Where do you have your HT equipment?

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flynkiwi

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#148572 23-Jun-2014 21:08

I have started my Home Theatre renovation and now have an exposed ceiling to run all my wires. (Cat6, rg6, hdmi and speaker wire). I was going to house all my equipment in a rack in the room but have been investigating irule remote which I can control most equipment over IP or ir blaster and are now thinking of putting it all in the cupboard under the stairs that I was going to put the structured cabling, modem etc. It would mean less noise from the htpc, ps3 etc.

Only downside I can see is changing of disks for blu-ray or ps3 but it's a 30 second walk to get to the cupboard.

Just wondering what others have done?

overkill

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#1072929 23-Jun-2014 21:14

Yup we have all our AV, Data and security equipment hidden in our hot water cupboard (Cylinder is now wrapped and fans going in next), on the original towel shelves at present but will eventually get around to a floor to ceiling rack. Makes for a very clean look when all your equipment is hidden and only a TV panel is on the wall in the desired location. IP control (DemoPad) with IR backup at all x4 locations.

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sheldonlendrum

Sheldon
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#1072952 23-Jun-2014 22:00

@overkill Do you worry about heat ? esp. in the HW cupboard.
I have most stuff in my home office cupboard run through to 3 TV's but that cupboard gets really hot in summer, and I leave the doors open mostly.

@flynkiwi, the great thing will be its real tidy, but your TV is really locked in to the one spot, its one thing wiring for sound because the cabled are small, but its hard to hide a large amount of wiring when you want to move your TV along the wall or to the corner.
If its wall mounts, then sweet deal. We have a cabinet for the main TV, Thats why I've gone 50/50

Sheldon Lendrum
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Dingbatt

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#1073059 24-Jun-2014 07:45

I definitely recommend putting as much as possible in a cupboard from the WAF alone! I don't have a dedicated HT room so 'out of sight when not in use' is a priority.
A couple of things to consider though.

What is your power supply like in the proposed cupboard? Future proof with more than you think you will need.

Think about cooling airflow. Where it will enter. How it still flow through the cupboard and where it will exit. And what to do with the waste heat.

I my case I have louvre doors, case fans connected to usb ports on some equipment, exhaust fan that runs 24/7 and ducting to the hot water cupboard to make use of waste heat.

Edit: Oh and I have found wired ir senders far more reliable than rf ones. Haven't tried app->blaster solution though.

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Azzura

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#1073063 24-Jun-2014 08:02

I put our htpc up in the crawl space of the roof (far from the access hatch, but right above tv room). With everything that is on it, I was more worried about someone stealing it.

flynkiwi

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#1073102 24-Jun-2014 09:04

Thanks for the responses everyone. Some great solutions there.

I am keen to hear your experiences with the DemoPad @overkill. What hardware are you using for IR control? I was looking at Global Cashe IP2IR to use with irule but Demopad looks interesting as well. I see they now sell their own IR control hardware as well that does both IR and Serial. I would need serial for my Mitsubishi projector control.

@dingbat - Luckily I have a power point on the other side of the cupboard wall in the Home Theatre room so I am going to tap off that and put a whole lot of powerpoints in the cupboard. Its under the stairs so I have a bit of height to play with as well although the wife will lose some storage space so I would say the WAF balances itself out ;-)

I will have to work out airflow but replacing the door with a louvered door may be the answer.

geekiegeek

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#1073103 24-Jun-2014 09:07

I like mine all out on display in front of me. The blue LEDs give me a warm fuzzy feeling :-)

I have no kids and my projector fan is louder then my HTPC although in saying that both are near silent.

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flynkiwi

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#1073104 24-Jun-2014 09:07

@sheldonlendrum I may leave the blu ray with the main upstairs tv but I am not too sure on the Sky HD box as I would need to be able to split the signal somehow. Main think with Sky would be the upstairs tv and then secondary the projector. There is the possibility that the Wife wants to watch Sky upstairs while I watch something on the projector but I don't think its enough times to warrant multiroom.

ilovemusic

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#1073315 24-Jun-2014 11:46

geekiegeek: I like mine all out on display in front of me. The blue LEDs give me a warm fuzzy feeling :-)

I have no kids and my projector fan is louder then my HTPC although in saying that both are near silent.

^ ditto.

paid $$$$ for all those pretty lights so will have them on display.

also easier to swap out stuff or track down problems.

SumnerBoy

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#1073346 24-Jun-2014 12:18

geekiegeek: I like mine all out on display in front of me. The blue LEDs give me a warm fuzzy feeling :-)

I agree - I prefer to see my equipment - plus it makes IR control a lot more reliable (in my experience), not that I do that very often.

overkill

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#1073419 24-Jun-2014 13:31

sheldonlendrum: @overkill Do you worry about heat ? esp. in the HW cupboard.
I have most stuff in my home office cupboard run through to 3 TV's but that cupboard gets really hot in summer, and I leave the doors open mostly.

Yes I do worry about the heat and that it can shorten the life of electronics, but for now we keep the door ajar to get ventilation, and will be installing some cooling/extraction fans shortly. The cylinder wrap made a huge difference keeping the temps down :) I have been to places that have their SKY box in an entertainment unit and have been hot to touch, ours never gets hot, just slightly warm to touch so having the door ajar certainly keeps our temps under control.

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overkill

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#1073424 24-Jun-2014 13:35

flynkiwi:

I am keen to hear your experiences with the DemoPad @overkill. What hardware are you using for IR control? I was looking at Global Cashe IP2IR to use with irule but Demopad looks interesting as well. I see they now sell their own IR control hardware as well that does both IR and Serial. I would need serial for my Mitsubishi projector control.

We are an accredited installer of DemoPad, and I love it!!!!! We are using the awesome Centro8 controller for complete automation of lighting, doors, AV, Security etc. The Global Cache units are great, they are simple to use and work flawlessly. PM me direct if you would like to know more and we can even supply you with a great price on the iTach gear :)

"Setting the Standard in Quality and Commitment"