Expert: Dave Hathaway - 4/17/2005

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Hello again Dave, Thanks again for all of the input.  You've given me some great direction.  Unfortunately, when I purchased all of the equipments/component cables/speaker wire/etc, my mind was a little foggy and I purchased the $800 "Premium Home Theater Installation" that was supposed to cover everything.  I'm hearing now that the installers that come out just try to make more money by selling upgrades off of their trucks.

I'm going to look into getting one of the extension cords you were talking about and Best Buy has agreed to give me the two other cables I need (DVI cable and the Component cable).  I'll have the installer (whoever they send over this time), snake the cables down the wall and along the floor (under the carpet) to where the components are.  The speaker cable is already run to the specific locations (8 different spots in two rooms) and hanging out of the sheetrocked ceiling.  That part should be easy for them.

I'm hoping that there isn't any additional suprprises!  Their coming this Wednesday to try it again...I would just like to get everything on the walls before this years World Series!  Thanks  again for all of your help.  If you think anything I said in here doesn't make sense (or if you have any more words of wisdom), it would be greatly appreciated.  Take Care, Kevin
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Hello Dave,

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.

Dave

Hello again Dave, thanks again for the quick/detailed response.  I think you've hit the nail on the head. I had already paid Best Buy $800 for the Premium Install and I was told that there would be no additional charges (several times by three different managers!).  This has been a headache.  

Now the room is done, as they recommended I do it and I'm running into these problems.  I've prewired the speaker wire/cable/etc.  The ceiling is sheetrock and it would be difficult to snake the DVI cable/as well as a grounded power cable to the Power Surge Protector.  I guess that gives me two options...either move all of the components to just below the television (which defeats the idea of having the TV solo on that wall), or have wires exposed!  Any other ideas?

I really appreciate your time and advice with this.  I'm down to crunch time and definitely in crisis mode.  Thanks again, Kevin
Answer -
Hi Kevin,

I have done several installs with the equipment located below the TV and this works very well. A short equipment cabinet (usually they are about 24" tall and 3-4' long) will not cause problems since the bottom of the TV should be higher than that on the wall. You could look for some appropriate furniture or an antique cabinet, etc. for this purpose. Glass top cabinets look good if your other decor will support that style. Then the wires simply go down inside the wall from the TV to the equipment--and do not show.  Power cable uses this same route. No long cables are needed at all. You just cut a hole in the sheetrock behind the TV and another behind the equipment and fish the wires. Now--if your speaker wires go to that location, you are set. If not you may need to do some sheetrock work. You will also need a power outlet below the TV as well.  

I wonder if part of the $2100 was for sheetrock work?

Are you using in-wall speakers everywhere or just for rears?

Dave  

Answer
Hi Kevin,

Glad I was able to help. It is always good to hear that my advice was able to keep good old Best Buy from stealing from their customers. That may sound like a harsh judgement,but I feel strongly that selling unnecessary parts and equipment to a consumer is no different than sticking a gun to the head of a clerk in 7-11.  One just uses a different weapon to take the money!

The people who practice the deceptive sales tactics to rob their customers should not be allowed to continue to commit fraud.  I do not know how to stop this practice but I hope my small efforts do help.

Whew--now that I have finished this rant--one more bit of advice. Running cables under the carpet can sometimes cause a bulge that is unsightly and dangerous. If you have good thick padding under the carpet, you can cut slots in it and ensure that this does not happen.  Another way is to run the cables around the edges of the room. Do not cut across a traffic area from the TV to the equipment. There is no high voltages or anything in the connecting cables, but one can trip on the bulge and fall.  Be sure the installers know how to handle carpet and can relay it properly after pulling. This takes some know how and sometimes carpet tools to do the job right. If they are not equipped properly and have the expertise, get a carpet guy to relay the carpet.

It does sound to me like their installers should be watched closely. I am not impressed with their ethics nor their expertise. If you have any problems, kick them right out of the house!!  Tell Best Buy to come get the stuff if they can not get people out there who know their business!!
I suspect that will get their attention--that and a call to the Best Buy corporate offices.

Have fun and take no prisoners!!

Dave