Home Theater Wiring Installation

Although not the most exciting home theater topic, a few minutes learning about Home Theater Wiring Installation will save you many hours of frustration later on. Improperly wired systems often create a hum or buzzing sound in the audio and a scrolling horizontal line in the video. Simple steps can avoid these and other common mistakes in even the simplest wiring installations.

Home theater wiring installation projects vary in size and requirements, depending on the task at hand, therefore we will split this article into three parts so we can get into the details for each area. One thing to think about while planning your wiring project is what your accessibility is to the space you will be wiring. For example is this new construction where the walls are completely open, existing construction with attic or cellar access to the room or existing construction with limited access? If the project involves existing construction, are the walls outside walls or inner walls. Do not worry, we will provide answers for each scenario, however your approach may vary depending on the size of your project and these aspects of your room. Make notes now on these aspects of the space you are looking to wire as they will influence your decisions as we go through the home theater wiring installation guide.

Prior to proceeding with home theater wiring installation guide, we recommend that you review some basics that will assist you in understanding the wiring terms we are referring to. The links below will provide quick introduction so we can get into the details.

Wireless Home Theater Installation - Skip the wiring, go wireless. Before we go into a bunch of details on wiring your home theater or media room, make sure it is really something you want to do. Wireless Home Theater has advanced significantly over the last 2-3 years. You will be surprised.

Home Theater Video Connections – Video is rapidly changing from analog to digital and the digital world has different requirements then the analog of old. Therefore understanding which cable and connections are right for you is important.

Home Theater Audio Connections – Similar to the video area, audio connections are moving rapidly from analog to digital. And in some cases such as (HDMI) being combined with the video.

Understand Wire Gauges – If you are not familiar with what wire gauges are all about, it is worth taking a minute and reading up on them.

Ok, on with the home theater wiring installation details. Starting with a few general comments to make sure we are all at the same knowledge level.

There are several different types of wire available to you, keep an open mind as we go through the home theater installation wiring guide, there are options such as flat speaker wire shown to the left. This type of wire can be hidden behind wall paper or easily painted and hidden therefore if you are dreading the thought of cutting holes in your walls there is hope.

Low voltage and high voltage wire are not the same and generally do not belong next to each other (more on this later). Low voltage wire is your audio and video wiring where high voltage wire is your power source and electrical boxes. Unless you are a knowledgeable electrician you will most likely want to leave the high voltage wiring to a professional. It is also important to not run your low voltage and high voltage wires in parallel within 12 inches of each other. The high voltage will cause interference in your low voltage sources. Keep the low and high voltage wires apart and when crossing them cross them in a perpendicular fashion. This applies in walls as well as to extension cords running next to your TV or other home theater equipment.

Below you will find additional articles getting into the installation details for the wiring in each area.

Part 1 – Home Theater Wiring Installation Tips

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