100+ views and zero comments? What did I do wrong?

Quote:
Originally Posted by gatorchris /forum/post/20809835
100+ views and zero comments? What did I do wrong?![]()
Quote:
Originally Posted by gatorchris /forum/post/20806745
I realize that the size of this photo may not be big enough to see all the icons, Ill post a link to the full size image once I can.
Quote:
For 2 channel audio rooms Im using 16/4 to the switch, and then a single run of 16/4 to both speakers, breaking the first pair out at the closest speaker and then continuing the run and terminating the second pair at the end speaker.
Quote:
The one question I have here is for subwoofer wiring. Is another 14 gauge run good enough there?
Quote:
Do I need to run a CAT-5E run to each switch location to allow it to be used with certain distributed audio systems?
Quote:
I am going to run HDMI cables to all the TV locations except bedrooms 2 and 3. Those runs are 65+ feet, if at some point down the road I need to service them with HDMI I can look at going with baluns using the two CAT-5E runs in the TV bundle correct? I will listen to reasons to talk me out of that plan.
Quote:
There is a reason that is called an objective plan, Unless this house comes in significantly under budget (HA!)
Quote:
the goal here is to have the wiring in place to allow us to grow into the house and/or provide more value when selling down the road. For instance, we arent TV in the bedroom people, but Im provisioning for it anyway because its easy to prewire and we may become TV in the bedroom people later.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jautor /forum/post/20810884
Yeah, that may be one reason for the lack of replies. But more likely, posts like this are "help me start from scratch and design an entire house system" are difficult to answer - because it's a huge question and people get paid real money for the full response to those types of inquiries...![]()
Quote:
Loop that speaker cable at a keypad location in each zone for compatibility with wall-mounted volume controls (in case). More importantly, also run a cat5 wire in parallel to that same keypad location for control of a whole-house audio system.
Quote:
Many (most?) subwoofers these days are self-powered, so you want a line-level audio cable - an RG6 coax line with an RCA plug is typical.
Quote:
Cat5 matrix switches are the way to go, and running cat5/6 is much easier than HDMI - and will outlast the HDMI cable/standard... Any HDMI run >15 feet can be an issue - I'd skip it altogether and run 3-4 cat6 wires to each (potential) display location.
Quote:
A couple of things I see in your plan:
1) I don't like the rack access door in the bedroom. I'd be concerned about aesthetics, acoustics, etc. Look instead at a pull-out rack (Middle Atlantic AX-S) to gain access instead of a door in the bedroom wall...
Quote:
2) I'd also be concerned about the media room sharing a wall with the Master bedroom. But it's probably better than having it adjacent to a kid's bedroom - assuming mom&dad stay up later than the kids more often that vice versa. (and the kids don't get to use Saturday mornings!)
Quote:
3) Are you bringing all the wiring and equipment for the whole house A/V into the media room? You'll likely have a wiring center in a closet somewhere where the builder would normally run the phone/coax/ethernet/alarm wiring. If you have that wiring center placed somewhere convenient (utility / laundry room for example) you can place equipment there...
Jeff
Quote:
Originally Posted by gatorchris /forum/post/20811756
I thought I had read that before, thanks for confirming. So Im clear, 16/4 and a cat-5 from the rack to the switch, then a run of 16/4 to the speakers correct?
Quote:
Thanks for that, had no clue. Would a RG6 and a 14 gauge pair give it more flexibility (are there subs that use standard speaker wire and a power source for instance?)
Quote:
I will have to look into this, any links would be helpful. Is a cat-5 matrix 1080P?
Quote:
I had the same concern, we are going to make that corner a 90 (or close to it) and move the master bedroom door further up the wall so I can put that entry to the back in the hallway.
Quote:
The builder is planning on filling the walls with spray foam and we are going to do carpet to knock sound down. The nice thing is the family room will (eventually) share the same sources so if it does get too loud for us old farts I can kick them down the hall another room.
Quote:
Originally Posted by gatorchris /forum/post/20811756
Fair enough, the reason Im here is because my builder told me his AV guy would bend me over to do what Ive put into the plan so far. He charges $200 bucks to wall mount a TV. Not run cables and such, just to hang the mount and put the TV on it.![]()
Quote:
Originally Posted by jautor /forum/post/20811928
Cat5 matrix switches are just HDMI matrix switches with HDMI-over-Cat5 baluns "built in". I've avoided the HDMI issues by using a component video matrix, so someone else will have to make recommendations for a good HDMI-over-Cat5/6 matrix...
Quote:
That's a better plan. Leave a nice wall space blocked with plywood and flush-mount your wiring closet gear instead of using an in-wall wiring center, thenn... Since it's a dedicated A/V closet, no reason to suffer with the limitations of the standard 'structured wiring' box... Also, be sure to think about ventilation for that closet - you'll have quite a bit of heat-generating equipment in there. I have mine vented to the HVAC return with fan that runs 24/7 (quietly!) - but in hindsight I would have also planned for a vent opening to allow more air into the closet (I leave the door cracked open now to allow enough air to circulate).
Quote:
Then you absolutely should put in flex conduit to most if not all of your A/V locations since running cables later will be very, very difficult...
Jeff
Quote:
Originally Posted by ifor /forum/post/20812109
Btw, have you even talked to his a/v guy?
Find someone else if your builder doesn't recommend them.
Look at Cedia for some suggestions:
http://www.cedia.net/homeowners/finder.php
You would be far better off having someone that can help you design and implement a system, to also keep it functional, that is reliable and easy to use. You have to realize that you are an avioncs engineer and not a systems designer, I would never think of doing what you do and you should realize that this area isn't just about running wires to and fro.
I use several manufacturers I have choosen over the years due to their reliability and quality. I never use the latest gear as most have issues that need to be worked out and I don't want to be wasting my, or my customers time fixing things that shouldn't ever have been a problem in the first place.
Choose an a/v dealer with care and ask for referals.
Quote:
Originally Posted by canuck_fr /forum/post/20812671
My 2 cents: If I were building a house, I would put speakers in your dining room, kitchen, bathrooms, etc... it is great for background music and for parties
Quote:
Originally Posted by gatorchris /forum/post/20812834
I havent, we just started doing work under contract with this builder, prior to this it was all discussion. Im building in a fairly rural area, we arent going to have a lot of options (read: competition) around here. Im an hour-ish away from Austin though, Im sure there are much better options there if they are willing to make the drive. I didnt think I was doing anything that complicated, outside of the matrix (that is coming later).
EDIT: Searched Cedia, closest companies are in Austin. I assume that means my builder's AV guy isnt qualified to be on the CEDIA search correct?
Quote:
Originally Posted by fletch999 /forum/post/20813159
Just as an FYI. $200 to hang a TV isn't really all that much. Even if its just for the labor. Truck roll, 1 or 2 guys at 50-100 per hour. 1-2 hours. And I would question the figure in the first place. Who would ask a contractor to just hang the TV and do nothing else? Even Best Buy charges far more than $200 to install a flat panel.
If the dealer isn't on the CEDIA locator, it just means he is not a CEDIA member, nothing else. I think it would behoove you to at least talk to the install company. If the GC is bad mouthing the CI, look for another one. A one hour drive is not even a concern.
Quote:
Originally Posted by gatorchris /forum/post/20813301
The builder was very clear, it was in the model home we were talking in. The cabling had been done (by the AV guy previously), he just wanted the TVs hung and thats what he was quoted. The AV guy said pretty much the same thing "Call best buy, they will charge you more." The builder hung the three TVs himself in about an hour.
Quote:
Originally Posted by fletch999 /forum/post/20813634
Again, $200 isn't really pricey for this. I have to either drive over myself or send someone. Truck Roll $75. 1 or 2 guys on site for an hour 75 or more per guy per hour. Drive back. Can't do anything else that pays the bills for those 3 hours.
If you asked your electrician or plumber on the same job to do something that would take an hour on site plus the other factors, what do you think it would cost? Probably about the same.
The only customers tighter than a GC are bar owners so I wouldn't base my judgement on what a general contractor concludes is pricey. Plus, he used and presumedly paid the guy for the previous work so why would he do that if he was so pricey? Talk to the guy. See what he can offer. If you don't like it, talk to someone else.
Having this kind of work done is not going to be cheap, depending on your definition of cheap. You have a pretty extensive pre-wire plan already. If you can do a full DIY from start to finish, great, you will save some money. I have a felling you will be in for a big case of sticker shock when you see a quote for just the prewire you have laid out so far. With that said, if you can work with a dealer to get a plan together, maybe DIY the prewire if that is acceptable, you may be able to get a dealer to work with you on a hybrid of DIY/dealer work.
Good luck either way it sounds like a fun project.