Thanks Biscuit thats a comprehensive reply, in short whilst I'm finding my feet and the pressure if the build is upon me is it fair to say i should install ethernet CAT6 cables x 8 (for DVD player, SKY on demand, XBOX, and 2 for HDMI plus spares) say to the main living rooms (2 off), each with a coax and to the bedrooms 4 off CAT6 and coax. Im going to have to install cables soon!
I used to be a draughtsman so will CAD up a crude wiring diagram and also up load the layout of the property as ill also put together a routing drawing.
I should have mentioned we also intend to put intelligent lighting in, I'm not too sure what the benefits are for this, ill do some more searching on tinterweb for this but if anyone could recommend a uk brand that would be helpful.
This is the "client" fag packet skectch ill work from, more to follow
how do i post pics, this drop box link not working?
Last edited by escapizm; 19-03-2013 at 08:19 AM.
Photobucket is what I use
There we are.
I'm guessing E = Ethernet, TV is where you will have a Coax and Sky is where you will Ethernet for the use of a sky extender?
Bare in mind, you might struggle to split Sky HD down that many paths simultaneously. No problem if you are using SD with composite but HDCP protection in the sky receiver will cut the picture if you try and use an HDMI splitter that isn't compliant, and i dont think they generally are!
Thanks again Biscuit!
Just read this http://www.automatedhome.co.uk/insta...6-cabling.html now i more terrified than i was! Is CAT 6 that sensitive!
The information is correct, but i do a lot of installations (for broadcast) where we test each of the thousands of cables we install with a Fluke DTX and i have never experienced anything drastically terrible as a result of some of these "rules" not being followed 100%. Perhaps if you are maxing out the theoretical possible maximum of what the cables are capable of over long distances, you might notice it. For an installation of that size, as long as you get decent quality RJ45 connections and are careful not to kink the cables or put them round too much of a tight bend radius and do a good job of punching the ends in (it takes a fair bit of practice!) you should be ok.
There are some RJ45 connection systems (such as the 3M one we use at work) which don't require you to actually punch the cables in as the connector punches it by being assembled. Its expensive but almost guarantees good results.
I would recommend buying premade patch cords for local room and panel to switch connections though.
Last edited by escapizm; 19-03-2013 at 01:50 PM.
Its probably a bit overkill for a home system and I wouldn't know where to get them as a home consumer, but my company uses blue helix who actually stock a range of different systems. We buy in quite large numbers and i don't know if they will be able to sell just one or two panels at a price that makes sense. Their site is a worth a look and it might be worth giving them a call and seeing what they recommend though.
Escapizm,
Just having a read of the thread it is probably useful to split out the objectives for the cabling you are putting in:
SkyHD (Coax Feeds from Dish)
Terrestrial TV (Freeview - Coax from aerial to booster, booster to TV)
High Speed Ethernet - for high speed internet distribution, PC networking and for HD Video/Audio distribution
Home automation? Ethernet is pretty universal so perhaps separate runs to the requisite places terminated in an independent patch panel so as to distinguish them? - One person ran cat5 to all his light switches in preparation, though that may be overkill.
Are you going to be running multiroom audio, squeezeboxes, sonos or the like? Worth thinking about, as if you are (albeit not now, but in the future) it is worth putting in the cables now).
What internet connection is your friend planning? If VDSL (i.e. BT Infinity) you can (currently, though this may be subject to change) split the modem and router (as they are two separate devices connected by ethernet). Modem should go as close to the master phone socket as possible (wherever that is) and for convenience having the router in Node 0 would be the best bet. If this is not possible then there are alternatives (especially if there would be issues with wireless coverage by so doing) but centralising things helps! You may be able to do the same with Virgin (cable), depends on the specific network configuration/modem/router combination provided now)
So, Node 0 - i.e. the center of the network would contain:
Router
Switch (however many ports as required to connect the required devices + headroom)
Ethernet Patch Panel
Home Server etc (if required)
UPS (if you want - plan it in now!)
Aerial booster (if you want to centralise that to make running the cables easier/expansion at a future date less painful etc)
Then the runs to the various rooms. Couple of things there - the extra effort required to run 4 cables rather than 2 is minimal, however adding another two after you have run the original ones is a massive pain. Remember if you are going to use baluns then they need dedicated runs (they can't be run off a switch down a single wire). So where you think you are going to use 2 connections, run 4, etc. Also think about how rooms could be reorganised in the future, and run cables there too.
Few tips:
Pre-made patch leads are a godsend - no way was I spending hours making 30cm patch leads when you can get them pre-made for pennies.
Buy two boxes of Ethernet Cable - makes running multiple cable runs a lot easier!
Good quality tools are helpful -makes things a lot easier! That said, you don't have to go mad - mine were from eBay and they are still going fine.
Get a set of rods for running cables - electricians use them for a reason!
Are there any electrical works happening at the same time? I found that I needed to add sockets in different places to power the devices, so worth getting them organised to be done at the same time.
Perhaps worth drawing up a network plan to help you work out where things are going?
You could always just use the hub that is built into the router and attach powerlines to it so much simpler and effective
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Could be a cost effective first option though, cost may be a factor. So I could still run all the cables to all rooms but would be limited to say 6 or 8 feeds that the router provides?
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