External wall mounting for Plasma

[iybyisyl]

Hi all just about to take delivery of a Panasonic TH46PZ80. Want to mount this to the wall I think with maybe some AV furniture below. I want to mount on an external wall, to save chasing out a recently decorated lounge I have considered two options, surface mount the cable from source wires to screen, using decorative capping like from TLC but I am concerned running both power supply and AV in the same trunking, running two trunking cables would look naf wouldnt it? Or the thing I have been toying with is to drill through inside to outside, run all the cable externally and then back in, obviously covering with the approriate trunking on the outside wall... this sounds daft doesnt it? Id have to cut a large enough hole to get the scarts through though I guess... am I taking a sledge hammer to crack a nut here?

[DaveCHCI]

I would go for the second option of going outside. Trunking looks like crap compared to a "floating" tv. For the holes I use a diamond core drill (if you have a local JTF wholesalers they have some cheap ones on sale). I use re-wireable scarts as the heads are just too large. Outside use plastic tubing with silicon filling the hole and any gaps. Then again core drill back in at a lower height.

Its a lot more effort but it is definately worth it. The install will look so much more professional.

[Dave_Gregory]

I think its more like you are using a kango hammer if you use the second option . I agree that using surface mounted trunking looks naff, so thats not good either.

So for a good job unfortunately I suggest that you chase two channels from your AV furniture to the back of the TV, it will be messy but will be better in the end, and hopefully you will still have some of the same paint left to paint over the plastered channels To cut down on dust I always draw the channels out in pencil on the wall and then use a drill with a depth marker to drill out most of the mortar, it looks like a swiss cheese but doesnt throw out so much dust, and then square the edges with a chisel.

Good luck and dont forget to post pictures of what you finally decide to do, and before you start make sure you test for pipes and cables .

Dave

[iybyisyl]

Thanks either option is feasible to me, I know of course that channelling out is the correct way, but one concern is how do I know what cables to install to future proof the channel as I don't want to be digging this out every time some one relases a new "Gadget" what would you suggest in terms of cable type, how many etc? Im not fussed about gaming just the AV stuff I guess. Of course if I went for the 'outside' option then Its a far simpler job to refresh these cables. As a side note where do I buy rewireable scarts from?
Thanks again

[DaveCHCI]

Through-wall scarts are available from TVcables


Through Wall Scart - Best UK Prices at www.tvcables.co.uk

[Sabotaj]

I was in the same situation as you, really doing my nut in deciding how to conceal the cables. I finally decided to just trunk my cable and paint it the same color as the wall. Reason for this is I'm hoping to put up a floating wall in the near future and this would solve everything ( easy to add more cables in the future, no digging out cable from a wall / replastering / painting).


For me, this is the best route to go, plus when it comes to putting a floating wall up it's not going to cost a fortune. Win / win really.

[Dave_Gregory]

Originally Posted by iybyisyl

Thanks either option is feasible to me, I know of course that channelling out is the correct way, but one concern is how do I know what cables to install to future proof the channel as I don't want to be digging this out every time some one relases a new "Gadget" what would you suggest in terms of cable type, how many etc? Im not fussed about gaming just the AV stuff I guess. Of course if I went for the 'outside' option then Its a far simpler job to refresh these cables. As a side note where do I buy rewireable scarts from?
Thanks again

As long at the conduit you put in is big enough to handle a couple of extra cables if and when you need them, then it doesnt really matter. Make sure you leave a pull wire or piece of string in each conduit though otherwise its all been for nothing. I would add an extra HDMI cable as a starter and maybe some component cable.

As you are going to be making a mess anyhow you could always add a third empty conduit as a belt a braces solution

Just make sure that the conduit is about 5mm below the finished wall so the the plater is thick enough not to keep cracking.

good luck
Dave

[Sanders79]

Originally Posted by Dave_Gregory

As long at the conduit you put in is big enough to handle a couple of extra cables if and when you need them, then it doesnt really matter.

I would definitely agree with this. I have a section of trunking in the wall that is 50 x 100 mm and I could drive a bus through it (a very small bus admittedly). Adding/removing cables has never been a problem so far.

Originally Posted by Dave_Gregory

Make sure you leave a pull wire or piece of string in each conduit though otherwise its all been for nothing.

I haven't found this to be necessary thankfully, mainly because it is only in about a 1 m length of trunking with the big cross section mentioned above.

I also liked the idea of having an extra "spare" section of trunking for future use. As was said, it won't hurt to get as much into the wall as possible while you are making a mess!

[hornydragon]

This is a good solution to the problem AmbienTrack TV Cable Column looks alot better than conduit is large enough for the plethora of AV cables needed

[Dave_Gregory]

I get it, rather than painting the conduit the same colour as the wall to hide it which doesnt really work, use a contrasting colour and stick lights round it to make it a feature

Not my cup of tea
Dave

[deefadog]

I chased the walls out on mine and now wish i did a floating wall, as the missus wants to relocate the TV

Or ikea do the units with back panel to attach the TV, these are made especially for people who want to wall mount but don't want the hassle.

keep power away from other cables - i think 100mm will suffice and don't drill through to the outside, really bad idea, honest! all the leads would have to be masticed up and would make a nightmare replacing or adding new leads

[hornydragon]

Originally Posted by Dave_Gregory

I get it, rather than painting the conduit the same colour as the wall to hide it which doesnt really work, use a contrasting colour and stick lights round it to make it a feature

Not my cup of tea
Dave

You will always see the conduit so why not a feature of it? I am not keen on the lights, but some people illuminate the rear of the TV, not to my liking and does nothing for PQ at all.