Install of LCD advice for newbie

[leviathan]

HI there,

I'm pretty new to all this so hope someone on here can help. I've browsed the forum for a while now and think I now know the questions that I need answers to.

I'm planning on getting someone to install a Sony Bravia 32" LCD on a stud plasterboard (new build house) above a fireplace. I plan on having the wires etc placed behind the plasterboard in an upside L shape (to avoid the fire!)

What I need to know is, any advice on what to do with all the cabled that come out of the wall from the TV? Does the TV wire just come out and get plugged in to a normal socket or can it be connected direct behind the wall?

Also, any problems just connecting all possible cables in case of future need and leaving them unconnected to something at the other end? And would the installer be able to relocate a power socket & fuse socket for gas fire at the same time (they're sort of where the cables will be run.

Temperature - I've checked this and it doesn't appear to be a problem when the fire is on.

Oh, and finally (thank god, I here you cry) anyone used the following installers http://www.wecanfit.co.uk/ esp if you're in central Scotland!?

Cheers

Leviathan

[neilball]

Do you intend to use an AV amp as a video scaler/converter/switcher and connect all sources through it? If so you only need to consider HDMI, component & coax to the screen location. If this is the case then you may want to fit a brush outlet plate at each end and have pre-manufactured leads put in between your screen and kit location. This would be the most straight forward and not too costly if the distance between screen & kit is not too far.

If you are worried about future proofing then why not have some trunking installed into the wall behind the plasterboard to allow extra cable to be pulled through in future. It will need to be trunking rather than conduit to allow pre-terminated cables to be pulled through. Much easier than trying to second guess what you might need. Also avoids the problem of keeping lots of unused cable neat at either end of the run.

[leviathan]

Originally Posted by neilball

Do you intend to use an AV amp as a video scaler/converter/switcher and connect all sources through it? If so you only need to consider HDMI, component & coax to the screen location. If this is the case then you may want to fit a brush outlet plate at each end and have pre-manufactured leads put in between your screen and kit location. This would be the most straight forward and not too costly if the distance between screen & kit is not too far.

If you are worried about future proofing then why not have some trunking installed into the wall behind the plasterboard to allow extra cable to be pulled through in future. It will need to be trunking rather than conduit to allow pre-terminated cables to be pulled through. Much easier than trying to second guess what you might need. Also avoids the problem of keeping lots of unused cable neat at either end of the run.

TBH I'm not even sure what an AV amp is, so I wasn't considering that. I was just really after suggestions for what I could do.

If I do use trunking, how easy would it be to add cables in an L shape? I'm not too bothered about future proofing - just don't want to open the wall up again :D

Thanks for the info

[neilball]

As long as the trunking is not too small and pre-formed flat bends are used then it should not be too difficult if the distance is relatively short. It would be worth installing a couple of draw wires that can be left in place until you need to pull in some new cables.

The AV amp or receiver route is worth considering if you have a number of sources to connect to the screen and also want surround sound. Most systems now offer video signal conversion where analogue sources are converted to component video output. This means you connect all of your sources to the AV receiver and then only need a single component video cable between receiver and screen. Mid priced systems now convert all signals to HDMI and possible rescale to 720p or 1080i so you replace the component cable with HDMI. It's simply a way to rationalise all of the cabling and means only need a couple of cables to the screen.