How do I hide audio/video equipment?

Question

I want to mount plasma TV over firepalce, but hide all the audio/video/cable equipment in the side of the room (15 feet away). Is there an equipment that I can buy to hook up to my receiver that allows me to run just 1 wire to the TV and control input to TV with a remote control ? Rather than having all different DVD/cable/DVR cable wires running to the TV? Ideally, it would be a HDMI that I run to TV and somehow convert cable/DVD/VHS/DVR or any other video input. Is this a possibility or is there a better solution? I just don't want to see the equipment out in the open w/ all the wires.. They are not the best things to look at...

Answer 1

I personally do this on a daily basis for work so heres how it works out. You need a rec that does full hdmi switching for both audio and video. THAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PEICE. If your dont find a rec that does the hdmi switching properly it will cost A TON MORE. I know for a fact the new yamaha 663 does it beautifully, the Denon either 2808 or 3808 does it as well (do the reasearch on those). The next order of buisness is to get a Harmony 890. Its a universal remote the likes of which you may not have know existed. The remote is $350 but comes with rf (through walls) and ir (not through walls) capabilites in one box. Setting it up is relativly simple for someone computer and ht savvy but if your not I would recommend paying for it to get done for you. It gets confusing quick. Most rec will NOT convert analog (rca, component, s vid) sources to digital (hdmi). If you have any of the old analog stuff you will need to run a cable kit from the device to the back of the rec for video then another vid cable out to the tv. Also a audio cable from tha back of the same source so it is audio to the rec and out the speakers. I would personally tell you to eliminate ALL sources that are not digital (old dvd players, vcrs and stuff like that) and put it on some old equipment you have around your house because honestly it will look like poo on you new awesome gear. Having an open basement make things easy on everyone.

Also for above the fireplace dont go too high it wil be uncomfortable to watch. Bear in mind a gas insert is different from wood burning and wood burning is much more difficult to do. If your not interested in doing the work yourself pay some one to do it. I personally work for Geek Squad and I dont know about you local area but I personally rock...Im just saying lol. Tell your salesperson what you want to do and tell they you need a consultation to see roughly how much work will be involved.