Has anybody used cable covers with their wall mounted TV?

[AlphaDog]

I know cutting the sheetrock and running the wires/cables between the studs is the best option, but I also read about cable covers that run on the surface of the wall and can be painted to minimize their intrusiveness. Running cables through the wall isn't an option for me, partly because I seem to remember that wall has sound deadening insulation in it (ergo, can't drop a line) and partly because I don't feel like doing any sheetrock work!

Has anybody used cable covers? If so, where did you get it/them? Any specific recommendation for one?

Thank you!

[Racer X]

I have not, but I may when I repaint my bedroom. I would suggest getting some of the flatter stuff, and running it along a corner or along the baseboard or ceiling juncture. If you have trouble getting the latex paint to stick, get some of the Zinser/Bullseye BIN or 1-2-3 primer to prime the plastic channel.

[AlphaDog]

Racer X wrote:
I have not, but I may when I repaint my bedroom. I would suggest getting some of the flatter stuff, and running it along a corner or along the baseboard or ceiling juncture. If you have trouble getting the latex paint to stick, get some of the Zinser/Bullseye BIN or 1-2-3 primer to prime the plastic channel.

Who carries them? I only need to disguise the cords in a straight line downward from the back of the TV, because both the electrical outlets and the cable outlets are set low on the wall on which the TV will be hung. I think there will be only about one foot of cable visible, and then it will disappear again behind the piece of furniture that holds the cable box, etc.

[Racer X]

My gut says McLendon's Hardware on Canyon Rd right near I-512 probably carries it. Home Depot or Lowe's might as well. You just need a small peice. And get a qt of that primer. It sticks to almost anything and is water clean-up. It will stick to switch plate covers for example, so you can paint them wall color.

[Rolando]

I've seen them at Home Depot, look alot better than bare walls.

[papercup]

The big box store (Home Depot/Lowes) have a variety of covers, try the electrical aisles.

[AlphaDog]

Off to shop! Thank you!

(I love McLendon's, but I'll probably try Lowe's first, because it's so much closer.)

[Rolando]

Think about a wide curved one as opposed to a small square one. It will blend easier.

[cbelt3]

There are a number more interesting and inexpensive alternatives to these, depending on your decorative style. For example:

A piece of U channel aluminum tubing
A tasteful neutral wall hanging
Pictures of Louie in a long frame
etc..

I personally think stuffing wiring like that in the wall is never a good idea, because it will
a) make moving the TV almost impossible
b) be a PITA if a wire fails (and they do..)
c) be a Royal PITA when you upgrade to the super hyper HDMI-3d FeelieSmello-Vision system in 5 years and have to run new hyper-fiber flux-capacitor cables.

I did some Mac network consulting for a company that installs luxury 'Smart House" systems. You know- $2M worth of electronics all built into the walls, closets, etc. They installed cable races in the appropriate walls, and have to pull and re-pull wires every couple of years as the latest tech upgrades are available.

[JoeM]

If you don't find it in your local B&M:

http://www.markertek.com/SearchProdList.asp?off=0&sort=prod&skuonly=0&search=cable+raceways&pagesize=0

http://www.markertek.com/SearchProdList.asp?off=0&sort=prod&skuonly=0&search=cable+trough&pagesize=0