My condo is pre-wired w/RJ-45 and coax outlets. Can anyone tell me if it's possible to route a subwoofer line out via the existing coax wiring in my condo? I would need some type of RCA-to-Coax and Coax-to-RCA adapters. I've never seen anything like that before. Do they exist?

Here are some.. but they are video adapters. Not sure about the subwoofer...may work, maybe someone will chime in.....good luck
http://www.computercablestore.com/detail.aspx?ID=921

Yes they do exist. I purchased some at Radio Shack a few years ago to hook up my sub to an inwall RG-6 cable. The RS ones are likey on the cheap end of the spectrum, you can probably find better out there.

here you go:

http://www.smarthome.com/7824A.html

My place is prewired for 5.1 surround. All I needed to do was crimp on an F-connector to the ends of the coax cable then used a coax (female) to RCA (male) adapter. The adapter was then connected to an RCA snap-in port, that way I could run a more flexable sub cable from the wall to the sub.

Snap-In port:
http://www.smarthome.com/8557.html

Yes you can use coax for your sub run, I have done it in my past two homes. For long runs I think it is probably preferable. Crimp some RCA ends on and you're good to go. Good luck.

P.S. I am pretty sure you can use coax for for any RCA run. I also used two of them for my turntable leads back to my equipment rack in my last HT. You could also use them for component runs or any other "RCA" type runs. I love coax!

-Jason

My condo is pre-wired w/RJ-45 and coax outlets. Can anyone tell me if it's possible to route a subwoofer line out via the existing coax wiring in my condo? I would need some type of RCA-to-Coax and Coax-to-RCA adapters. I've never seen anything like that before. Do they exist?

Yes, thanks for all the info and links too. Problem solved!

But, I just realized that I'm actually already using both of the coax ports next to my equipment stack (one for D* in, the other for TiVo out). There's another coax outlet on the other side of the room, but then I've got a cable to run over there.

Any chance some device exists that would let me use an RJ-45 line for the sub? I've got 2 of those free right next to my equipment stack.

You would need a product called a balun that would convert and carry the signal so that it could be run over cat5 (assuming that's what's running between the RJ45 jacks). They make baluns that will allow you to carry component vid, composite vid, audio, etc. over cat5. You should be able to find one that will carry a coax sub signal. However, they are unusually expensive, so they may not be your best option unless it's the only logistical option that you have.

Something like this might work for you: http://www.hometech.com/video/component.html#MU-500021


jj

What about something this simple: cut the RJ-45 connect off, twist together all 8 wires, and then crimp on a RCA connector. Would that work?

No. Coax consists of a single center conductor surrounded by insulation (dielectric) and then a grounded shield of braided wire. The shield minimizes electrical and radio frequency interference. I'm not sure what you would crimp the Cat5 to, since there are two different parts to the coax that have to be terminated correctly.

Some people have had success soldering Cat5 to carry component signals, so I would assume that there is a way to do it to carry a coax audio or video signal as well. However, if you want to use the jacks that you already have installed and carry the signal over Cat5, your best bet would be to buy the baluns. Unless you're really comfortable soldering, I'm not sure if you'd get the outcome you're looking for.

jj

Well, if I need to solder, then I can guarantee you I'll get an outcome that no one is looking for. lol

I'll try those baluns you linked to. Wish they were a little cheaper, but at least I only need 2 of them.