New Here| Cabling/Outlet Question

[DEC Alpha]

Simple question for now..

Situation: New house, and iv just made a last minute decision that im going to place either a LCD or Plasma over my fireplace. Last minute being that im telling the builder where I want my outlets tomorrow.

If what iv been reading so far is right im using S-video from the AV receiver to the TV?

So I need svideo outlet wired in from where my non existent AV receiver will be up to where my non existent TV will be mounted and a Extra power outlet. Are running RCAs necessary? The jacks online that I have looked at have tons RCAs, VGA HD.. Svideo.. all on one.

I got a few months to shop for equipment.. just want to make sure I have the right junk in the wall if they will even do it for me

[ECA]

If you want to cover your bases, you should at least get Component, and HDMI, and DVI.. Svideo isnt the best picture, IF that is what you are aiming at.

And be warned..LCD and plasma dont LIKE HEAT...If you have it over the fire place make SURE there is an draft to redirect HEAT...Look at the Operating temp..Think its UNDER 110F...

[Ioman]

First question is what type of receiver do you have, and how far away will it be from the TV? I have everything running into my receiver (S-Video, Component, RCA etc) and then I am transcoding (upconverting) everything to component video out of the receiver and into my TV. I would recommend either getting a receiver that does that, or getting a switch box. You want the best possible signal going to your TV. The best case scenerio (and if you can afford it) would be a receiver with HDMI in, and out to your TV.

Make sure that the wall connection is directly behind the TV including the power outlet so that everything looks flush and you do not have cables running below or to the side of the TV.

[jtfields]

S-Video is not that high on the totem pole for video connections. S-Video does not support HDTV. You will need either compent video, DVI or HDMI for that. Of those, only HDMI carries an audio signal. So if you want to be able to listen through your TV speakers then you will also need to supply an audio signal to the TV as well (not a big deal if you always plan to listen through your home theater system's speakers.)

In the end, HDMI is preferred but you will need to make sure your TV supports it (most new larger models do.)

[neuroking]

My parents are doing the exact some thing, DEC. This is what I convinced them to do (not done with it, but the logic seems solid). Unless you are married to another receiver, get the Yamaha RX-V2700 (around $700), which is the best HDMI pass through and switching receiver out now. This allows you to pipe all your a/v connections into one receiver, and that receiver sends a single cord, HDMI, which carries any input to the LCD. Most other HDMI switching receivers only allow you to switch between several HDMI inputs; this one allows you to run component, s-video, etc all across the same cord.

If you don't want to go this route, I would have them install one of each a/v connector type: composite, s-video, component, and HDMI (I wouldn't worry about DVI). That's also the order of worst picture quality to best, btw. If you will be using a media center PC in the future, you might want to consider a DVI port. I would strongly recommend running any a/v components into the receiver and letting it deal with spitting out the right output - you don't want to run 3-6 more connections back there.

As for LCD over the fireplace, keep in mind that the viewing angle is a little awkward at first. Most TVs are set at eye level when seated on a couch. Also, as ECA said, heat _can_ be an issue. Just make sure the bottom of the LCD is sufficiently far that if you were to put your hand there, it would not be uncomfortable (this depends on depth of the fireplace, size of the fire, ventilation, etc.) Also, make sure it is raised off the wall slightly to allow better ventilation (1/4 inch would be fine).

Hope that helps. Oh, and if you want a higher end receiver, I'm not sure what your options are, but Yamaha is supposed ot be coming out with an RX-V4700, which will add power, inputs and a couple other whiz-bang things. But, for most non-A/V perfectionists, the 2700 should work fine.

[ECA]

I would suggest mounting a Box or frame on the wall, about the size you wish, FRAMe it..
ANd if need you can place a small fan behind to keep it cool, Also.

[ECA]

Composite WORSE then Svid???
You dont know do you??
component can do Any res you WISH...even your computer output. But it mostly depends on the monitor/TV.

YES you want the FULL HDMI output as there is a copyprotect that REQUIRES IT. stupid aint it.
When most the other input/outputs will do the SAME resoulution, or BETTER.

[DEC Alpha]

Currently I dont have any hardware so im not limited. I just want to have the right cable in the wall for now then go get all the hardware that will suit. Now I know.. HDMI, cheers! It just be a shame to rip up drywall on a new house if I can get it done now for some extra coin.. will cost more but the savings in aggravation will be priceless.

As for the fireplace, I found a few sites that list preventive tips for heat damage. Thanks for that tip! I will have all the time in the world to sort out that jazz once I get there.

Im a complete n00b on home theaters yes I know.. thats why I will be doing alot of reading in these forums :P

[Ioman]

Composite WORSE then Svid???
You dont know do you??
component can do Any res you WISH...even your computer output. But it mostly depends on the monitor/TV.

YES you want the FULL HDMI output as there is a copyprotect that REQUIRES IT. stupid aint it.
When most the other input/outputs will do the SAME resoulution, or BETTER.


I think you are confused ECA. Composite is not the same as component. Here is a little guide

coaxial>composite (RCA)>S-Video>Component>DVI>HDMI

[ECA]

Let me say it the easy way...RGB(Old style) And I would use the 5/6 connector system and NOT just the 3

[DEC Alpha]

Worked like a charm! I got my cable and thats good to go. Wallplates im going to order online because none of the stores seem to have them. One of the sales guys at one shop said he had seen HDMI terminators at AV Trade shows but never for sale in the stores.. ? Everywhere else they looked at me like I had three heads, HDMI wallplate jacks.. huh? Seems to be a fair amount of selection online which is good.

Met with the guy working on my place and hes like you should toss in some speaker wire and have it done. So he told me if I can get all the speaker wire he will let me string it up myself next saturday before they start drywalling on monday. So now I must figure out what I want to do :P Starting to read up on toslink now.. :P Do they make speakers that take optical direct? Im old school with old ass cheap speakers :P Anyways.. Maybe do a setup for 7.1. I dunno, im off to the store to look at equipment to give me a better idea.

Thanks for the help!

[ECA]

http://rapidrun.com/

MOSt of the trick is wiring and ENOUGH wireing...
You could take a 50 pair(100 wires) telepohone wire through the walls, but you need to understand a few things.
1, these dont take much voltage per wire...
RF radio freq interferance CAN cause problems, esp on items that use Close frequencies.

Either get SOMEONE that understand about Low voltage wireing, and RF noise reduction, or I would THINK running 3 sets of wires 5-10 pair(10-20 wires) and spacing them 6-8 inches apart, would set you pretty well. You could have your spearkers, networking, TV, and other items set up to run, and you would have extra wireing for the future.. NEVER underestimate...OVER estimate ALWAYS...Just incase, you want something different, soemthing dont work, or you have a NEW idea, or want to ADD something ELSE....

As you said, you DONT want to tear up the walls...AGAIN.

[neuroking]

You definitely don't need optical wiring for the speakers (I've never heard of anyone doing that). Just get a decent gauge standard speaker wire run to where you want to have speakers. Keep in mind that if you get satellite (small speakers), you'll want the wall plate up high in corners, and for standard of bookshelf speakers down low. Also, keep in mind the setup of the room - will the chairs be in the exact middle? Will the plasma/lcd over the fireplace be on the center of the wall? In the end you want the audio sweet spot to be where you will be sitting, and the best first step is to place the speakers accordingly (this is notoriously hard if you, say, put the TV in a corner, so I thought I would mention it). I also like ECA's idea of putting in some netowrking cable (Cat5 or Cat6), and running one to your office. So many thigns are networked now (Tivo, satellite receivers, stereo receivers, streaming music devices, video game consoles, media center PCs, etc) that it could come in handy.

[DEC Alpha]

Yeah, the complete house other then the bathrooms and kitchen are wired cat6 already so thats done with. Having that was a must for me with all the computer stuff that I do. I have one rj45 right at where my cable is coming in so I plan on hooking a computer up to the main entertainment center :)

I will be able to grab media from my file server right from my couch with a remote and play it on the stereo or TV :) That will be unbelievably slick.