Our native mobile app has a new name: Fora Communities. Learn more.

Passing high voltage wires along side with high-def video signals?

479 Views 5 Replies 3 Participants Last post by TYBZ, May 14, 2006

TYBZ

Discussion Starter · May 11, 2006

Hi guys, Iâ€™m planning on building a â€œhome theatre in a living roomâ€ meaning that I have to hide all the wires as much as possible, and also, it has to be silentâ€¦ hehe yes

I live in a small condo, so I donâ€™t have many option as to where I can pass the wires, so basically leaving me no choice but to pass ALL the wires at the same place.

My setup will be something similar to:

A large LCD screen (1080p)

5.1 direct firing speaker setup with a 5.1 Receiver

PC @ 1080p via DVI / digital coax /5.1 analog discreet sound out for games (thatâ€™s what makes it complicated, because the receiver has to be close to the PC)

PS3 via HDMI / Digital sound out

And maybe more component in the future.

All those will be in a close space, where I wonâ€™t hear them, about 25 feet away (total wire length) from the screen. The only things that will be visible are the screen, the speakers, the remotes, & the wireless mouse/keyboard.

Basically, all the audio signals are short distance wires since the receiver will be close to all the components. Thus leaving the video signals and the high voltage speaker signals for the long run. All the wires (except one surround speaker) will pass in the same exact place, meaning that they will be 4 high voltage speaker signals travelling along side with super high def video signals (1080p, although digital) and along side of internet connections too.

My question is how much will the high voltage speakers signal will degrade/interfere the quality of the other signals, even if they are digital? Or vice versa? Is it a good idea to do that? Any stories?

Also, as a side question, how could I control my receiver if itâ€™s in the closet? Can I buy an infrared repeater of something similar?

Thanks guys!

See less See more

Save

Status: Not open for further replies.

1 - 6 of 6 Posts

GPowers

· #2 · May 11, 2006

What do you mean "High Voltage speaker signal"? The speakers are still Low Voltage compaired to line power.

Yes there are several infrared repeater on the market. Start looking at SmartHome.com

Save

TYBZ

Discussion Starter · #3 · May 11, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by GPowers
What do you mean "High Voltage speaker signal"? The speakers are still Low Voltage compaired to line power.

Yes there are several infrared repeater on the market. Start looking at SmartHome.com

Hmm, hehe, yeah, well now you know I'm not an electrical genius. What I meant is that the voltage in the speaker wires are much higher then the video/audio signals, well I think, well anyway it doesn't really matter, because the real question is how much does the speakers wires will interfere with the video/audio signals? Is it a good idea to pass them at the same exact place?

And thanks for the link

Save

rider

· #4 · May 12, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by GPowers
What do you mean "High Voltage speaker signal"? The speakers are still Low Voltage compaired to line power.

Not really; depends on your amp, spkr efficiency, and listening level. My Krell monoblocks have a max voltage output of 60V AC (RMS; 170V peak-to-peak), which is half of AC line voltage. The larger Krells have a max output of 85V AC RMS (240V peak-to-peak).

Since the signal output by the amps isn't, obviously, a steady-state waveform (such as the AC line voltage sine wave), you wouldn't get an induced hum like the 60Hz hum you'd potentially get from an AC line (for analog lines; don't know how that would affect digital), but depending on the quality of the shielding on the digital cables (and possibly other factors), I suppose you could get some induced magnetic interference from the spkr cables.

As far as the digital cables affecting the spkr cables: no. Very low voltage, and at high frequenies beyond the highest audio harmonics you'd hear.

See less See more

Save

GPowers

· #5 · May 12, 2006

To keep things as clean a possible i ran all low voltage cable runs down and through the crawl space.

All the 120v and 220v lines were run through the attic. The only exception to this was the projector cable. It was place in a separate 3" conduit.

Save

TYBZ

Discussion Starter · #6 · May 14, 2006

Ok, I see, anyone have experience with this? What's the effect on the digital video signals?

Also, how would the speaker cables would affect EACH OTHER by travelling the same path, it is really a concern?

And how far should I pass the speaker cables in order for them not to affect the video signals, say 1 inch below or 2? How much? Whatâ€™s the common practice around here?

Save

1 - 6 of 6 Posts

Status: Not open for further replies.

Top Contributors this Month