From my unstanding the cable used to hook up IPTV is coax. The coax cable they use is it Cable RG?? or sat cable RG??.

The reason is I'm doing renos to the medis room and want to pre-wire it for IPTV whe it comes to Ottawa.

It would be RG6.

It could be either RG6 or 59. It is used for Ethernet, so if you are doing a reno, UTP (cat 6) would be a better solution. The only reason coax is used is because it's already there. You will get better performance using twisted pair (RJ45 connected).

Run 2 coax runs in case you eventually get a dual tuner Satellite system, and run cat6 as well. And to the main entertainment area, run at least 2 cat6s, in case you want your IPTV on a different network from your xbox/ps3/bluray/htpc. There's no such thing as overkill.

I'm with betterthancable - run ethernet to where you want your TV's if you ever plan on using IPTV. From what I've heard, RG59/RG6 can give poor results with IPTV because if there are any inconsistencies in the cable, it can cause drop out issues.

Ethernet definitely the way to go anywyas these days. CAT5e or CAT6. But run both, Ethernet AND RG6. No reason not to. So many more things are going ethernet enabled anyway - receivers, TV's, even the new Rogers boxes have ethernet - they're just not usable with ethernet yet.

Run 2 coax runs in case you eventually get a dual tuner Satellite system, and run cat6 as well. And to the main entertainment area, run at least 2 cat6s, in case you want your IPTV on a different network from your xbox/ps3/bluray/htpc. There's no such thing as overkill.
Well presently I have 3 sat cables RG59? I think thats sat cab;les 2 dish one was Shaw Direct(Star Choice)its still there and rogers cable.

As for this ethernet or cat6 cables not exactly sure what type of cables they are, but where can you buy them and how long can you run one without losing signal strenght?

Not that technical in this area.

Look at the 'cable' wire. It might have a marking on it of what it is - RG59 or RG6. Generally, it's recommended to use RG6 for sattelite no matter what since it carries the signal better without degradation. People do use RG59 and it works, but sometimes it gives poor picture qaulity. So I'd recommened if you don't know what it is, and it's over lets say 10 or 15 years old, replace it if you have the oppurtunity.

As for ethernet - ethernet is what is used to plug in network equipment. It's typically what you would use to plug your computer or Wireless Router into your Cable or DSL modem. I'm guessing you have some of this stuff since you use the internet and use these forums ;-) The cable ethernet uses is referred to as CAT5e or CAT6. More on that later.

The maximum length of ethernet is 100meters. Ethernet is a star based setup, so each run of ehternet cable has to terminate at each end (not like phone cabling where you can chain from one jack to the other). It's not hard to cable, but if your're not exeperienced, I do recommened getting someone that is experienced to do this sort of work for you. Generally, what you would do is pick a point in your home where you would want to run the cabling all to, and run an ehternet cable from that point to where you would want to be able to plug in. Then you would (for IPTV), plug the ethernet cable into the modem they provide you, and then the set top box would plug in at the other end of the network cable. Think of it as being very similar to plugging in your laptop or desktop into the back of a wireless router. You're just running an ethernet cable through the walls of your home.

CAT5e and CAT6 is essentially the same, with the exception that CAT6 is supposed to support 10Gigabit over copper. This is probably overkill for a home type use since there isn't any reasonably priced equipment to support this, so CAT5e is perfectly fine.

You could if you wanted to - go to the store and buy the cable already made for you with the proper ends on them, so all you would then need to do is plug in. The alternative is to buy a box of cable which can be cheaper, but you'll have to put the ends on the cable on your own, and if you don't have too much technical knowledge in this area, I recommend getting someone that does since it's a bit tricky.

If you have the opportunity, it's a great time to run 2 pair of RG6 as well as 2 pair of ethernet cables to multiple areas of your media room. Why 2 pair of ethernet cables? In case one fails. Usually doesn't happen, but can none the less.

I've done network installs before and it's not too hard, but I was trained on how to do some of it as well :)


By the way - if this link works, here is a good link of what a network 'might' look like. It's a little advanced, but geared toward a home with IPTV.
http://pages.sbcglobal.net/wilsondr/UVerse/2master.png

Oh - and you can buy ethernet cable pre made at pretty much any electronics store. It'll be a bit expensive, but you can get it there.

As a reference, I bough myself a box of network cable (300 meters) for about $70. Crimper, for $30, and the RJ45 ends (pack of 20) for about $20. Plus my own time.

If you're just wanting to do a single run of ethernet cable, then it might be cheaper to just go buy it pre-made. The big box stores all cary it.

Thanks secotton

This helps me BIG TIME.

As for the reno's I was going to do it myself but considering fishing the wires getting the proper wires and everything I think I & the wife will get a contractor to do all the work.

Thanks again.

secotton, You can get a 50 pack at TigerDirect for about $16. http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=788097&csid=_25 The big box home reno stores charge a fortune for those things.

I bought a pack of these and they work fine. I get full speed connections (100Mbps) on my network no problem. I also bought the crimper for about $27. It does take some practice, but for the 15 or so ends I've put on, I've only messed up 2 of them, so it's not too bad once you get the hang of it. Once people know you have a crimper, don't be suprised when they ask you over to do work for them.

I actually picked up a flyer at Home Depot in their networking section which clearly shows the order of the wires inside the ends. Their ends are over priced, don't buy them there (unless there is something I'm missing, Ultra's quality (Tiger) must be the same as the Home Depot brand).

It is easier to run through small holes with no ends, and I like to put the wall plates on because they look so much neater than cables sticking through the floor - although the jacks for the wall are about $5 each. I have 3 Cat5e runs in my living room alone and am using them all with my current network setup (my wireless router and HTPC are in the living room). I don't intend on staying in this house that much longer, but when I move I will definately wire up the next house with Cat 5e again.

The hardest part is the fishing in my opinion, and if you aren't comfortable or don't want the frustration, hire someone to do the work, otherwise it is not that difficult in my opinion.

secotton, You can get a 50 pack at TigerDirect for about $16. http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=788097&csid=_25 The big box home reno stores charge a fortune for those things.

I bought a pack of these and they work fine. I get full speed connections (100Mbps) on my network no problem. I also bought the crimper for about $27. It does take some practice, but for the 15 or so ends I've put on, I've only messed up 2 of them, so it's not too bad once you get the hang of it. Once people know you have a crimper, don't be suprised when they ask you over to do work for them.

I actually picked up a flyer at Home Depot in their networking section which clearly shows the order of the wires inside the ends. Their ends are over priced, don't buy them there (unless there is something I'm missing, Ultra's quality (Tiger) must be the same as the Home Depot brand).

It is easier to run through small holes with no ends, and I like to put the wall plates on because they look so much neater than cables sticking through the floor - although the jacks for the wall are about $5 each. I have 3 Cat5e runs in my living room alone and am using them all with my current network setup (my wireless router and HTPC are in the living room). I don't intend on staying in this house that much longer, but when I move I will definately wire up the next house with Cat 5e again.

The hardest part is the fishing in my opinion, and if you aren't comfortable or don't want the frustration, hire someone to do the work, otherwise it is not that difficult in my opinion.
I know - I was just ballparking it. I bought my stuff over 5 years ago, so I forgot what I had paid. I did the wall plates as well with my installs I've done. It's nice, neat and clean that way. As you siad - fishing the wires is the hardest. I had an easy time since I just had to wire up one floor with the floor beneath it being a raw space.

Thanks for all the info. One more question?

Does the receiver have to be pluged into the phoner line jack?
or is that already done with the cable hook up?

Nope. Only ethernet and power. With that said, I heard that they might one day integrate the modem into the receiver, so then I guess the idea would bey you would plug your receiver into your phone outlet, then plug that into your ethernet cabling? Not so sure about that.

For now, and for the foreseeable future, just ethernet and power is needed. May as well run tele over to the same spot though if you have a chance to do so.

Do they charge for the installation? How much is it if so. I can make my own cables and stuff its just i dont want to fish the wire, its a pain in the ass.

I don't think they charged for install when you could order it during the trial phase, but now you can't order it at all it seems and will be going to full open availability (where the technology exists), they will charge for installation at that time. I think it's $30


With that said, I don't think they are going to fish wires for you because they would probably just try to use your existing cabling in the house as much as possible. And even still, I wouldn't necessarily want Bell to fish wires for me! I'd rather pay someone that really knows what they're doing to do it and go the extra distance while they are at it - ie - fish network, telephone, and whatever other wire I need pulled.

When it comes out public do you guys expect it to be full price? ie. 165$ for the top plan etc

Well, right now, it's not an official service, so there is no option to bundle with Bell, but I suspect that once it is available, there will be some discounts offerred.

Don't forget, the service includes approximately 20Mb internet, so that alone is roughly $55, so your TV "fully loaded" ends up being about $110 which includes the rental of an HD PVR. It's not a bad price overall for what you get.

Right but its not like your getting 20 mbps when the tvs are on so its really not 55$, more like 45$, since your not really getting that speed all the time for your PC like you are on the fibe25 plan. I pay 73$ for satellite and 45$ for my internet, 12 mbps for a grand total of $108, so its a pretty substantial increase in price.

True. But your'e still getting quick internet. People will have to decide for themselves if they see a benefit to the IPTV service. At full price, it may be a wash compared to what Rogers or Satellite offers in conjunction with internet. I did some pricing with Rogers, and I was up to well over $165 for their internet and a decent TV package with HD PVR rental. I know I can buy the receiver with them, but I had to compare like for like. And since I'm in a condo facing the wrong way, Satellite isn't an option. Nor is OTA unfortunately.

The only thing I'm waiting for is the possibility of TekSavvy offering IPTV. That's only if Bell allows for it. Apparently there's a lot of discussion about it, but I have a feeling it's going to take a while for something like this to be an option. I've got until December to figure out what the best course of action is for myself.

I'm anxiously waiting for Fibe TV myself (I'm in Toronto near High Park so hopefully in the coming weeks).

I've got Cat5e (good for gigabit) run all over the place for my computers, which I'd like to use for the Fibe TV receivers.

But, in rooms where I want both a Fibe TV box and a wired internet connection, I'm concerned.

I can only presume the Fibe TV settop boxes do not have a 2nd ethernet port on them for an internet connection and act like a hub. I also presume (but hope I'm wrong) that I can't run the FibeTV and a computer through a switch.

Just wondering if I'm going to want to run 2x ethernet to my different locations, one for TV and one for network. I like wired network connections as I have a 2TB NAS device (DNS-323) on my network which I have all my movies/pics etc. on for viewing on my PC's.

One HTPC in my living room, one PC in my detached garage and one in my home office. The other 2 (wife's laptop and daughter's PC) are fine on 802.11n but the others I prefer on gigabit.