Novice set up help

[Gseries69]

Hi, I'm in the midst of setting up my first system. I've run the wires through the walls and just found out that I did not use CL2 or better rated speaker wire so I am changing them just in case. I also ran them parrallel to the AC lines. Like I said...novice. My question is:

1 - since the signal in HDMI cables is so low do I need to worry about the CL rating on them as well? I purchased monster cables in a 12' length and paid almost $200 but I did not notice what the CL rating was.

2 - Is it OK to run the HDMI cable parrallel with AC lines or do I need to move these as well.


System:
46" Samsung LNT4671F
Yamaha RV661
Polk RM6880 speakers

Thanks much for any help you can give.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

It is a code issue not a voltage issue. Check and see what your local code mandates. If they require a certain rating and your house burns down, the ins.company may not have to pay out. It is not that your HT system or wires causes the fire but fire will travel faster following the wires.

No cables/wires should run parrallel unless they are pretty seperated.

 

[TLS Guy]

Are you fishing? Or are your walls open? If your walls are open run your wires in conduit, steel preferably. That will make changing cables as technology changes a breeze. For instance I don't think it will be that long before all speakers are powered. That has huge advantages with emerging technology. So people who have conduit will easily be able to replace speaker wires with balanced cable.

 

[Gseries69]

Walls

I'm going to open the walls back up to change the speaker wires. My LCD is only about 6' from a media cabinet I built under my staircase. The HDMI cable runs in side the wall along with an RCA cable for use when I use an HD antenna for football on local stations. I had to relocate my AC outlet from the floor to behind where the TV will go and then connected it to another AC box in the media cabinet to run my components. I don't remember if I ran the HDMI and RCA cable with the AC line back to the media cabinet. Sounds like I should find out and readjust if needed along with some conduit.

I wish I knew this before I put up the dry wall. Looks like I'll have to redo most of it.

 

[TLS Guy]

I'm going to open the walls back up to change the speaker wires. My LCD is only about 6' from a media cabinet I built under my staircase. The HDMI cable runs in side the wall along with an RCA cable for use when I use an HD antenna for football on local stations. I had to relocate my AC outlet from the floor to behind where the TV will go and then connected it to another AC box in the media cabinet to run my components. I don't remember if I ran the HDMI and RCA cable with the AC line back to the media cabinet. Sounds like I should find out and readjust if needed along with some conduit.

I wish I knew this before I put up the dry wall. Looks like I'll have to redo most of it.

Now if you had put in conduit, you would not be reopening your walls, would you? I rest my case.

 

[Gseries69]

Noted

Lesson learned TLS Guy. What about the RCA audio cable and the HDMI cable? Do I need to run those in seperate conduit or can I run both in one. I'll run all speaker wiring through one conduit correct?

 

[TLS Guy]

Lesson learned TLS Guy. What about the RCA audio cable and the HDMI cable? Do I need to run those in seperate conduit or can I run both in one. I'll run all speaker wiring through one conduit correct?

As long as you do not run the AC cables with any other cables you will meet code requirements.

You can run all the other cables together.

I ran conduit to each of my speakers and the TV.

I ran plastic conduit for the satellite feeds, FM antenna cable and Cat 5.

Here are the pictures.

http://mdcarter.smugmug.com/gallery/2424651#127095358

http://mdcarter.smugmug.com/gallery/2424008#127077761

http://mdcarter.smugmug.com/gallery/2424008#127077808

 

[mtrycrafts]

Lesson learned TLS Guy. What about the RCA audio cable and the HDMI cable? Do I need to run those in seperate conduit or can I run both in one. I'll run all speaker wiring through one conduit correct?

You can run both of those together, no problem.