Audio/Visual novice

[Podooser]

I want to mount a large Plasma TV above the fireplace and run the (concealed) cables across the top and down one side to a panel/ wall plate. where I can connect the Sky box, DVD etc to. What cables should I run and can I get a wall plate that has all the required female connectors.

This is not really my area of expertise so forgive me if the questiona are not framed correctly.

 

[Steve]

You can get blank plates and drill holes in them for the right connectors, which you can purchase cheaply at maplin. Do this for component video (red green blue), co-axial, component audio (red and yellow). The cables for in between are readily available from maplin too, normally sold by the metre. Always buy a metre or 2 more than you think. Fairly cheap. And component cables are easily converted to scart or combined phono (ps/2) at the other end.

DVI/HDMI connectors are sold as circuit board mountable only at maplin, which would be very awkward aspecially for an amateur.

 

[Podooser]

Thanks Crafty
Would I need to make scart available at both ends or would the component connections suffice.

 

[Steve]

Thanks Crafty
Would I need to make scart available at both ends or would the component connections suffice.

The component connections are the same as what a scart lead carries, they are easily converted to scart if neccesary at each end of the run. Most LCDs and plasmas accept component connections.

 

[Podooser]

What about a Sky box? Mine doesn't sem to have component

 

[TonyWarrington]

Having done something similar myself last year these are my thoughts.

1. You do not mention what connections on your Plasma. My preference would be to make connections to all outputs and chase them into the wall if possible. This way should your needs change in the future you will not have to do the job again. Downside is that you may end up with a rather large chanel.

2. I am sure you appreciate this.
Do be careful and check that no hidden pipes or wires around the area you wish to run cable. In my case found that a gas pipe buried into the wall near fire (well hole in the wall!!) needing me to rethink the ideal run and forcing me to buy a special longer cable for plasma box at a cost of around £200 - still money well spent - doesn't bear thinking about consequences of hitting a gas pipe!

 

[Steve]

You can get component video phono to scart connectors, cant seem to find one on maplin now. you can cable in for scart but its fiddly to connect 21 pins!

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?TabID=1&ModuleNo=1035&doy=27m7

 

[Podooser]

2. I am sure you appreciate this.
Do be careful and check that no hidden pipes or wires around the area you wish to run cable. ...

It is a new build.

Crafty can you point me in the direction of the component female connectors that I would need for the wall panel?

 

[TonyWarrington]

It is a new build.

You lucky person plenty of scope there to hide wiring etc.

BTW. Hope you did not take offence about my comments relating to checking for cables gas etc. - definitely none intended. I know that it should be obvious to check for this and was merely stating what happened in my case.

Best of luck with your build

Tony

 

[Podooser]

It is a new build.

BTW. Hope you did not take offence about my comments relating to checking for cables gas etc. - definitely none intended. Tony

No offence taken, it is a fair point. I will be attempting to connect all the sockets on the back of the TV to a wall plate, so there is everything available.