Entertainment Center: TVs, Stereos, VCRs and DVDs - Hidden Wiring for Wall Mounted Flat Screen TV
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datkin
04-14-04, 08:07 PM
We recently bought a lovely new flat screen TV and mounted it on the wall. We want to hide all wiring connections behind the TV so no wires run down the wall. Luckily, there was an electric plug at the base of the wall, so adding an electrical plug behind the TV above the old one was easy.
Now we need to deal with the cable and DVD cords. We want to put a plate on the wall behind the TV for with a cable connection and one with the connections for the DVD player. We then need to run the cables through the wall, into the crawl space below the house and back out on the opposite wall where they can attach to a second set of plates with the connections to the cable box and DVD player.
We have hardwood floors, so running under carpet is not an option. We have to go down under the floor.
This seems like a common project on this site, but we do not know how to get through the stud at the base of the wall. Do we have to rip out a section of the plasterboard in order to drill a hole into the crawlspace to run the wire? Any suggestions for less destructive options?
Thanks for the help.
D.
Now we need to deal with the cable and DVD cords. We want to put a plate on the wall behind the TV for with a cable connection and one with the connections for the DVD player. We then need to run the cables through the wall, into the crawl space below the house and back out on the opposite wall where they can attach to a second set of plates with the connections to the cable box and DVD player.
We have hardwood floors, so running under carpet is not an option. We have to go down under the floor.
This seems like a common project on this site, but we do not know how to get through the stud at the base of the wall. Do we have to rip out a section of the plasterboard in order to drill a hole into the crawlspace to run the wire? Any suggestions for less destructive options?
Thanks for the help.
D.
SafeWatch
04-14-04, 08:21 PM
Hello, datkin, welcome to the world of retrofitting. We do this kind of work daily - just installed a 46" Plasma today.
What you'll want to do is get a 6 port connection plate for all of your connections - you may need more ports for more devices, but probably not.
Getting through the floor is not going to be easy, but very possible. Check out Home Depot for a GreenLee flex bit - you'll probably need the 6 footer. It doesn't really matter what size, since you'll only be using it to drill a pilot hole (too bad you have to spend so much on a pilot bit :rolleyes: )
When you get that drilled, go back with a 3/4" or larger bit (depending on how many wires you need to run) - from the crawlspace. There are several options for the types of wires you can use and the types of connections you can use - and they will depend on the type of TV you have. But, usually you will want to use RG-59 for the signal (with RCA adapters on the ends) as well as the audio connections. RG-59 is sufficient, since it is not actually carrying a Satellite signal, just an audio/video signal - this is just a cheaper option for wiring (25' and longer RCA cable is expensive.)
You may also want to invest in an IR receiver/emitter kit for the remote control signal. This will allow you to completely hide the components and still be able to control them - run a Cat5 just in case.
Good luck!
What you'll want to do is get a 6 port connection plate for all of your connections - you may need more ports for more devices, but probably not.
Getting through the floor is not going to be easy, but very possible. Check out Home Depot for a GreenLee flex bit - you'll probably need the 6 footer. It doesn't really matter what size, since you'll only be using it to drill a pilot hole (too bad you have to spend so much on a pilot bit :rolleyes: )
When you get that drilled, go back with a 3/4" or larger bit (depending on how many wires you need to run) - from the crawlspace. There are several options for the types of wires you can use and the types of connections you can use - and they will depend on the type of TV you have. But, usually you will want to use RG-59 for the signal (with RCA adapters on the ends) as well as the audio connections. RG-59 is sufficient, since it is not actually carrying a Satellite signal, just an audio/video signal - this is just a cheaper option for wiring (25' and longer RCA cable is expensive.)
You may also want to invest in an IR receiver/emitter kit for the remote control signal. This will allow you to completely hide the components and still be able to control them - run a Cat5 just in case.
Good luck!
datkin
04-14-04, 08:56 PM
Thank you SafeWatch, exactly the info we needed. Too bad we believed RadioShack that there is no such thing as a 6 port connection plate and made one. But it will work fine.
My husband is not the least bit upset about having to buy the new flex-bit. New tools - yeah!
Thanks again.
D
My husband is not the least bit upset about having to buy the new flex-bit. New tools - yeah!
Thanks again.
D
fewalt
04-14-04, 11:47 PM
Use RG6 for any cabling you do. You may want to go with an HD dish receiver in the future. Then you won't have to rewire.
fred
fred
SafeWatch
04-15-04, 01:16 PM
RG-6 is only necessary for Satellite signal or Digital Cable - RG-59 is perfectly fine for carrying video or audio signal from the receiver or head-end to the TV/Speakers. At this point, it's only used as a carrier cable - it doesn't have to be high-bandwidth. This is very similar to using RCA cables, but much cheaper - plus you can cut it to any length you need.