I’m on the end stages of setting up a media room and I can’t get the cables looking good does anyone have any genius ideas for this?
Professional electrician and AV tech here.
Personally, and this may be overkill, but an HDMI/video matrix would do wonders to cut down the number of cables you’re working with. You’d be able to group your cables within that shelving unit, so that you can run a single HDMI to your TV. You analog consoles would need a digital converter between the console and the matrix, but since the TV itself has to do the conversation anyway and will already introduce input lag, you’re up a creek there anyway. I’d cut a plug behind the TV, as well as low volt passthrough. If you’re handy and can patch drywall/paint, I’d run smurf tube from that shelving unit through the wall to behind the TV. And as many others have said, velcro straps, not zipties.
If you don’t want to go bananas with all that, then velcro strap everything as neatly as you can. You’d also be wise to separate power and data/video cables.
Not sure if it’s an option for you but, make a cabinet hidey-hole thing on the other side of the wall, run cables through wall and plug in somewhere over there, profit. That is, hide the mess somewhere else.
Here’s my idea: manage the cables.
You don’t need ideas, you just need to start.
Agreed… Jesus Christ man, get some Velcro and tidy that shit up
Just that simple step would do wonders
I can’t get the cables looking good
It’s because you plan and do cables in the early stages, not in the end stage, if you ever want it to look good.
The only thing I can think of now:
Powerful golden spray paint on all cables. Make it shine, make it look like it was all intended like this.
Move the pc next to the shelf.
Move the sub under the tv.
Get surface mount cable runs and go down from the tv to the floor, over to the shelf, and up along the side of the shelf.
I would say at this point any type of management would be good lol
Looks fine to me.
It looks better in dim light.
See! Just keep the lights off.
You can buy these cable runs too (for example). Hide cables by running them along the base of your walls. Just match the color with your walls so it doesn’t stand out so much.
Good lord it’s like the physical embodiment of one of your comments
I don’t see anything cerebral yet slightly whimsical about this picture.
Assuming you can cut into the wall… This is likely the cleanest option without doing electrical work.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Commercial-Electric-Flat-Panel-TV-Cable-Organizer-Kit-5623-WH/305090874
If that extension cable jump isn’t up to the electric code they do make something similar where you can tie it into the hardwire as well. It doesn’t look like you have an outlet in the same stud section though. Which would make that harder.
Any remaining cables horizontally I’d just stuff in something like this above the trim at the bottom. You’d probably want to either source a black one or just paint it to match your walls.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Commercial-Electric-4-ft-Flat-Screen-TV-Cord-Cover-A31-KW/304502793
Those links don’t work for people outside the US.
It’s US electrical in the post. The first link is only valid for US electrical but I’m sure similar things exist for other countries. The last link is just a cable channel. Nothing special, just looks nicer. They make thinner or wider variants.
Links are just easier than posting 15 images. Here’s the main images for both products.
That’s really cool but I have to run all power to sensitive devices through a UPS first to clean it up.
That first link the top panel has a normal outlet in it but the bottom panel is a male plug. You have to use an extension cord to jump it over to an outlet which could be on your UPS.
Entertainment stand/cabinet thing under the TV.
You could be artsy about it and attach the cables to the wall in straight runs with 90s, but the execution of that is harder.
Swap the red LEDs for blue, should tie the whole room together.
The wall plate is a great idea if you don’t mind cutting holes in the wall.
Honestly, I’d grab a couple of acoustic tiles to put on either side of the TV and chuck all that shit behind them. Maybe cinch up and ziptie anything I know doesn’t need to move for a while.
The whole room is black. How would blue help?
Like this?
Good. I prefer cyan for gaming, but blue is nice too.
Though if you’re going to launch that game, red or purple would set the mood nicely.
Wire ties. Literally just zip ties. Keeps them easy to get to but looks cool as fuck if you bundle them like a wiring harness.
Plus they make reusable zip ties now.
Zip ties are terrible for wire management, use velcro; it’s reusable, soft and doesn’t damage wires or skin, and can be cut to various lengths when purchased in a roll.
Nothing more rage inducing than someone who went ham with zipties in a rack.
Velcro, always.
Longer cables so you can wrap the slack and hide it?
Do you have attic access over that wall? A really long HDMI/RCA could go from behind the TV into the wall, up to attic, skip a few studs, then down to a brush faceplate behind the consoles
