Home Theater Wiring

What do you think when you look at the snarl of wires connecting your computer to the power supply, the printer, the scanner, the speakers, and the other USB wires that gather dust behind your electronic devices? Is there a solution to this confusion? This is the situation that most home theater wiring configurations face as well. If you want to pay someone to set-up all the wiring, this will run you into some extra expense. The alternative, of course, is to do it all yourself. All you need is some information about the variety of wiring equipment and about concealing the normally be exposed wires.

Home entertainment systems normally come with a wiring schematic and the equipment to put this plan into play. Frequently, the individual differences in room size, power requirements, and distances are not taken into consideration and you must improvise a solution. The set-up that comes with the system is compatible with what you have and if everything fits, you have no need to add anything. When the supplied wiring is inadequate, you have to find a solution to the problem. The usual failing of supplied wiring is in the length. When you come up short and need more footage, the available options must be compared to the existing system for compatibility. If possible, you should return to the dealer first for advice and then for appropriate wiring support.

The next question concerns the ratings of the various types of wiring. Vampire Wire, Monster Cable, Kimber Kable, XLO, StraightWire, TARA Labs, and Nordost are all rated highly and warrant your consideration. Seek some professional advice before investing in any of these reputable brands. You should determine the specifications of your particular system requirements to insure compatibility.

Perhaps the most difficult facet of home theater wiring is the actual placement of the wires. You will want to avoid the unsightly cluster of multiple wires running to all parts of your entertainment room. Speakers are situated throughout the room in strategic areas and you can devise various schemes to keep the wires hidden. One of the easiest and cheapest methods is to use under carpet tape that gathers all the wires together and conceals them effectively. However, the drawback to this method is that you then have strips of tape running all over your floor. This arrangement is not as ugly as loose wires but still obtrusive.

The most esthetically pleasing method for home theater wiring involves drilling into the floor and running the wires under the floor into the room below, usually the basement. The holes are small and barely visible and have the advantage of being patchable if you decide to change your speaker layout in the future. This method involves some planning and a little carpentry work but is really the best way to totally hide the your home theater wiring. Flat ribbon wire is also available (AR's MicroFlat HT392 tape is an example) and affords you better visual arrangements.

Whatever your choice, you have avoided the unnecessary expense of hiring someone to come into your home to do what you can do nearly as well given some thought and knowledge.