[quote author="Bubblegum" date=1210816191]IMO, builders need to build for 2000 technology by adding more cat 5, dual RG6 coax by every TV for Tivo's and DVR's, but the more "high tech" along the lines of lighting, security, AV distribution and entertainment will be a nightmare for the traditional builder. Unless they contract out with a major CE firm, these systems are expensive and highly unreliable. Instead, they need to install expandable infrastructure within the house. I'd pay for 2" conduit to be installed into every room location so that I can upgrade and pull wire anytime i need to, whether it's for a home intercom, home theater, computer networking, satellite, etc. While cat 5 might be fine now, what about cat6 or 10gE or fiber, or whatever comes next.</blockquote>
You're on the right track here, but you'll want conduit in every wall and not just every room. This will give you the option on where to put your drop. Another factor for this would be access. How are you going to get the cable to the conduit? You're going to need some sort of crawl space.
Something that I'd like to see builders implement is a closet with HVAC. We are getting close to the point where many houses are going to have a rack of computer and A/V equipment.