What type of cables should be wired for a home theater before construction is finished? I'm thinking rear speaker cable (what kind?) and possibly a video cable (again, what?).
Anything else that should be accounted for?
onabudget
04-30-06, 04:14 PM
With new construction, I'd worry more about having conduit installed that will allow for easy changes in HT wiring or future expansion of wiring needs.
Spiky
05-01-06, 10:36 AM
And that should be large conduit if at all possible. There are some large wires/connectors to put through there, they need to fit.
Most contractors with some A/V savvy will run at least 2, possibly 4, coax to every room that could potentially have some A/V stuff in it. And 2-4 CAT6, also. This is all from an equipment closet that will have A/V stuff, PC networking, and your phone lines in it. Security system, too.
The theater room should probably be somewhat mapped out before you decide what and where to run wires. If you want a projector, run HDMI from the equipment closet to the spot for the PJ, along with component and Svideo and at least one CAT6. Or to the correct wall if it is to be a plasma or something like that.
Brian Shannon
05-01-06, 01:12 PM
Also make sure that it is inwall rated cl3 cable. Don't want a problem with any inspections.
abintra
05-01-06, 04:13 PM
I think I only need to worry about specific home theater wiring, and probably couldn't request anything beyond that anyway.
Is a conduit necessary if I'd only be running the rear speaker cables/possible projector cable above the ceiling of a single story home with an attic/crawl space?
Re: video cables to a possible projector location. All HDMI, Component/S-Video and a CAT6 (same thing as an RG6 cable?) are needed?
Re: rear speaker cable. Any specific type best or generic zip code (meant cord) is fine?
henrymchugh
05-01-06, 06:38 PM
Good luck. Make sure you wire some Cat 6 networking cables. :-)
Spiky
05-02-06, 11:46 AM
CAT6 is ethernet cable, not RG-6. The conduit is so you can change the cables later if necessary. Having some big PVC up there will make pulling new wire much easier. And putting HDMI, component and Svideo is also to prevent hookup problems later. You at least want them in the wall, even if you end up not using them. This is the time to do it, easier and cheaper when construction is in progress.
Anybody with a taste for audio quality will always recommend 12AWG speaker wire. But it doesn't have to be fancy stuff. As Brian said, it should be in-wall wire for code purposes. A good contractor wouldn't put anything else in, anyway. Off the shelf at Home Depot is fine if the gauge is right.
abintra
05-02-06, 05:38 PM
The CAT6 cable, what would its use in a home theater be?
It isn't a custom built home so I'm not sure how much say I'll be able to have but figured I could ask the contractor about running a couple of cables. I'll ask about running a PVC conduit also and see if I get lucky.
fargus
05-03-06, 01:33 PM
Ethernet cable can be used for many things, especially if you've set up a proper structured cabling system. You can then easily repatch it at your central panel to do almost anything -
* internet, of course - radio stations, video, surfing
* phone
* IR control (same room and multizone)
* Screen control
* local streaming (I have Soundbridge connected to receiver pulling MP3s from basement server)
* etc...
Structured cabling specs recommend a minimum of 2 Ethernet and 2 RG6 to each room. My HT room has triple that.
abintra
05-03-06, 06:21 PM
Would any of those possible applications need to be run to a projector location and/or rear speaker location?
Spiky
05-04-06, 11:45 AM
Yep. IR control, 12v triggers for the screen. CAT6 is cheap, really cheap. Running it now will cost an extra $5 if they gouge you. It's usually around $.13/ft. And that's retail, an installer would get it for less.
abintra
05-04-06, 05:34 PM
Thanks everyone. I'll ask for those and see what the contractor will allow.
hail2dking
05-04-06, 05:45 PM
when my house was being built (not a custom home), the contractor allowed me to install all the (low-voltage) wire I wanted to after the electrical inspection was done.
get your cable/wire from partsexpress.com and monoprice.com. I would recommend (if you are talking audio only) to wire for a 6.1 or 7.1 system, all in-wall.
abintra
05-04-06, 06:14 PM
Looking at the choices on monoprice.com.. for the HDMI cable, 22 AWG or 24 AWG?
cajun_junky
05-04-06, 06:19 PM
Since you will have an attic/crawl space I would be more interested in predrilling a hole or holes in the 2x4 going across the top of your studs. That way you can easily run the cords/wires after the fact if you didn't want to run them now. Your situation makes things VERY easy. With the holes drilled before drywall is put up you know exactly where everything is.
As far as speaker wire go ahead and use 12 or 14AWG wire from home depot or lowe's. It would not be a bad idea to go ahead and run some network wire (Cat5e or Cat6) and extra RG-6 coax wire if you think you will EVER want them down the road.
Spiky
05-05-06, 10:43 AM
Looking at the choices on monoprice.com.. for the HDMI cable, 22 AWG or 24 AWG?
I thought their choices were 28 and 24. The lower number is the better choice.
That would be new, I hadn't seen 22AWG before. Generally speaking, larger wire is better. The smallest gauge number means larger wire. Although, I have their 25' cable that is 24AWG and it is perfect.
Buy: