About Dave Hathaway Expertise Questions about any aspect of Home Theater Systems including video-- TV and projectors, projection screens, High Definition Television ,audio/video receivers, DVD, speakers and placement, wiring, Satellite TV systems. Familiar with all these areas from the operating priciples, system design and installation viewpoints.
Experience Electronics engineer with 30 years experience, own a small Home Theater Business and do custom installs of Home Theater, Dish Network Satellite, Surround Sound systems, TV antennas, plus commerial and industrial satellite and TV distribution systems.
I'm having a home theater installed in my new basement. I purchased around $12,000 worth of audio/video (plasma TV, components, in-ceiling speakers, etc).
The installers came out to the home and looked at what needed to be done. They ended up quoting me another $2100 in install charges (but most of that was for "upgrades to a pro install). The one thing that was necessary is what I had a question about.
The 7 components are about 8 feet away from where the television is going to be hung. I have a Monster Power Surge Protector. Because the television is so far away, they will not be able to plug the television into it. They told me that I would need to have a "Surge loop to get the power from the Power Center" installed near the television. They quoted me $399 for the job.
Is there a more cost efficient way that I can take care of this on my own? Any input on this would be GREATLY appreciated.
Thanks for any help, Kevin
Answer Hi Kevin,
Guess they never heard of a grounded power extension cord that sells for less than $20 at Home Depot!! I have never heard of something called a surge loop unless that is the $399 extension cord. I have installed equipment to plasma TVs many times and never had any problems extending the power cable. Most plasma sets have a computer type connector on the TV for the power anyway and these are easy to get in longer lengths. A quality three way grounded power cable (one can make them to the exact length) is all that is needed. Plug it right into your surge suppressor and that is the end it it.
Longer signal cables to feed the component, composite and/or other TV inputs are readily available in nearly any length one wants. If you plan to mount the TV on the wall, cables must be run up above the basement ceiling and over to where your compoents are located then down the wall to them. This requires about 20' of cable (up and down inside the wall)plus the distance along the wall from TV to components and a few feet to reach the connectors on the equipment.
All my installs are "pro installs". I am a professional at this business and do the job in a professional manner. I am betting that "pro upgrades" are Monster cables of all sorts and lengths and all very expensive. You do not need many of these high profit items such as monster speaker wire. Standard wire works just as well regardless of what they tell you about the oxygen free and gold plated stuff on the Monster brand. Typically I charge more for an plasma installation since it takes longer and requires more expertise to mount the plasma on the wall as most people want. If it is going to sit on a table, that reduces the price to that of a normal TV install.
Hanging the TV on the wall requires a mount (about $200) and some lag screws. I use Sanus mounts and they work very well.
You will also need the tools to drill holes in the wall caps and fish the cables. It helps if you are handy with tools. You must also cut holes in the wall to fish the cables through to your equipment. Ceiling speakers require some measurement as to location and then a hole is cut in the ceiling to the dimensions specified in the speaker installation instructions. Speaker cables then run from each speaker to the amp (again above the ceiling and down the walls walls). How easy this is depends on what kind of ceiling your basement has--if a hanging ceiling--no problem.
Sounds like you have an installer that sees an opportunity to sell a bunch more stuff (high profit stuff) and charge a higher installation cost for putting it in. I usually charge between $600 and $1000 for a typical home theater installation with you type of equipment. That will usually buy the speaker cable. Other longer cables are extra,but I never use Monster cables!
You can do a great deal of your installation if you have any experience at all with tools and can follow directions. Some things you might want to use an installer, but I'll bet you can find someone (not associated with the selling dealer) for less cost.
Hope this gives you food for thought. If so, and you have more questions, just come back in with a follow up.
