Hiding TV cables in solid wall

glitch

glitch

glitch

Soldato
Joined
8 Nov 2005
Posts
4,612
I'm wanting to put something in a solid wall in my lounge to run cables from the TV to the sideboard below - what sort of thing should I be using? Is there anything designed for exactly that purpose, or should I be using some sort of heavy-duty trunking that will match up to a brush faceplate either end?

Only caveat is I need the trunking to be fairly sizeable as it needs to take the power cable, which has a chunky connector for the back of the TV. There isn't an outlet behind the TV so power cable needs to be fed from floor area.
 
Is there a 13a plug on one end of the power cable? Could cut it of and run it in smaller trunking? Or if it's the DC cable then cut and solder.
 
Bear in mind cables change, different hdmi standards etc.

Whilst not the prettiest, surface mounting in a track gives you complete flexibility
 
godinman said:
Is there a 13a plug on one end of the power cable? Could cut it of and run it in smaller trunking? Or if it's the DC cable then cut and solder.
Click to expand...
Easier, in my eyes, to have trunking/conduit that is large enough in the first place.

Cosmic182 said:
Can't you take a spur off the floor socket and run another double socket up behind the TV....
Click to expand...
Considered, but made the decision to have power at floor level.

MikeB said:
Bear in mind cables change, different hdmi standards etc.

Whilst not the prettiest, surface mounting in a track gives you complete flexibility
Click to expand...
A bloody great big bit of trunking/conduit with room for many cables gives greater flexibility!
 
Agree with others gotta factor in any other issues such as change of TV/repair or HDMI cables etc its constantly changing and TVs are not build like the crts or even early generation LCDs where they weighed a tank and still work 20 years later, I found this out when my less then 2 year old samsung screen died recently.

I just bought a d-line 50mm curved trunking, plenty of space to put even 3-4 wires inside it and just painted it same color as wall, looks neat, clean and tidy.
I would advise not to stick it on the wall(comes with self seal sticker) I did this and then realized after if I go to remove it half the paint will come off with it so just left it now! so use small screws/nails instead.

If you still want the wall system which obviously looks even better check on flebay for Brush Outlet Cable Entry Wall Plate or even modular face plates you can
pick them up for a few quid and its just like having the actual light switch junction box on the wall itself, but you can either have a sealed brush looking hole in the wall or actual hdmi or power connectors on the wall, you may then have to find the correct ended power cables to connect to.
 
HDMI over ethernet or better still over IP. Centralise your av equipment. Only need a small box behind your TV then...I have said small box (for Virgin) and a Skyq behind my tv, Thats wall mounted. Either that or chase out the wall and replaster. Or if a very neat chase out you may get away with filler...

Ok so you'll still need to chase to get some ethernet cable in..

And if your chasing you might as well put power up there too....
 
Right, let me spell this out for the hard of thinking.

1. The cables are going in the wall, contained in something. End of story.

2. I could fit a sodding piece of drainpipe in the wall if I need to.

3. Each end will have faceplates with brush covers.

4. Whatever I use will have loads of space to feed anything I need through it.

So, now that is cleared up - anyone have suggestions as to what to use in the wall?
 
Drainpipe then..

I've used that in an unused chimney breast before....I cut a hole behind the Tv and one out of the side of the chimney breast into my AV cabinet the installed the downpipe. Admittedly I also had access to the fire place to connect the pipes as there was a bend in it.. But you shouldn't have that issue
 
I have got pretty much carte blanche with the wall, other than where the power sockets are which are fixed and not moving. Drainpipe was actually a consideration, but then I got stuck on how I fashion the backboxes for the brush socket to attach to the ends of it neatly. And then I wondered if there was something purpose-built for the job.

I really don't see how a sodding great big bit of pipe in the wall is anything but future-proofed, but if anyone would like to enlighten me as to otherwise, I'm all ears.
 
Maybe take your douche-nozzle to a builders merchants and see if they can match the size? Should be able to fit most av/power connectors through.
 
Cavity wall?
If so cut out hole at top(where you want the cables to exit)
Cut out hole at bottom(Ditto)
Feed cables down inside cavity
 
ANDARIAL said:
Cavity wall?
If so cut out hole at top(where you want the cables to exit)
Cut out hole at bottom(Ditto)
Feed cables down inside cavity
Click to expand...
If it's a brick cavity wall how does one retrieve the cables at the bottom easily? (without making a big mess?)
 
godinman said:
Maybe take your douche-nozzle to a builders merchants and see if they can match the size? Should be able to fit most av/power connectors through.
Click to expand...
Been there, done that, cannot find a way to match the pipe up to a backbox for the brush mount.

I’d have thought there might be specialist backboxes with one side completely removed, instead of the usual punch-out holes, but I cant find anything like that.

ANDARIAL said:
Cavity wall?
Click to expand...
Yes, but going in to the cavity is extremely problematic. How you get the insulation out of the way, being one.

Far easier to flush a pipe in the wall surface and find a way to marry that up to brushed faceplates.
 
You dont need it to match up... Just use a smaller diameter pipe to the brushed faceplate, so the faceplate covers the hole...

You dont need a back box for the faceplate. Just screw the faceplate to the wall
 
The Craig said:
If it's a brick cavity wall how does one retrieve the cables at the bottom easily? (without making a big mess?)
Click to expand...
Fish cable
screw fix sell them or you `can`drop a piece of string with a weight down the cavity and the attach the cable..assuming the cavity is not filled with insulation.if so a stiff wire could be used
 
Mutlitool to cut out the existing plaster board/brick work, make a channel with cardboard (6x10cm), stick it in place, re-plaster/finish the wall, pass cables through, mount brushed sockets on each....job done.

WallCables.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom