Distributing audio & video round a house

[dan_aka_jack]

Hi,

I've just moved into a new house and I'd like to install all the cables I'll need before we plaster & paint the walls. I'd like to be able to distribute audio and video into almost every room in the house. Here's the current plan:

1) Main computer & patch bay in office
2) Cables run from office to kitchen, bedroom, bathroom and garden. Each of these cable runs will include a CAT5e cable and a 5-core, independently shielded cable.

Initially, most rooms will only have an amp and speakers so I'll use 2 of the 5-core cable to run stereo audio. I'd like to use 5-core cable so I can easily upgrade my home entertainment system without having to run new cables (5 cores would allow me to run RGB component & S/PDIF & IR remote). The CAT5e is there so I can, if I win the lottery (!), install networked media players in some rooms.

Eventually I'll also build a home theatre PC for the living room.

Everything has to look as pretty as possible because I share the house with my girlfriend . In particular, she really doesn't like big, black speakers so I'll probably use JBL Control1 speakers in most of the rooms (or can someone suggest better, small speakers?)

Has anyone else done a similar project?

Some specific questions spring to mind:

1) What's the max distance that S/PDIF can travel?

2) Are there such things as water-proof speakers for use in the garden & bathroom?

3) Are there any cheap networked media players available?

Thanks loads,
Jack

 

[Mr_Sukebe]

I certainly don't have experience of what you're suggesting, but can answer some of your questions:
- SPDIF is limited to a few metres, certainly not around a house
- Rainproof speakers certainly do exist, though I can't remember any specific brand names. Get yourself a copy of a decent home cinema mag, which will have links to a number of installers, they should be able to advise.
- The cheapest/easiest way I know of to add a music server is to use an older PC (doesn't need to be high spec for music, just needs a reasonable leve of ram and a BIG hard drive), link via RF using a box like a Squeezebox. I've seen one in use. They're around £200 and are a doddle to use. You'd need seperate amps for each room, but would allow centralisation of your music source.
If you wish to go via the cabled route, Linn and QED to name but two have multi-room installation options.