How to hide computer and TV cables

Despite decades of technological progress, in every home, there is a big problem caused by computers, TVs and other electronic devices: cables. In a typical situation, we could have, in the bedroom or in the living room, the electric cables that connect the following accessories: monitor, router, computer, TV, printer, cell phone charger, speakers and speakers. In addition to these, there may be cables that connect the computer with the printer, with the monitor, the mouse, the keyboard and the speakers, the modem. The TV itself can generate a large number of cables, having connected to it a DVD player or a Blu-Ray player, a game console (PlayStation or Xbox), a decoder or other devices. All this generates a tangle of inextricable cables hard to manage for anyone and, above all, really ugly to see near the furniture or in the living room.
In this guide we will show you how to hide a computer or TV cables, so as to minimize the visual impact of the cables and get more orders and much more pleasant design to see.READ ALSO: Differences between types of computer cables, ports, sockets, and connectors

How to hide the computer and TV cables

Using the various methods described in the following chapters, we will be able to minimize the discomfort caused by hanging cables.

Use wireless (wireless) connections

We assume that the power cable for the electrical socket, the video signal cable and the antenna cable (on TV) are essential, all the rest of the cables we use most be replaced with devices or peripherals wireless, which work using the Wi-Fi network or Bluetooth technology.

On fixed desktop computers we can use the following wireless devices:

1. Wireless mouse
2. Wireless keyboard
3. Wireless network card
4. Wireless printer
5. Wireless webcam
6. Bluetooth adapter for PC
7. Bluetooth speakers for PC

Using these peripherals we will drastically reduce the number of cables on the back of the PC, were in fact only the cables for electricity and the cable will remain to transmit the video signal to the monitor. If we need to connect a smartphone, we can directly use the Bluetooth of the computer, so as to avoid the presence of bulky cables to a minimum; if instead, we want to hear some music, we can rely on Bluetooth speakers, so as to obtain good quality without necessarily having to use the audio output on the back of the PC.

On TV and Smart TV instead, the number of cables is already minimal (basic only the electricity cable and the antenna cable) and the only devices that require a cable connection are usually decoders (for Sky or Tivusat ), home theater systems and consoles (PlayStation and Xbox). On many Smart TVs, we have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections, which allow you to connect them to the wireless Internet and connect Bluetooth devices without the need for a cable (for example headphones and soundbars).

To drastically reduce the number of cables behind the TV and at the same time add new devices, we recommend the following products:

1. Wireless soundbar
2. Wireless home theater
3. Bluetooth TV headphones
4. Bluetooth adapter for TV
5. Wireless TV keyboard
6. Wireless pointer for TV

If instead, we want to transmit the multimedia contents present on the smartphone or tablet to the TV without using a cable, we advise you to read our guides on How to broadcast the smartphone screen on TV is How to send video from smartphone to TV in wifi; if instead we wanted to use the TV as a secondary computer screen, just follow the steps described in our guide on how Use the TV as a PC wireless secondary display (Windows 10).

If we also want to eliminate the antenna cable, we can strive using a Chromecast and reading our guide on How to view TV channels on Chromecast (without antenna).

Use sheaths and cable ducts

If the cables are numerous or we also want to hide the electrical cables and cables for the video signal, we will have to use for the purpose of the sheaths or cable ducts, so as to keep the cables close and improve order (only a thick “tube” containing all the cables will be visible).

The best cable glands that we can use on the back of our PC or our TV are:

1. Purovi COLLECT CABLE CABLES (€ 7)
2. AGPtEK – Neoprene cable sheath with velcro closure (€ 8)
3. YOSH Sheath for Neoprene Cables with Closure (€ 9)
4. Meersee 3M Sheath for Neoprene Cables Flexible Sheath (€ 12)
5. Navaris Polyester Cable Harness – 203cm (€ 15)

We choose the right length of cable gland, so let’s use it to wrap and hide all the cables on the back of the computer or TV. If instead, we wish to use cable ducts, the best are:

1. Wire4u – mini cable duct for electric cables (€ 14)
2. D-Line CC-1 | Cable Duct | Floor channel (€ 18)
3. D-Line 2010KIT001 | Hide Cables | Electrical Ducts (€ 19)
4. D-Line 3015KIT001 | Hide Cables | Electrical Ducts (€ 20)
5. Cable Duct, Stageek Electrical Duct Covers (24 €)

Using these raceways we can hide all the cables on the wall, without even carrying out any masonry work since all the channels are adhesive.

Cable collecting tubes

The cable catcher is a tube inside which the cables pass through to hide them.
It is not the best of aesthetics, but it is always better than keeping all the cables separate and visible. Using the cable catcher the difficulty is to make them all the same length to get them into the tube and make them come out with the right length. I would avoid the fixed cable collectors preferring instead the soft fairleads, made of mesh or like a spring.
For example, you can see the Easy Cover fairlead on Amazon.
As a tube, you hide cable on Amazon there is the Meliconi cable cover, rigid and adhesive, good for TV.

Use TV supports (VESA and pedestals)

Another way to hide cables well is to use TV wall mounts, also called VESA.

Fixing this support on opinion and fixing it on the back of the TV, we will have the possibility to better hide all the cables, especially if the electric socket and the antenna socket are in its immediate vicinity (in fact it becomes like a hanging picture, without any visible wire). To help us hide the wires of a TV hanging on VESA support, we can use simple cable ties or use very small cables (such as the antenna cable from just half a meter).
The cable ties are the basis of every cable management solution. A cable tie is the least expensive way to put together the various cables and treat them as if they were one in order to, at least, not give a feeling of disorder. The problem with cable ties is that, once the cables are tied together, all the cables must be untied to separate them.

Alternatively, we can use one stand or TV stand, which works as a small TV cabinet but offers pre-set channels to hide all cables.

The best TV stands with cable guides I’m:

1. 1home Universal Pedestal TV Stand Support (€ 26)
2. RFIVER Rolling Mobile Floor TV Cart (€ 74)
3. 1home TV Trolley Bracket Mobile Holder Stand Support (76 €)
4. RFIVER TV Floor Trolley TV Cabinet (€ 82)

Conclusions

As we have seen in the previous chapters we have different methods to exploit to hide the cables present on the back of a PC or a TV, it will be enough to choose the one most suited to our situation, so as to hide or minimize the impact of the cables on the design of our desk or on the design of the room or wall where the TV is present.

If we have decided to keep the PC on the floor in contact with the floor, we recommend reading our in-depth information Is it okay to keep the PC on the ground?

If, on the other hand, we want to minimize Smart TV wires but don’t want to miss out on multimedia apps, we recommend reading our guide to Best apps for Smart TVs Samsung, LG and Android, so you can get what you want without having to connect a TV Box or a multimedia decoder.