Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Technical Questions DIY Component cables

Ok guys, some advice needed. I'm planning out my new dedicated HT in the basement. I will need a long component run to reach my Sanyo Z2 projector, I'm guessing about 20' or so....should I purchase a component of that length, or can I go the DIY route and get as good quality at a cheaper price?

I'm assuming RG6 could be used with RCA or other ends?

Hey sirquack, I went with the Canare V3-5CFB and I'm very happy with it. It can be picked up at Westlake electronics or Have inc for about .60 ft. . Not too bad. The connectors can either be soldered or you can go with the crimp method. I think both methods work just fine.

Also, I went with the Canare because it has the three coax cables in one housing. It made it less difficult to pull through the ceiling.

I think the RG6 will be fine though like audio it's a 75 Ohm's. Partsexpress has a nice assortment of RCA connectors.

Another thing to consider is the price of the tools you may need to go the diy route. It may be cheaper to just get a premade cable. I had all the tools needed before I went the diy route. Then again, if you plan on making a bunch of interconnects it might be worth the expence to invest in some specialty tools. I found that the solder method is cheaper but does require good soldering skills.

Good Luck!

thanks tleigh, I'll have to give that some thought, the only tool I have is for when I put ends on my RG6 cable. When we had our house built 4 yrs ago, i had them run RG6 to all rooms, and then I had to go back and put the ends on...I just checked out Blue Jeans cable, and they don't sound to bad...

BlueJeans cable is a good route. I like the DIY route because I can make a cable anytime I need to. It gives me the opportunity to go play in the garage and get away from the kids for a few minutes, pretty sad. It's just another way for me to get deeper into this highly addictive hobby .

Anyway, you can't go wrong either route you choose.

Bluejeans is a good option. I use it for my plasma that has BNC connections. They use coax so the cables are pretty stiff, something to consider while routing those cables.

DIY is possible but it's a good point re: the investment in tools. Sometimes the tools can cost up to $50, like my coax crimper.

How about this? Find long runs of RG6 or RG59 coax that are already terminated, something like 20' or more. Those'll have F-type connections, just like the coax for cable tv. Then get F-type to RCA adapters at radio shack. Overall that might be a little cheaper than bluejeans.

If you want something fancy that won't require you to tear up your walls, you can try decorp flatwire.

Decorp

You can do component, speaker, and power cables this way. GREAT solution if you use a ceiling mount on your projector.

Randy, if you want to get into DIY cables(keep in mind Tom's point about the expense of the tools)RG6 coax is certainly more than adequate. Note the point that I made in Charlie's RG6 thread, showing the Belden table to illustrate that the slightly lower attenuation of RG6 is insignificant at the lengths and frequencies used in the home. Cables that thick certainly aren't necessary for your purpose, and just as an example, three of these would serve well for your component connections.

Hey Sirquack, that was one of the main reasons I ended up wiring my equipment to be in the back of my home theater. That way, I am just a fet feet away from the projector (whenever that day comes)... I am getting a "remote control extender" though so that I can point my touchscreen remote at the front of the room and not behind me and still run everything.

Of course, I love your equipment area that you have in your theater. For me, and my limited space I am going to have to build a nice equipment rack that mounts on the wall.

Oh well, more fun...

As for DIY, I have heard of some people making some very nice cables, but as you have heard several times already, it is important to have the right tools, and they can put the cost od DIY right up there with premade cables, especially if you use the tools just once.

Good luck man!

>>it is important to have the right tools, and they can put the cost od DIY right up there with premade cables, especially if you use the tools just once

The cost is even higher if you find making cables to be a fiddly, frustrating pain in the butt and you end up buying the cables anyways

the only problem with going from F-type to RCA adapters is that sometimes it doesnt make a real good connection. i had this problem when i ran RG6 under the house for my subwoofer cable, the connection was so weak that the sub never came out of the auto mode to play anything. i ended up getting the "push-on" RCA connections, and havent had any more problems.