Wiring needs?

[Droff]

I'm going to finish off an upstairs room that's 25'x14' with at most a 7' ceiling and I want to make it a theater room. I want to run all electric, cable, speaker, phone and any other wires that may be needed. I have DirecTV and plan on having a DVR, not sure whether I'm going with a plasma, LCD or projector yet but I will have a surround system, probably a 6.1.
What should I run, just to be safe? HMDI, DVI, component, etc? I'd like some suggestions before I get to the point where I can start closing up the room.
Thanks.

 

[Johnd]

If you want to "run all" the wires and cabling that you may need, you would be well-advised to plan your theater (components) first, then ask for suggestions. A well established installers "trick" is to install several pvc conduits where necessary (component area to projector and/or display) for possible future upgrades.

 

[Droff]

The problem with planning now on what components I'm going with is that this project will be done a little at a time as money allows. I won't be using the room until some time next year at the earliest, but the wiring needs to be done before I insulate and drywall, which will be in the next couple months. What I plan on now, may not be what I end up with in 6 or 7 months, due to pricing, technology, availability, etc.
I can run the conduit and run the wire later, but I'd prefer to get as much done now as I can.

 

[Bryce_H]

Run conduit or blue nerf tube. Not sure how big you can get the nerf tube however. I ran 2" conduit (or it moght have been 2.5") to the projector location and my 3 front speaker locations. I have 1" tubing (it is actually sprinkler system hose (it was like $20 for 100') for my 4 surround locations. I have already used the projector conduit to run an HDMI cable for my new projector.

Tip: Once the conduit is installed run your pull lines by tying a wadded kleenex to the end of a string. Put the wad (should be slightly smaller than the tube) into one end and then attach a vacuum cleaner to the other end. The suction pulls the wad through and now you can pull your cables through!

Don't forget to run RG6 for potential sub location in the future.

visit here for another of my answers for wiring needs

 

[Droff]

Why the RG6 for the Sub? Subwoofer?

 

[Bryce_H]

It is an easy way to get cable to custom sub locations by running them in the wall. You can then terminate them later. For example, I ran RG6 to each of the front main locations (I have Def Techs with intergrated subs), and also 1/3 back the right wall and 2/3 back the left wall. All these run back to the component closet in the back. As I add dedicated subs, the wiring is in place and I only need to add RCA terminals to each end.

RG6 is a good way to make custom cables.

 

[Droff]

I'm following along on running the conduit for the wiring but I'm somewhat ignorant of what I can and can't do with wiring. So the RG6 can be used for speakers as well as satellite? Can I build my own RCA component cables (red, white and yellow)?
Thanks for the tips. The link you gave me was very informational.

 

[Ax-man]

Droff, my room is exactly the same dimensions as yours and I have all in-wall cabling from my equipment rack in the back of the room to the front where the large screen TV is located ....

I have 7 separate runs of RG6, 2 runs of Cat5 and a single run of HDMI cable from the equipment rack to the TV located mid-front wall ... two sets of speaker wire for the center channel(s) (mid-front wall) and a single run each for the two front mains along with two runs of RG6 for subwoofer connections along the front wall closer to the corners. The side walls each have a single run of RG6 (mid-sidewall) for subwoofer connects along with the speaker wire for the side surrounds. The back wall has the speaker wire for the rear surrounds.

I also ran 7 runs of RG6 along with an HDMI cable from the component rack to a blank outlet in the ceiling if I ever want to add a projector.

Whenever I was building my room someone told me "If you think you may at some point in the future need a cable for something, anything, run it now."

 

[Bryce_H]

RG6 can be used for most anything that has an RCA jack on the end.

Again - I explain my setup in detail here

 

[Droff]

Any suggestions on how far back from the screen I need to wire in a plate for future projector? I'm figuring I'll be going with an LCD or Plasma initially, but like everyone is saying, plan on future possibilities.
I wasn't aware the RG6 could be used for speaker wire for a sub. How is the shield attached to jack? I'm sure I could figure it out if I had to.
Thanks

 

[Droff]

I'm going to purchase some RG6 wire in bulk, do need to purchase the wire with a ground? I don't see that on any of the coax coming from my dish.
Is this your typical RG6?http://www.cyberxlink.com/product_info.php/products_id/530

 

[Droff]

Anyone? Do I need a ground wire on the RG6?
Thanks.

 

[Bryce_H]

No - you shouldn't

I just went to Home Depot and Lowes and bought quad shielded RG6. Make sure you get the shielding.

The coax in your link looks about right.