Running Cables for HDMI and misc

[ScKaSx]

Hi All,

I am planning to install/hide some components in a cupboard and run wires under the floor to wall panels that connect to my Receiver. The components I will be connecting will require HDMI, subwoofer cable, speaker cable, RCA, ethernet and USB connections. I have several questions regarding this:

(1) What is the best cable to run for each of these connections? RCA is easy and cheap but how about HDMI? Will I have to run true HDMI cable with heads attached, or can I buy some generic multi-conductor cable without head. What about the speaker cable and USB cables?

(2) Does anyone know good wall mounts that would accomode a large variety of connections such as (ie. HDMI, USB, RCA, and Ethernet)? I have run speaker cable before and found some nice 'swappable' 6 connection wall mounts at home depot. These would be good for RCA, speaker connections, and ethernet but not for HDMI and USB.

(3) Does breaking up wire with wall mount degrade quality? For instance, do I lose quality by having the component connect to wall mount and then another wall mount connect to receiver as opposed to a continuous run of HDMI from component to receiver? I just don't like the idea of holes in the floor and would prefer wall mounts to have a more clean look.

(4) In general for speaker cable, if I am doing a long run (~70 ft) for my rear speakers will ALL the cable I run have to be stuff like Monster Cable? Or could I get away with generic 14 AWG cable? Also, what is the standard cable for a long run for subwoofers (again, can I run generic subwoofer cable or do I need the fancy kind with heads).

(5) In the cupboard I will be putting my server which has a DVI output and optical audio output. I want to connect the server to my receiver so I can see picture and play sound. Is there an adapter that can merge the DVI and optical output to one HDMI? What are other options for this?

(6) RANDOM COMPUTER QUESTION: If I want to mirror my server's video and sound to a second monitor and set of speakers how would I acheive this. Please consider response to (5).

I will thank you in advance and apologize for the litany of questions.

Cheers,
ScKaSx

 

[Audioholics]

(1) What is the best cable to run for each of these connections? RCA is easy and cheap but how about HDMI? Will I have to run true HDMI cable with heads attached, or can I buy some generic multi-conductor cable without head. What about the speaker cable and USB cables?

HDMI has to be run AS-IS or you need to get an active component that turns it into something else, like multiple coaxial cable or Cat5e/Cat6. Run RCA cables by using RG6 coax and crimping RCA ends on it. Speaker cable is speaker cable. Use 12-14 gauge.

(2) Does anyone know good wall mounts that would accomode a large variety of connections such as (ie. HDMI, USB, RCA, and Ethernet)? I have run speaker cable before and found some nice 'swappable' 6 connection wall mounts at home depot. These would be good for RCA, speaker connections, and ethernet but not for HDMI and USB.

These are pretty awesome: http://store.audioholics.com/search?xSearch=DVIGear+wall+plate&x=0&y=0

(3) Does breaking up wire with wall mount degrade quality?

Nope. Not unless you exceed the max possible length for the HDMI cable.

(4) In general for speaker cable, if I am doing a long run (~70 ft) for my rear speakers will ALL the cable I run have to be stuff like Monster Cable? Or could I get away with generic 14 AWG cable?

Run 12/2 from Impact Acoustics: http://store.audioholics.com/search?xSearch=12/2+speaker+cable&x=0&y=0

Use RG6 for the RCA runs

(5) In the cupboard I will be putting my server which has a DVI output and optical audio output. I want to connect the server to my receiver so I can see picture and play sound. Is there an adapter that can merge the DVI and optical output to one HDMI? What are other options for this?

These exist but verify everything has HDCP as well or you'll end up with issues at the display: http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=101&cp_id=10114&cs_id=1011405&p_id=4630&seq=1&format=2

(6) RANDOM COMPUTER QUESTION: If I want to mirror my server's video and sound to a second monitor and set of speakers how would I acheive this. Please consider response to (5).

You need a fancier converter or a DVI & coax/toslink splitter.