New Home Ht Room And Rest Of House!

[Dangerjim]

Currently buiding our home (slab is poured). I have been researching/reading about AV systems for a while now and cant really get my head around the specifics. Here is hoping people could help me out.

I would like to store all music/videos etc in one central location with a NAS Drive (or something similar). Then I would like to be able to use this to control my Digital media.

I would also like to be able to buy an amp which can control a few different speaker Zones (eg have a movie playing in home theatre and music in outdoor area and maybe different music in Kitchen) Is this possible or should I get a couple of amps? I would also like this to be able ot be controlled in one location.

The Theatre room (listed as lounge on plan) will have a TV, PS3, BLU_RAY Player and surround sound. Living area will also have a TV (will use tv speakers no theater system). I would also like speakers in the main bedroom, Theatre room and the kitchen/livign area. All being able to be controlled seperately. Down the track I will also be getting fox. Will this affect what I do now?

Now I presume this is possible but I am not sure what cabling requirments etc would be required, I have been told to run Cat 6 everywhere but not sure where, also should I run coax as well? Do I need to run HDMI cables from the Drive that has the movie data stored?. Also SHould I have this running back to a central location, maybe the garage?. Do I need some sort of home automation system to control the speaker zones?

I am a bit of a novice so any help would be greatly appreciated!!

James

Cheers in Advance

The Plan

Home Plan

[Paul Spencer]

Hi James,

The biggest thing that will limit you is the construction of this room in terms of sound isolation. Typical construction is very limiting. You can always add cable runs later if you forget something, but once the walls are built, changes are difficult and expensive. So firstly you want to look into this aspect. Then you also want to look into receivers that will give the multizone features you want.

I'd use the HT as the main location for hardware and build in a cabinet with all the equipment. Then your runs will mostly be speaker cable, although you'll also need video cable. First plan what components will be located where, and that will dictate the runs of cables needed. If all the equipment is located in the HT cabinet, then you need to run speaker cable, and each room will need an IR receiver and sender so the remotes will work. I'd probably get some Harmony remotes so that you can have one for each zone and have them all set up as easy to use.

So I'd put together a block diagram with all the components, inputs and outputs and cable types.

[K1LL3M]

I would like to store all music/videos etc in one central location with a NAS Drive (or something similar). Then I would like to be able to use this to control my Digital media.

ReadyNAS Pioneer

I would also like to be able to buy an amp which can control a few different speaker Zones (eg have a movie playing in home theatre and music in outdoor area and maybe different music in Kitchen) Is this possible or should I get a couple of amps? I would also like this to be able to be controlled in one location.

For simplicity I would strongly recommend multiple amps

The Theatre room (listed as lounge on plan) will have a TV, PS3, BLU_RAY Player and surround sound. Living area will also have a TV (will use tv speakers no theater system). I would also like speakers in the main bedroom, Theatre room and the kitchen/livign area. All being able to be controlled seperately. Down the track I will also be getting fox. Will this affect what I do now?

If you are planning central storage of movies/videos ditch the BD player. Firstly the PS3 can do this, but more importantly with the central storage you most like will never use the BD player (I dont). Get a media player for your movies. I recommend PCH C-200 which can do music to, but read on. As you want multiple music source go with a Logitech Squeezebox allowing you to add units where ever you want and control them all remotely

Now I presume this is possible but I am not sure what cabling requirments etc would be required, I have been told to run Cat 6 everywhere but not sure where, also should I run coax as well? Do I need to run HDMI cables from the Drive that has the movie data stored?. Also should I have this running back to a central location, maybe the garage?. Do I need some sort of home automation system to control the speaker zones?

For cabling you need know precisely what components your want and how you want it to work, home automation is expensive and nice but not necessary to do what you want, especially with a few seperate components that you would need anyway. Personally, Id cut in a rack in the dining just where the return beside the L/R is for all the equipment.

No where in this have you mentioned a budget, obviously on top on equipment cost, you will have wiring material/labour cost, network equipment cost, etc.

Where about are you located

Edited May 3, 2010 by K1LL3M

[Dangerjim]

Cheers for the feedback. Thats cleared up some stuff already.

I live in Muswellbrook NSW. Budget wise I am prepared to buy the right hardware the first time so I have budgeted for that.

The things I am not sure of price wise is the extra cabling and rack mounting. My builder is very flexible and we are allowed to get on site and do our own things so I dont need to go through over inflated quotes from Leccos can get some quotes and compare for that.

I suppose I need to work out my exact plan so I can figure out what cables I need run and where, Including where I want to house my hardware.

I really like the logitech squeezebox and have also ready that the ReadyNAS pro is the way to go.

Cheers again.

Oh and the frames have started to go up

[Dangerjim]

Oh and has anyone conxisered the new Mac iPad to control media? Thought that its touchscreen, and portability might be a good way to control media, and also use it for other puropses?

Just interested to hear what people think on the subject. Pros and cons.

[K1LL3M]

My recommendation

Work out where you want to locate things. Buy cable and bits yourself(see below) speak with sparky, not legally allowed to run these things in the wall yourself, but if you know a sparky you can do it with "supervision"

Run at least 1 (recommend min 2 generally & 4 for HT gear location) cat 6 cable and 1 Coax lead from location to all rooms. This for example would allow a Logitech Squeezebox and an a cheaper A-200 Popcorn Hour media player in bed rooms.

A more acceptable WAF solution would be locate the network stuff in the cupboard near laundry(this stuff can be noisey and not always WAF "neat" looking). this will require a few more cable runs though

.

CAT 6 305m $195

Coax 305m $100

This will get you started and past frame stage.

Then

HP Procurve 1810G-24 $490 - Here

ReadyNAS Pro $1583 - Here

Or if you really want to do it right

ReadyNAS 3200 $6600 - Here

you will also need

Rack

Patch Panel (Where all the cables terminate near the switch)

Patch Leads (Basic pre-made Cat 6 cables)

Cat 6 & F-Type Mechs (The things the cables connect to in the wall)

Wall Plates

Etc, +tools if you want to do it yourself "under supervision"

Happy to help with more if ya want it. This is a pretty serious solution and there are many ways to skin a cat so to speak.

As to the remote, you might want to check out the iRule app. I haven't used it but sounds ok. Personally I like the Logitech remote.

Edited May 6, 2010 by K1LL3M

[Dangerjim]

Thanks alot for all of your help. Has given me a really good starting point. Will start drafting up a cabling plan now and see if I can knock off my wifes broom cupboard.

Thanks again Will keep you posted.

[Mr_Ribs]

Thanks alot for all of your help. Has given me a really good starting point. Will start drafting up a cabling plan now and see if I can knock off my wifes broom cupboard.

Thanks again Will keep you posted.

if you have a garage.. best place for all this equipement.. depending on what system you go with the size can very from an slightly larger wine box... , Micro wave 6ru wall mounted rack, Bar fridge size 12- 18ru wall mounted rack or full size fridge for a "standard" floor sitting rack

[Dangerjim]

My recommendation

A more acceptable WAF solution would be locate the network stuff in the cupboard near laundry(this stuff can be noisey and not always WAF "neat" looking). this will require a few more cable runs though

.

Just a quick Update.

House

We are up to the cabling stage. I have taken K1LL3M's advice and knocked off My wifes Linen Cupboard. (She has 2 others so they shoudl be sufficient, Though she doesnt know this is happening yet).

We ran the power cables today, Have the HT room on a seperate line also.

Tomorrow We start the data and Coax, below is a list of the Cables I will run

Each room will Have 1xCat 6 and one RG6

The HT room wil have 4 x Cat6 and 2 x RG6, this will be the same as the study. Also one wall in the lounge room where there will be a TV.

I just have a few questions. I will be running a low line cabinet to house all of my gear and have the TV on the wall. Whats the best way to get HDMI to my tv? Is it using one of these HDMI Wall Plate

or these

Bull Nose

Will I need to run any Cat6 to my TV. Also this may be a stupid quiestion but Do I need to run RG6 to my tv from the reciever or can a HDMI cable do this.

I think thats about it. I have posted a link to some photos of the house.

[debruis]

Just a quick Update.

House

We are up to the cabling stage. I have taken K1LL3M's advice and knocked off My wifes Linen Cupboard. (She has 2 others so they shoudl be sufficient, Though she doesnt know this is happening yet).

We ran the power cables today, Have the HT room on a seperate line also.

Tomorrow We start the data and Coax, below is a list of the Cables I will run

Each room will Have 1xCat 6 and one RG6

The HT room wil have 4 x Cat6 and 2 x RG6, this will be the same as the study. Also one wall in the lounge room where there will be a TV.

I just have a few questions. I will be running a low line cabinet to house all of my gear and have the TV on the wall. Whats the best way to get HDMI to my tv? Is it using one of these HDMI Wall Plate

or these

Bull Nose

Will I need to run any Cat6 to my TV. Also this may be a stupid quiestion but Do I need to run RG6 to my tv from the reciever or can a HDMI cable do this.

I think thats about it. I have posted a link to some photos of the house.

Yes run cat 6 to TV. You will also need to run RG6 to the TV. Also run optical cable from TV to receiver. If your cabling budget allows run 2 cat 6 to each room and 3 cat6 to the lounge room TV

[Dangerjim]

Yes run cat 6 to TV. You will also need to run RG6 to the TV. Also run optical cable from TV to receiver. If your cabling budget allows run 2 cat 6 to each room and 3 cat6 to the lounge room TV

I am pretty lucky in that I will only be paying for materials with the electrical and data. A good mate is doing it for free, which is a massive bonus. When you say run one to the TV should I also do a RG6 from the reciever to TV or will this not be needed? Is that only when you have a TV without HD tuner.

I think I am getting there.

Anyone got photos of their outlets in HT room? WOuld be handy I think.

[debruis]

I am pretty lucky in that I will only be paying for materials with the electrical and data. A good mate is doing it for free, which is a massive bonus. When you say run one to the TV should I also do a RG6 from the reciever to TV or will this not be needed? Is that only when you have a TV without HD tuner.

I think I am getting there.

Anyone got photos of their outlets in HT room? WOuld be handy I think.

RG6 from receiver to TV is not neccessary. Only coaxial to receiver should be from antenna for receiver's AM/FM tuner. If you email me I can send you photos of AV rack,HT wall plates etc. Only cabling required between receiver and TV is HDMI,Toslink optical & component video/audio

[K1LL3M]

Hey DJ,

Place is looking good mate and nice to hear you were able to acquire some indoor closet space for the gear.

As debruis said,

Only cabling required between receiver and TV is HDMI,Toslink optical & component video/audio

Its easier to have it and not use it than need it and not have it.

I only have a HDMI cable between amp/TV because I never use the TV's tuner since I cant rewind on that one

Keep us all posted on the build.

Cheers