w/out HDMI (HTR-5860).

In addition to the video cabeling, check out the Dolby speaker setup docs on this site and decide if you want a 7.1 or 5.1 system with in-wall, bookshelf, or floorstanding speakers so you can run speaker wire to the appropriate locations.

Westlake Electronic is a good source for quality Belden speaker wire that is rated for in-wall installation.
14 AWG 2 conductor: to HT speaker, from VC to outdoor speakers.
http://www.westlake-electronic.com/cgi-bin/store.php?search=yes&detail=yes&item_no=BEL-5100UE-C
14 AWG 4 conductor: to outdoor VC.
http://www.westlake-electronic.com/cgi-bin/store.php?search=Search&search_sent=1&keywords=5102&category=&SUBCAT=&and=2&available_only=1

Also, now wood be a good time to wire for the outdoor speakers including a volume control if desired.

I'd probably recommend the more expensive 5100UP wire. It has a higher strand count which will make it more flexible and manageable when pulling wires through the walls. I've also heard good things about the friendliness of Monster CIPro wire, but the best prices are only on Ebay.

http://www.westlake-electronic.com/cgi-bin/store.php?search=Search&search_sent=1&keywords=5100UP&category=&SUBCAT=&and=2&available_only=

 

[Desert Toad]

Wow, so many things I haven't thought about. How would the volume control work? Wouldn't it need power of some sort?

Also, what sort of cover goes on the box in the wall for the speakers, or do we just drill a small hole in the wall?

Still looking at receivers, I don't really think 7.1 is all that important to me right now, but perhaps later it will be used more.

thanks again.

 

[jcPanny]

Receiver and speakers

Toad,
Most all decent receivers these days are 7.1. You don't have to use all seven channels, you can still have a 5.1 or 6.1 HT. If you think you might want 7.1 in the future then put in the wiring now. Many 7.1 receivers will allow you to run a 5.1 main HT and a pair of powered "Zone 2" speakers. This would work well for your patio.

The Volume control I mentioned would be in between the receiver speaker outputs and the patio speakers usually mounted are the same level as light switches. Depending on the location of the main HT and the patio, this might be more convenient.

For the speaker connections, check out the low voltage boxes at your local Home Depot. They are usually orange and don't have a back on them. You can't have high voltage (AC Power) and low voltage wiring in the same box. You can install a decora cover plate with a single hole (like your cable TV connection) or buy decora covers with a pair of speaker binding posts from parts express.

 

[Desert Toad]

Great info. I will definately be figuring all this out in the next few days. Walls will be sheetrocked next week. Low voltage is a great idea, I'm looking at some low voltage lights under the eaves around the house as well. There is no power to the volume control, just a reostat for the wires?

thanks a bunch,

DT

 

[Desert Toad]

So I think I'll go with the Yamaha 5990 and I'm still figuring out wires and boxes and cables and whatnot.

Next question - what speakers would you folks suggest? Is something like this a decent setup or no? http://www.brand-electronics.com/products/?product=37280

Also, what speakers would you suggest for the zone 2 out on the patio?

thanks again.

 

[StevenJE98]

Here's a Good Tip, While before you add the rock

If you would like to add cables later, video cables, speaker cables etc, but cant afford it now. or you think you might need it later for some furure use of upcomeing technology. You can rough in some boxes with ENT tubing , Blue plactic tube you can pick up at home deopt or lowes, and you could also run this tube for speaker wire as well. you don't have to put in the speaker wire yet. but maybe sometime in the future. The ENT Tubbing ( AKA Smurf Tube) attaches to low volt boxes you dont have run anything now, but its good to know thats its there if you need it. and dont forget to run some string though the ENT this way you can pull the cables though, and just put a blank jack plate over the low volt box. and you done , and it ready when you are. you dont have to run every cable now. I do this alot for customers new homes. if your having and electrican do this and its getting inspected have him tag the box for future use. this way the inspector will know

Good Luck
Steve, Lic Electrician

 

[jcPanny]

House speakers

So I think I'll go with the Yamaha 5990 and I'm still figuring out wires and boxes and cables and whatnot.

Next question - what speakers would you folks suggest? Is something like this a decent setup or no? http://www.brand-electronics.com/products/?product=37280

Also, what speakers would you suggest for the zone 2 out on the patio?

thanks again.

Toad,
You are correct about the VC, no power, just input and output speaker wires.

I wouldn't recommend a HTIB speaker system like you linked. The speakers are the most important component of the audio system and you should budget acordingly. Onix X-LS (av123.com) and SVS make some good 5.1 HT speaker systems in the $700-1k price range. Post your budget and you will get plenty of ideas.

For the patio, you will need outdoor weather resistant type speakers. Also, if the patio VC is outside, it will need to be the sealed outdoor type.

 

[Phil Taylor]

If you would like to add cables later, video cables, speaker cables etc, but cant afford it now. or you think you might need it later for some furure use of upcomeing technology. You can rough in some boxes with ENT tubing , Blue plactic tube you can pick up at home deopt or lowes, and you could also run this tube for speaker wire as well. you don't have to put in the speaker wire yet. but maybe sometime in the future. The ENT Tubbing ( AKA Smurf Tube) attaches to low volt boxes you dont have run anything now, but its good to know thats its there if you need it. and dont forget to run some string though the ENT this way you can pull the cables though, and just put a blank jack plate over the low volt box. and you done , and it ready when you are. you dont have to run every cable now. I do this alot for customers new homes. if your having and electrican do this and its getting inspected have him tag the box for future use. this way the inspector will know

Good Luck
Steve, Lic Electrician

Very good advice from Steve - take it - you'll thank him later
From someone who's been there and wished he'd done that