We have recently completed our first full house High Definition Cabling Installation for a video distribution system. This type of system requires the correct infrastructure in the form of Cat6 and High Definition cabling installation

In this post we will show you what existing cabling we had to deal with and what the process of installing all the new cabling was.

This system that we are installing carries high definition video to seven television viewing environments from a CYP HDBaseT video matrix. All control is taken care of by a Crestron CP3 processor.

We start the project by reviewing the original Video Distribution Board. We noticed that there have been various additions and changes to the original distribution board. We start planning the process of which cabling to remove first. We also notice that there are adverse connections made in the board which will be corrected later on.

Then finally we can start with the High Definition Cabling Installation!

First look at the existing video distribution board

Incorrect cabling used for telephone points
(Bang & Olufsen Masterlink Cable)

Joined to a cable that has been correctly terminated with RJ11.

 

 

 

 

 

 

First look at the alarm board:

As we were going to be relocating the CCTV camera DVR we had to address the Alarm Distribution Board too. Some of the camera cables as well as the alarm triggers are routed from the alarm DB.

Unfortunately we also notice that existing cabling has been incorrectly installed at the alarm panel.

 

 

The next area to asses is the CCTV DVR installation:

Next we get into the roof to see what condition of the cable that we are working with:

The cabling has been left in a mess by the previous contractors.

We have to start assessing and labelling cables that we are going to be replacing with CAT6 cable.

The cabling for the Cameras has even been installed and joined incorrectly.

 

 

 

 

As a frame of reference, this is a photo of me in the ceiling space. I can respect that it is a tight fit in a small area. But even with that in mind, there is no excuse for poor quality cabling installation.

After spending several hours in the ceiling sorting through the cabling and determining which cables we are going to be replacing we are able to start working in the house to remove all the existing equipment, preparing to install the new CAT6 High Definition cables.

Upstairs Lounge:

Downstairs Lounge:

From the original installation we work through the cabling, removing all cabling that we will no longer need. Preparing for the installation of the new CAT6 cables.

We are able to start working on the cabling at the original Video Distribution Board.

All cabling needs to be separated and disconnected from all equipment in the distribution board so that it can be pulled back through the conduits into the house.
All reduntant cabling that is not going to be used to draw cable back through the conduits is removed.

We are now ready to start with the most important part:

The High Definition Cabling Installation:

Once we have measured the cables to make sure that they will reach the location for the new systems rack, we cut them and label them.
We leave them laying out so that it is easier to work and we can pull the next set of cables in without any inconvenience.

Once all the CAT6 cable has been run for the day we coil them and leave them hanging over the distribution board doors, ready to carry on with the next installation.

Once all the CAT6 cables have been installed to each of the rooms we start work in the ceiling. Making sure that we route all the cabling carefully to the location of the new systems rack.

I have to get comfortable in my new office:

The process starts with cutting the conduits and pulling the new CAT6 cabling into the ceiling.
Once they are all pulled into the ceiling we are able to group them together and route them to the systems rack.

All cabling is routed to the location of the new systems rack. Hanging temporarily from the ceiling trusses with cable ties.

Once the CAT6 cabling has been installed to each of the rooms we terminate them and tidy up the other cabling that will be used in the final installation.

We can now review the progress of the installation. From the original video distribution board, all the way through to the end where the distribution boards are now much neater.

As we were not changing anything to do with the alarm system the alarm distribution board was not as tidy as the video distribution one once we had finished.

We are finally ready to bring our cabling down to the equipment rack.
To keep the installation neat we chose to install the cabling in braided cable sheathing and tie them to a cable tray that we fixed to the wall.

Once all the cables are patched into the rear of the systems rack the installation is complete.

This installation took longer than originally expected due to the unexpected delays brought on by sorting through the cabling in the ceiling.

The cabling installation took a total of 110 hours to complete.

If you would like to know more information about this installation, please don’t hesitate to Contact Us.