Wired house - why?

[yeldogt]

Tell my why I need wires.

The cable and/or FIOS comes into the house. I need an RJ6 (?) to every TV location. I watch less and less.

Land line phone and internet. I pick a central spot and run Cat 5 or 6 to each .. another set out to the studio/ shop. WiFi and Cordless take care of the rest.

I was just in a house with Sono's everywhere -- great. No wires. I have a separate system for the old stuff.

Alarm and central Vacuum wires done by those trades.

I don't see the need for wires?

 

[boiler7904]

You aren't alone. When I finish my basement, I won't run wire for internet, phone, or cable. I may run an empty conduit or two for possible future use but that's as far as I'm going.

 

[Beemer533]

Depends... I personally much prefer the stability of wired for my main PC connections to my server and all my HD streaming... My wireless works fine but it generally can't come close to the bandwidth I get with CAT6..

I also would never bother with wireless IP cameras for my security system unless I had no other choice.

I guess it depends what you are doing... For some wireless is good enough, for others, it isn't..

 

[Thumper68]

IMO the only reason to run extra cabling is for resale in our last house (Wifi was just coming into use) I wired it before we moved in 17 phone/computer jacks 10 cable outlets we still had land line phones and desk top pc's.

About two months into living there I installed a good wifi setup.

 

[jgorm]

Depends... I personally much prefer the stability of wired for my main PC connections to my server and all my HD streaming... My wireless works fine but it generally can't come close to the bandwidth I get with CAT6..

I also would never bother with wireless IP cameras for my security system unless I had no other choice.

I guess it depends what you are doing... For some wireless is good enough, for others, it isn't..

Me too. The new wifi 802.11ac seems pretty sweet, but my wired cat5 connections are all gigabit, every time, every day. I have a wifi router on each end of the house, and there are still parts where I don't get good signal. If you live in a 1000sq single story, you wont have a problem with wifi.

 

[Casey69]

resale is the only thing i can think of too, but i think those days of wired internet & tv connections are going the way of the dodo bird & won't make much difference to the average buyer as wireless & broadband speeds continue to increase.

i do like having my pc connected with a wired connection though.

 

[yeldogt]

Thanks

I'm doing a gut rehab.

I did the whole "wired house" back in 2002 and never used most of it. The whole house audio was just OK. Home run connections (double everything) to TV 's was never used. I did have a phone system for my office.

I have no problem with running some wires. I'm just trying to understand what is important/necessary. The only time I'm directly connected to my network is when I use my office desktop.

 

[volleyball]

Better to have it and not use it than need it and not have.
I've been telling people who been building or renovating to wire up. Some listened, some didn't. Guess which ones wished they were in the other group.

 

[404]

I use wires because the people who want to break in to wireless routers are smarter than me and have more free time to work on it..

I don't need someone to be sending a goat **** pic to the white house on my behalf, thank you

 

[rburke65]

Well wireless everything is certainly coming on stronger and stronger. Like the deathof the lad line phone.

 

[yeldogt]

Better to have it and not use it than need it and not have.
I've been telling people who been building or renovating to wire up. Some listened, some didn't. Guess which ones wished they were in the other group.

So what do they use it for?

 

[yeldogt]

I use wires because the people who want to break in to wireless routers are smarter than me and have more free time to work on it..

I don't need someone to be sending a goat **** pic to the white house on my behalf, thank you

So you sit with a cord to your laptop? iPad?

 

[404]

So you sit with a cord to your laptop? iPad?

Desktop with an enormous manly monitor, yes. I need a table for my beer glass anyway.

 

[404]

And a glorious full size keyboard.

 

[NUTTSGT]

So you sit with a cord to your laptop? iPad?

I do in my garage.

Like volleyball said, it's better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.

Is it possible to run some PVC conduit and bury the box in the wall ? Gain entry to the conduit from above or below ?

If you need it in the future, just drill a hole and cut out the box.

 

[yeldogt]

And a glorious full size keyboard.

I understand -- I have my office computers connecter to a LAN. Mix of old and new stuff.

I'm not trying to be funny .. I'm just trying to understand.

 

[pmilin]

I think its about having options and thinking about what you will regret more. Yes wireless has definitely progressed but that is because so many homes were built without wiring and if manufactures want to sell products they need to have wireless options. Wireless is not without problems not to mention bandwidth restrictions.

If you don't think you will ever have whole house audio, video distribution, etc. in the future and are satisfied with the current wireless technologies, then don't run it.

I don't really buy the home value aspect. Most people won't appreciate the wiring in the wall and probably won't pay you more for it. As an example, my father-in-law recently bought a house that was wired and ripped it all out because he felt it added complexity to the house and he didn't know what to do with it all (some of the terminations were hanging out of the wall after the previous owners left).

 

[yeldogt]

I do in my garage.

Like volleyball said, it's better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.

Is it possible to run some PVC conduit and bury the box in the wall ? Gain entry to the conduit from above or below ?

If you need it in the future, just drill a hole and cut out the box.

I'm trying to understand what I would need it for.

As I said above, I'm doing a gut rehab and addition to an old stone building. If I run some Cat 5 or 6 cables to a few central areas for access points -- maybe one to a desk area .. I'm covered for internet. Other then for a phone system no one uses corded land lines anymore so why install them?

How should one wire for a TV? ... I have two RG cables, two CAT5's and a CAT3 cable all home run in my current house -- sometimes two in one room. I use one RG cable for those rooms with a TV ... it's all wasted.

I'm really trying to understand what I need. It is an historic house -- So I am trying to limit the amount of junk littering up the baseboards .. but I want to have what is required. I'm going to be purchasing everything new.

I'm not up on all the latest gadgets -- The ones I see are all wireless.

 

[yeldogt]

I think its about having options and thinking about what you will regret more. Yes wireless has definitely progressed but that is because so many homes were built without wiring and if manufactures want to sell products they need to have wireless options. Wireless is not without problems not to mention bandwidth restrictions.

If you don't think you will ever have whole house audio, video distribution, etc. in the future and are satisfied with the current wireless technologies, then don't run it.

I don't really buy the home value aspect. Most people won't appreciate the wiring in the wall and probably won't pay you more for it. As an example, my father-in-law recently bought a house that was wired and ripped it all out because he felt it added complexity to the house and he didn't know what to do with it all (some of the terminations were hanging out of the wall after the previous owners left).

I did install all of this in my current place. The whole house audio is fine .. but the new technology like Sonos is nicer. I never used the video distribution wires -- I don't even know how it is used for today.

I needed a phone system at my current place for my home/business, originally 6 lines -- the house is big on many levels. Intercom -- door audio -- access control. The only reason I may have a land line at the new place is my insurance company may require it for my policy.

I'm trying to understand what technologies are wired anymore -- everything for a TV looks to be wireless other then the one connection to the cable/ FIOS provider

 

[Ripcurl]

Like everyone has said it comes down to preference/tech savvy the individual is.
If you plan on streaming media from programs like netflix, huluu, plex, itunes through devices like a PS3, roku, iTV, stereo receiver, or a remote computer/server then you want to be wired. If any those listed names dont make sense you, then dont worry about the wired aspect unless you are worried about resale. I personally would not buy a house without at least a couple key wired locations. If a house was completely empty of wires, then thats a step back in time in my eyes.

 

[speed bump]

Just bought a new house and while I don't need anything to be wired I am running conduit just in case every time I remodel a room. Reason being this house had a horrid cable and phone install previously and it drives me nuts.

 

[CNGsaves]

Bare minimum you wire EVERY FLOOR so that you can add wireless access points in future, or distribute more hardwire devices in future. Once historic house is all closed up, you WILL likely have some need for wired devices. Also, wire ALL locations that you might have consolidation of resources (ie internet, TV, security, etc).

Wireless rarely is ever the main backbone. . . just various devices.

Run conduit from attic down to distribution point(s) on various floors so that DISH or Direct TV can be easily routed/connected.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

So you sit with a cord to your laptop? iPad?

Laptop, yes. If I'm downloading or uploading something large or important. I haven't seen a hardwire connection for the iPad yet...

Tommy

 

[404]

I understand -- I have my office computers connecter to a LAN. Mix of old and new stuff.

I'm not trying to be funny .. I'm just trying to understand.

I don't move around when I am on GJ. My magnificent bride brings me beer and tasty snacks.

Now if I was working on a car and had a tablet to view repair procedures wireless might be the right thing, unless all the data was already downloaded to the tablet.

Again, a big thing for me is security or the lack of it with wireless. Yes someone could tap into my cable line, but why bother if they can wardrive around and jack someone else.

 

[yeldogt]

Like everyone has said it comes down to preference/tech savvy the individual is.
If you plan on streaming media from programs like netflix, huluu, plex, itunes through devices like a PS3, roku, iTV, stereo receiver, or a remote computer/server then you want to be wired. If any those listed names dont make sense you, then dont worry about the wired aspect unless you are worried about resale. I personally would not buy a house without at least a couple key wired locations. If a house was completely empty of wires, then thats a step back in time in my eyes.

We have netflix -- people watch it on laptops wirelessly. Same with music using AirTunes. Don't the new TV have the ability to stream netflix wirelessly?

As I said above -- I'm going to wire "key" locations. The question becomes what is needed.

 

[Bob Dobbs]

As more and more people utilize wifi and new wireless devices come on line it will become increasingly difficult to get goo wireless coverage. Many people already have issues with to much interference. Wireless generally should be used for portable devices that are in and out of your network. Everything else should be wired


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[yeldogt]

I don't move around when I am on GJ. My magnificent bride brings me beer and tasty snacks.

Now if I was working on a car and had a tablet to view repair procedures wireless might be the right thing, unless all the data was already downloaded to the tablet.

Again, a big thing for me is security or the lack of it with wireless. Yes someone could tap into my cable line, but why bother if they can wardrive around and jack someone else.

It's not something I'm worried about .... I'm not even going to have a traditional office at the new place .. don't think I am going to get another desktop. No wired computers or printers.

 

[volleyball]

Being in a stone house, you are not in a highrise. Where you have to compete with near neighbors for airspace. But you also might have trouble sending the signal to arts of the house on the other side of now interior stone.
You may not need it. Just like millions of people don't need a welder or a grinder.
To me you can hedge about future needs but never future proof. You may need stuff 10 years from now which doesn't exist today.
Question is how much are you willing to rip out? If its not a problem then less to worry about.
I have replaced my network wiring a few times. That original 1 mbit network just wasn't good enough. I also ripped out part of my current wires due to remodeling.
I say maybe run a conduit where it would cross a lot of studs/joists if you don't want to mess the finished space. Maybe just having a run from floor to floor or old section to new will suffice.
Having a radio as well as computer background, I understand the value of wires.
Home running is another thing I am very fond of.

 

[yeldogt]

As more and more people utilize wifi and new wireless devices come on line it will become increasingly difficult to get goo wireless coverage. Many people already have issues with to much interference. Wireless generally should be used for portable devices that are in and out of your network. Everything else should be wired


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

So thats what I'm trying to understand .. what wires?

What gets connected to a modern TV -- my newest ones don't have a box -- just one cable line?

 

[yeldogt]

Being in a stone house, you are not in a highrise. Where you have to compete with near neighbors for airspace. But you also might have trouble sending the signal to arts of the house on the other side of now interior stone.
You may not need it. Just like millions of people don't need a welder or a grinder.
To me you can hedge about future needs but never future proof. You may need stuff 10 years from now which doesn't exist today.
Question is how much are you willing to rip out? If its not a problem then less to worry about.
I have replaced my network wiring a few times. That original 1 mbit network just wasn't good enough. I also ripped out part of my current wires due to remodeling.
I say maybe run a conduit where it would cross a lot of studs/joists if you don't want to mess the finished space. Maybe just having a run from floor to floor or old section to new will suffice.
Having a radio as well as computer background, I understand the value of wires.
Home running is another thing I am very fond of.

Yes this is a current weekend place that will become my main residence when completed. It's relatively remote .. I don't have to worry about interference. I don't have any interference in NYC place

I'm going to run wires and make sure I have good Wifi coverage -- I'm trying to understand what wires the new stuff even uses. I work for some major companies -- they all dropped the wired required years ago. If they don't worry about it .. I'm not.

I'm also going to run a couple of empty conduits as I have in every project -- and have never used one yet.

 

[Ripcurl]

We have netflix -- people watch it on laptops wirelessly. Same with music using AirTunes. Don't the new TV have the ability to stream netflix wirelessly?

As I said above -- I'm going to wire "key" locations. The question becomes what is needed.

Yes, some 'smart' TV have the ability to connect over wifi. I have one for instance. Thought it was going to be great. I connected it over wifi and it took about 5 hours to download an app for it. Managed to get a wire to it, and it did the same in 30 seconds. A lot of factors come into mind, like the distance from the TV to router, quality of the TV receiver, who else was on my network at the time. One thing to consider for netflix is video quality. If you have no issues streaming lower quality videos, then wifi will work. Once you get into HD netflix, I've seen it get laggy. Which only has to happen once to piss me off in the middle of a movie.

 

[Ripcurl]

So thats what I'm trying to understand .. what wires?

What gets connected to a modern TV -- my newest ones don't have a box -- just one cable line?

Cat5e or Cat6. Cat6 is the same as Cat5, but the wires are twisted which allows it to transfer at a faster rate.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I'm trying to understand what I would need it for.

As I said above, I'm doing a gut rehab and addition to an old stone building. If I run some Cat 5 or 6 cables to a few central areas for access points -- maybe one to a desk area .. I'm covered for internet. Other then for a phone system no one uses corded land lines anymore so why install them?


I'm really trying to understand what I need. It is an historic house -- So I am trying to limit the amount of junk littering up the baseboards .. but I want to have what is required. I'm going to be purchasing everything new.

Do you still have landline service ? I'm not talking digital phone through a modem.

One thing to think about for the future for the phone is long term power outage. Let's say the power goes out for a few days. I'd suggest maybe having a phone jack in a utility room or basement where service enters the house. When the power is out, the landline will still work if you have an "old school" type phone. Sure you have a cell phone but what if your battery is dead or no service.

This is one thing I do regret about switching to digital phone through Time Warner and we live in a ****** reception area for our cell phones.

 

[coljar]

I'm glad I have a dedicated communications conduit running from the house with the other underground conduits. I cannot pick up **** from my wifi in the house which sit 10 ft. from the garage. Metal pole building and brick house.

 

[yeldogt]

Yes, some 'smart' TV have the ability to connect over wifi. I have one for instance. Thought it was going to be great. I connected it over wifi and it took about 5 hours to download an app for it. Managed to get a wire to it, and it did the same in 30 seconds. A lot of factors come into mind, like the distance from the TV to router, quality of the TV receiver, who else was on my network at the time. One thing to consider for netflix is video quality. If you have no issues streaming lower quality videos, then wifi will work. Once you get into HD netflix, I've seen it get laggy. Which only has to happen once to piss me off in the middle of a movie.

I see -- so does the "wired" Netflix have a box that connects to the modem and then the TV .. or do you run a CAT cable from the modem/router to a TV that has the Netflix in it? So the TV gets connected to the modem

 

[yeldogt]

Do you still have landline service ? I'm not talking digital phone through a modem.

One thing to think about for the future for the phone is long term power outage. Let's say the power goes out for a few days. I'd suggest maybe having a phone jack in a utility room or basement where service enters the house. When the power is out, the landline will still work if you have an "old school" type phone. Sure you have a cell phone but what if your battery is dead or no service.

This is one thing I do regret about switching to digital phone through Time Warner and we live in a ****** reception area for our cell phones.

I have Verizon -- FIOS. They provide a back-up battery unit for the phone -- we don't have active copper wire in the area anymore. Same with the new place -- I don't have an issue with the phone .. hate the boxes.

 

[yeldogt]

I'm glad I have a dedicated communications conduit running from the house with the other underground conduits. I cannot pick up **** from my wifi in the house which sit 10 ft. from the garage. Metal pole building and brick house.

I am going to run a cable line and 2 Cat wires -- for TV, phone and intercom - to my studio. Not sure I will have TV.

 

[Ripcurl]

I see -- so does the "wired" Netflix have a box that connects to the modem and then the TV .. or do you run a CAT cable from the modem/router to a TV that has the Netflix in it? So the TV gets connected to the modem

TV needs to be connected to your router via Cat cable. Thats it. BUT your TV needs to be a smart TV. Smart TVs acts like an iMac, computer/monitor in one. You can download apps, and stream your music, and connect to your librarys from a server or whatever.

All Smart means in Smart TVs is that it has a CPU to process simple things, like netflicks and other similar streaming apps... tune in radio, youtube, etc.

 

[Ripcurl]

1 Cat cable is all you would ever need for a 1 TV. But if you want a phone near the TV, then run a second.

 

[yeldogt]

TV needs to be connected to your router via Cat cable. Thats it. BUT your TV needs to be a smart TV. Smart TVs acts like an iMac, computer/monitor in one. You can download apps, and stream your music, and connect to your librarys from a server or whatever.

All Smart means in Smart TVs is that it has a CPU to process simple things, like netflicks and other similar streaming apps... tune in radio, youtube, etc.

Thanks --- so really TV's should have a cable line and a cat line.

So what you are saying is I can actually use one of those CAT lines that I installed all over the old house .. I should get a smart TV to use one before I sell the place.