New house, confused re AV setup!
Discussion
Okay, we are hoping to complete on the purchase of a new house, a 1930s property that has been given one serious makeover including a large 32ft kitchen/family room. A lot of thought has gone into "teching" the house but I can't quite see how I am going to achieve it or how it all fits together so some help would really be appreciated! Okay, it has the following:
1) Wired for Sky or Virgin
2) Under the stairs is a whole bunch of CAT6 cables that must go to the other rooms as the house is flooded with them
3) Again, under the stairs is some sort of hub for pushing Sky or Virgin to other rooms
4) In the kitchen and lounge it is hard wired for surround sound i.e. little wires coming out of the walls where they should go and sockets to feed the wires from the receiver into
5) There are plug sockets where the TVs will hang on the walls and channels for feeding HDMI cables through (also Ethernet sockets for the CAT6)
6) There are 4 KEF ceiling speakers in the kitchen ceiling, can't quite work out how to drive these at present though
My vision is to achieve this:
1) Decide on Sky or Virgin, currently have Virgin but not sure if this is the best these days
2) Kitchen - buy a large screen (P55VT65B), hook it up to Sky or Virgin and some sort of surround sound; now, should I just buy a Sonos Playbar as we have multiple Play 1s or go for 5.1 as this is already hardwired? If the latter, I would want tiny speakers but what is good on the market right now and I would also need a receiver to drive these speakers? Bose?
3) I assume there must be some sort of port for driving the ceiling speakers and a Play 1 would not be able to do this, wouldn't we need a Connect:Amp to do this?
4) Also the same dilemma in the lounge with regards to surround sound though another Playbar would also bring music to that room (even though we already have a Play 1)
5) Does anyone have experience of these hubs that push Sky/Virgin to other rooms, I assume we would still have to watch the same programme?
6) With regards to the CAT6 cabling, how does this connect to a router? I currently use a Virgin Super Hub (in modem mode) connected to an Apple Airport Extreme.
Apologies for all the questions/real lack of understanding but this is really bothering me... I may end up getting an AV expert in to take a look, does anyone know any in the Bristol area?
Cheers!
1) Wired for Sky or Virgin
2) Under the stairs is a whole bunch of CAT6 cables that must go to the other rooms as the house is flooded with them
3) Again, under the stairs is some sort of hub for pushing Sky or Virgin to other rooms
4) In the kitchen and lounge it is hard wired for surround sound i.e. little wires coming out of the walls where they should go and sockets to feed the wires from the receiver into
5) There are plug sockets where the TVs will hang on the walls and channels for feeding HDMI cables through (also Ethernet sockets for the CAT6)
6) There are 4 KEF ceiling speakers in the kitchen ceiling, can't quite work out how to drive these at present though
My vision is to achieve this:
1) Decide on Sky or Virgin, currently have Virgin but not sure if this is the best these days
2) Kitchen - buy a large screen (P55VT65B), hook it up to Sky or Virgin and some sort of surround sound; now, should I just buy a Sonos Playbar as we have multiple Play 1s or go for 5.1 as this is already hardwired? If the latter, I would want tiny speakers but what is good on the market right now and I would also need a receiver to drive these speakers? Bose?
3) I assume there must be some sort of port for driving the ceiling speakers and a Play 1 would not be able to do this, wouldn't we need a Connect:Amp to do this?
4) Also the same dilemma in the lounge with regards to surround sound though another Playbar would also bring music to that room (even though we already have a Play 1)
5) Does anyone have experience of these hubs that push Sky/Virgin to other rooms, I assume we would still have to watch the same programme?
6) With regards to the CAT6 cabling, how does this connect to a router? I currently use a Virgin Super Hub (in modem mode) connected to an Apple Airport Extreme.
Apologies for all the questions/real lack of understanding but this is really bothering me... I may end up getting an AV expert in to take a look, does anyone know any in the Bristol area?
Cheers!
Maxf said:
This is perhaps rather obvious, but if you havent completed yet cant you pop around and ask the vendor to run you through it all?
It sounds awesome - but probably only makes total sense to the person who installed it!
His electrician designed it and installed it, he tried to explain last night but couldn't, waiting on a call from the electrician but he's on holiday so was just trying to get a heads up...It sounds awesome - but probably only makes total sense to the person who installed it!
The cable solution sounds fairly standard for distributed AV however there maybe a few details that need consideration. Ask the electrician if he has a wiring plan or, if not, whether he'll generate one for you. Then you have two choices; use friends, forums or any other source to cobble together a solution, or speak to an AV guy as you note. The architecture is not difficult, neither is finding the right kit as lots of us can help with that, what is useful is understanding the options the cable solution will provide and where you should draw the line balancing budget, performance and features. As always the key to a successfully installed media system will be how you control kit that's installed remotely and making sure your wife is still speaking to you once it's all done... 
There are some basic designs most people could handle (with maybe a little outside help) beyond that the bulk of what you're discussing will need correct design/installation/programming. Anyway, a few quick answers for you;
For example; you could have a 1:4 distribution amp connecting one Sky receiver to four TVs (same channel x4) or a 4x4 matrix connecting four Sky receivers to four TVs. This would allow viewing of four different channels but more importantly, each TV could access any Sky receiver - useful for watching recordings in all rooms. Typically a matrix is used to connect a couple of Sky receivers, Apple TV and a Blu-Ray player to several TVs - totally subject to system design requirements and you can have as many source as you need. Just gets very expensive... Remote control system essential as IR remotes can't be employed effectively (another cost).
Hope that helps get you rolling.
There are some basic designs most people could handle (with maybe a little outside help) beyond that the bulk of what you're discussing will need correct design/installation/programming. Anyway, a few quick answers for you;
brissleboy said:
1) Decide on Sky or Virgin, currently have Virgin but not sure if this is the best these days
Both good, but I'd use Sky.brissleboy said:
2) Kitchen - buy a large screen (P55VT65B), hook it up to Sky or Virgin and some sort of surround sound; now, should I just buy a Sonos Playbar as we have multiple Play 1s or go for 5.1 as this is already hardwired? If the latter, I would want tiny speakers but what is good on the market right now and I would also need a receiver to drive these speakers? Bose?
If the room is hard wired for 5.1 do this, Sonos is OK for Surround sound but falls short on several fronts. A basic AV receiver from Denon, Marantz, Yamaha etc. will be fine (£400) and will drive a vast array or speaker options. Lots of small ones available but remember you'll need the sub - which won't be small. Take a look at Monitor Audio & B&W speakers, between the two of them you have most options covered and there are many more besides.brissleboy said:
3) I assume there must be some sort of port for driving the ceiling speakers and a Play 1 would not be able to do this, wouldn't we need a Connect:Amp to do this?
Yes. If you already have Sonos and plan to continue using it for music (a good idea) then use a Connect:Amp to drive ceiling speakers installed anywhere in the house. Just watch the impedance if driving more than two. One Connect:Amp per room.brissleboy said:
4) Also the same dilemma in the lounge with regards to surround sound though another Playbar would also bring music to that room (even though we already have a Play 1)
If this is a secondary area to the Kitchen surround system and not wired for 5.1 then a Playbar with a couple of Play:1s is a tidy option.brissleboy said:
5) Does anyone have experience of these hubs that push Sky/Virgin to other rooms, I assume we would still have to watch the same programme?
The 'hubs' you refer to are HDMI distribution amps or HDMI matrix and, subject to your requirements, you can have any number of source (including multiple Sky/Virgin receivers allowing simultaneous viewing of different channels). For example; you could have a 1:4 distribution amp connecting one Sky receiver to four TVs (same channel x4) or a 4x4 matrix connecting four Sky receivers to four TVs. This would allow viewing of four different channels but more importantly, each TV could access any Sky receiver - useful for watching recordings in all rooms. Typically a matrix is used to connect a couple of Sky receivers, Apple TV and a Blu-Ray player to several TVs - totally subject to system design requirements and you can have as many source as you need. Just gets very expensive... Remote control system essential as IR remotes can't be employed effectively (another cost).
brissleboy said:
6) With regards to the CAT6 cabling, how does this connect to a router? I currently use a Virgin Super Hub (in modem mode) connected to an Apple Airport Extreme.
If you're using CAT6 for video the cables in question will not connect to your network, a separate system handles that. But for networking you simply terminate CAT6 with correct RJ45 plug and connect to the Superhub's switch, if you need more ports connect an Ethernet switch to the hub.Hope that helps get you rolling.
ASK1974, this is so helpful, thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions as best you can given my limited knowledge/experience, I really do appreciate it!
ASK1974 said:
The cable solution sounds fairly standard for distributed AV however there maybe a few details that need consideration. Ask the electrician if he has a wiring plan or, if not, whether he'll generate one for you. Then you have two choices; use friends, forums or any other source to cobble together a solution, or speak to an AV guy as you note. The architecture is not difficult, neither is finding the right kit as lots of us can help with that, what is useful is understanding the options the cable solution will provide and where you should draw the line balancing budget, performance and features. As always the key to a successfully installed media system will be how you control kit that's installed remotely and making sure your wife is still speaking to you once it's all done...
There are some basic designs most people could handle (with maybe a little outside help) beyond that the bulk of what you're discussing will need correct design/installation/programming. Anyway, a few quick answers for you;
Thought as much, fancy a change anyway and I'm sure there are some good deals out there to be had.
Noted, I'll get Googling!
There are only ceiling speakers in the kitchen as far as I know so only one Connect:Amp will be required at this stage. I will have other stand alone Sonos units throughout the house.
This lounge is a separate room and is also hardwired for 5.1. I guess I would need an another AV receiver here as well as the speakers again?
For example; you could have a 1:4 distribution amp connecting one Sky receiver to four TVs (same channel x4) or a 4x4 matrix connecting four Sky receivers to four TVs. This would allow viewing of four different channels but more importantly, each TV could access any Sky receiver - useful for watching recordings in all rooms. Typically a matrix is used to connect a couple of Sky receivers, Apple TV and a Blu-Ray player to several TVs - totally subject to system design requirements and you can have as many source as you need. Just gets very expensive... Remote control system essential as IR remotes can't be employed effectively (another cost).
So, would the Sky receivers, Apple TV, Blu-Ray player live underneath the stairs next to the HDMI distribution amps or matrix, this would obviously be the preferable choice with 2 very young children with greasy fingers! At this stage, I think we would have 3 or 4 tvs connected (lounge, kitchen, our bedroom and maybe my daughter's bedroom) with the ability to watch 2 different programmes i.e. we could watch something else instead of Peppa Pig! I have no idea how to achieve this so will probably have to get external help in.
Stupid question, why would I use CAT6 for video? Regards to the Internet, we would still need wireless for mobile devices and I guess we won't know how good coverage will be until we are actually in the house.
Hope that helps get you rolling.
There are some basic designs most people could handle (with maybe a little outside help) beyond that the bulk of what you're discussing will need correct design/installation/programming. Anyway, a few quick answers for you;
brissleboy said:
1) Decide on Sky or Virgin, currently have Virgin but not sure if this is the best these days
Both good, but I'd use Sky.Thought as much, fancy a change anyway and I'm sure there are some good deals out there to be had.
brissleboy said:
2) Kitchen - buy a large screen (P55VT65B), hook it up to Sky or Virgin and some sort of surround sound; now, should I just buy a Sonos Playbar as we have multiple Play 1s or go for 5.1 as this is already hardwired? If the latter, I would want tiny speakers but what is good on the market right now and I would also need a receiver to drive these speakers? Bose?
If the room is hard wired for 5.1 do this, Sonos is OK for Surround sound but falls short on several fronts. A basic AV receiver from Denon, Marantz, Yamaha etc. will be fine (£400) and will drive a vast array or speaker options. Lots of small ones available but remember you'll need the sub - which won't be small. Take a look at Monitor Audio & B&W speakers, between the two of them you have most options covered and there are many more besides.Noted, I'll get Googling!
brissleboy said:
3) I assume there must be some sort of port for driving the ceiling speakers and a Play 1 would not be able to do this, wouldn't we need a Connect:Amp to do this?
Yes. If you already have Sonos and plan to continue using it for music (a good idea) then use a Connect:Amp to drive ceiling speakers installed anywhere in the house. Just watch the impedance if driving more than two. One Connect:Amp per room.There are only ceiling speakers in the kitchen as far as I know so only one Connect:Amp will be required at this stage. I will have other stand alone Sonos units throughout the house.
brissleboy said:
4) Also the same dilemma in the lounge with regards to surround sound though another Playbar would also bring music to that room (even though we already have a Play 1)
If this is a secondary area to the Kitchen surround system and not wired for 5.1 then a Playbar with a couple of Play:1s is a tidy option.This lounge is a separate room and is also hardwired for 5.1. I guess I would need an another AV receiver here as well as the speakers again?
brissleboy said:
5) Does anyone have experience of these hubs that push Sky/Virgin to other rooms, I assume we would still have to watch the same programme?
The 'hubs' you refer to are HDMI distribution amps or HDMI matrix and, subject to your requirements, you can have any number of source (including multiple Sky/Virgin receivers allowing simultaneous viewing of different channels). For example; you could have a 1:4 distribution amp connecting one Sky receiver to four TVs (same channel x4) or a 4x4 matrix connecting four Sky receivers to four TVs. This would allow viewing of four different channels but more importantly, each TV could access any Sky receiver - useful for watching recordings in all rooms. Typically a matrix is used to connect a couple of Sky receivers, Apple TV and a Blu-Ray player to several TVs - totally subject to system design requirements and you can have as many source as you need. Just gets very expensive... Remote control system essential as IR remotes can't be employed effectively (another cost).
So, would the Sky receivers, Apple TV, Blu-Ray player live underneath the stairs next to the HDMI distribution amps or matrix, this would obviously be the preferable choice with 2 very young children with greasy fingers! At this stage, I think we would have 3 or 4 tvs connected (lounge, kitchen, our bedroom and maybe my daughter's bedroom) with the ability to watch 2 different programmes i.e. we could watch something else instead of Peppa Pig! I have no idea how to achieve this so will probably have to get external help in.
brissleboy said:
6) With regards to the CAT6 cabling, how does this connect to a router? I currently use a Virgin Super Hub (in modem mode) connected to an Apple Airport Extreme.
If you're using CAT6 for video the cables in question will not connect to your network, a separate system handles that. But for networking you simply terminate CAT6 with correct RJ45 plug and connect to the Superhub's switch, if you need more ports connect an Ethernet switch to the hub.Stupid question, why would I use CAT6 for video? Regards to the Internet, we would still need wireless for mobile devices and I guess we won't know how good coverage will be until we are actually in the house.
Hope that helps get you rolling.
Hi mate, quick answers to the questions you raised for points 4,5&6.
4. Yes, if the lounge is wired for 5.1 and you want surround sound I'd use a standard AV receiver and pick a speaker package. However if all you want is a decent audio system (for music) plus the ability to plug in the telly as a source then there are other ways this could be tackled. Sonos is great as a music system but can get clunky when integrating with other systems without additional expense. Not necessarily a problem but something worth discussing with the right person prior to making a decision.
5. Yes, all the source equipment would be in one place (out of the way of sticky fingers) and with two Sky boxes you can escape Pepper Pig at will... The only exception to this [design] rule are disc players which for the sake of convenience are located near a TV and wired back to the AV receiver. Optional not essential though.
6. HDMI is a short distance video connection. For HDMI distribution we use a technology called HDBaseT which allows HDMI to be extended up to 100m over CAT5 & CAT6. If you have HDMI cables installed from the cable hub to the TVs then great, otherwise a CAT6 would be used to make the HDBaseT connection. I was making some assumptions on your original post but with a wiring plan to hand could confirm for you.
4. Yes, if the lounge is wired for 5.1 and you want surround sound I'd use a standard AV receiver and pick a speaker package. However if all you want is a decent audio system (for music) plus the ability to plug in the telly as a source then there are other ways this could be tackled. Sonos is great as a music system but can get clunky when integrating with other systems without additional expense. Not necessarily a problem but something worth discussing with the right person prior to making a decision.
5. Yes, all the source equipment would be in one place (out of the way of sticky fingers) and with two Sky boxes you can escape Pepper Pig at will... The only exception to this [design] rule are disc players which for the sake of convenience are located near a TV and wired back to the AV receiver. Optional not essential though.
6. HDMI is a short distance video connection. For HDMI distribution we use a technology called HDBaseT which allows HDMI to be extended up to 100m over CAT5 & CAT6. If you have HDMI cables installed from the cable hub to the TVs then great, otherwise a CAT6 would be used to make the HDBaseT connection. I was making some assumptions on your original post but with a wiring plan to hand could confirm for you.
ASK1974 said:
Hi mate, quick answers to the questions you raised for points 4,5&6.
4. Yes, if the lounge is wired for 5.1 and you want surround sound I'd use a standard AV receiver and pick a speaker package. However if all you want is a decent audio system (for music) plus the ability to plug in the telly as a source then there are other ways this could be tackled. Sonos is great as a music system but can get clunky when integrating with other systems without additional expense. Not necessarily a problem but something worth discussing with the right person prior to making a decision.
Definitely a cost/benefit weigh up here, will probably leave this one for the time being surround sound wise and see which room we end up using the most. In the meantime, I'll just stick a Sonos unit in there so at least we can have music in that room.
5. Yes, all the source equipment would be in one place (out of the way of sticky fingers) and with two Sky boxes you can escape Pepper Pig at will... The only exception to this [design] rule are disc players which for the sake of convenience are located near a TV and wired back to the AV receiver. Optional not essential though.
The only disc player we have is a PS3 used in the past for Blu-ray but if I want to watch a film these days, it tends to be Virgin On Demand or iTunes via an Apple TV. Therefore, given how little it is used, it would probably also live under the stairs.
6. HDMI is a short distance video connection. For HDMI distribution we use a technology called HDBaseT which allows HDMI to be extended up to 100m over CAT5 & CAT6. If you have HDMI cables installed from the cable hub to the TVs then great, otherwise a CAT6 would be used to make the HDBaseT connection. I was making some assumptions on your original post but with a wiring plan to hand could confirm for you.
Ah ha, didn't know this but makes total sense; not sure of the wiring at present so will try and get hold of the plan.4. Yes, if the lounge is wired for 5.1 and you want surround sound I'd use a standard AV receiver and pick a speaker package. However if all you want is a decent audio system (for music) plus the ability to plug in the telly as a source then there are other ways this could be tackled. Sonos is great as a music system but can get clunky when integrating with other systems without additional expense. Not necessarily a problem but something worth discussing with the right person prior to making a decision.
Definitely a cost/benefit weigh up here, will probably leave this one for the time being surround sound wise and see which room we end up using the most. In the meantime, I'll just stick a Sonos unit in there so at least we can have music in that room.
5. Yes, all the source equipment would be in one place (out of the way of sticky fingers) and with two Sky boxes you can escape Pepper Pig at will... The only exception to this [design] rule are disc players which for the sake of convenience are located near a TV and wired back to the AV receiver. Optional not essential though.
The only disc player we have is a PS3 used in the past for Blu-ray but if I want to watch a film these days, it tends to be Virgin On Demand or iTunes via an Apple TV. Therefore, given how little it is used, it would probably also live under the stairs.
6. HDMI is a short distance video connection. For HDMI distribution we use a technology called HDBaseT which allows HDMI to be extended up to 100m over CAT5 & CAT6. If you have HDMI cables installed from the cable hub to the TVs then great, otherwise a CAT6 would be used to make the HDBaseT connection. I was making some assumptions on your original post but with a wiring plan to hand could confirm for you.
I don't suppose you fancy a day out in Bristol when we're in do you??
Also, have the option of getting a P60ZT65 plasma for the kitchen room, is it worth the premium over the VT range (albeit a little smaller in size)?
ASK1974 said:
Hi mate, quick answers to the questions you raised for points 4,5&6.
4. Yes, if the lounge is wired for 5.1 and you want surround sound I'd use a standard AV receiver and pick a speaker package. However if all you want is a decent audio system (for music) plus the ability to plug in the telly as a source then there are other ways this could be tackled. Sonos is great as a music system but can get clunky when integrating with other systems without additional expense. Not necessarily a problem but something worth discussing with the right person prior to making a decision.
5. Yes, all the source equipment would be in one place (out of the way of sticky fingers) and with two Sky boxes you can escape Pepper Pig at will... The only exception to this [design] rule are disc players which for the sake of convenience are located near a TV and wired back to the AV receiver. Optional not essential though.
6. HDMI is a short distance video connection. For HDMI distribution we use a technology called HDBaseT which allows HDMI to be extended up to 100m over CAT5 & CAT6. If you have HDMI cables installed from the cable hub to the TVs then great, otherwise a CAT6 would be used to make the HDBaseT connection. I was making some assumptions on your original post but with a wiring plan to hand could confirm for you.
And thanks for you help, if you're ever in the market for a new shower(s), please do let me know.4. Yes, if the lounge is wired for 5.1 and you want surround sound I'd use a standard AV receiver and pick a speaker package. However if all you want is a decent audio system (for music) plus the ability to plug in the telly as a source then there are other ways this could be tackled. Sonos is great as a music system but can get clunky when integrating with other systems without additional expense. Not necessarily a problem but something worth discussing with the right person prior to making a decision.
5. Yes, all the source equipment would be in one place (out of the way of sticky fingers) and with two Sky boxes you can escape Pepper Pig at will... The only exception to this [design] rule are disc players which for the sake of convenience are located near a TV and wired back to the AV receiver. Optional not essential though.
6. HDMI is a short distance video connection. For HDMI distribution we use a technology called HDBaseT which allows HDMI to be extended up to 100m over CAT5 & CAT6. If you have HDMI cables installed from the cable hub to the TVs then great, otherwise a CAT6 would be used to make the HDBaseT connection. I was making some assumptions on your original post but with a wiring plan to hand could confirm for you.
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