wiring for the future
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Posted by les.stockton@gmail.com on March 27, 2007, 7:54 pm
Please log in for more thread options adequate conduit for running cable later with regards to routing audio and video to most rooms in the house. HD will be a factor at some point in time, but wiring for that now wont accomodate current equipment. So I'm wondering what is recommended as far as pre-wiring a house in construction. Do I run one conduit with RG6 for current equipment (as far as video), and then have an empty conduit for the future, and if so, what size? I know this doesn't even address audio, which I also plan on piping to the rooms. All of this will be homed to one room where I'll also have network equipment and at least one server. I'll be running network to most rooms too, but I'm pretty sure I know how to take care of that. I just want to make sure that I cover audio/video needs (current and future). I'm also looking at matrix switches, although I know that up front, because they're expensive, I probably can't afford one, but I'd like to be able to use one later. I'm planning on using some kind of structured cabling panel as well and looking to hear what some other people are using and are happy with. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Posted by Robert L Bass on March 27, 2007, 9:07 pm
Please log in for more thread options Actually, you can wire for HDTV but use the same cables for standard definition until you're ready to upgrade your gear. The sameRG6 that the cable and satellite companies use to carry HDTV will do just as well carrying regular channels. You should also pull three "RCA" cables for component video to distribute media from common sources such as a DVD player, PC, etc., to various rooms. Any one of the component cables will carry composite video (standard TV) around the house so that won't be wasted or redundant. For audio distribution you need several types of cables. CAT5 goes to each room for remote control station (touch screens, etc.). 14/2 or 14/4 goes to a volume control at the same location as the touchpad and grom there to the speakers. Those few cables are pretty much all you'll need for current and future technology. You could get fancy and run fiberoptic cables but there's no real nead for tham now or in the near future. > So I'm wondering what is recommended
> as far as pre-wiring a house in construction. > Do I run one conduit with RG6 for current > equipment (as far as video), and then have > an empty conduit for the future, and if > so, what size? Empty conduit is handy for runs that you will be unable to access later. However, if the home is wood frame and there's a basement, you should be able to access most places for retrofit if needed. Run conduit where you know it will be a PITA running cable later. At most I would run cables through the walls and run a single, 2" conduit as well. If you have an attic or basement do run at least two 3" conduits between them and the wiring closet, wherever that will be. > I know this doesn't even address audio,
> which I also plan on piping to the rooms. See comments above but the formula is simple. This is what I instruct my DIY customers to do. From the entertainment rack or wherever your gear is, run video, speaker level audio and CAT5 to a volume control location in each room. At the V/C location make an 18" loop of extra video cable and continue the wire over to wherever you might someday want to put a TV set, projector or whatever. Do the same thing with the speaker cable. Make an 18" loop at the V/C and continue across the ceiling and over to the planned speaker locations. Once again with the CAT5, make an 18" service loop and continue over to one of the speakers. It makes no difference if it's the left or right speaker but be consistent from room to room. CAT5 can be used for a remote station to run a multi-zone system such as Russound, an A-BUS type system or a simple IR repeating system such as Xantech. The CAT5 at the speaker can be connected to an IR receiver hidden behind the grill. This makes it easy to control your gear with a remote, by touchpad or whatever your heart desires and budget (or wife) will permit. > All of this will be homed to one room
> where I'll also have network equipment > and at least one server... Standard LAN cabling, CAT5e or CAT6, will be fine for PC-based media distribution. This is in addition to the cables already described. > I'll be running network to most rooms
> too, but I'm pretty sure I know how to > take care of that. I just want to make > sure that I cover audio/video needs > (current and future). No problem. If you would like to discuss this stuff at greater length, feel free to give me a call. I'm usually around. -- Regards, Robert L Bass =============================>
Bass Home Electronics
941-925-8650 4883 Fallcrest Circle Sarasota · Florida · 34233 http://www.bassburglaralarms.com =============================>
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Posted by les.stockton@gmail.com on March 28, 2007, 10:17 am
Please log in for more thread options What type of wire should I run for the RCA lines? Do I run CAT5 or
something else? | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Posted by Robert L Bass on March 28, 2007, 6:29 pm
Please log in for more thread options > What type of wire should I run for the RCA
> lines? Do I run CAT5 or something else? No. Don't run video over CAT5 if you have the opportunity to run coax. While it is possible to run it through UTP cable, you'd need to add BALUNS at each end. That adds to the overall cost of the job with no added benefit. I use the expression "RCA cables" only because it is in common use. Technically, they're just 75-Ohm shielded cables with RCA connectors on the ends. Any decent 22-gauge, shielded cable will carry video or audio hundreds of feet with no perceptible degradation. I've even used 2-conductor shielded in a pinch and it worked fine at over 300 feet. Component video calls for the exact same thing -- 75-Ohm coaxial cable. Because it is high definition, you should use only 75-Ohm coax (rather than just any old shielded stuff). Do NOT believe any of the hype from Monster or any of the other cable rip-offs. As long as it has a good shield and the connections are secure, there is zero difference between cable that costs $0.20 a foot and that which costs $50+ / foot. -- Regards, Robert L Bass =============================>
Bass Home Electronics
941-925-8650 4883 Fallcrest Circle Sarasota · Florida · 34233 http://www.bassburglaralarms.com =============================>
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Posted by Reg on March 28, 2007, 1:53 pm
Please log in for more thread options Robert L Bass wrote:
> You should also pull three "RCA" cables
> for component video to distribute > media from common sources such as > a DVD player, PC, etc., to various > rooms. Any one of the component > cables will carry composite video > (standard TV) around the house so that > won't be wasted or redundant. Aren't these very susceptible to noise? What would be the maximum run length that you'd recommend? -- Reg | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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> prewire, or at least provide adequate
> conduit for running cable later with
> regards to routing audio and video to
> most rooms in the house. HD will be
> a factor at some point in time, but
> wiring for that now wont accomodate
> current equipment...