Octopus Overlords

Our conference room has an old-ass VGA cable coming out of the conference table. It runs below the floor and comes out next to the TV on the wall.

I'd like to replace it with an HDMI cable, since most laptops no longer use VGA connectors.

Can I just tie an HDMI cable to the existing VGA cable and pull that through whatever channel is below the floor? Or is that a bad idea? I have zero experience running any kind of cable through anything.

I don't think it's going to hurt the cable - those things are fairly durable - so as long as it doesn't get stuck, you're probably fine.

I also have no experience, but I think if I were going to try that, I'd make sure I lashed them together side by side so that they could be pulled as a single cable with no ends sticking out to snag on things.

Blackhawk wrote: ↑Fri May 18, 2018 4:08 pm I also have no experience, but I think if I were going to try that, I'd make sure I lashed them together side by side so that they could be pulled as a single cable with no ends sticking out to snag on things.

Yeah, I'd go with duct tape myself, to ensure the cables and connectors are kept nice and snug.

I'd also add some rope/heavy duty string so you could pull another cable in the future if needed.
Just keep in mind, some setups like that may have been done while the walls were open.
Try giving the vga cable some pulls to see how freely it moves.

Thanks for the advice, everyone. I'll probably give it a try in the next week or two.

Seems easy with a helper.

http://www.gifbin.com/bin/112015/cat-he ... -work.webm

You might try using a flat ribbon type HDMI cable to make it easier -- the problem with VGA is that big end, it can get hung up on other cables in the conduit that goes between spots. Give it a shot, just don't tell anyone what you're doing until it's a success -- if it gets stuck halfway through, leg it and blame the IT guy (it's a network problem).

Blackhawk wrote: ↑Fri May 18, 2018 4:08 pm I also have no experience, but I think if I were going to try that, I'd make sure I lashed them together side by side so that they could be pulled as a single cable with no ends sticking out to snag on things.

This is the most important tip in life. Whatever can snag will snag. I don't know how many times I've uttered that last sentence but I've pulled a lot of cable in my life. You wouldn't believe what you can snag on in and outside conduit. Definitely tape it smooth but use as little tape and minimize the diameter as you won't know how small the passage can get until you try it. Also tie a string on so you can pull it back towards the start if you get stuck. Sometimes you need to pull cable back and forth or even side to side to work it through.

Do you, or anyone you are close to, own a ferret?

As a former ferret owner, I applaud your suggestion.

Make sure it's UL3 certified if you are running it in walls/floors/ceilings (if you care about possible building code violations, natch). Monoprice has UL3 certified HDMI cables at a good price.