Sky from a central point.

[Sam Gangee]

Thanks Rick. It is getting clearer. A did Google and this informative site came up.

http://wiki.diyfaq.org.uk/index.php?title=Structured_wiring_system

What do you think?

I think that, with so many spelling mistakes, it doesn't inspire confidence in the author.

Just a snippet. A coax coming down from the roof aerial can go into a box (splitter) and come out on Cat6 cable using the RJ45 (?) plugs? And any TV can use an RJ45 plug into the Cat6 wall socket in each room rather than a coax socket?

No, certainly not. CAT cable carries data. Coaxial cable carries high frequency signals. As a minimum, you need a BALUN interface. However, I don't think that will help get TV aerial signals down CAT cable reliably. But I'm not an expert (and nor is any "electrician"). This is an extremely specialised subject. You need to employ an experienced AV engineer to design this system for you.

 

[Brightonguy]

Yes.
Personally I'd put two in, just in case you change your mind and want Sky+, or Freesat+, or (any sat or terrestrial) along side cable, or some other permutation.
For data cables, bear in mind that you'll want TWO Cat5e or Cat6 cables for a full HDMI link, and a separate one for a network connection (eg if you have a smart TV).

With care, you can get 2x F connector in a 1/2 width Euromodule blank plate - buy coupler barrels with nuts, drill two holes, fit barrels. Connect cable to rear of barrels with F connectors - but you need very deep boxes. That means you can get 3x data sockets (aka RJ45, 1/2 module each) plus 2x F connectors in a double wallplate.

SimonH2, that is cool. Informative. I have gleened from elsewhere that running a Cta5e and satellite grade coax to each point to the best way, taking all back to the central point. That is all I need to know for now until the time comes to select what use and the work can be done at the central point. If I fit in the wrong cable in or omit a cable I am stuffed after the building work is compete. BTW, I will not be going to an av man to wire in the cables.

 

[SimonH2]

BTW, I will not be going to an av man to wire in the cables.

That's OK - there's actually nothing hard about it. Take your time, find some good instructions, and work neatly.


If you haven't already browsed, these two sites have a mine of information and advice in them
http://aerialsandtv.com
http://satcure.co.uk

The fact that changing things later will be difficult means it's important to get enough in. As one of my mates puts it, better to be looking at it than for it !

 

[RickMoore]

Why are you intent on doing this backwards anyway ? Any good design considers what equipment is going to be used BEFORE selecting cables not after. How do you know that one or two points might need wf125. Perhaps an application you might want to use would require FTP cable when you have only pulled in UTP ? There are so many variables and rule of thumb only goes so far. Seems alot to chance when getting it right first time is important to you IMHO.

 

[Sam Gangee]

As I stated: 'You need to employ an experienced AV engineer to design this system for you." I didn't type "install" but "design" - although "design and install" would give the highest chance of success.

 

[Brightonguy]

I do not need an experienced av engineers at all. Cat5e is cheapo and so is sat quality coax. I know the points, I have a central cupboard for it. I will most prob run 4 Cat5e and one sat quality cable to each point. I don't need an av man to figure that out. Cable is cheap. Then the av guys can be brought in to connect the gear. This is FIRST FIX.

 

[RickMoore]

You can't make a silk purse out of a sows ear

 

[Lucid]

He didn't buy Cat 6 - the spec for the cable is solid copper, so if it isn't copper it isn't Cat 6 (or Cat 5e or whatever). He should have been told to rip it all out and replace it - you WILL have problems with it sooner or later (white aluminium oxide powder has neither mechanical strength nor conductivity). When you see CCA cable being sold, it is not usually sold as Cat5e or Cat6 - because most of the people selling it know that it isn't and they'd be committing fraud to sell it as such. You may see some cleaver wording designed to imply that it is Cat5e/Cat6, and a few charlatans just lying, so you need to keep your wits about you.

The cable he bought may not have met British Standards for Cat6, but to the casual observer it had every appearance of Cat6... It was marked as such and had the separator.

When you see cable being described as Cat6 and sold like this

http://www.amazon.co.uk/kenable-CAT6-CCA-Ethernet-Network-SOLID/dp/B007JIPNNK

and this

http://lansuncable.en.alibaba.com/p..._cat6_CCA_patch_cords_jumper_cables_wire.html

and this

http://www.cables4all.co.uk/30m-cat6-cca-ftp-ethernet-network-cable----rj45-plugs-1148-p.asp

then it's easier to understand how the unwary have the wool pulled over their eyes. Sadly I think this is symptomatic of the legacy of e-tailing.

 

[SimonH2]

Why are you intent on doing this backwards anyway ? Any good design considers what equipment is going to be used BEFORE selecting cables not after.

I think that's ar$e about t1t as well actually. If you select your equipment now, and cable for that equipment, then you're stuffed when something new comes along in 6 months. Simple example - current TV is "dumb" so no point in providing it with a network connection; next TV is "smart" so needs a network connection which you don't have because you cabled for the equipment you had without thinking about what you might need. Or you aren't interested in sat so only put one coax in for terrestrial - then you decide you want sat (Sky+ or Freesat+) that needs two coaxs and you're stuffed.

I will most prob run 4 Cat5e and one sat quality cable to each point.

I would not run less that two coaxes. A lot of kit (particularly satellite) needs two - and without a significant expense on "not that common kit" you can't share one sat cable between two tuners. You might not be planning on it now, but you may change your mind.

Cable is cheap.

Indeed it is compared to the cost of putting it in, and even cheaper compared to the cost of getting more in if you under-did it in the first place.

 

[RickMoore]

Why are you intent on doing this backwards anyway ? Any good design considers what equipment is going to be used BEFORE selecting cables not after.

I think that's ar$e about t1t as well actually. If you select your equipment now, and cable for that equipment, then you're stuffed when something new comes along in 6 months. Simple example - current TV is "dumb" so no point in providing it with a network connection; next TV is "smart" so needs a network connection which you don't have because you cabled for the equipment you had without thinking about what you might need. Or you aren't interested in sat so only put one coax in for terrestrial - then you decide you want sat (Sky+ or Freesat+) that needs two coaxs and you're stuffed.

I'm never said don't consider what might be used / needed in the future by any means, that's important, but you can't start with the cables blindly without any consideration as to what they are going to be connected to now either.

Sky+ via 1 coax is actually easy btw, just not cost effective at first fix stage when you can install a second cable.

 

[Brightonguy]

I will most prob run 4 Cat5e and one sat quality cable to each point.

I would not run less that two coaxes.

Thanks Simon. In the meantime I did realise that 2 coax cables is the way to go. The idea is to get all the correct amount and type of wiring into the one central point where the cable TV would come in, the roof aerial comes in and the telephone point comes in. It may all go into a patch panel (any recommendations? for the patch panel?). Then any equipment can be fitted at that point, whatever it is, as that has not be decided upon yet. Also get the right wall sockets and connect up the cables. Do Volex have these wall sockets in their flush wall (flat) brushed stainless range? White plastic looks quite naff.

 

[SimonH2]

If you go with Euro modules, you pick the faceplate from whatever range you are using - that way it matches all your other electrical bits. You then insert the modules (which are all plastic) into that.

Have a look at Volex's catalogue - I'd be surprised if they don't have Euro module plates there. Typically you find a signle plate with a 1/2 module hole (25x50mm), a single plate with full module hole (50x50mm), and a double plate with 2x module hole (100x50mm). If you need to, you can get blanks - eg if you fitted 4xRJ45 in one double plate, and 2x coax (I'd use F connectors) in anther double plate, then you'd want a couple of blanks to fill in the spare hole. Or you could use a single plate for the 2x coax and no blanks - but then you can't easily add anything later, though in your case you've already said you'd not be able to pull more cable so that's not an issue.

 

[sharonb]

Is it possible to replace the Cat 5e with the Cat 6? Check out online casino reviews, with €1000 bonus
I was wondering whether switching cables would make the image better.
Thanks in advance.

 

[Sam Gangee]

1. Yes if you have room for a thicker cable.
2. Yes if the higher data speed means that you can feed a higher resolution image.