I am getting ready to take the projector plunge and will be running cables from the audio/video sources up to the projector.

Since I only get one shot to run ALL the cables I will ever need back to the projector, I am looking for advice on what cables to run. So far, I was going to run 2 HDMI cables and 1 Componet Video Cable. Should I run any S-Video or Cat5 or RG59 Cable or anything else while I am pulling the others?

If it makes any difference, I am going with the JVC DLA-RS1 projector.

All advice appreciated!

Dave

If your receiver can convert from S-video and other analog sources to HDMI, then you don't need to run other cables.
Also, if you install 1.5 or 2-inch conduit, and run cables through that, you can also run a wire through it, to use when pulling more cables later.

One thing I didn't do is plan for a universal remote. Now I have to aim the projector remote at the projector and everything else at the equipment. You may want to do some pre-planning in that area and run a wire in anticipation.

I wish I had pulled a cat5 for an IR repeater.

I am currently installing an Epson Home Cinema 1080 with a Denon AVR-3808CI (which can scale practically anything to 1080p). I have only run HDMI 1.3 cable to the projector but am now adding Cat5 to the list. Any other recommendations?

Thanks,
Mike

I have the Home Cinema 1080 too and that IR eye is HUGE. My projector is in the ceiling behind me and I can control it using the remote pointed at the screen (which I assume is relecting the IR)...

I wouldn't worry too much about the cat5 for an IR repeater with that projector. I just ran HDMI.

http://manforts.blogspot.com

Thanks for the info! I was playing with that the last couple of days and noticed the same thing. I can control the projector from just about anywhere in the room (without pointing my remote at it).

You might want to run it anyway. For the added cost, it's a drop in the bucket and when (not if) you change projectors, it will be there waiting for you... I'm on my third projector already. I just wish I had a crystal ball when I did my first installation... As mentioned above, you should go with a conduit. HDMI won't the there forever. It seems that I need to change my cabling every 5 years in the name of progress. :rolleyes:

agree, run it anyway, even if you don't put in conduit. It might work for one projector setup, but not for another. I actually used a $9.00 - 50 ft IR extension cable from Smarthome vs Cat5, but make sure you have something there.Cheap insurance.

Bud

abosultely run 3 cat5e to the projector! You can use one for serial control if you get a projector in the future which supports it. You can always use the cat5e for other purposes in apinch ( HDMI with a balan or RGBHV / component)

OK, I'm new to all this and I haven't done any of this yet, but this is all what is in my head right now. How does everyone run cords to thier ceiling mounted projectors? What if you can't run them through the walls. Just curious what everyone is doing.

What I was planning to do was run all my components into my stereo reciever, which has plenty of inputs and it does video upconversion so then I would just run a single HDMI cable out to the projector on the ceiling. And of course, the power cable from the projector would have to come down to the outlet. So I figures that would simplify things by only having two cords that I need to get from the projector to the stand with all my components (which is under the screen.)

So my question is, how do you guys run your cables? did you have it wired up to go in the walls? Or do you just run them down the walls (not very attractive)? I'm wanting to do this in my basement, which means, I can't run anything under the floor as it's a cement block. And I don't see how I could run anything in the ceiling because it's the first floor of my house up there (it's not like it's an attic that I could run everything in.) And I don't really want to have a professional come in, plus I don't know what he could do that I couldn't. SO my only idea is that I run them along the ceiling and then down the wall behind the screen (which I would mount off the wall a few inches to allow the cords to go behind) and then to the shelf below where everything is. And then I would put some kind of wood boxing or something to cover all that and make it look more like an architechtural feature, like a beam across the ceiling of something.

Thou Shalt Run Conduit.