Trying to Install HDMI Cable

[Bushka]

Not sure if this is the right forum, but...

You guys have been helping me with constructing a subwoofer for a cabinet. This cabinet will house a receiver, cable box, etc. I have to run an HDMI cable from the receiver to the wall mounted TV. There's a bit of a trick to it, though. See quick drawing below. The red frame is the TV, the blue box is the power for the TV, and the green line is the cable I have to run. The framed structure is cosmetic and houses the gas fireplace. It will be covered in a 3/4" or maybe 1" stone veneer. So, I will have an electrical box that will be recessed into the veneer (I'm thinking this will allow the plug to fit into the outlet without pushing the TV away from the wall. I'm going to have the new thin Samsung that hangs very close to the wall.

So I understand that the only cable I'll ever need between the TV and the receiver is 1 HDMI. I'm trying to figure out the best way to run this cable so that it can be replaced in the future if necessary. Also, being able to run an additional cable if needed would be nice. So I'm trying not to reinvent the wheel and/or make a dumb mistake.

How would you go about running the cable in this setup, and how would you finish the point at which the cable goes through the stone? Please note from the drawing that the electrical box has nothing to do with location of the green line.

I hope this makes sense... any ideas are much appreciated. Again, apologies if this is not the right forum.

 

[TLS Guy]

Not sure if this is the right forum, but...

You guys have been helping me with constructing a subwoofer for a cabinet. This cabinet will house a receiver, cable box, etc. I have to run an HDMI cable from the receiver to the wall mounted TV. There's a bit of a trick to it, though. See quick drawing below. The red frame is the TV, the blue box is the power for the TV, and the green line is the cable I have to run. The framed structure is cosmetic and houses the gas fireplace. It will be covered in a 3/4" or maybe 1" stone veneer. So, I will have an electrical box that will be recessed into the veneer (I'm thinking this will allow the plug to fit into the outlet without pushing the TV away from the wall. I'm going to have the new thin Samsung that hangs very close to the wall.

So I understand that the only cable I'll ever need between the TV and the receiver is 1 HDMI. I'm trying to figure out the best way to run this cable so that it can be replaced in the future if necessary. Also, being able to run an additional cable if needed would be nice. So I'm trying not to reinvent the wheel and/or make a dumb mistake.

How would you go about running the cable in this setup, and how would you finish the point at which the cable goes through the stone? Please note from the drawing that the electrical box has nothing to do with location of the green line.

I hope this makes sense... any ideas are much appreciated. Again, apologies if this is not the right forum.

HDMI cables are fragile and do not take stress. There are twenty cables inside an HDMI cable! HDMI cable failures a relatively common. You must run conduit through your cabinet up to the box. Also I would definitely run a set of component cables as back up as well as an HDMI cable. So make the conduit large enough.

 

[Bushka]

Regarding conduit I was thinking maybe even 2" PVC with long elbows, but maybe I can get regular large diameter conduit. It seems like the biggest bend will be in going into the conduit from the outside of the veneer, so I'll need a large diameter at that point.

I didn't know how sensitive HDMI cables are. Thanks!

 

[audiohonic65]

I'm kinda curious to know the same as well. This installation is driving me crazy.

 

[cwall99]

The other thing you might want to keep an eye on is how the HDMI cable feeds into your television. On which side is the connector? Is it flush? rececessed? Parallel or perpendicular to the screen.

Minor issues, yeah, and maybe not worth spending too much time on, but it's always my luck to have the product that's got the goofy connection that makes everything else hard to set up.

 

[jinjuku]

Optimally you would want to install a pull box where the pull radius is greater than 90 degrees.

Also consider going up and over if possible.

 

[lsiberian]

HDMI cables are fragile and do not take stress. There are twenty cables inside an HDMI cable! HDMI cable failures a relatively common. You must run conduit through your cabinet up to the box. Also I would definitely run a set of component cables as back up as well as an HDMI cable. So make the conduit large enough.

This is where quality makes a big difference.
http://www.monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10240

Get a 22AWG in-wall cable. They are rugged.

 

[Bushka]

So what I've ended up doing is running a 1.5" pvc pipe from about the center of where the TV will hang, back into the "chimney" and down to the right with a sweeping ell, and then through the side of the chimney with a 45 degree bend. I haven't finished it, but should do so tomorrow. There will be plenty of room for cables, but it won't make a huge hole in the wall, either.

On the TV I'm looking to purchase, the HDMI cable points to the left as you watch the TV. I'm going to have to loop the cable up and over the power cable and then snake it through the new PVC pipe. I don't think there will be any turns that are too difficult (I hope). Also I was looking at the back of the TV in the store, and there was a little sticker that said that a thin HDMI cable should be used to to the slimness of the TV. That didn't quite make sense to me, but I didn't have time to check it out more. Are thinner cables any different from thick ones???

Thanks also for the link to cables. I'm amazed the box stores get away with charging what they do for Monster cables.

 

[lsiberian]

So what I've ended up doing is running a 1.5" pvc pipe from about the center of where the TV will hang, back into the "chimney" and down to the right with a sweeping ell, and then through the side of the chimney with a 45 degree bend. I haven't finished it, but should do so tomorrow. There will be plenty of room for cables, but it won't make a huge hole in the wall, either.

On the TV I'm looking to purchase, the HDMI cable points to the left as you watch the TV. I'm going to have to loop the cable up and over the power cable and then snake it through the new PVC pipe. I don't think there will be any turns that are too difficult (I hope). Also I was looking at the back of the TV in the store, and there was a little sticker that said that a thin HDMI cable should be used to to the slimness of the TV. That didn't quite make sense to me, but I didn't have time to check it out more. Are thinner cables any different from thick ones???

Thanks also for the link to cables. I'm amazed the box stores get away with charging what they do for Monster cables.

No to put it simply. You want a good quality cable that lasts. You cant find a better cable for the monoprice prices.

 

[Bushka]

OK, so job's complete. I ran 1.5" PVC with no problems. Thanks for the comments!

 

[Bushka]

You guys probably think I like to ask questions but never actually do anything. Sometimes it feels that way. BUT, I'm finally getting the TV and need the cables. Based on I think Isiberian's recommendation, I should get the
20ft 22AWG CL2 High Speed HDMI Cable - Black from Monoprice. 20ft looks like the shortest one. Is this the correct cable?