I haven't installed an HD system yet but a client wants prewiring in place. Is it usually RGBHV with BNC connectors, or is there a DB15 mini that handles it as well? What's the most common cabling for HD?

BTW, as they shop for a new Plasma, they just have to make sure it does 1080i and 720p to be ready?

Thanks!
=Tom

We always run RG-6...Usually 5 or 6 of them just to be safe

My STB requires a set of componant cables between the receiver and TV for HD. My set, Mits, will take either componant or RGBHV on the HD input. The Samsung has a 720p/1080i switch which I set to 1080i since that's what the Mits wants.

We usually go whole hog and install all the cables that plasmas or projectors could use:
CAT5 for control
5-BNC to VGA for HD*
3-BNC where one uses an adaptor for NTSC video
and the other two use adaptors and become the
S-video pairs
3-BNC for component

and sometimes, if the projector or plasma has already been pinned down, any other cables called for.

We found, for instance, that one Sony plasma used VGA connectors for two computer inputs; one was set to VGA, the other to component, via the plasma menu.

If you have a processor in the rack, then you only need to run the one cable that takes the processor output to the projector.

McNasty, the only cables I have EVER had problems with have been RG-6. Not because they cannot handle the signals, but because RG-6 uses aluminum foil and braid, so soldering connectors is OUT, leaving you with F-conector adaptors in every case. At least before now: there are now RCAs and BNCs that crimp to RG-6. At any rate, don't use RG-6 unless you are ready to invest in crimp-on RCAs or BNCs for it.

oh yeah -- the RG-6 should be solid copper, not copper-clad steel, because that can be its own signal issue. Copper-clad is made for cable use, particularly when the steel is needed to help support the cable on a drop. The steel has a higher resistance than the copper and passes low-frequency signals slower than copper. This is probably not an issue below 100 feet of cable, but I have not seen measurements, so I just avoid it. (ditto for copper-clad and DSS signals, because the DC is attenuated more than by solid copper, and the DC powers your LNB!)

I have been using crimp on BNCs. If you take your time and use a nice ratcheting "HEX" crip tool they work great. I have heard the problems with using RG-6 vs RG-59 with copper braided core and shield. But, we haven't had any issues with the RG-6 yet. We do at least use solid copper core...not copper clad steel.