Proper Plasma+Speaker Power/A/V in-wall wiring

[BrianPatch]

I need some help with properly wiring a new HT setup in an exisiting, finished, living room. I want to install a new wall-hanging 50" plasma with in-wall front r/l and center channel speakers. I understand that you shouldn't run ac power parallel to A/V cables or speaker cables. All of the wires will need to come from the floor/crawlspace area in this setup. For the plasma power I will be running 12ga wire through a metal flex conduit. What would be the best layout for running the power, video, and center channel speaker wire to minimize any possible interference? I'm wondering if the metal flex conduit would act like a Faraday cage and maybe it doesn't matter that the power, video and center channel speaker wire is in the same stud area. Or will I need to route the video and speaker wires through a different stud 'bay' to do this right.

Thanks.
Brian

 

[jcPanny]

EMI from power line

The EMI or noise from the power line drops off significantly as you increase the distance. The high frequency video signals (component video or HDMI) are most susceptible to noise.

Try to route the power a few inches form the audio and video like the other side of the stud or farther if possible. If the audio or video cables pass over power lines, they should be perpendicular when possible

 

[Snap]

JC is right. I would also add the following

There is the best way and then there is good enough, and then there is "Oh my God I hope this works and doesn't suck" I am going to add "The Best Way"

You said that the room was already finished. No biggy if you do not mind a little mess/touch up. Having said all that I say to the following:

1. Take card board and cut out squares to represent the TV, Center Chan, and R/L speakers. Then Hang them on the walls were you would "Like"The system to go.

2. Take a stud finder and now mark were the 2x4 or 2x6 studs are. This will let you know if you were going to have an in wall speaker right in the middle of the stud.

3. Once you find were your studs are move the cardboard for the speakers in between the studs. Do not worry about the TV yet. Just the 3 speakers. (You did say in wall speakers right?? Cause if you are using in wall speakers they come with a cardboard cut out. Use that cause it is the right size)

4. Trace the card board with a pen or something and remove them. (Include the TV)

5. Cut the sheet rock out for the speakers.

6. For the TV cut out a hole in the dead center 6 inch high, by crap...trying to remember he length of the Peerless mounts.......well do about 10 or so inches on either side.

7. Add support for your mount. either with 2x4's or 2x10's something to give you a WIDE area and lots of strenght to hang your plasma mount on.

8. You also have huge holes for you to fish your power and speaker wires through. You mentioned crawl space so you can drill straight down through the base place and get to the crawl space.

9. Check under the crawl space before drilling! You might hit a pipe, electrical wires just make sure that you will not hit some thing before you drill.

10. Like JC Panny said, put your power on one side of the 2x4 stud and the other stuff on the other side.

11. after wire has been ran for everything, install your speakers.

12. Patch hole in sheet rock were plasma is going. Paint.

13. Hang mount on new support area.

Set everything up and enjoy.

There are a few things that I did not mention, but assumed that they were obvious things so I did not. As well as this post is already taking to long...

Hope that helps.