Please take a look at the pic.

I need to run my cables (2 HDMI and an S-Video) from the right shelf (the receiver will be below the cable box) to the TV (there is a small hole behind the TV)and they need to go behind the fireplace for a concealed look. My question is, should I run them in smurf or should I just twist tie them together and run them without the smurf? I guess my real question is, what would be the advantage in inserting the cables in a smurf tube? Are there any other alternatives similar to smurf, maybe ones that are especially built for running cables?

Thanks!

It sounds like you can do either at the moment? If so, do both! Run the cables and run some conduit (doesn't have to be blue smurf tube). It will be hard to get everything into a smurf tube and I can't see why you need it at the moment, but if you run the tube it will be easier to add another cable or two in the future should you need it.

I never thought about running both! I guess I will. It's a little tight behind the fireplace so any future wires I decide to run will be a pain without the tube. Good call!