Hello folks! So, I'm getting to the cable running phase of my HT build. Why would I bother running anything other than a single HDMI to my projector, assuming I'm going to connect that to a capable processor like a Denon AVR-5308? If the proc can upconvert everything to HDMI, it doesn't seem like I'd need, for example, S-Video. I do get the impression that some component signals may or may not be able to be converted to HDMI by some processors, but that's a pretty gray area for me right now.

Thanks y'all.

I ran the following:

1 HDMI
1 Component
1 Ethernet (cat6)
1 VGA cable (computer)

I only use the HDMI with regularity and very occasionally the VGA cable (which can't be switched by my receiver).

The ethernet and Component cables are not used but I am glad they are there 'just in case'.

My 2 cents...

Some people will run a couple of HDMI cables, and a component cable or 2 just to future-proof the installation. Run out of HDMI ports on your AVR, and you can connect another device directly to the projector. I'm not too familiar with your receiver, but some AVRs handle HD material differently depending on if your device input is running over component or HDMI. For example, if you had an upscaling DVD player that connects to your receiver via component cables, you might get a better picture with the component out option rather than converting the signal and pushing it out over HDMI.

I have Sony VW60 14 months now and ran:

(1) HDMI
(1) DIY Component
(2) Cat5e

I've never used the Component, it's there for "peace of mind" and reasons like HDvids4all stated. I've used 2 strands of 1 Cat5e for IR to the PJ.
If I ever want to go RS232 control could use the other Cat5e for that.

If I was doing it over I'd ditch the Component and consider adding a 2nd HDMI, but even then my Denon 4038CI handles all the video switching, so for back-up piece of mind yes but I've never heard of a HDMI cable going "bad".
$$$'s vs peace of mind thing.
I've used the VGA for Laptop Gamma tweaking directly (my PJ is easily accessible), so I don't miss a VGA cable at all, for a hardly ever usage waste of $$'s IMO. Having 2 Cat5e's give you flexibility, 12v trigger and such.

Good luck.

I ran HDMI only to my projector when I wired my room. There are occasions when I wish I'd ran a VGA cable as well (when I want to watch something on Hulu or similar from my laptop), but those instances are rare enough (a few times a year) that temporarily connecting a VGA cable isn't too large an inconvenience. I currently only have one component source (Wii) and my AVR transcodes that to HDMI... a pure component signal path may have slightly better PQ, but again, it's use is rare and non-critical, so HDMI transcoding is a fine compromise.

Single pair for 12v trigger.

Conduit 2" or greater.

Conduit 2" or greater.

That's the real answer. :D

CD

If the walls are wide open lay in a big electrical conduit with sweeping curves.

just imagine one day you are plugging and unplugging your gear and in the process you strain the HDMI connection just a little bit and one of those itty bitty wires comes loose in plug. I haven't heard of anyone successfully opening up the plug and fixing theirs You will be so much happier for it.

I had to install my cables post drywall and it was a PIA.

I ran only 1 HDMI to my projector. I will connect the other end to my Denon reciever (when my house is done then) and then all of the components will be plugged into the Denon. It doesn't matter what I want to add in the future (component wise) as I will just add it to the Denon.

I ran only 1 HDMI to my projector. I will connect the other end to my Denon reciever (when my house is done then) and then all of the components will be plugged into the Denon. It doesn't matter what I want to add in the future (component wise) as I will just add it to the Denon.

That's the approach I took... I already had an AVR that would transcode to HDMI, so I didn't really feel the need to run legacy video cables. As for a broken connector, that's a fair concern, though I personally would probably use the broken cable as a pull for a new cable.

Conduit 2" or greater.What he said!!!!!!

Conduit is a great way to future proof your installation. One HDMI is enough if you are going through a receiver that supports any input to HDMI output. If the HDMI cable goes bad, you could always use pull a new one through the conduit.

With the advent of hdmi and the newer receivers, there doesn't seem to be a need for any cable other than hdmi to the projector unless you need a trigger then cat5 works great.

I only ran HDMI 1.3a or 1.3b (whatever was the latest as of October 2008) but I ran it in 1.5" Carlon Resigard raceway conduit with CAT6 cables and string for future proofing. In hindsight, I wish I had used 2" or 3" conduit because I am thinking I should have run an HD-15 (sVGA) along with the HDMI, but to be honest nowadays more receivers (above $1000 range) will come with mutliple PC connections (DVI/VGA) , in addition to coax/compnent which are all switchable through HDMI, so let the AV receiver do all the switching so you only have to run one HDMI cable. I don't see HDMI being taken over by any other AV cable delivery technology for at least 5 years, and once it gets replaced, then I will pull the HDMI and put in whatever is the new super duper AV cable in the year 2015.