I noticed in this thread everyones building.. no ones mentioning HDMi cable.. guys.. paint schemes, screen frames, all the la la tee da.. scrap it.. and focus on the *heart of the entire project*... that HDMI running from the ceiling to the side/back/front of the room.
3 Tips YOU MUST LIVE BY for doing a theatre room IN WALL HDMI INSTALLATION.
I have ran into all three problems in the past and realized the avoidances myself. I am prewarning everyone before you finish your theatre room.
Simple:
#1 - CONDUIT!.. 2 inch. Regardless how you cant afford it or dont want the hassle... Buy it and install it.
#2 - HDMI WALL PLATE with ***locking hdmi screw***
#3 - AFTER MARKET LOCKING BRACE with SCREW. FOR BOTH ENDS.
No matter how you are told one HDMI cable is better than the other.. IT ISNT. Cheap is the same as expensive. Gold plated.. sure why not. But the inside is plastic soft crappy cheap plastic and when that plastic starts to crack.. your done. How does it crack? well HDMI plugs lifespan is only on the amount of times you plug in and unplug.. my opinion from experience a pathetic 7 times. After that youve worn your HDMI cable down, bent a pin inside, or just merely weakened its strength.
Ive done jobs where a contractors stepped on the hdmi cable, and I was'nt notified.. only to find out when the theatre room was finished and components were plugged in.
Ive done jobs where a contractor has drilled a drywall screw through the cable.. ( yes the hdmi was AWAY and clear from any STANDARD drywall screw.. just so happened the contractors lackie worker thought a 3 inch screw could be added as he ran out of drywall screws)
Add that screw to the 5v current and yep.. you have an instant hdmi port shot on a brand new projector and video out on a reciever. YES THERE IS POWER in hdmi cords. If this pin is grounded.. voilia dead port at either end.
Remember.. annoyingly... KEEP your eyes on that HDMI EVERYDAY and inspect it EVERYDAY.
As for hdmi wall plate.. it will save you alot of aggrevation as the small 3 ft hdmi to your component will infact be damaged quickly.. but you can just unplug from wall and component and replace. Wall plates infact will allow you to shave off costs of a cheaper 25ft+ hdmi cable. Cause your only plugging it in ONCE to the plates. thats it.
Why to HDMI cables stop working?? the sockets are cheap and BADLY designed. Why are HDMI cables so easy to break?.. they are holding 14+ wires and the length of the hdmi adds to the wires lifespan.. the longer the easier it will be damaged, by its weight and lack of flexibility.
Anyhow If you ignore this post, and continue your installation without my simple advice above.. I GUARANTEE YOU this post will be like a GHOST HAUNTING YOU EVERY SINGLE DAY until you finally get your theatre room and hdmi cables replaced.
Goodluck and go have a shot of something. I know the feeling in your stomach right now if you are currently online seeking advice about inwall broken hdmi cables.
If your hdmi ports are dead.. You should have used Locking hdmi connectors!!
Admin if this post in in the wrong section.. please find the right section. I feel its the sole single most valuable time and money saving post on this site. Thanks.
Lastly tip on dead ports.. slightly slowly press your thumb on the cable upwards.. does it work again? yup probably.. its the worlds worst invention in av today ...hdmi. But when its done right.. its the worlds best AV experience. Cant live without it.... for now.
3 Tips YOU MUST LIVE BY for doing a theatre room IN WALL HDMI INSTALLATION.
I have ran into all three problems in the past and realized the avoidances myself. I am prewarning everyone before you finish your theatre room.
Simple:
#1 - CONDUIT!.. 2 inch. Regardless how you cant afford it or dont want the hassle... Buy it and install it.
#2 - HDMI WALL PLATE with ***locking hdmi screw***
#3 - AFTER MARKET LOCKING BRACE with SCREW. FOR BOTH ENDS.
No matter how you are told one HDMI cable is better than the other.. IT ISNT. Cheap is the same as expensive. Gold plated.. sure why not. But the inside is plastic soft crappy cheap plastic and when that plastic starts to crack.. your done. How does it crack? well HDMI plugs lifespan is only on the amount of times you plug in and unplug.. my opinion from experience a pathetic 7 times. After that youve worn your HDMI cable down, bent a pin inside, or just merely weakened its strength.
Ive done jobs where a contractors stepped on the hdmi cable, and I was'nt notified.. only to find out when the theatre room was finished and components were plugged in.
Ive done jobs where a contractor has drilled a drywall screw through the cable.. ( yes the hdmi was AWAY and clear from any STANDARD drywall screw.. just so happened the contractors lackie worker thought a 3 inch screw could be added as he ran out of drywall screws)
Add that screw to the 5v current and yep.. you have an instant hdmi port shot on a brand new projector and video out on a reciever. YES THERE IS POWER in hdmi cords. If this pin is grounded.. voilia dead port at either end.
Remember.. annoyingly... KEEP your eyes on that HDMI EVERYDAY and inspect it EVERYDAY.
As for hdmi wall plate.. it will save you alot of aggrevation as the small 3 ft hdmi to your component will infact be damaged quickly.. but you can just unplug from wall and component and replace. Wall plates infact will allow you to shave off costs of a cheaper 25ft+ hdmi cable. Cause your only plugging it in ONCE to the plates. thats it.
Why to HDMI cables stop working?? the sockets are cheap and BADLY designed. Why are HDMI cables so easy to break?.. they are holding 14+ wires and the length of the hdmi adds to the wires lifespan.. the longer the easier it will be damaged, by its weight and lack of flexibility.
Anyhow If you ignore this post, and continue your installation without my simple advice above.. I GUARANTEE YOU this post will be like a GHOST HAUNTING YOU EVERY SINGLE DAY until you finally get your theatre room and hdmi cables replaced.
Goodluck and go have a shot of something. I know the feeling in your stomach right now if you are currently online seeking advice about inwall broken hdmi cables.
If your hdmi ports are dead.. You should have used Locking hdmi connectors!!
Admin if this post in in the wrong section.. please find the right section. I feel its the sole single most valuable time and money saving post on this site. Thanks.
Lastly tip on dead ports.. slightly slowly press your thumb on the cable upwards.. does it work again? yup probably.. its the worlds worst invention in av today ...hdmi. But when its done right.. its the worlds best AV experience. Cant live without it.... for now.
, I first thought that is was the HDMI plate, then I look behind the TV to see the bottom of the TV was crushing my HDMI cable 
. (the TV is wall mounted and tilted and the HDMI input is near the bottom of the back of the TV).
