[mikegeorge]

I am in the process of buying new build house. It is currently at the stage where all the walls, roof and windows are complete but there is no internal wiring, plumbing or internal walls. I have the opportunity to have additional cabling added to the spec.

I would appreciate any advice to help me request adequate and prudent provision even though it may not initially all be utilised.

I already use the following kit, which I would like to utilise in the future if possible:
• KEF KHT3005 5.1 speakers system,
• Onkyo sr605 AV amp
• 2 sky+ boxes (may be upgraded to HD)
• PS3 &Wii and PC’s
• HD LCD tv’s
• DVD players etc..

I am hoping to be cabled for video/sky in the living room, kitchen and main bedroom (possibly the 3 other bedrooms and study as well if overheads are minimal) and Audio in the living, dining room, Kitchen and main bedroom at this point the same audio will be all that is required.

My initial thoughts are to have Cat5e/6 Wired from a hub (an RJ45 patch panel ?) in a cupboard to the TV locations in each of the rooms as well as satellite distributed to all the rooms & coax for the TV signals. Then in the future use get transceivers and adapters to send the media down the CAT5/6 cable. Using some IR extenders to control (eg Bluedelta blaster and Milesone kit) – Is this a sensible approach?

Based on this I was thinking of utilising the existing 5.1 speakers for the living room and installing ceiling speakers in the kitchen, dining room, bedroom etc… - I assume that these should all be wired back to the ‘Hub cupboard’ as well?

I would also like data network in the house so I assume I would need to ‘double up’ on the cat5/6 cabling in each room ? (as a minimum?)

Do I also need to think about telephone provisions at the same time?

Sorry to ask so many questions in one post but I’ve read a lot of posts and seem to be confusing myself with each one.

If there is a better or simpler solution I’d appreciate it as I do not wish to spend a fortune on high end kit at the moment but would like to have the ability to upgrade in the future if finances allow. My window to get this specified in narrowing quickly as the developer continues the build.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Mike