Cabling for wall mount HDTV, 3 Options?

[XEagleDriver]

Purchased a wall mount for a 50" Panny plasma. I am trying to decide the best option for running the requiste signal cables (HDMI/Component/Analog and Digital Audio/Ethernet) up through the wall. The total cable run length from AVR to HDTV is only about 8-10 feet.

As I see it, there are three options:

1) Use two "Recessed Low Voltage Cable Plates" (like these) and run the signal cables direct from the AVR, up through the wall, to connect to the HDTV.

+ least number of connections (one set)
- least elegant solution (somewhat open holes in the wall)

2) Use a "Wall Connector Plate" (like this) low on the wall near the AVR, and a "Recessed Low Voltage Cable Plate" up high behind the HDTV to run the signal cables.

+ more elegant/permanent installation
- adds a second set of connections in signal path (AVR to wall plate, and wall plate to HDTV)
- potential to inadvertently disconnect cables from the back of the wall plate if cables "tugged on" during HDTV installation.

3) Use two "Wall Connector Plates", one low on wall near AVR, and another up high behind the HDTV to run the signal cables.

+ most elegant/permanent installation
+ no/very little potential to disconnect cables from the back of the wall plate once installed
- adds two additional sets of connections in signal path (AVR to wall plate front, wall plate back to wall plate back, and wall-plate front to HDTV)

I like the idea of a more permanent installation using the connection plates, unless the added connections will degrade the signal quality. Any thoughts or experiences are welcome.

Thanks,
XEagleDriver

 

[XEagleDriver]

Bump.

Hopefully get some responses as folks start getting home from work.

XEagleDriver

 

[j_garcia]

I used the connector plate option down low and the "open" one up top since you don't see it and it works fine at my dad's place. This is with a 25ft cable in wall. I would advise against those "solid" wall plates in favor of one that has a "pigtail" strain relief since there usually won't be enough room behind the plate for the cable and the plate to sit inside the wall and allow a decent bend radius. The solid plate is kind of a dumb design to be honest, it probably should come with it at a right angle already. I used these and they work great (and in hindsite, I should have used it up top as well):

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-622

I had them install a recessed power outlet up top also, so the TV plugs in right at the mount (with the feed thru in it already):

 

[caper26]

I have the powerbridge solution and I posted some pics of the install...
[LINK]

 

[highfigh]

Purchased a wall mount for a 50" Panny plasma. I am trying to decide the best option for running the requiste signal cables (HDMI/Component/Analog and Digital Audio/Ethernet) up through the wall. The total cable run length from AVR to HDTV is only about 8-10 feet.

As I see it, there are three options:

1) Use two "Recessed Low Voltage Cable Plates" (like these) and run the signal cables direct from the AVR, up through the wall, to connect to the HDTV.

+ least number of connections (one set)
- least elegant solution (somewhat open holes in the wall)

2) Use a "Wall Connector Plate" (like this) low on the wall near the AVR, and a "Recessed Low Voltage Cable Plate" up high behind the HDTV to run the signal cables.

+ more elegant/permanent installation
- adds a second set of connections in signal path (AVR to wall plate, and wall plate to HDTV)
- potential to inadvertently disconnect cables from the back of the wall plate if cables "tugged on" during HDTV installation.

3) Use two "Wall Connector Plates", one low on wall near AVR, and another up high behind the HDTV to run the signal cables.

+ most elegant/permanent installation
+ no/very little potential to disconnect cables from the back of the wall plate once installed
- adds two additional sets of connections in signal path (AVR to wall plate front, wall plate back to wall plate back, and wall-plate front to HDTV)

I like the idea of a more permanent installation using the connection plates, unless the added connections will degrade the signal quality. Any thoughts or experiences are welcome.

Thanks,
XEagleDriver

How many cables will you be running? If HDMI, Component and Coax, you can get an HDMI Keystone insert and RCA or F inserts for the rest. That way, you can use a 4 or 6 hole Keystone Decora insert or wall plate. Parts Express has these. If you can have access to the backside of the wall, it's a piece of cake. If you have easy access to the top plate of the wall, it's not too hard to do it that way, either. If you haven't seen them, look for the new Irwin Speedbore bits. They kick butt- self feeding and three flutes, which makes them a lot better than paddle bits for boring through studs and joists.

Here's a link-
http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=irwin+speedbor+bits&oe=utf-8&client=firefox&cid=10750038147352135893&ei=Om4hTJCnDZSkM_zZ8b4L&sa=title&ved=0CAcQ8wIwADgA#p

 

[XEagleDriver]

More specifics

How many cables will you be running?

The plan: 3 x HDMI, 1 set of Component video, 1 x Analog audio, 1 x SPDIF audio, 1 x Coax cable TV and 1 x Cat 5 LAN and electrical power.

If HDMI, Component and Coax, you can get an HDMI Keystone insert and RCA or F inserts for the rest. That way, you can use a 4 or 6 hole Keystone Decora insert or wall plate. Parts Express has these.

I understand your response to imply the extra connections from the dual wall connector plate solution are no problem to signal quality--that is good news.

If you can have access to the backside of the wall, it's a piece of cake.

I have complete access to the back of this wall, this wall has a VERY large attic space behind it (literally could put in an adjoining room)

If you haven't seen them, look for the new Irwin Speedbore bits. They kick butt- self feeding and three flutes, which makes them a lot better than paddle bits for boring through studs and joists.

Highfigh, thanks for the advice and the point out to the Irwin drill bits.

Cheers,
XEagleDriver

 

[highfigh]

The plan: 3 x HDMI, 1 set of Component video, 1 x Analog audio, 1 x SPDIF audio, 1 x Coax cable TV and 1 x Cat 5 LAN and electrical power.



I understand your response to imply the extra connections from the dual wall connector plate solution are no problem to signal quality--that is good news.



I have complete access to the back of this wall, this wall has a VERY large attic space behind it (literally could put in an adjoining room)



Highfigh, thanks for the advice and the point out to the Irwin drill bits.

Cheers,
XEagleDriver

Can you just do all of the video switching in the receiver, so you would only need one HDMI? It would simplify the wiring and cut the cost considerably. If you do this the way you listed, look for orange Carlon raceway. It comes in various diameters and would allow easy cable replacement/additions. DON'T size it by stuffing it with cable- if they need to be pulled after the initial installation, only fill it half way-the pull will be a lot easier and it will do less damage to the cables (friction).

Those bits can be sharpened more easily than paddle bits, too.