What's a good solution to those 100s of cables behind the TV?

Question

How do you organize your DVD, PS2, satellite, audio.......cables? It's turning into a huge mess and collecting way to much dust since it's nearly impossible to clean back there

Answer 1

First, you can reduce your cabling by 50% by using a surround sound receiver that supports video switching. Plug all your sources to your receiver, then have a few cables to receiver to the TV.

Second, use cable ties. I prefer zip ties. You can also buy the velcro kind.

Third, there are cable concealers that come in tubes that you wrap around the cables, so you just see one tube in the back.

Fourth, many TV stands and AV racks will allow you to feed the cabling through the frames of the stand.

Answer 2

Hi When you are in your normal viewing position are the cables visible .I would rather have the cables separated a bit in case they pick up interference from each other. I would label each cable to identify where it goes.If you are interested this is what i have done with my gear .Al my equipment is sitting on a large rectangular platform made of 1 inch mdf board painted black about 4 feet long and 2.5 feet deep very close to the floor with 4 sharp spikes isolating it from floor vibration.
Behind that board is another identical platform which is higher than the first one so the equipment is visible for using the remote.The spikes are higher to raise the platform.
When all the equipment is set up all the cables go under the two platforms where they can;t be seen.
Hop this helps.

Answer 3

what I did is first color code(colored tape or nail polish) each cable, red dvd, blue ps2, etc.. color code each end and then take zip ties or whatever to tie the cables together. If you do this you will have a little bit neater place in the back plus when you take everything apart you won't have 5 or 6 cables laying around, you will have one big bundle and when you put it all back you will have the color coding to know exactly what plug goes where.

Answer 4

There is this plastic coil product you can wrap around cables to keep them grouped together and individual cables can enter or exit the main coil at any point to connect any of your components.

Its really inexpensive and they sell the stuff at high-end audio-video stores and even at the SuperWalmarts in the electronics section.

It takes some time to set it up but it keeps everything tight and neat.

Answer 5

I use a twist tie, they work great, first organize them so they are all together then put twist ties on them to keep them in place.

Answer 6

You could put labels on them and/or organize them with cable ties.

Answer 7

What the people on top of me said.

Answer 8

Use wireless.