[tinners]

OK, so we're about to start out on building an extension, and am trying to plan in advance how best to incorporate some basic networking / AV things. Given the impressive projects in this forum I'm hoping I might get some good tips here !

Am trying to do this on a fairly tight budget so not looking at major works, and I suppose my main questions are around how best to connect all the kit together, and also an idea of what it would cost. Would I be best of with CAT5/6 and Baluns or running HDMI or coax ?

I think I want to cable rather than homeplugs as the performance is fairly poor. I am also not that impressed with the Slingcatcher and definately want rid of the TV sender in favour of a more robust and higher quality solution.

A bit about what we have / will have:

Living Room
40" LCD TV
SKY HD
Apple TV
DVD / BD player
Slingbox
Receiver / 5.1 speakers

Extension (~ 5m from TV location)
20" TV
Apple TV

Bedroom (loft conversion) (~ 10m upstairs 2 floors from TV location)
20" TV
Slingcatcher
TV sender (want to get rid of)

Study (~ 3m upstairs 1 floor from TV location)
Windows Home Server - serves videos and music to Apple TV (via homeplugs and wireless)
Broadband and wireless router
PC

Anyone have any thoughts ? Thanks

[hornydragon]

YOu will want to run Cat5e/6 for Data to double points around each room (desk for study near bed for bedroom) etc for data and phone.

Then i would run a minimum of 2 x CT100 + 2x Cat5e/6 to each TV point (add extra data cables for data to ATV's etc) all from central point. Then move router/server and BT master to central point (this could be cupboard in/near studey, under stairs or in loft etc)

YOu could also move Sky HD to central location and use a 4x4 HDMI matrix to send HD video from Sky 2, ATVs and BD player to all 4 rooms! This means you can get rid of SLing boxes and home plugs buy a gigabit switch and be away.

Or thats how i would do it! (perhaps add a dedicated BD player to lounge as well) throw in a hand ful of harmony remote to keep it all under control and you have everything every where in HD (may need an extra cable or 2 to those mentioned.

[tinners]

Thanks for that advice. I had planned to bring the server, switch and BT socket into a cupboard in the study so that fits.

I think the central solution would be overkill for us, but I didnt put that we would like to be able to watch SKY on all 3 TVs. Would this be do-able with baluns & something like this ? Is it possible to control SKY from 3 different places (obviously independantly not all at the same time !)

[hornydragon]

I would look at a full matrix 4x4 HDMI Matrix Router switch. Full 1080P, V1.3. Route 4 HD video sources to any 4 HD displays, 256 combinations. or Intelix.com - DIGI-HDMI-4X4 HDMI twisted pair matrix for one source like Sky HD a 4 way amp will work for control you may as well use Magic eyes.

[tinners]

mmmm... what a lot to think about. Wonder how much that is all going to cost ?

[tinners]

OK have sketched up a bit of a plan.

Ditched the SKYHD in favour of freesat in the extension. Will go multiroom SKY if we cant cope with the lack of channels As I got it free I will keep the Slingcatcher for streaming movies from the server rather than using it for slinging video from the living room which I would rather do in HD over the baluns.

Any comments from anyone ? Would it work ?

I think the Matrix switch would probably be overkill wouldn't it ?

Would the IR go over the Baluns or would I need some coax also ? How many CAT 5 runs would I need ?

Sorry for the masses of questions.

Thanks

[tinners]

anyone ? thanks

[hornydragon]

Some baluns can do IR the advantage of matrix switch is you can have one Sky HD box but watch it every room have one Freesat HD PVR and watch it every room all in HD, Have a server connected direct to all TV's for direct plaback or via media link to all rooms. That way you get a screen on the wall and a remote Job Done!

Baluns can't run through a an ethernet switch as they aren't TCP/IP based.

I would if running HDMI go for 2 Cat6 for every HDMI balun and Cat5e/6 for network.

Makes alot of sense to have 2 central TV boxes, central ATV and central server run through matrix switch.

[tinners]

Thanks, just had a look at your website, did some work with Quantum Plus a while ago in Shottery Brook Office Park next to you. Might be in touch for a quote when we have our plans, as I think it's all getting a bit complex for DIY now