New Construction - Home Automation Wiring (for dummies)

[drvnbysound]

Distributed HDMI sucks.  The problem is HDMI requires handshaking between the devices.  And unless ALL of your output devices are EXACTLY the same it ends up defaulted down to the lowest common denominator (which is often just 2-channel stereo).  There are a ton of hacks to try and work around it, but those bring along their own cluster-f*ck of complications.
 
Then there's dealing with remote controlling the sources from remote locations.  Again, you wander off into the weeds of all kinds of hacks.  Meanwhile your wife/family hates the complexity.
 
In short, plan on having at least some sort of set top box locally at each TV.   We like Tivo units & Chromecast gizmos.  Others like Roku, AppleTV, etc.  I've got the other gizmos and they never get used, at least not compared to the ease, convenience and completeness of coverage provided by the Tivo & Chromecast combos.
 
Here's another thought to consider, by the time you cobble together the various pieces to try to make older equipment work you'd probably be better off just replacing it with something new & current.  As in, TV's without current HDMI support (features like CEC, pass-through, etc).  Or receivers without the same.  The headaches of trying to just DISCOVER what's broken about them are a hassle, let alone trying to deal with the in-between gizmos that "might" let them continue to be useful.  Words from experience here...

 
I've got no issue with the distributed HDMI solution that I installed a few months ago. The client choose to provide his own HDMI 4x2 matrix. I installed and provided a Xantech IR receiver at each TV and on the projector wall, which provides the IR signaling to the A/V closet.
 
Understand that the only shared sources [now] are the PS3, Xbox, and CCTV NVR. The DirecTV boxes are centrally located, but are dedicated to each room. They pretty much only use the PS3 for the BD player and aren't trying to watch a movie in two places at once. The same with gaming from the Xbox. They just didn't want to have to move it from room to room, or purchase have multiple.

 

[pete_c]

 In a nutshell I don't understand the exact cable I should be running between my centrally located panel (mechanical room) to each device (e.g. audio speaker, TV, light switch, etc.)
 
For instance:

1. Whole-Home Video:  I plan to use DirectTV.  I assume I need to run multiple RG6 from the dish to my central panel but what wires do I run between the panel and the TV's (so that I don't have to have a DirectTV receiver/client near my TV)?  Do I run CAT6?  RG6?  Both?  
2. Whole-Home Audio:  What type of cable(s) do I need to pull from the central panel to each speaker?
3. Security Cameras:  What type of cable do I need to pull from the central panel to each camera?  CAT6?
4. Lighting:  What type of cable(s) do I need to pull from the central panel to each light (or light switch)?
5. etc.

 

I've got no issue with the distributed HDMI solution that I installed a few months ago. The client choose to provide his own HDMI 4x2 matrix. I installed and provided a Xantech IR receiver at each TV and on the projector wall, which provides the IR signaling to the A/V closet.

 
drvnbysound...you have become the obi wan automation specialist here....relating to custom residential LV automation stuff....
 
I think today the LV infrastructure methodologies and cabling for the home is still an art destined for specialists that encompass being an electrician, computer guy and LV specialist. 
 
So that leaves the OP to DIY it or subcontract a company or pay for the builder to learn the art of LV residential cabling for automation which could be an expensive endeavor or not. 
 
10 years ago asked a contractor in a new home build to do my LV wiring.  A security company did do the LV wiring for security and I did modify a bit what they were doing.  I stopped the rest of the contractor LV wiring after having them initially start it and just did it myself in three days.  I did save much money as I didn't want to pay for their learning experience based on my dime.
 
This is my opinion though not knowing if the OP wants to DIY or subcontract his LV cabling or knowing how said OP wants to automate (base stuff like lighting automation, hvac, security). 

 

[wkearney99]

As for learning experiences, I've found quite a lot of the time you need to know MORE about the wiring than the subcontractor.  If just to make sure the sub doesn't screw it up.  Which has sometimes meant it's just easier to DIY than have to argue/redo what you paid a contractor to do.
 
It's a tough proposition for integrators, and perhaps not just lately.  The newest twist is the customers have a lot more access to information than before.  Fundamentally, wiring ain't all that complicated.  But knitting it all together continues to be a very complex proposition.  Fraught with a lot of gotchas, like dead-end or impossible to integrate (reliably) devices.  It's hard to really know it "all" and then turn around and resell that effectively.

 

[drvnbysound]

As for learning experiences, I've found quite a lot of the time you need to know MORE about the wiring than the subcontractor.  If just to make sure the sub doesn't screw it up.  Which has sometimes meant it's just easier to DIY than have to argue/redo what you paid a contractor to do.
 
It's a tough proposition for integrators, and perhaps not just lately.  The newest twist is the customers have a lot more access to information than before.  Fundamentally, wiring ain't all that complicated.  But knitting it all together continues to be a very complex proposition.  Fraught with a lot of gotchas, like dead-end or impossible to integrate (reliably) devices.  It's hard to really know it "all" and then turn around and resell that effectively.

 
I agree in many cases, and would also apply this to more than just automation but to most all service related industries. This is where I find that knowledge is powerful. Those who are not in the know are very susceptible to having the wool pulled over on them. It's not only price gouging that can occur but you can also miss out on features that are actually available - if your integrator isn't on top of the latest offerings. If you don't have interest in learning it, or simply don't care, you REALLY have to trust your integrator and make sure that the two of you are on the same page completely.
 

drvnbysound...you have become the obi wan automation specialist here....relating to custom residential LV automation stuff....
 
I think today the LV infrastructure methodologies and cabling for the home is still an art destined for specialists that encompass being an electrician, computer guy and LV specialist. 
 
So that leaves the OP to DIY it or subcontract a company or pay for the builder to learn the art of LV residential cabling for automation which could be an expensive endeavor or not. 
 
10 years ago asked a contractor in a new home build to do my LV wiring.  A security company did do the LV wiring for security and I did modify a bit what they were doing.  I stopped the rest of the contractor LV wiring after having them initially start it and just did it myself in three days.  I did save much money as I didn't want to pay for their learning experience based on my dime.
 
This is my opinion though not knowing if the OP wants to DIY or subcontract his LV cabling or knowing how said OP wants to automate (base stuff like lighting automation, hvac, security). 

 
Thanks for the kind words. My endevour started here as I wanted to DIY my own home, and has obviously grown quite a bit since then. There is still plenty that I don't know, but I'm constantly working and trying to stay on top of part of the bubble. I've been working on a fairly large project [for me] for the past few weeks. I'll have to do another blog post and share pictures when I have some more time.

 

[wkearney99]

When dealing with an integrator, make sure that it's not just the salesman or your point-of-contact that understands the situation.  Make sure the workers in the field understand it and actually implement things properly.  Sometimes the grunts doing the work don't always get it right.  I had to have our electrician move 220v lines TWO DAMNED TIMES because the laborer pulling them IGNORED both verbal instructions and BIG RED SPRAY-PAINTED NOTES indicating where NOT to run AC wiring!  And it wasn't just one wire, it was two different runs on different days.  I can only attribute it to apathy borne out of repetitive work.  Same deal with a "plumber".  
 
It's not that I feel some need to nitpick or micro-manage.  My only goal was to have infrastructure installed in ways that weren't going to bite me in the ass in the future.  Simple stuff, like not having plumbing flush to the back of the drywall, or AC lines running in parallel with speaker wire.