Pinky&dBrain
Registered User
- Messages
- 25
About to do my first fix for electrics, OK with sockets etc but wiring for multimedia is a major headache and really could do with some advise.
The electrician I was planning on getting doesn't seem to know much about this area which I was surprised as I persumed all electricians would know about the area of smart homes and multimedia?
Basically I'm on a fairly tight budget and would like to put thinks in place that I can add onto as I can afford to. I basically was wondering what cabling structure could I put in place at this wiring stage and be able to use afterwards. I looked up IrishHomeNet system looks great but is it expensive?
I would like the have the following but don't know what I would have to put in cable wise at this first fix stage:
1. Multi-room Sound System
Want to be able to play CD's, mp3's, Radio to all main rooms from a central location. Want so that I can play different songs in each room or same songs if wished. I was looking at the Sonos system for this, but what would I need wired at this stage? Can you connect the sonos to only one
device that has all the music on it like say a laptop or can this be changed as you upgrade laptops etc also does this mean the laptop has to be on all the time in case you might wish to play some music?
2. Broadband
Initially may not have broadband in but want it to be wired for it. I want to be able to have Internet access in most of the rooms to be able to pick it up through wireless, not have to plug into a point on the wall what would be suggest or is it better to wire it but this limits where you can connect? Would also like a network printer - can print to it from any other room.
3. Sky +
Would like to view from all rooms. Would like to be able to change channels in other rooms with out effecting each other but I think this would mean money money going to Sky so can do without this, is there any alternative? Also will have speakers in sittingroom for sound in four corners should speakers be down low or up high for best performance?
4. Alarm
Want an alarm that can dial or text our mobiles when it goes off or if someone breaks in. Read here in other posts that the Comfort system is a good alarm system and like the sound of it but some of the this went over my head.
5. VOIP
Would rather not have a landline from Eircom as rental would kill ye. So had read on this site about X10. I would also like to be able to turn off lights and devices with one switch of a button. Like to be able to controll heat and light remotely. As far as I can see X10 can do this but would I have to buy everything straight away or could I add to it as I go along and what would I need to get in place at this stage?
It was stated here on a post that X10 uses existing main wires what type wires does this mean? (Sorry about basic questions but trying to learn as haven't a clue)
Is the coax cable for TV only? Do you need a telephone point in a wall for VOIP?
Also would like to be able to hook Playstation up to Internet?
Would it be better to get it cabled with Cat5e and Coax at this stage and how many cables to each room?
Sorry for the long post but I'm really lost and need to make a decision soon, if I could get the main structure in now so that I don't have to be tearing through the walls at a later stage? May not be able to afford all the gadgets at the moment but down the road will buy bit by bit and build up my system.
Please any advise?
The electrician I was planning on getting doesn't seem to know much about this area which I was surprised as I persumed all electricians would know about the area of smart homes and multimedia?
Basically I'm on a fairly tight budget and would like to put thinks in place that I can add onto as I can afford to. I basically was wondering what cabling structure could I put in place at this wiring stage and be able to use afterwards. I looked up IrishHomeNet system looks great but is it expensive?
I would like the have the following but don't know what I would have to put in cable wise at this first fix stage:
1. Multi-room Sound System
Want to be able to play CD's, mp3's, Radio to all main rooms from a central location. Want so that I can play different songs in each room or same songs if wished. I was looking at the Sonos system for this, but what would I need wired at this stage? Can you connect the sonos to only one
device that has all the music on it like say a laptop or can this be changed as you upgrade laptops etc also does this mean the laptop has to be on all the time in case you might wish to play some music?
2. Broadband
Initially may not have broadband in but want it to be wired for it. I want to be able to have Internet access in most of the rooms to be able to pick it up through wireless, not have to plug into a point on the wall what would be suggest or is it better to wire it but this limits where you can connect? Would also like a network printer - can print to it from any other room.
3. Sky +
Would like to view from all rooms. Would like to be able to change channels in other rooms with out effecting each other but I think this would mean money money going to Sky so can do without this, is there any alternative? Also will have speakers in sittingroom for sound in four corners should speakers be down low or up high for best performance?
4. Alarm
Want an alarm that can dial or text our mobiles when it goes off or if someone breaks in. Read here in other posts that the Comfort system is a good alarm system and like the sound of it but some of the this went over my head.
5. VOIP
Would rather not have a landline from Eircom as rental would kill ye. So had read on this site about X10. I would also like to be able to turn off lights and devices with one switch of a button. Like to be able to controll heat and light remotely. As far as I can see X10 can do this but would I have to buy everything straight away or could I add to it as I go along and what would I need to get in place at this stage?
It was stated here on a post that X10 uses existing main wires what type wires does this mean? (Sorry about basic questions but trying to learn as haven't a clue)
Is the coax cable for TV only? Do you need a telephone point in a wall for VOIP?
Also would like to be able to hook Playstation up to Internet?
Would it be better to get it cabled with Cat5e and Coax at this stage and how many cables to each room?
Sorry for the long post but I'm really lost and need to make a decision soon, if I could get the main structure in now so that I don't have to be tearing through the walls at a later stage? May not be able to afford all the gadgets at the moment but down the road will buy bit by bit and build up my system.
Please any advise?