Any other wires I should run?

[Topher]

First, some equipment background:
In the basement I have a Hitachi PJ-TX100 projector, HK 325 receiver, Panny CP67 DVD, a modded xbox with the HD pack networked to my computer, a JVC vcr & a DirecTV R10 TiVo. I'll get a dvd recorder sooner or later.
In the living room I have a Panny 36" TV & an old vcr. I plan on getting a series 1 Tivo to use as a digital vcr & another modded xbox to stream video & music from my computer in the basement.
I'm going to run some cables from the basement into the living room & some more into the bedroom on the second floor. I plan on s-video, composite video, rg-6, cat 5e & L/R speaker wire to the living room & cat 5e & rg-6 to the bedroom. I'll probably never put the bedroom wire to use, but it may come in handy someday. The composite video is mainly to fill in the 6th spot on the wall plate.
Is there anything else I should think of?

 

[jneutron]

First, some equipment background:
In the basement I have a Hitachi PJ-TX100 projector, HK 325 receiver, Panny CP67 DVD, a modded xbox with the HD pack networked to my computer, a JVC vcr & a DirecTV R10 TiVo. I'll get a dvd recorder sooner or later.
In the living room I have a Panny 36" TV & an old vcr. I plan on getting a series 1 Tivo to use as a digital vcr & another modded xbox to stream video & music from my computer in the basement.
I'm going to run some cables from the basement into the living room & some more into the bedroom on the second floor. I plan on s-video, composite video, rg-6, cat 5e & L/R speaker wire to the living room & cat 5e & rg-6 to the bedroom. I'll probably never put the bedroom wire to use, but it may come in handy someday. The composite video is mainly to fill in the 6th spot on the wall plate.
Is there anything else I should think of?

Yes..some thermostat wire, and some telephone wire. And, given the cost of the cat 5e, I'd run at least two sets, if not 3, to each place.

Just leave the spares in the wall, you don't have to break em out.

I'm doin the same kinda thing..but coiling them all up for the 'rocker to cover. I'll take pics to remember where everything is....(this time, however, I don't have to remember to put film in the camera..digital..) Unlike the last time..

Cheers, John

 

[BMXTRIX]

To the projector - don't forget component, composite, HDMI, and one piece of CAT-5 plus power of some sort.

I would run a piece of conduit into the attic from the basement if you can. That way you can run as many wires as you want later on. 2" low voltage conduit from www.smarthome.com works great and helps with future proofing.

Component and HDMI are currently being setup as the cables to use, so I would try to run them wherever you will want to put a permanently mounted display. Like between a plasma (future) and the cable box or A/V receiver.

Lots of places to run cabling though and during the build is THE time to do it.

Conduit, conduit, conduit.

I ran about 300 feet of conduit in my home. Could have really used a bit more I think.

 

[Topher]

I have component & s-video already run to the projector. The ceiling in the basement will be a drop ceiling & I have access panels in the wall so I can run any cables to the projector & living room later without too many problems.
I don't think I can run conduit very easily. I'll try to run it from the living room to second floor at least.
What happened was the toilet tank on the 2nd floor cracked & flooded all three floors. Since all the flooring on the main floor & second floor are gone & the ceiling's gone in the living room, I'm taking the opportunity to run any wiring I want & install lighting. I still have walls to deal with, though.

 

[majorloser]

I would run HDMI or DVI-I to the projector. A dedicated power circuit to the component area and projector (20A). NEVER HAVE ENOUGH POWER!

If you are planning on running long distances of S-video (+15 ft.) I'd look into buying a Tributaries S-Video Compensator (SA-201). It acts as a signal amplifier for the longer cable runs. I have one and it work beautifully! The difference is quite noticeable.

But, truly the best way to handle video runs is digitally. HDMI and DVI are adaptable between each other. Also, DVD-I cable will also handle both the analog and digital signal. DVI-I can be adapted to VGA (D-sub 15). With a break-out cable all of this can be carried by the DVI-I. Just no audio which is not needed by the projector anyway. The connector is just larger and harder to pull through conduit

The last thing I'd consider is lighting. Separate circuits for track lighting and wall sconces are a big plus. You can automate or IR remotely control various lights from the comfort of your seat rather cheaply.

Oh, I almost forgot the most important! DON'T FORGET THE SUBWOOFERS WHEN RUNNING CABLES!

 

[jaxvon]

A dedicated power circuit to the component area and projector (20A). NEVER HAVE ENOUGH POWER!
...
The last thing I'd consider is lighting. Separate circuits for track lighting and wall sconces are a big plus.

I cannot emphasize how important it is to have beefy dedicated circuits for your audio. Never, EVER put your lights on the same circuit if you can help it. Many times in a dedicated room you'll have a dimmer system, which makes a LOT of noise in the AC lines. The other thing you should make sure to do is to invest in a quality line conditioner/surge supressor. A product from Panamax, Tripp-Lite, or APC will do the trick.

 

[Topher]

No need to worry, all the lighting is on a circuit separate from the a/v equipment.