Wiring & Pre-Wiring
Similar to how veins and arteries distribute blood throughout our bodies, the wires that run through your walls are crucial for transferring data and electrical current from point to point. The wires behind the walls are very much “out of sight, out of mind,” that is, until you need to plug something in and don’t have the necessary plug or cable ready to go. When you find yourself pulling your hair out, just give us a call and we’ll come pull some cables instead.
Some common wiring requests include:
- Adding extra network connection ports (Ethernet) to plug in smart devices
- Concealing wires for mounted TVs
- Relocating cable outlets
- Long distance HDMI or other media cables runs
- Extending wifi coverage via wired access points
- Running speaker lines for audio
Pre-wiring for new construction and renovations
Are you building a new home? Maybe overhauling your current residence? Regardless of the reason, it is a perfect opportunity to ensure your home or office is up-to-speed with the needs of today’s gadgets, and to prepare for future advancements in technology.
You can save hundreds, maybe even *thousands* of dollars by getting your home pre-wired prior to the drywall installation. Having the cables ran before the frame work is enclosed takes less time for the Technician to complete the project, which means less cost for you!
You are not alone in this journey. We know this can be an overwhelming process to undergo, so we consult with our clients to provide what they need immediately, as well as plan for what they would like to build upon in the future.
Some projects that we can pre-wire for include:
- Standard Wall & Fireplace TV Mounting
- Home Theaters
- Surround Sound
- Whole-Home Audio- Indoor & Outdoor
- Outdoor TVs and Projectors
- Automation Controls
- Smart Home Devices
- Networks & Wi-fi Coverage
- Security Sensors
- Video Doorbells
- Surveillance Cameras
Rest assured that The Theater People provide and use only the highest quality cables for our clients’ wiring needs, including using the more robust Category 6 data cable instead of the more commonly seen Category 5e. We will also determine the appropriate gauge (thickness) of cable to install based on the configuration and usage.
Give us a call for more information, or to set up your consultation today!
4K HDMI Cables: Are you up to spec?
By now everyone is pretty familiar with “4K”, what that means, and what it looks like. The full 4K specification, frequently displayed in the format of “4K/60, 4:4:4, 8 bit, 18Gbps” is comprised of the number of pixels, picture refresh rate, color and pixel measurements, and the bandwidth needed to support all that data. But what about HDR? That designation frequently accompanies 4K labels, but what is it exactly?
HDR (high dynamic range) relates to the color, brightness, and dark/light contrast displayed on the screen. Higher resolution, 4K displays have resulted in pictures with better definition, greater clarity, more depth, expanded color, and a more realistic appearance overall. The depth, or range of colors, is especially important for providing a more realistic viewing experience. HDMI cables with 18 Gbps bandwidth have the space to support a full gradient of colors that helps eliminate image artifacts, like the banding effect seen to the side.
So, what does this mean for you? Well, for starters, don’t overlook your HDMI cable specifications when installing or upgrading your system! HDMIs tend to be the weakest link in an a/v system, since most people are more concerned with the equipment on either end of the cable. When your display is 4K, and what you are watching is in 4K, but your HDMI cable is only sorta-4K, you aren’t getting the most out of your system, and we aim to fix that.
Not to complicate things further, but copper HDMIs can only harness 18 Gbps speeds up to about 25 feet, then the signal starts to degrade, causing data loss and a lower quality picture. Obviously there are situations where we need a 4K HDMI to be longer than 25 feet, so for that we bring in Active Optical Fiber HDMIs, which utilizes both copper and fiber strands. This hybrid cable is able to achieve a boosted 24 Gbps, allowing for those longer distances without data loss. Fiber is quickly becoming the new industry standard, and we can easily include fiber cables in any of our wiring services- just let us know your needs!
Prepare for the future with 8k HDMI Cables
Credit: HDMI Forum
HDMI 2.1 is designed to support 8K+ with a maximum bandwidth of 48Gbps. They handle 4K and 8K video at up to 120 frames per second. Whether you have an 8K TV or not, shouldn’t stop you from upgrading to one of these HDMI cables. If you’re a gamer, these cables support frame rates higher than 60fps that most PCs and consoles produce.
A minor update to the 2.1 is the HDMI 2.1a that supports up to 10K, video editing and mastering, and even more high-end gaming. Again, what’s the point? It’s to be prepared for the future. HDMI cables aren’t always on everyone’s mind when there is an issue with their devices. Save your time now with an upgraded HDMI.