My Home Theatre Build Plans - Comments?

[ClgShaft]

Hey guys,

The time has come, I have finally finished framing my basement, and am ready to start wiring for my home theater.

My room is approximately 19' x 12'.

I will have a total of 6 TV's. There will be a 42" Plasma in the center of the wall, with 4 smaller sets (have not chosen size yet) around the 42" Plasma. Then I will have a powered down, or pull down projection screen that would pull down and cover the other 5 TV's for movie night.

This setup is ideal for NFL Sunday Ticket. Basically the same a sports pub would have.

Well I can pretty much build anything, but lack the knowledge in wiring, and since this is the step I am now at, I am looking for some expert advice.

I am confused on type and size of speaker wire, my runs are from 10' to 20', and would be buying a higher end set of speakers (yet to be determined).

I also do not know how to wire up for subwoofers, I would like to pre-wire for two areas, front left and rear right.

For my TV setup I was going to run just coax and rca cables to the secondary TV's. I will be running HDMI 1.3 to the Plasma and Projector. I will also be running a vga cable to the Projector. Both the Plasma and Projector will have conduit ran to their locations for easy cable changes.

Do I need to consider any other pre-wires?

I will have a computer close to the components, but unsure what to run from the computer to any of my locations. I was thinking of also running conduit from the computer station to the electronics room.

I look forward to hearing some of your ideas,and/or comments.

thanks

[jvincent]

As far as speaker wire goes, get yourself a spool of 12 gauge wire and you should be fine for all your speakers.

Sub-woofers are usually fed from a single RCA type connection out of the receiver, although most (all ?) also accept a speaker wire pair. If you don't know where it's going to go just run a single RCA connection to both spots.

You haven't mentioned how you are powering the setup. For bet results you should ideally have a dedicated circuit for all the gear, which means a higher than normal amperage at the breaker. This is best handled by an electrician.

Are you planning on having the computer connected to either the plasma or the projector? Are all the TVs audio going to be connected to a receiver?

[ClgShaft]

Thanks for your reply jvincent.

I did some more reading last night. It seems I can use any good 2 conductor 12 guage wire for my speaker runs. For the Sub-woofer I also read I could run rg-6 cable, now this is something I have never heard of.

As for what receiver I will be using, well not sure yet. I currently have a STRDG900 by Sony, but i will upgrading. I am currently looking in the $1200 range of the recently published review by Digital Home.

For the secondary TV's I was just going to run the cable's right from the satellite receivers, they would be controled in a seperate room.

You are also suggesting a seperate circuit for all the components. I was going to have the TV's on one circuit with a couple lights. I was going to have my components on another circuit with the computer and one light. Third circuit would be for the projector, 6 lights, and a subwoofer.

Should I be adding more circuits? I thought you could have up to twelve on one circuit and I was staying below. I have no problem in adding more circuits. I would like my lights split with 2 on one circuit and 6 on another (different switch anyway). I should also add, at the bottom of my component rack will be a bar fridge.

Thanks for the input.

[jvincent]

For the sub-woofer RG-59 is a better bet. It's more flexible.

Seperate circuits for the lights is a good idea. To minimize the effects of ground loops you want to keep all of your gear on the same circuit if possible.

[JKL1960]

Sounds like you are mostly on the right track. RG6 works fine for sub signal.

A question about the smaller TVs. Do you want to be able to use them independently or will they all display the same material simultaneously?

The only thing I see that I might do different is running a single power circuit for subs. A good sub can draw pretty heavy. It could be one of the heaviest draws in the system along with your receiver / amplifier. In theory a 7x100 watt receiver could pull something like 12 amps if called upon to deliver all available power at once (more info here). Something that, in theory, is unlikely to happen. Nonetheless, ideally, big power amps should get their own circuit. You might consider a separate circuit for your bar fridge. I would certainly avoid plugging power amps into the same circuit as the bar fridge.

[ClgShaft]

Thanks guys, this is some great info.

I will use the RG6 as I already have a box, but what kind of connector do I use on the end?

I have no problem adding circuits. So now I am looking at 6 cicuits in the one room compared to three, but this is fine.

I am not much of an electrician, but i will give it my best.

I am going to run a circuit for 2 subs, 1 cicuit for the bar fridge, and 1 circuit for the amp. The other 3 circuits will pick up my lights, other components, computer, and all other plugs.

thanks for the help.

If I could draw I would sketch the room for you guys.

I will upload pics as I go.

[rwalker]

While you can get RCA compression connectors for RG6, there are a bit hard to find and a bit finicky to get right. They also are expensive.

I'd suggest using compression "F" connectors on the RG6 and then using F to RCA adapters as you need them. These are easy to find and work well, expecially for baseband audio which is what the sub is.

[Bent]

I wouldn't hesitate (sp?) to use F-RCA adapters for subwoofer duty,
jeeze 2.2Ghz satellite signals get connected with f connectors - nobody should think there might and issue with subwoofer signals that only typically go as high as 80 hz (not including roll-off at the top).

[Dog Byte]

-- 12ga speaker wire is overkill for short runs. I use 16ga lamp cord for speakers.

-- Your biggest power draw is the TVs (100 - 200 watts each) so I'd have at least 2 circuits for the TV and 1 for everything else. In practice amps and sub-woofers don't use much power. My 200 watt sub uses 20 watts (measured) and my amp (5x45) draws 50 watts (measured) when LOUD.

-- don't forget the surge protectors.

[ClgShaft]

Hey,

K guys one problem. I went to home depot tonight and made a fool of myself.

Like I said before when it comes to wire I am a complete idiot, I am trying my best here.

I understand gauge, and thats about it.

I went and asked for a good 2 conductor wire for doing my speakers, of course the guy asked what it was for, and I told him my speakers. So he said I had to use the in wall rated cable for this.

I am having my basement inspected, and he said all cables would fail, the only one that would pass is the in wall speaker wire, f4 i think.

Now my runs are no longer than 30', am I fine with the 14 gauge speaker wire?

I also could not find any f to rca connectors. I looked at circuit city and home depot. Is this something I would fine at a electrical store?

thanks for the help.

[jammertime]

Speaker wire has to be CL2 rated for in-wall use.

I've had a hard time finding an F to RCA connector as well. I found a place online that has it, but they don't ship to Canada.

[Bent]

Decora hex inserts (1 hole up to 8 hole)
RCA bulkhead F-connector (RCA - F)

They ship to Canada.

[ClgShaft]

hey man that is a great site.

thats is definatley something i am going to order.

I was thinking of getting a 3 port so I could run coax for sub, and speaker wire.

I however could not find some speaker terminals that would fit in those plates.

I would get 2 ports pones for my other speakers if I could find a speaker terminal.

I will keep looking, and thanks for the site.

[Bent]

sigh...
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showd...umber=091-1207

[ClgShaft]

hey,

thats great, i want what on the front to be on both sides, the screw in connector.

I was going to see if leviton had them.

thanks