Home Video/Audio Cable Routing sux

[tysonK]

Well after I got the big TV I knew I was going to have a nice little challenge of routing as much cable out of sight as I can.

I really don't like the look of all the cable, but the placement of the TV up high kinda poses a bunch of problems. I ordered a 15' HDMI and 12' Component so that should give some flexibility.

In the end I will connect:

Satellite Box / HDMI or Component
DVD / HMDI
XBOX360 / Component

Receiver / Not much to hide since it gets cable down from rack area and not from behind TV

I don't have any problems with the actual connections as I got that all figured out.

I just wanted to vent about trying to hide cables.

I just want wireless!!! come on technology. I got freakin HD OverTheAir!

[Nick Koan]

Where's the xbox?

[tysonK]

Originally Posted by nKoan

Where's the xbox?

In the Future.

I'll probably end up getting a XBOX720

[Dean]

There is some great wire molding that will I used in a similar situation at Debbie's many moons ago.

It will fit into the corner of the shelf and wall and even curve around behind the TV if you want.

Looks tons better.

[tysonK]

Originally Posted by Dean

There is some great wire molding that will I used in a similar situation at Debbie's many moons ago.

It will fit into the corner of the shelf and wall and even curve around behind the TV if you want.

Looks tons better.

Yeah, I've been looking into that.

The coxail cable you see will be routed through the wall pretty easily b/c it's cheap and easy to run.

Really I'll be down to 3 video cables to route.

[AtomicLabMonkey]

If you just wrapped them all into one bundle with some zip ties it would look a ton better, even without punching holes through the wall.

[kidatari]

Three words: Chrome split loom.

But really, any wire install can be improved, even if the wires don't disappear. It's all about planning, but what AtomicLabMonkey said holds true-- bundling your wires together with a few simple zip ties while trying your best to keep the wires taut helps a bunch. I would bunch all the cables together, and run them along the ledge that the TV sits on, and then up the back of the bookcase.


You can also pick some spiral wrap, it can make an install look nicer as well

[kidatari]

The back of my computer:

[100_Percent_Juice]

^thats un-American!

[Dean]

Originally Posted by 100_Percent_Juice

^thats un-American!

That's OK, it's a Macintosh. Only company to ship black cords with white machines and white cords with gray/silver machines.

[tysonK]

Yeah I'm gonna bundle them, that's just a picture of when I first put the crap up there.

[kidatari]

Originally Posted by Dean

That's OK, it's a Macintosh. Only company to ship black cords with white machines and white cords with gray/silver machines.

Please note that the black cord is actually an aftermarket lock that is tethered to an immovable object.

When has Apple shipped black cords with a while machine? As far as I know Apple's cords have either been white or clear.

[Dean]

Originally Posted by kidatari

Please note that the black cord is actually an aftermarket lock that is tethered to an immovable object.

When has Apple shipped black cords with a while machine? As far as I know Apple's cords have either been white or clear.

It was a joke, though the MacBook Pro I had for a while was silver/gray metallic and came with a white power brick.

[Kavid]

Originally Posted by kidatari

Three words: Chrome split loom.

But really, any wire install can be improved, even if the wires don't disappear. It's all about planning, but what AtomicLabMonkey said holds true-- bundling your wires together with a few simple zip ties while trying your best to keep the wires taut helps a bunch. I would bunch all the cables together, and run them along the ledge that the TV sits on, and then up the back of the bookcase.
You can also pick some spiral wrap, it can make an install look nicer as well

I do commercial Audio/Video for a living and build equipment racks similar to concert road cases but bigger and not movable, so this is my specialty. I have to make hundreds of wires land in a rack and make it look great! I agree with the above. Until they make the HD signal wireless, unfortunately you are screwed for not being able to see it. If you want though, from work I can get you some plastic split loom (Black is what we use most and stock unfortunately) or some nice black or white zip ties in 4", 8", or 12" lengths if you need, just let me know in a PM or something. But with a black bookcase and a white wall, also multi-colored cables, it makes it very hard to hide for that foot or two that you need to get to the TV. The black split loom and/or pulling the wire tight and zip ties will make it just a hair less of an eyesore though. If you go the zip tie route though try to straighten all the wires first and run them parallel to each other (No twisting of wires around each other), and it will look best I promise (also called combing or dressing the wires). Also, what is the white wire going in between the bookcase and the TV? The reason I ask is that I may be able to get you a pre-made black cable of whatever it is so they are all black, or custom make you a cable in my spare time. Just another thing to make it a hair better!