Electrical – How to run wires to panel from joists

If you're just using a regular outlet as you suggest behind the TV, then my suggestion would be to supply it like a regular outlet.

If there is another outlet nearby (directly below would be ideal), fish a wire to it, and attach it to that circuit.

If there is unfinished space below, you can get a wire down there (use a long "installer's drill bit") and then it should be relatively easy to find a circuit to attach it to (or just run it back to the panel).

I'd be nervous about any contraptions that attempt to get power to this circuit otherwise. You absolutely need to have a male end in the wall, as a male-to-male extension cable is dangerous to have.

The best thing I can think up totally as a DIY without requiring real hard-wiring would be to get a blank faceplate, and put a square hole in it, and then mount an IEC 320-C14 connector in it (eg. from digikey).

Then you can just use a standard C13 cord (like the kind used to connect most computers, TVs, etc) and plug it into a surge protector or UPS or whatever.

The general guidelines:

• Don't notch a joist. (it's legal under the correct circumstances, but don't consider it until you have no other choice.)
• Don't drill a joist near the ends. (how near is near? Stick to the middle third and be safe. )
• Only drill on the center-line of the joist. (This is the area under least stress).
• keep your holes less than 1/3 the height of the joist. A 3/4 inch hole for romex is fine under almost any circumstances.

These aren't the rules, these are a set of guidelines more restrictive than the rules, that you can quickly and easily work with in the field. If you want to work outside these guidelines, then consult the local building code.