completely new to HT setup..once chance to do right

[wags1970]

I just purchased a 52" LCD Samsung TV. It will be going on a wall above where a fireplace used to exist. We have to do some drywalling before everything will be complete. My question is what should I be running for cable (other than the obvious power and directv cable) while I have access through the drywall? I don't have any home theater components as of yet. I've got a DVD/VCR and the Directv receiver. These components and any future components will be mounted on a shelf that will sit underneath the TV. Assuming I want to evetually get to a complete HT setup, what should I be looking to run in advance while I have this opportunity? And has anyone seen a combination faceplate that will share both power and HDMI? I've seen several combinations, but not this particular one. As I know I need both of these, it would be convenient if I could do both on the same faceplate. Thanks in advance. Construction begins this weekend.

 

[Midcow2]

run some extra cables

I just purchased a 52" LCD Samsung TV. It will be going on a wall above where a fireplace used to exist. We have to do some drywalling before everything will be complete. My question is what should I be running for cable (other than the obvious power and directv cable) while I have access through the drywall? I don't have any home theater components as of yet. I've got a DVD/VCR and the Directv receiver. These components and any future components will be mounted on a shelf that will sit underneath the TV. Assuming I want to evetually get to a complete HT setup, what should I be looking to run in advance while I have this opportunity? And has anyone seen a combination faceplate that will share both power and HDMI? I've seen several combinations, but not this particular one. As I know I need both of these, it would be convenient if I could do both on the same faceplate. Thanks in advance. Construction begins this weekend.

Run 4 CAT6 cables.
Run 2 extra HDMI cables
Run 4-6 audio cables RCA plugs
Run 4 runs of 12-14 gauge braided copper wire.

Wiring is real, real cheap if you do it before.

Concerning HDMI connections, becuase they are not physically locking it is best not to extend HDMI cables by multiple cable lengths if possible with connectors. A single wall connection would probably be okay, but a singel HMDI cable directly from AVR to TV would be better.

 

[Weasel9992]

Run 4 CAT6 cables.
Run 2 extra HDMI cables
Run 4-6 audio cables RCA plugs
Run 4 runs of 12-14 gauge braided copper wire.

Wiring is real, real cheap if you do it before.

Concerning HDMI connections, becuase they are not physically locking it is best not to extend HDMI cables by multiple cable lengths if possible with connectors. A single wall connection would probably be okay, but a singel HMDI cable directly from AVR to TV would be better.

Amen to all that. That should cover all the cable bases for the forseeable future.

If for some reason you can't do the cabling right now, several conduit runs terminated with boxes and blank plates would be fine too.

Frank
GIK Acoustics

 

[wags1970]

thanks for the tips. one question though, why 4 Cat 6 cables? what am I going to need this for?

 

[bandphan]

thanks for the tips. one question though, why 4 Cat 6 cables? what am I going to need this for?

cat 6 or cat5e can be used for many applications including... control, ir, rs232, analog audio, analog video, digital audio, digital video ect ect

 

[Weasel9992]

cat 6 or cat5e can be used for many applications including... control, ir, rs232, analog audio, analog video, digital audio, digital video ect ect

There are lots of different conversion boxes out there from Kramer, Crestron and others. Catx cable is useful because it can go long distances with no signal degradation where RGBHV can't. It's also way easier to work with and can carry multiple signals on the same wire. Good stuff.

Frank

 

[talmazor]

I just went through this and you may opt to install a couple double wide boxes in the walls with conduit running to the main box. This allows you to snake anything you want later. A couple words of advice, make sure the conduit is big enough to allow the head of an HDMI cable to be run, you won't want to spend the money on a HDMI with a removable head. Also, if you can, put in boxes that have no backs, low voltage boxes, and worst case install deep electical boxes, otherwise your bend angle will be too steep when you go to terminate the cable.