Suggestions for home cinema wiring

[jonwade]

Hi

I am in the process of building an extension. The new room will be our lounge.

At the moment I use 7 plug sockets and have 2 audio wires running under the carpet for rear speakers.

I am thinking that I should have at least 8 wall sockets for the TV - is this normal? Or is it best to just get a good extension lead?

For the audio, i am hoping to get the wire run through the walls, but need to ensure it is future proof. My amp does support 8 speakers and I may add 2 additional side speakers and a rear sub at a later date. So, can I get my builder to install a tube of some description which will allow new cables to easily be added later?

 

[ipf]

If you so wish.

 

[jonwade]

OK, any suggestions on how?

 

[Octopus]

The only issue with "tube" is do you know where you want to run from and too? If you knwo this why don't you get your spark to run decent speaker cables from end to end and leave "speaker type" sockets for future use?

 

[Adam W]

Yes, they can install conduit in the walls terminated in blanking plates, but a lot of modern connectors have moulded plugs on them, which may not easily fit through the conduit.

8 sockets for a tv sounds like a lot to me; I would consider a multiway extension depending on how much current is likely to be drawn.

 

[jonwade]

I guess that makes sense. The only issue is that good speaker cable is expensive. Maybe I will just get 3 put in (2 rear + sub) and forget about the side speakers. I am not sure my wife would approve of more - they will probably be in the way!

 

[jonwade]

Adam, I currently have;

1. tv
2. dvd
3. sat box
4. stereo amp
5. home cinema amp
6. router
7. wireless adapter (OK, could be one, but I have the 2 already)

Need to add to new room:
8. cd player (currently broken)
9. turntable (in storage)

So that is 9 sockets. And if someone wants to play a console, something has to be unplugged.

I thought it would be tidier to have more wall sockets rather than a big extension lead.

 

[Rockingit]

I guess that makes sense. The only issue is that good speaker cable is expensive. Maybe I will just get 3 put in (2 rear + sub) and forget about the side speakers. I am not sure my wife would approve of more - they will probably be in the way!

It's because fools and their money are easily parted. 6mm tri-rate is what you want.

Have a look at this lot: SCOLMORE INTERNATIONAL LTD - WIRING ACCESSORIES | CLICK New Media, a wide range of media and power module solutions for all manner of media cabling problems.

 

[Octopus]

It's because fools and their money are easily parted. 6mm tri-rate is what you want.

Have a look at this lot: SCOLMORE INTERNATIONAL LTD - WIRING ACCESSORIES | CLICK New Media, a wide range of media and power module solutions for all manner of media cabling problems.

Interesting series of options in there. Wonder how much they cost! Also I've always tried to keep data/aerial/power cables apart!

 

[Adam W]

Obviously it depends on the individual situation, but all that lot will use a lot less than 13A, and you may be able to hide a lot of the wiring away in a cupboard, then you can use some more easily accessible wall sockets for plugging in extra equipment such as consoles.

A lot of people talk about "future-proofing" but it's difficult to know what the future will bring - people used to try to "future-proof" their homes by running cat5 everywhere, but nowadays most network related equipment is wireless.

If this is going to be a 'media room' you might want to consider how it's constructed - plasterboard can be cut and repaired, floorboards and modular flooring lifted, and access hatches removed to run extra cables in. On the other hand it's a lot harder to lift laminate flooring or make good a plastered wall with expensive wallpaper on it.