Entertainment Center: TVs, Stereos, VCRs and DVDs - Ent Center in new home

I'm building a new home. In general what do I need to have the elec sub include in his bid for an entertainment center.

Thanks, John

You have to get down to exactly what you want in an entertainment center.Just a simple tv with a surround system or a complete theater in a room.the more details you can give the contractor the better.;)

If you're dedicating a room to it, you'll need to determine where you want the "head end" (where all of the audio, video, recording, and control components will reside). All cabling will be pulled from that location to feed the TV or projector, speakers, cable/dish, network, telephone, line-level audio signals, line-level video signals, and power.

Smurf tube should be installed between all component locations to make the cable runs easier.

7.1 surround sound requires Left & Right front, L&R side, L&R rear, a center channel, and a subwoofer. Determine the positions of the speakers and have the EC pull speaker cables to those locations. If you want flush-mounted speakers you'll have to purchase them and have the EC rough in the mounting boxes. Even if you plan to use 5.1 today, 7.1 will be an easy upgrade in the future if you pre-wire.

If you plan to install a projector instead of an LCD or Plasma, run smurf tube to the projector's location in the ceiling, and don't forget power.