Advice on AV setup for plasma A/V system

bro'

Hi
I am at the stage of my new build where I need to plan the first fix electricals and in particluar the setup for my AV system...
What I propose is to have 3 X double sockets, tel pt. for sky , and tv aerial pt at the location of my AV system. I think this should cover me for all the essentials?
I also plan on installing a plasma tv to the wall above and will probably go for the pioneer 436XDE -I believe this model minimises the number of cables required to go to the plasma screen as it has a separate control box, not to mention it is a great TV!

My qestion is will the above sockets and points be sufficient or am I forgetting something?
Also as I want to hide the cabling in the wall to the plasma what do I need to do to achieve this e.g is it just a matter of putting 'piping' in the wall before plastering or do any cables need to be pre wired ahead of the plasma installation?

Any comments would be appreciated

Diamondmaker

ALWAYS install more sockets if it under your control!!!!

branners69

I have the Pioneer 436XDE and its a beaut.. the media box is a godsend!!

I have the full system so basically including the xbox 360 I have 9 devices which need powering!!

After reading into AV equipment for the last 4 months its recommended to use a surge protector so I wouldnt be too worried about getting loads of sockets put on your wall!!

bro'

Thanks for the replys.

Diamondmaker, i have the luxury of choosing the number of sockets but feel that 3 double sockets should be sufficient for my systems i.e AV receiver, CD player, DVD player, Sky box, and TV which leaves me with one socket free.

branners69, did you install your 'Xde to the wall and if so how did you wire your cables to the tv. i imagine it means building a pipe of some sort in the wall before it is plastered so that the cabling can be run through it to the tv location on the wall? Can you tell me how many and what cables are attached to the Xde screen?

Also, is it better to use an independent 6 socket surge protector just plugged into one wall plate socket or have 3 separate d/socket wallplates

Idleater

bro' wrote:

... but feel that 3 double sockets should be sufficient for my systems i.e AV receiver, CD player, DVD player, Sky box, and TV which leaves me with one socket free.
...

Video, Xbox/PS/Laptop/PC/Media Centre Extender, Hard Disc Recorder, RGB to YUV component Converter (from sky box into Reciever), Wireless AP, Table Lamp, Telephone... and that is just the list I have thought of for current technologies.

L.

branners69

bro' wrote:

branners69, did you install your 'Xde to the wall and if so how did you wire your cables to the tv. i imagine it means building a pipe of some sort in the wall before it is plastered so that the cabling can be run through it to the tv location on the wall? Can you tell me how many and what cables are attached to the Xde screen?

Also, is it better to use an independent 6 socket surge protector just plugged into one wall plate socket or have 3 separate d/socket wallplates

Around my AV centre I have the following:
Plasma, media box, dvd player, dvd recorder, laptop, sky+, receiver, woofer, ntl broadband modem and netgear wireless router, and a Harmony remote with a docking station!! I will be buying another surge protector very soon!!

My xde is on the wall, I still have to channel the cables into the wall.. I've already done the surround sound speakers so just have to get around to doing the tv cables.. there are 3 cables going from plasma, two going back to the media box and the third is the power cable..

I would say get a seperate surge protector to protect from spikes and the likes, it could be over kill but for the sake of €70 after spending nearly €10,000 I am happier to have it!!

bro'

Yeah I hear what you say about the surge protector.....

I forgot that the plasma TV and media box would need separate power just used to CRT tv at moment!

Do you mind me asking where you sourced your 'XDE / wall bracket and what price you paid? I am in in the North West and don't know of many/any AV specialist shops around here and would apprecatiate any recommendations?;)

branners69

bro' wrote:

I forgot that the plasma TV and media box would need separate power just used to CRT tv at moment!

I forgot about it myself til I got it!!

I got mine from Richersounds, cost €3,900 including the wall bracket and the Pioneer side speakers..

Richersounds werent great to deal with but maybe you wont have the problems I had!! But the reason I went with them is they have a 5 year panel protection plan and if something goes wrong I can drive up to them with it!! Just to make you aware that there is a huge grey area about if Pioneer Ireland will fix a TV under its warranty if it was purchased online.. I was told by Pioneer Ireland that they wouldnt fix it!!

If you have anymore questions let me know;)