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? about all-in-one wiring using Cat-5 cables for multiple connections.

post #1 of 9
9/25/09 at 4:58pm
Thread Starter 
Ok, I am new to many parts of HT, but I do know a little bit.

I am buying a house that has a perfect spot for a monster tv above the fireplace.  I want to put my cable box, 360, DVD, receiver, etc. across the room, or possibly in a media closet.  

I have found a site that sells the plates with multiple connectors. http://www.datapro.net/products/custom-wall-plates.html

And this one that uses a Cat-5 cable, but only with a component, and IR repeater. http://www.uniqueproductsonline.com/duauandviovc.html

Is it possible to have a wall plate to put behind the tv that has multiple HDMI connectors, component hookup, Ethernet, VGA, etc., then have a single wire to transmit all the signals (Cat-5 or 6) and the same wall plate by my components?  I don't want to have to run each wire and was curious if they made something like this.

Thanks for your help.  I have enjoyed reading the forums for the past couple of days.  I will be visiting here a lot in the future as I start my project.  I will post pictures too.
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post #2 of 9
9/27/09 at 3:11am
That may be possible, but it would be easiest to just run a single HDMI cable and maybe a couple Cat5e for IR and for future use.

If you run everything into your receiver, then connect the HDMI from receiver to TV then you should be in good shape.  Note, that you'll need to ensure that your receiver upconverts signals from component, s-video and composite to HDMI . . . but many receivers do this at many price points now.
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post #3 of 9
9/27/09 at 4:53am



Quote:

Is it possible to have a wall plate to put behind the tv that has multiple HDMI connectors, component hookup, Ethernet, VGA, etc., then have a single wire to transmit all the signals (Cat-5 or 6) and the same wall plate by my components?


You’re not going to find a single cable that does all that.  As a for instance, the HDMI converters that are used for long HDMI runs use two Cat 5 cables.  Multiply that by the number of HDMI connections on the wall plate.  Component video should be 75-ohm shielded cable – three of them (red, green blue), or a single multicore cable.  Ethernet needs its own Cat 5 cable.

 

By the way, you do know that above-fireplace locations are generally too high?  Displays should be centered at eye level, or no more than 15-degrees above.  Its going to get tiresome craning your neck upwards to watch TV, unless you plan on using a recliner.

 

Regards,

Wayne A. Pflughaupt

 

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post #4 of 9
9/27/09 at 10:30pm
I agree that above a fireplace is not a good place for a tv. Especially if it's a working fireplace!
Some designer on HGTV did it, and now everyone wants to do it. It does have a "cool" factor to it, but not practical at all. And running cables and wires through the wall, by a working fireplace, isn't good either.

As Wayne said, ideally, the center of the screen should be eye level, while sitting down. TV stands are built the height they are, for a reason. On a stand, chances are you can use 3 ft. cables to connect everything, instead of 30-40 ft. cables running around the room through walls. It can get pretty expensive.
Good luck with whatever you do.
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post #5 of 9
9/29/09 at 6:38pm
 Hey Tigers30

I think above the fireplace is an excellent location as opposed to off center to either side and thus not a the center of  viewing area. I do agree with the other post . Run a single HDMI to your TV (with at least 1 cat5e) and route all video components through the AVR.  making sure that the AVR up-converts all video inputs through HDMI.  We install HDMI cables above fireplaces all the time with no adverse effects , obviously maintaining a safe distance from the chimney flue  (some AVR's will not pass composite or even component signals through HDMI)

Another option recently available is wireless HDMI transmission though I have no experience with these products as of yet.

good luck with your install
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post #6 of 9
9/29/09 at 6:39pm
 Hey Tigers30

I think above the fireplace is an excellent location as opposed to off center to either side and thus not a the center of  viewing area. I do agree with the other post . Run a single HDMI to your TV (with at least 1 cat5e) and route all video components through the AVR.  making sure that the AVR up-converts all video inputs through HDMI.  We install HDMI cables above fireplaces all the time with no adverse effects , obviously maintaining a safe distance from the chimney flue  (some AVR's will not pass composite or even component signals through HDMI)

Another option recently available is wireless HDMI transmission though I have no experience with these products as of yet.

good luck with your install
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post #7 of 9
9/29/09 at 6:40pm
 
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post #8 of 9
9/30/09 at 5:54pm
I messed around with CAT5 for a projector...it was a frustrating (and expensive) experience. In my case, I used component video baluns to convert from component to CAT5 to component. The baluns were expensive & did not work very well. From what I recall last time I looked at HDMI baluns, I believe they were several hundred dollars. Rather than listen to my HT consultant's advice about running CAT5, I wish I had run some pvc tubing so I could pull whatever cables I wanted in the future. In the end, I purchased a long component cable & ran it directly from my receiver.

Based on the type of receiver you have (to do the video switching), you probably only need to run 1 cable from your components to your tv. HDMI would be best...but I use component & HD looks great.

I use a xantec "dinky-link" ir repeater system to send the remote control signal from my tv to my components (located in another room) 
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post #9 of 9
10/1/09 at 8:20pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks everybody.  You have me rethinking the above the fireplace location for the tv.  A friend of mine has his above the fireplace, but looking up at that angle for a period of time got old, quick.  Just figured a lower level next to the fireplace would look strange.  Now I stuck.  Guess I'll search for some pictures.
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