[NewToyForXmas]

I'm moving in about 2 weeks time to a new build - as you'd expect, I am taking this as a great excuse to completely refresh my AV kit and go HD. But I am keen to get the install right from the start and want some advice if poss as the girlfriend is taking some convincing that chasing cables into 'her' lovely new walls and lifting 'her' lovely new carpet is the way to go!

The room has a fireplace which will probably hardly be used and the developer convenient put a plug and an aerial socket in the wall above it ready for a wall mounted tv. The mantlepiece is 120cm high though so it would be quite a high mounting for a tv. The bottom edge on my plasma in my current house is 125cm though so not too dis-similar but I was assuming that I would mount the centre speaker either on or just above the mantle and below the screen so the new install would be slightly higher. I do also really like the idea of a floating wall the width of the fireplace - how difficult are they and would it look ok in a brand new house?

I was planning on putting all my AV kit over in the bottom right corner of the room as you look at the screen so need to channel an HDMI cable from there. I also need to channel wire for front speakers and rear speakers so would welcome people's advice / experiences of doing that in brand new houses. I have my fronts on stands currently but might look to wall mount either side of the fireplace. The backs will be wall mounted. The room is about 4.5 metres deep x 5 metres wide so a decent enough size and a fairly lengthy trip for the back left speaker wire.

The other option is I get someone to do this for me. Has anyone any experience of using the 'pros' and how much do you think I'd be looking at for what is probably a relatively simple install. As long as they were not too much more expensive than the JL's, etc of this world then I could potentially looking to buy the tv, av amp, ps3, and maybe speakers through them too if it was going to get me a good deal on the install.

All thoughts greatly appreciated.

[kumack]

Good luck with it mate currently doing something similar but on an old cottage, only benefit for me is I can run every cable under the sun in the attic

As far as using pro's, if you have the money go for it, although I dont think you get the same job satisfaction in the end plus you have the ability to future proof and run as many cables as you want even if they may not be used anytime soon.

I really had no idea what I was doing and how to do it before I came here, the best advice I could tell you is check out HERE

Have a good look through as many as you can, because I've learnt a bit from most, plus they give you some fantastic idea's.

[vex]

Whist it sounds like a relatively simple install, when you consider the time it would take to plan, route, chase, install, cap, fill, make good and then decorate it will not be that cheap for an installer to do.

It really depends on what you are like at (indeed if you like) DIY. If yes then go ahead there are lots of us on here who can give you support.

If not, then it might be worth the premium to get someone in to do it for you (DIFY?)

Interestingly I have just found the manufacturer of Kumack's funcky LED RGB lights and have asked them for a price list.

HTH

V.

[kumack]

Originally Posted by vex

Whist it sounds like a relatively simple install, when you consider the time it would take to plan, route, chase, install, cap, fill, make good and then decorate it will not be that cheap for an installer to do.

It really depends on what you are like at (indeed if you like) DIY. If yes then go ahead there are lots of us on here who can give you support.

If not, then it might be worth the premium to get someone in to do it for you (DIFY?)

Interestingly I have just found the manufacturer of Kumack's funcky LED RGB lights and have asked them for a price list.

HTH

V.

No way do tell ! I have had many requests ! Are they online ? Do you have a link thanks mate !

[vex]

There isn't much about them on-line and they haven't come back to me yet with a price list.

I'll give them a kick when I am next in the office and see what comes out. Might be a good oppotunity for a little power buy.

I'll keep you posted.

V.