TV and Sat distribution for new build

[Bally12345]

Ok so im in the middle of getting a new house together and I need to figure out how to sort out the TV and Sat system.

I already have full hd sub with a mini dish at my current house but will be transfering this to the new house once its built. However I would like to get all the cable feeds done before the plasterboard is up and have to consider how I am going to distrubute the signals to all the rooms.

The Basics
I will need at least 31 points for sat and freeview although its is more than likely they will all be used its best to have them just in case.

Basement = 3 Points (2 Sat HD, 1 Freeview)
Living Room/Dining Room = 6 Points (4 Sat HD, 2 Freeview)
Kitchen = 2 Points (1 Sat, 1 Freeview)
Office = 2 Points (1 Sat, 1 Freeview)
Bedrooms = 12 points 3 points each (2 Sat HD, 1 Freeview) x 4 rooms
Loft = 6 Points (4 Sat HD, 2 Freeview)

Total number of points 31 is this excessive and am I doing the right thing? Planning on getting a 5 input 32 output multiswitch and possibly a 60cm clear dish from Multiswitch. Multiswitches to be used with a quatro LNB. Satellite Superstore UK. Big Discounts.

As I understand it 4 inputs will be from the sat dish and 1 from freeview digital aerial. So all 32 outputs carry both signals and if I have a Sky HD box in every room which I doubt I will need atleast 2 feeds or 3 to be on safe side. I suppose if I go with 3 in the main rooms it makes it easier if I want to send signal from other rooms???? VERY CONFUSED!?

Dont know what I am going to do when it comes to the networking side of things!!

[SIGN]HELP![/SIGN]

 

[Hejira]

That all looks right Bally, Choose a central location as your distro hub, run 4 cables from sat dish n 1 from Terrestrial Ariel to that location as inputs to the switch, the only thing I would say is you only actually need 2 cables to each output location as the sat n DTV signals are combined n then split with the correct socket in each room. I would however agree with you that a 3rd cable gives flexibility to have a send from each location or possibly Virmin install.

As for networking same principle spider out from same distro hub location with Cat5e cables minimum 2 to each point Network switch in distro hub.

And remember Munkey has set the standards for detailed diagrams we now expect nothing less! LOL

 

[Bally12345]

Lol im struggling with even getting floor plans at the moment never mind diagrams :s

Networking wise im going to do go with cat 6 throughout but how its all going to be connected I dont know... Will need to find a suitable 48 port gigabit switch and some sort of server...

Need to figure out how HDMI over ethernet works and how to best connect everything up.

Would you be able to get hdmi distrubution system too so say the TVs in Living Room and Dining Room can be connected and display the same signal at the same time?

 

[Hejira]

If you have the doe m8 theres a gizmo that will do what ever you want to do!

Cat6 great, but I would consider running Cat5e aswell as a cheap safety net incase you need another run or for standard telcoms run for instance. Cat5e will run gigabit over shorter runs comfortably.

HDMI over Cat5e/Cat6 is pretty straight forward the standard is to use 2xCatX cables for each HDMI Run so take that into consideration, you then just have a Gizmo @ each end of your run that has your HDMI socket for a standard HDMI Cable.

Distro of the same pic is pretty straight forward (see gefen hdmi distro example in Munkeys thread.)

Diff picture is matrix switching again pretty straight forward any Input can independantly go to any output (again see Munkeys thread for example.)

The most important thing is to get as much cable to as many locations back to a central location.

 

[digidude]

you dont need 31 points m8, the terrestrial and satellite is diplexed together onto a single cable, so youll save a small fortune on a smaller switch, and cable runs

Basement = 3 Points (2 Sat HD, 1 Freeview)
Living Room/Dining Room = 6 Points (4 Sat HD, 2 Freeview)
Kitchen = 2 Points (1 Sat, 1 Freeview)
Office = 2 Points (1 Sat, 1 Freeview)
Bedrooms = 12 points 3 points each (2 Sat HD, 1 Freeview) x 4 rooms
Loft = 6 Points (4 Sat HD, 2 Freeview)

Basement = 3 Points (2 Sat HD, 1 Freeview) 2 cables
Living Room/Dining Room = 6 Points (4 Sat HD, 2 Freeview) 4 cables
Kitchen = 2 Points (1 Sat, 1 Freeview) 1 cable
Office = 2 Points (1 Sat, 1 Freeview) 1 cable
Bedrooms = 12 points 3 points each (2 Sat HD, 1 Freeview) x 4 rooms 2 cables x 4 = 8 cables
Loft = 6 Points (4 Sat HD, 2 Freeview) 4 cables

a 16 way multiswitch will do this, along with diplexed outlets that split the terrestrial signal from the sat, where needed

as said earlier, itd be worth running a cat5 as well, ideal for linux receivers

you can use triax outlets and get 2x sat, 1x freeview and a cat5 all in one double socket outlet

i think you have my phone number m8, what you want is quite basic for what i do and i could advise you what parts youd need to do it as cheaply and neatly as possible, with minimal cables and work

 

[Hejira]

@digidude if as you suggest run 1 cable to say office n have a Sky+ Box or twin tuner Box dosn't that need 2 feeds?

 

[Munkey]

Bally, I'm not too smart when it comes to the cable and sat distribution side of things, I'm sure there are others who are much better equipped to help on coaxial distribution.

You've seen my setup, I'll be running one cable to a Technomate receiver from a rotating dish and that feed will be matrixed into 7 displays via HDMI cable. Baluns are working out to be more expensive than running low latency HDMI cable so I've chosen the HDMI cable route. Work out how long the cable runs are going to be before you decide on HDMI baluns or HDMI cables. Remember that some baluns are powered so it will mean another plug taken, the whole thing starts to get messy IMHO.

For sky distribution I'm planning on using an octo LNB, this I think will mean 2 cables for the HD sky box and one each to any source receiver in the house. You seem to have many sky boxes, have you considered the possibility of a few boxes in a centralised location and sharing that feed?

Also cat6 is very expensive, unless you have the absolute need for it I'd save money and opt for cat5e.

Sketch up a few diagrams even if they are rough, they act as a constant reference point and trust me you'll need them when it comes to laying the cables.

I see that your coaxial cable has arrived.

 

[digidude]

@digidude if as you suggest run 1 cable to say office n have a Sky+ Box or twin tuner Box dosn't that need 2 feeds?

yes m8, would then need 2 cables

i used ballys own example, to show that he doesnt need to run as many cables as he thought, and can get away with a 16 way multiswitch instead of a 32 way

another way would be fiber optics, but as individual rooms need different amounts of feeds, it would work out more expensive

with the lounge / loft, is this just so the tv can go at one ond of the room, or the other? if so, run 2 cables to one end, then have a loop to the other end, as both feeds wont be in use at the same time, this could then get you from a 32 way switch down to a 12 way

even though it sounds a lot, this is actually quite basic

 

[Mick]

I have done what you are after with some good effects at a reasonable price.

I think its much nicer to have all your stuff in one location.

I have split 2 sky HD boxes around a house to 7 rooms with cat5e (screened) with no trouble at all.

I run 2 cat5e to each outlet plate with 2 satellite cables to each plate aswell.

I can with 2 satellite cables choose what boxes will have a remote eye, and what boxes will just receive the freeview and if I want I can add just remote eyes or freeview by changing over the cable outlet or use the spare as a return.

but they all receive HD from the 2 sat boxes.

It can be as complex as you want or as simple as you want if you run the cables right the first time.

With the 2 cat5e and 2 satellite cables all run to the cupboard I can put as many sky boxes in there as I want its easily upgradable aswell because I can do everything as I have a HD to every room aswell as freeview and returns on the same cable.

I should say thanks to the lads that gave me the directions in here a while ago

THANKS LADS

Mickie

 

[Bally12345]

Wow so much info to take in, thanks digidude for the info regarding the multiswitch... I will defo look at getting a 16 multiswitch which should save me a decent amount...

Will be possibly getting a clear 60cm fixed dish with Quattro LNB rather than a Octo LNB. Regarding the number of boxes at the moment I only have one Sky HD box but when house is complete I want the option to add other multiroom boxes in the bedroom so for example if my folks want one they can just pay me the extra tenner a month if my bro wants one he can do the same kinda thing...

Not keen on linux boxes although they are great and on so many better levels my family hates the fact the channels arent where they should be the GUI doesnt agree with them either so for simplicity if they want a box they can just pay for multiroom in bedrooms.

Will defo be getting multiroom in basement and the Living/Dining room they will be two large lcds with one Sky HD box but I would like both tv display signal for single box.

CAT6 or CAT5e?! Doesnt CAT6 do everything CAT5e does?

Also does sorts out the DVB-T, DVB-S but what about if I go with Virgin and want to distrubute DVB-C can same multi swtich be used?

Last thing I want is to get all my sat wiring all sorted then later on get a good deal with virgin and have one of their cow boys drilling holes and feeding cables all willy nilly!

If anyone is available in eastmids to help out with planning, send me a pm lol... Also can anyone do floor plans that I can print of on A3?

I got smartdraw but dont know how to use and its expired... I have some really crappy outlines that my bro did using paint lol with dimensions written.

PS
@mickie d fix the multiquotes lol

 

[Bally12345]

you can use triax outlets and get 2x sat, 1x freeview and a cat5 all in one double socket outlet

Can you get outlets with 2x sat 1x freeview and 2x RJ45 cat5e or cat6? In the living room I would need atleast 6x RJ45 points.

Planning to build a floating wall and hide the wires behind that with a niec 60" LCD (which one I dont know :S), PS3, XBOX 360, Wii, SKY HD and maybe another device or two.

 

[steve1978]

My advice, do ethernet for every room and also set up as 7.1 in every room you may use for viewing, putting these things in after are a right pain in the arse, wish i bought my house 3 months earlier before the walls went in.

 

[Bally12345]

My advice, do ethernet for every room and also set up as 7.1 in every room you may use for viewing, putting these things in after are a right pain in the arse, wish i bought my house 3 months earlier before the walls went in.

You know what I never even thought about wiring for audio!?????

 

[Mick]

I would make one cupboard that will do everything mate its so much neater than putting boxes in the rooms pal.

You could run a multiswitch into a cupboard that will let you have as many boxes in there as you could imagine.

The same multiswitch will also distribute freeview to the rooms at the same time!

You would only be running freeview to the rooms and the same cable would also support sky in the rooms if you wish but because you are using them in the cupboards you would run....

two cat5e or cat6 cables to the rooms this would allow you to put a HDMI spliiter box in the cupboard and split the HD signall to each TV.

your multiswitch should also support the 9v remote eyes so you can change the channels in every room (a pain with one box)

So for me if you run 2 cat5e/cat6 cables (screened is better), and 2 coax sat cables from a cupboard and to the wall plate, you can choose any setup you like it would be very easy to change it around and gives you allot of options!!!.

Also as said do not forget your audio for your speakers you will need to run a minimum of 48 strand to each speaker and single audio cable to your subwoofer (screened again is better)

I run 78 strand in my house but it was a little to big for my speaker connectors and I needed to cut a few strands off but gives lovely sound and it was only 30quid a roll of 100m

but some will tell you to run 20 quid a meter stuff but fook that lol

Mickie

 

[Munkey]

I got smartdraw but dont know how to use and its expired... I have some really crappy outlines that my bro did using paint lol with dimensions written.

I have a keygen, PM me if you need it.

 

[pinkhelmets]

I agree that one central location is the best option, its how I had my last place wired. A central cupboard/small room with all cables running to and from there. I also had main receivers hidden there and controlled remotely rather than on show in the rooms. I also had pc's hidden away too so no noise where the display screens were. Have a 'control room' its best way.

 

[Hejira]

CAT6 or CAT5e?! Doesnt CAT6 do everything CAT5e does?

Yes BUT! without going into great detail (Coz I don't understand all the details) there is still a big difference and issues can arise with certain applications, Not standard networking applications but video n audio distribution for instance, I have had a situation where Cat5e worked n Cat6 didn't. I'm not saying Cat6 isn't better but given the cost over Cat5e it dosn't make sense IMHO not to run it aswell.

Also does sorts out the DVB-T, DVB-S but what about if I go with Virgin and want to distrubute DVB-C can same multi swtich be used?

Last thing I want is to get all my sat wiring all sorted then later on get a good deal with virgin and have one of their cow boys drilling holes and feeding cables all willy nilly!

I don't think so and I totally agree, that is why I think your suggestion of an extra cable is a good one to cover every eventuality. I understand Digi's reasoning to cut down on percieved extra cabling and cable for your description but if you are prepared to spunk the doe on cables you might not use you should at least never have to worry that you can't achieve something at a later date without pulling the house apart to run one more cable. I would say if you run 3 coaxal to every room even if they sit in a blanked soket your laughing and as digi has said loop from those cables to a second location within that room should cover every possible requirement for Sat, DTV n Cable.

CatX I would do pretty much the same but 1 for luck so 4 minimum to cover audio n video distro n telcoms over CatX aswell, it's easy to add a small switch in a room for addtional networking sockets.

Yes this is prob over kill but I can't see you not being able to achieve anything you want with that many cables run to a central location which will have Telcoms master socket, Sat/DTV Switch, Cable Distro n Network Switch. Each room is capable of having It's own box, but as stated by others it is nicer to get as many components in the central hub aswell.

 

[Bally12345]

Hang so let me try get my head around this if I go for a cupboard with boxes in, want to avoid linux boxes so lets just say sky hd boxes x3 then distrubute all around the house wont I run in the same old problem that someone wants to watch something comlpetly different in every room at the same time?

Does that make sense, 3 boxes going to living room, kitchen and bedrooms... Everyone decides to watch something in their bedroom but wants to watch different channels... So the boxes in the cupboard is only what gets outputted? So only 3 porgrammes at a time?

 

[Bally12345]

Might sound daft but why would I need to feed audio cabling everywhere... Is that if you want to pump music around the house etc? Thats probz going to be out of my budget to be fair...

I have to do max amount with minimal cost. But would like 7.1 in living room and basement but dont know how and even what the difference is between that at my Samsung 5.1 Home Theater System

 

[Hejira]

Hang so let me try get my head around this if I go for a cupboard with boxes in, want to avoid linux boxes so lets just say sky hd boxes x3 then distrubute all around the house wont I run in the same old problem that someone wants to watch something comlpetly different in every room at the same time?

Does that make sense, 3 boxes going to living room, kitchen and bedrooms... Everyone decides to watch something in their bedroom but wants to watch different channels... So the boxes in the cupboard is only what gets outputted? So only 3 porgrammes at a time?

Yes m8 your right, but you just add another box to the cupboard instead of a room if needed! It's a method to maximise what you can get from the minimum of boxes therefore possibly keeping costs down.