Home wiring questions

[Mears]

I'm going to update the wiring in my bedrooms and my family room, and would like to make things as future proof as possible.

I will have an A/V & networking closet set up that will feed all of the rooms. What I'm thinking about is wiring each room with 4 drops of Category 6, 2 drops of RG6, and replacing all phone line drops with Category 5 (have a bunch sitting idle).

Initially only 2 of the 4 Cat 6 drops would be for networking, and the other two would be left open for HDMI (using adapters). One of the RG6 drops in each room would be used for digital audio and the other would be left open (cable internet and satellite connections would be made in the A/V closet).

So my questions are, do I have everything sufficiently covered to future proof this. Also, I'm wavering on whether I should run RG6 or RG59 and am trying to decide between the following two CAT 6 cables:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...Item=N82E16812270127
http://www.monoprice.com/produ...=2260&seq=1&format=2

The monoprice cable is cheaper, is a thicker gauge, but only operates up to 500 MHz, which still satisfies CAT 6a. The newegg cable operates up to 550MHz, which exceeds Cat 6a.

 

[Modelworks]

Keep in mind that digital audio over coax is limited to 10 meters , after that you can start having problems.

 

[DisgruntledVirus]

Well, I personally would just do everything the same type of cable. This way you don't have the issue later on that could come from using the wrong patch connector. Just easier IMO.

Also, to simplify any kind of future upgrades I'd run a pvc/clear plastic tube that the cables get fed through. This way it's easier to re-run (or run additional) wires. Doesn't add too much expense, but adds a ton of ease of use.

Make sure everything is clearly marked (colored electrical tape works well and has a ton of color options).

Other then that, looks like you got it down. Just make sure you remember which 2 RJ45 ports are used for the HDMI 😉

 

[spidey07]

I'd do cat 6a so you're set for 10 gig ethernet. And I'd get Belden network cable.

 

[Mears]

Originally posted by: DisgruntledVirus
Well, I personally would just do everything the same type of cable. This way you don't have the issue later on that could come from using the wrong patch connector. Just easier IMO.

Also, to simplify any kind of future upgrades I'd run a pvc/clear plastic tube that the cables get fed through. This way it's easier to re-run (or run additional) wires. Doesn't add too much expense, but adds a ton of ease of use.

Make sure everything is clearly marked (colored electrical tape works well and has a ton of color options).

Other then that, looks like you got it down. Just make sure you remember which 2 RJ45 ports are used for the HDMI 😉

Unfortunately, I'm going to be running this through finished walls. I wish the builder put in pvc pipes for cable runs...

Nope, didn't realize that digital audio over coax was limited to 10 meters. I may have to look into some other options if my longer runs will exceed that.

 

[DisgruntledVirus]

Originally posted by: Mears

Originally posted by: DisgruntledVirus
Well, I personally would just do everything the same type of cable. This way you don't have the issue later on that could come from using the wrong patch connector. Just easier IMO.

Also, to simplify any kind of future upgrades I'd run a pvc/clear plastic tube that the cables get fed through. This way it's easier to re-run (or run additional) wires. Doesn't add too much expense, but adds a ton of ease of use.

Make sure everything is clearly marked (colored electrical tape works well and has a ton of color options).

Other then that, looks like you got it down. Just make sure you remember which 2 RJ45 ports are used for the HDMI 😉

Unfortunately, I'm going to be running this through finished walls. I wish the builder put in pvc pipes for cable runs...

Nope, didn't realize that digital audio over coax was limited to 10 meters. I may have to look into some other options if my longer runs will exceed that.

You should still be able to add that in (to an extent). Maybe not as nice as you would have liked, but you could still add the piping.

 

[Modelworks]

Originally posted by: Mears
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Nope, didn't realize that digital audio over coax was limited to 10 meters. I may have to look into some other options if my longer runs will exceed that.

You could use fiber for the run. Monoprice has some fiber cables up to 100ft for $28.
Or get fancy and run fiber for the whole house 🙂

 

[spidey07]

TosLink is also limited to 10 meters and uses a very different kind of fiber, much bigger core than your standard 50 or 62.5 multimode fiber cable used for data.

 

[Modelworks]

Originally posted by: spidey07
TosLink is also limited to 10 meters and uses a very different kind of fiber, much bigger core than your standard 50 or 62.5 multimode fiber cable used for data.

Yes but it usually works fine.
The reason coax is limited is because of reflections due to mismatched impedance. The reason it is limited for fiber is that the drivers on most audio gear are not strong enough to send the signal the entire length. If you have pro gear it usually isn't a problem.