Quote:
Originally Posted by MickMcGeough
I just moved into a new place and I want to install a few media wall plates to hide all wires behind walls. One behind the TV, one behind the receiver, and one behind each surround speaker in my living room.
I'm wondering how difficult this type of work is. I'm not an electrician by any stretch. Is this a reasonable DIY project or should I just hire it out?
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With the flood last year, my developed basement was wiped out to the studs so it had my a chance to do exactly this. My TV, 5.1 speakers are all wired with plates. I moved my components to my furnace room, which required me to also run an HDMI cable about 30' to my TV. I also ran 2 CAT6 as backup in case the HDMI failed. After about 4 months it is still running well.
In my old setup I did the poor mans wall run, where I took off the baseboard and tucked it under so I could run it along the floor. It didn't take long, and it did the trick more or less, although some spots the wires peeked out a bit. I probably would do that if your walls are all finished.
If you don't have the walls up. Just go to Home Depot and get a large circular bit. I was able to drill a hole in each stud about half way up and run everything through there. Took about a day total to wire my 5.1 and my HDMI to the TV. Now everything (Gateway, PS3, WD Live, Amp) are in the storage room and completely hidden.
I got all my gear at Monoprice. Was cheap and worked very well.
So I guess it depends on setup. If the walls are open it is super easy, if they are up and you have to cut and drywall maybe not, but if you can run under the baseboard that may save you some grief and money.