Home remodel - what cable to run?

[brywisco]

We are embarking on a home remodel project and i was planning on having cat6 cable strung to a few key rooms with the goal of a future wired network for HTPC and general PC use.
I am curious if anyone more knowledgeable than I recommends that we also run some other type cable while the house is somewhat gutted.

Thanks for any advice.

 

[Scoobyboo]

I'm no expert, but since cat5e has gigabit speeds, shouldn't that be enough for a home network with a HTPC, NAS, etc... ?
Cat6 just has room for more connections (bandwith?), but this should only become a problem in corporate scenario's I heared.

 

[brywisco]

Yeah, but it seems Cat 6 is becoming pretty standard so it costs just a tad more - not enough to quibble over.

I was curious about stuff like fiber optics etc.

 

[spidey07]

Go with Cat6a. I will run 10 gigabit if installed correctly. There currently isn't a need for fiber in the home and would be cost prohibitive to use it (optics are expensive).

 

[brywisco]

Thanks all...I just did not want to regret something due to my ignorance of some pending networking technology. Cat6a will be the spec.

 

[spidey07]

Just make sure it's installed and tested properly. Any cable should be scanned to make sure the installation meets category specs.

 

[kalrith]

It's not networking related, but what about A/V cables? Examples would be installing an outlet behind a wall-mounted TV and a passthrough for HDMI cables down to a plate near the floor, HDMI cable for projector, in-wall speaker wire for surrounds, etc.

 

[imagoon]

It's not networking related, but what about A/V cables? Examples would be installing an outlet behind a wall-mounted TV and a passthrough for HDMI cables down to a plate near the floor, HDMI cable for projector, in-wall speaker wire for surrounds, etc.

For that stuff you are normally better off running a pipe and pulling it as you need it. Mostly because AV cable tech varies with time.

Speaker wire I could see being in the wall permanently though.

 

[brywisco]

I like the conduit idea for possible future pulls of whatever needs to be pulled, but I don't think this remodel will allow such a large component to fully installed thoughout the entire house. Maybe I will look at this for just the areas where the drywall will be ripped out etc.

 

[imagoon]

I like the conduit idea for possible future pulls of whatever needs to be pulled, but I don't think this remodel will allow such a large component to fully installed thoughout the entire house. Maybe I will look at this for just the areas where the drywall will be ripped out etc.

You only do that in entertainment center areas. The idea is you cut out the dry wall between 2 studs, mount a 4 or 6 way box behind where a TV would be mounted. You then mount 3/4 ply wood on some 2x2 so when you mount the bracket you have something strong to bite to. Run 1-2 2inch conduit down to floor levels and attach them to a 6 way box.
You then run a second power box behind the TV and attach it to power. Often you would put a quad of outlets at the floor level also. Patch the drywall and go.

The larger boxes with the 2x 2 inch pipes are for AV cables, the power is well... for power. This keeps the cables from dangling between the TV and entertainment center. When not in use you just put blanks over the boxes.

 

[mammador]

Yeah, but it seems Cat 6 is becoming pretty standard so it costs just a tad more - not enough to quibble over.

I was curious about stuff like fiber optics etc.

Fibre is largely for long-distance communications. It's not really needed for LANs. As said, Ethernet cabling should be fine.