What wiring to run for AV and networking?

8 years ago

Getting to that stage where the wires are being run. What is the best advice these days? Shielded coax? Cat 5e? Cat 6? Everything to a structured wiring box?

I plan on having about 4 exterior PoE cameras, 3 locations where ethernet and TV are needed, and three other locations were just ethernet is needed.

I plan on using verizon FIOS, if that matters. What would you recommend as far what cables to run where? I know wifi is easy and low cost, but I find somethings just work better with a wired connection, like streaming Xbox one games.

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User

8 years ago

Regardless of what you choose, it will be obsolete within five years. Sadly. :(

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Comments (9)

Todd
8 years ago
Doing our house right now. I had them run coax RG6 and 2 Cat6 to each TV location. Will do 3 Cat6 in main TV area. I'm running Cat6 to each future camera location, and Cat6 to a few access points to help with extending my wifi coverage. All back to a central closet. Also install as many conduits as you can for the future.
strategery
8 years ago
- No Cat5; Cat6 for Ethernet.

- TVs should have an Ether port nearby for streaming

- 1 RG6 and 2 Cat6 to every TV. I also ran 1 hybrid fibre HDMI (hybrid for ARC) to our 2 main TV areas. Consider running a TOS optical cable from TV to amp if you use Netflix or other streaming. Install conduit if budget permits.

- Identify spots for gaming consoles and make sure you have an Ether port nearby. Preferable to wireless.

- Speakers: Speaker wire is cheap, so identify potential in-wall and in-ceiling speakers.

- Subwoofers: You can do RG6 or wireless, but both need power.
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User
8 years ago
imstillchloecat that is exactly why we didn't bother with any speaker wiring etc. We have Cat5 and done.
Michael Lamb
Original Author
8 years ago
Yeah, audio is relatively low bandwidth, and with the echo type speakers readily available, I don't see the point in wires for them. Unless we are talking a home theater setup. Xbox, tivo, smart TV's- those are a different story and really need a wired connection.

Thanks for all the recommendations.
Pinebaron
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
For data and streaming we used 600MHz CAT6A which is as close to CAT7 I could get and provides enhanced performance for POE and also supports wireless systems that rely on 10Gig since it can carry upto 10Gbps for 100 meters.

Speakers for longer runs we used 14SWG cable.
PRO
Technospeak Corporation
8 years ago
Speaker cabling hasn't changed much over the years so you are safe to use that as long as your gauge is sufficient. Smaller houses can do 16AWG for distro audio speaker and 14AWG for surround sound. With a larger house or more high performance theater you can bump those up to 14AWG and 12AWG. For AV wiring the most full-proof type of wire is installing conduit to all display and between head-end locations. That will cost more, but it is worth it in the long run. Wire technology obsolesces just like AV equipment does and with conduit you can install whatever wire technology is the next standard.
pwlong
8 years ago
Adding a vote for running conduit for future wiring standards. Definitely worth the time/effort/cost, and much simpler and cheaper to do before drywall goes up.

Here's the one I put in our theater:

http://havingfunalongtheway.com/basement-theater-construction-wired-up/
robin0919
8 years ago
Post this in the elect. forum.