Hi Guys,

I have just got a 40" LCD TV, i've removed the false fireplace and after seeing all the installs with no cables anywhere i want it to look perfect, i'd like to make it so that there was a slot in the wall for the DVD player (F1080) to sit in with the cables all run behind..

Here is a picture of where i want to mount it, i was thinking of borrowing my dad's STIHL saw but we'd be cleaning up dust for weeks after, my second idea was to use a core drill to drill a series of holes and make a face plate of some sort, not sure how easy that would be...

Has anyone had any experience routing cables through chimney breasts?

I have to run:
[LIST][*]TV Power[*]DVD Power[*]DVD HDMI[*]Gaming PC DVI-D-HDMI[*]Gaming PC Audio[*]Coax To 5.1[*]DSUB for Laptop (24, LOST, Prison Break, Stargate, Weeds Etc...)[*]Audio for Laptop[/LIST]
Cheers Guys!
D.

My only comment would be : are you not placing the TV a bit too low on the wall.....

g

I do agree it looks a bit low, but that's your call.

Personally I'd bite the bullet and accept that I'd make a mess but that it would be worth it in the long term. Then I'd make two deep channels in the wall a few inches apart, one for power and one for signal cables. Run the cables in metal trunking, for flexibility consider fitting a double mains socket or fused spur where it will be hidden behind the TV.

Oh and make sure that there's enough room in the trunking for any extra cables you may want to add in the future. Personally I'd run a couple of pairs of CAT5 while I was there

Plaster over the whole lot then paint or paper to match the rest of the room.

Not an easy job by any means, but done properly it'll look fantastic and last for a lifetime.

That looks rather low to me as well, it's important that the centre of the screen should be directly in your eyeline - you don't want to need to look up or down to watch TV (it gives you a stiff neck).

dont forget to put a piece of plain ole speaker cable in the conduit for the centre speaker like my mate did !

infact i'd put 2 speaker cables in then use the other one as a draw wire should you ever need to pull something else through.

oh and get the screen wrapped up and well out of the way before you start making brick dust its really abrasive

yes too low for me as well with centre to be at eye level sitting dpown on your settee

Do not cut into chimney breast as in the future you may want to re-use the fireplace

get a bracket and bolt it

I would continue the skirting board BUT hide the wires behind the skirting board by chisling away the brick and plasterboard beside it. You could have the dvd player on a wee table beside the chimney breast and any other gadgets like PS 3 on it

Make a wee inspection hole to find out where the original fireplace used to fit in, as you dont mind damaging the brick/ plaster thats hiding the hole for the original fire and route the wire from behind the skirting board............ and as long as telly hides the wire you shouldnt have to go too high and leave the lintel for the fireplace alone.

Must have a child free house.

D.
If you're talking about using a Stihl saw then is it safe to think that this is a proper brick chimney breast? If so then I'd really suggest you have another think. If one of my customers asked me to do this to their house I would refuse. You can't just go knocking bricks out of a chimney breast which is a load bearing structure without putting something back in as support. .

Even done right by a builder I still don't think it's a good long term idea...

1) Chimneys are dirty draughty places. Unless you build a sealed backbox you are going to find old soot and brick dust will blow through any gaps. It's going to get in to the gear and also end up on the floor in front.

2) Once your DVD player is knackered with this dust are you going to be able to find a replacement of exactly the same size? Or do you plan to buy three or four Samsungs and stockpile them?

3) When you come to sell your house then chances are you're going to face the cost of putting this right. You are buying yourself a load of grief just to put a £50 DVD player in to the wall.

There are better solutions. For example, have a think about creating a cable cavity by bringing the chimney wall forward on 2"x1" studding. Clad over the top with plasterboard and a skim so it matches the width and height of the chimney breast and is flush with the side walls. Once you've got a bit of new skirting and a lick of paint then no one will know the difference.

Hi Guys,

Thanks for all the replies!

I realised after i'd drawn it looked a bit low, that was only for illustration, the centre of the TV is 1m from the floor, put it on the wall last night and it looks great

I think the whole DVD in the wall idea was a bit of a brain fart, after thinking about it some more and taking onboard what you guys have said it is a lot of work for little reward..

Chris: thats a great idea, the area to the right above the sockets is an alcove about 6' tall which could be built out and everything would go in there, gaming PC included, obviously ventilation would be a consideration but nothing that couldn't be overcome..

Or easier get a nice cabinet made to fit in that space...

Also the chimney breast is already plasterboarded over with a 3/4" cavity behind it, me thinks just cutting a channel down and running behind the skirting board

Thanks to everyone for their replies!!

D.

I've just learned that under the TV behind the plaster board is the old fireplace, the bottom 3 bolts for the bracket wouldn't go in as I'd hit metal, that must be the lintle that supports the fireplace..

If i cut out the plasterboard over the hole (fireplace) and build a box out of plasterboard in the fireplace, then i could put the DVD under the TV, what I'd do is make the box 350mmx50mm and just make the hole in the piece of plasterboard as wide as the current DVD player and if i get a new one i can widen the hole and re-trim it...

D.

Hi Guys,

Here's what i have so far, excuse the mess its 12:30am a bit late to hoover..

Unfortunately the cables aren't long enough so i need to get some more on monday but with a bit of filler, some sanding, and some more skirting board etc its going to look great...

Thanks for the advice!

D.

looks good

just mind to scrape pizza off the front of the TV and it will be fine

Several years ago when we decorated our main room we extended the chimney sides by the width of a breeze block and fitted shelves inside for the TV,stereo, sky, motorized sat system. This has been great and as the CRT TV was a 28" TV, all was OK.
Last week the old set died so a new TV was bought, A" LCD type but the space was to small to allow the correct air space around the set, but luckily the shelves are adjustable!
All cables and several mains sockets were fitted inside the chimney and the roof part of the chimney is blocked by a large piece of plywood with insulation behind it, its been OK for the last 15 years and as the room is only 12 x 15 foot we have gained valuable room space....