Hello All,
What I have now:
A fully integrated Audio and Video with Lighting, Security, Climate and Irrigation Control & Complete Networked Pc's(7 Desktops, 4 Laptops). I am Having an electrician come out and give me an estimate on how much it would cost and the time it would take to run the cables for me, Now I want to have a clear idea on what and where do I run the cabling too.
Each Room and What I would like to have:
Office Space-Main: 3 Desktop Computers & Lighting Control
Office Space-Secondary: 2 Desktop Computers & Lighting Control
Dedicated HT ( Future i.e. 3-4 Months from now) : Projector, Curtains & Lighting Control
What I already know:
If you reached this far by reading everything then WOW but all jokes aside, I know this is a long post, Thanks for taking the time to read and help. Have a Good day
What I have now:
- A 2 Story with Basement, retrofit 1 year old home with no cat5 and Coax to 3 rooms. Pretty Crappy, I know, but the family and I love the home and it had just been 2 weeks since I started reading AVS and other forums.
- Components: Fully Upgrading, Mostly except for Minor Things that will stay (2 SDTV's and Xbox 360(Would like direction on how to integrate the 360 and have it more useful to HA and HT).
A fully integrated Audio and Video with Lighting, Security, Climate and Irrigation Control & Complete Networked Pc's(7 Desktops, 4 Laptops). I am Having an electrician come out and give me an estimate on how much it would cost and the time it would take to run the cables for me, Now I want to have a clear idea on what and where do I run the cabling too.
Each Room and What I would like to have:
- Foyer : Lighting(Chandelier)
- Main Level Hallway : Lighting
- Living Room : Lighting
- Dining Room : Lighting & Temperature Control (I.e. This is where the current thermostat is)
- Family Room : LCD TV-Audio, Video Distribution & Lighting Control
- Kitchen and Breakfast Nook: Audio, Touch Panel (Future Upgrade) & Lighting Control
- Library : Lighting, Desktop Computer, BUT LCD TV with Audio, Video Distribution in the Future
- Master Bedroom: LCD TV- Audio , Video Distribution & Lighting Control & Temperature Control ( I.e. This is where the second Thermostat is)
- Master Bathroom: LCD TV - Audio, Video Distribution & Lighting Control and A recommendation on a Waterproof Remote
- Bedroom 1 : SDTV-Video Distribution & Lighting Control & Desktop Computer
- Bedroom 2 : SDTV-Video Distribution & Lighting Control & Desktop Computer
- Bedroom 3 : LCD TV- Video Distribution & Lighting Control
- Game Room: LCD TV-Audio, Video Distribution & Lighting Control
- Basement :
Office Space-Main: 3 Desktop Computers & Lighting Control
Office Space-Secondary: 2 Desktop Computers & Lighting Control
Dedicated HT ( Future i.e. 3-4 Months from now) : Projector, Curtains & Lighting Control
What I already know:
- I will have all of this wire pulled to a central location in the basement near the future Dedicated HT.
- I will be running 3 Cat-5 or similar to each of the location where I need Audio and Video Distribution.
- Lighting: I will be going with Insteon and Doing Lighting Floor by Floor, starting with the Main Level. I have been reading the forum quite a bit and I see some have problems with Insteon but these seem to be pertaining with Installation Issues. I will have an electrician do the installation for me.
- Touch Panel: I will first use the Fujitsu 3400 as I have read the threads by IVB and others and later upgrade to a much substantial solution.
- Video: I would like to distribute the following to each room:
**DVD Changer ( Recommend on Which one would be best, of course don't want to go overboard on the price)(HD content would be nice)
**Digital Cable Receiver ( Have not Decided on Cox Digital Cable or Verizon Fios but most probably it will be the Verizon as it is Fiber Optic), Do I need to buy a receiver for each room that I want have digital cable to?
**HTPC
**VCR: The family watches a lot of old movies that come on VHS, I already have multiple VCR's but if I need to buy something else please recommend.
****PLEASE RECOMMED on how to distribute this video to each room, I have looked at many things but If something fits my situation I would like to know, since these are pricey, I don't mind waiting for a good deal on new or used ones like others have****
- Audio: Would anyone Recommend me even trying to run Speaker wire to the ceiling or in wall in a retrofit home? I have been reading a wireless solution is better (Sonos etc.)? Please shed some light on this.
- What type of wire should I have pulled whether It be depending on the solution or the room? I.e. Cat-5? Cat-5e? Cat-6(for Desktops)?
- I will be having 3 Cat-X (don't know which one is best for what room) to each of the LCD location and 1 to each Desktop Location. What else do I need to run? I don't know if I need to run RG-6 to every LCD location??? As I will be using Digital cable and want to just have all the receivers located centrally in the basement.
- Thermostat: How do I incorporate this, will this be wireless? Or Do I need to run Cat-5 or other wiring to each Thermostat location (2 Locations).
- I only want to have one Security Camera I.e. the front door: I need to run a Cat-5 and RG-6 to this location Correct? Please shed some light on this and other suggestions if you may have.
- Security within the house: I was going to have ADT come and install their products in places that I need them. Should I stop it and install something else for Doors, Windows etc., now that I want to have it integrated to the system? Or I need to run some cable to where the ADT panel is?
- Irrigation: How do I incorporate this? I have tried to search the automation Forums on this but have been unsuccessful. I DO NOT have a current sprinkler system so I will incorporate based on what is recommended and liked already. Please have some suggestions.
- Controlling everything: I am pretty much in the dark in this aspect or how to have my existing remote control for my TV's to work with the distribution integrated. I am leaning towards either CQC or MAINLOBBY but don't understand fully, honestly I understand the concept of Rs232, Usb_Urit such only with limited knowledge. So please direct me on how to everything incorporated to a Fujitsu 3400(The IR and RF part).
- If I forgot anything and you would like to give a noob any Advice or Criticism or Simply ask Questions for more info, please do.
If you reached this far by reading everything then WOW but all jokes aside, I know this is a long post, Thanks for taking the time to read and help. Have a Good day