I'm about to do my first home cinema install, and I'm neither an AV connoisseur nor a DIY expert! I've already learned a lot from previous posts. Can I please ask that someone on here takes a look at my plans to make sure I'm on the right track? My main issues are:
1. That I use the best connection cables in the right circumstances, and
2. That there are no pitfalls that I am unaware of

Bought the following
Toshiba 42WLT66 LCD
Toshiba RDXS24 HDD/DVD Recorder
Sony DADVZ810 All-In-One Surround Sound
Monster HTS1000(UK) Powercentre

Planning to buy
A HD box - possible Sky HD - will wait and see
PS3 (maybe XBox 360)

I'm planning to have the TV on a plasterboard wall, and the 'hub' with all the other appliances against the side wall about 8 feet to the left, which means routing a load of cables behind the wall, up to the ceiling, across in the ceiling void, then down the side wall (plasterboard) to the socket level. this is where the power, sky and phone points are. This is about 7 metres end-to-end. I can't go under the floor or via skirting due to the floor construction and there being a doorway between the walls (although I can go under the skirting beading for the front surround sound speakers, and the back ones are wireless.

Here is my schematic. (Sorry for this not being very professional!)

From this you should be able to see how I'm planning to connect everything. I will have 2 free scart cables.
I'm not sure whether the PS4 will have component video, but the reason I have chose this is that my 2 HDMI sockets are already taken. I may get a switch box, but for now just want to see if this design works.
Here it all is cross-referenced:

Does this work?
Also, what is the best way to route the cable through a 90 degree angle in the ceiling space, or should I just go diagonally? There are spotlights that I think I should avoid.

One more question: The power cable for the TV will not stretch 8m to the side wall where the powercentre will be. I don't want to just plug it into a standard socket as I want noise reduction and surge protection. What is my best option? Can I extend the length of the TV power cable, or should I buy a separate small powercentre for just the TV? Or what?? :-)

Last question - how big should the ceiling holes be and what is the best way to fill them afterwards?

I know this is a lot in one go, but I figure you have to plan something like this to perfection.

Thanks in advance!! I will keep you posted with pics if anyone is interested.

[T800]

Originally Posted by neeway2000

Here is my schematic. (Sorry for this not being very professional!)

It would probably take me longer to do that picture than it did my install

I don't see why your install wouldn't work.

I would go for a HDMI switcher at the hub and install two HDMI cables, one for use and one for spare. I'm using the Octava 5x1 switch and it's automatic, SkyHD, Upscaling DVD player and Laptop are plugged into it with PS3 and HD-DVD to come. I've also run a VGA, Component , RGB and S-Video.

I don't think you get the most out of a PS3 via Component.

Why would you use a HDMI from the TV to the Amp ?

Thanks very much for your response I'll definitely get the switcher now as I didn;t know you could get automatic ones.
The surround sound all-in-one is also an upscaling DVD player, hence the HDMI connection to TV. At least thats what I understand to be true.

[bigshout]

Why buy a HDMI switcher when you 2 HDMI sockets on your screen?

[T800]

At the moment I think he could do without one and his set up could support one at a later date. Unless my TV had 3 HDMI inputs I would struggle without one, and soon I will need 5 maybe 6. I don't see TV's having 5 inputs anytime soon, not without a price increase.
The fact that it's automatic is the icing on the cake.
I have found that people at the moment are singing the praises of TV's just because they have 2 inputs, it is a plus but it's far from future proofed.

Originally Posted by neeway2000

what is the best way to route the cable through a 90 degree angle in the ceiling space, or should I just go diagonally? There are spotlights that I think I should avoid.

One more question: The power cable for the TV will not stretch 8m to the side wall where the powercentre will be. I don't want to just plug it into a standard socket as I want noise reduction and surge protection. What is my best option? Can I extend the length of the TV power cable, or should I buy a separate small powercentre for just the TV? Or what?? :-)

Anyone have any suggestions/answers to these 2 questions? Bearing in mind that these cables will be going behind the plasterboard walls and across the void above the ceiling.

[T800]

For the power I've fitted a two gang surge protector with a long lead on it behind my fire so you can't see it, I decided not to lengthen the TV cable incase I had to return the TV for a fault:
T8oo's Home Cinema

As for the ceiling space I'm not sure what you mean, is the 90 degree angle from the vertical wall onto the horizontal ceiling or when in the ceiling turning 90 degrees and going through joists ?

Your setup looks amazing, especially the automation that the Harmony controls. I could never get that past my other half [sigh].

So with the power cable I think I'll do similar - run an extension lead from the Monster Powercentre at the hub, to behind the wall the TV will be mounted to. that way I get the clean power and the surge protection. hopefully!

Regarding the cable, I mean a 90 degree turn to the left in the gap above the ceiling joists (which are apparently metal), at the corner of the room. (The TV and the hub will be on different walls.) No need to go through joists.

I'm trying to avoid making too many holes in the ceiling, so I figure if I make one above where the TV will go and one above the hub then I can push the cables from one hole to the corner in between them, and then pull them from the other hole. Hence they go in a L shape. But I've never routed cable before and I don't know if there are any best practices/regulations, especially if one of the cables is an electrical supply. The B&Q DIY book doesn't help !!

[T800]

I sort of know what your on about.
Put a 25mm hole above the TV, a hole above the hub and a hole in the corner.
Start at the hub end and thread a small wire 3-4mm OD from the hub to the corner, tape whatever cables you want fitted and feed them through using the wire, include another length of 3mm wire with it so when you've got your cable from the hub to the centre you have a spare wire already there incase you have to start again.
Tape the cables to the corner-TV wire and repeat. If you want them to stay in the corner have someone holding something inside the corner hole (srewdriver) to stop them drifting to the centre when pulling.
I suggest you try all your cables together before installing them and try them before you remove the 3mm wires when they're fitted.

I'd try and the power from a different place to the AV cables if possible.

As far as the Harmony goes and the "other half" it actually makes it easier to use with the amp and tv inputs all working automatically.

Thats great, thanks. Seems so obvious when someone describes it.

I assume I should keep the power cable seperate as it would cause interference?
Cheers