PC on Television pt 1 (Layout & Wiring)

Last winter I started to watch more and more television shows on my PC. With the layout of my small apartments living room the computer is less then 10 feet away from television. Even though the couch was in ideal position to watch both, I could hardly compare watching tv on a cheap 17" LCD monitor when I had my 36" Sony Wega just a head turn away.

Sketchup of apartment living room

Running the Cables

When I moved into the apartment I had to snake my F-type coax under my carpet to the television. This is because Time Warner will not install cable in a rental unit if it passes a doorway. Seeing that I am a renter and my cable installer didn't get my winks and nudges, he left me a good length of cable and made me sign on my invoice that I wouldn't pass the doorway.

With my current project I followed the path I took with my coax and fished a 20' RCA stereo line, a 20' S-Video cable and a Cat5e towards my television. Yes there is a bump in the carpet, but I make it clear to everyone not to step on it. Normally I wouldn't advise doing this, but with me being a renter you have to do the most unevasive way of making it look good.

The key to fishing under carpet is the same as when fishing through anything. Don't force it. If you get snagged reapproach. You aren't just snaking under carpet but carpet pad as well. Carpet pad in heavily trafficed areas tend to wear out and become very thin. You can easily begin to bunch up the pad if you start bullying your way through. Take your time and avoid snags.

Many people thought that I was doing overkill by running all those cables. With me being an Xbox owner, I could of easily moded my Xbox to show video (thats a future entry) and ran all the video on the Cat5e. By running S-video and audio I not only can watch pc on my tv but I am now able to send tv to my pc from the DVR enabling me to archive television shows.

more to come...