FAQs

Activate Online After you complete the receiver setup, DIRECTV allows you to activate the receiver online. To do this, open an Internet browser and navigate to the DIRECTV website. Click “My Account” in the upper-right corner of the window. Click on the “My Equipment” tab. Click the “Update” button next to your receiver’s name. The receiver’s name is usually DVR or Standard. Type the access code number and model number of the receiver. Enter the receiver ID. To find out your receiver’s ID, open the access card door panel and look for a sticker inside. The receiver ID is written on the sticker. Call DIRECTV If you cannot access the Internet or the DIRECTV website, DIRECTV customer service will activate your receiver over the phone. Call customer service at 1-800-531-5000. DIRECTV offers general support from 8 a.m. to 1 a.m. (EST), seven days a week. They offer technical support 24 hours a day, seven days a week. When you call, have your receiver ID, model number, and access card number ready. Activate a Used Receiver DIRECTV lets you activate a used receiver in certain circumstances. If the receiver has no receiver ID, you cannot activate it. A receiver without an ID is too old to work with the current DIRECTV service. The receiver must have been owned, not leased. It must also not be active on a different DIRECTV account. If you think that your receiver meets these conditions, call DIRECTV customer service. To activate the receiver, you need to order a new access card for $20. After installing the receiver and new access card, call DIRECTV again for activation. Let customer service know that you have a used receiver.

The IR Blasters are shipped already prepared to be used in your DisplayHUB system and should be plug and play however there are times that the WiFi configuration of the blaster might need to be updated:

The DisplayHUB IR Blasters are configured by connecting your computer to the SSID labeled “IRBlaster” and then entering “displayhub” for the password. Your browser should automatically launch and go to http://192.168.4.1, this is where you enter the DisplayHUB appliance WiFi credentials. The default credentials are already entered, just click save! Only change the defaults if you are instructed by customer support to do so.

In order to use your DirecTV receivers with DisplayHub, they must be enabled in the set-top box by navigating to the
“External Device” settings screen (Menu->System Setup->Whole-Home->External Device) screen.
Once on this screen select “Allow” for “External Access”

Some DirecTV receivers will fall asleep and become unresponsive to DisplayHub, to avoid this issue make sure all receivers have this mode disabled.

Press {MENU}.
Arrow down to “Settings” and press {SELECT}
Arrow over so “Settings & Help” is highlighted and press {SELECT}.
Arrow down to “Power Saving” and press {SELECT}.
Select NO and save

The first green light is the system light, it indicates if there is power and will blink when the appliance calls home.
The middle light indicates if the system has an internet connection. This light checks for an internet connection every 60 seconds, if internet is not found, the light will flash several times and then system will reboot.
The last light is a red Wifi traffic indicator.

To teach a remote command go to your IR Blasters Configuration screen.

Locate the IR Blaster you want to learn commands from by clicking the “Blink Light Button”, this will flash a light on the IR Blaster for 1 minute. Once you are sure you have located the proper IR Blaster you will now locate the learning port on the device (small hole and labled). This is where you will aim your teaching remote.

Now click “Remote Buttons”, click add button, give your button a name, then point your teaching remote at the learning port on the iR blaster and briefly push the button you are teaching/learning. The IR blaster will blink confirming it registered your code in it’s memory.
TIP: push the button for only a split second, some remotes repeat commands in rapid succession, this will produce a code that the IR Blaster can not understand.

After the IR Blaster registered a code in it’s memory, click the “Get last IR code learned” button, this will copy the command from the IR Blaster into the button you have created.
TIP: most button commands will be very long (32 bits) and will look similar to this example: {‘data’:[9018,4484,588,546,586,546,586,542,588,546,584,542,588,512,616,542,586,546,588,1662,586,544,590,540,584,514,618,542,588,540,588,510,618,1666,586,544,586,1666,584,1666,586,1666,588,546,588,1664,588,542,588,542,588,1666,588,542,584,546,590,538,588,1664,588,544,584,1666,588,1660,584],’type’:’raw’,’khz’:38}
TIP: The command you just retrieve should be at least slightly different than the previous.

With the IR Blaster connected to the device you are attempting control, click the “Test” button, your command should be sent to the IR Blaster which will then convert it back into an IR signal that will produce the desired result.

Continue adding buttons, once you have added the buttons you wish to use (not all are needed) simple click save.

That’s it! You have taught your remote to the DisplayHub system! Don’t forget to associate the IR Blaster to a port/device

For color buttons, simply use the color name like RED for the button label.

For CC / Closed Captioning use “CC”.

Some odd devices use special characters for channel numbers etc. For example, our EPG’s supply digital channel numbers with – (dash) but your device might want to receive a . (period / dot) for seperation of the numbers in a digital channel, this is can be fixed by simply teaching your remote a command of – (dash) with the IR code for a . (period / dot).

For all other buttons simply use the same character, for example, some want to use “period” for dots, simply use a single . (period).

Yes, you can add more devices anytime within the limits of your subscription and main switch.

Example, you purchased a 23 device subscription and have a 24 port switch with open ports available you can add devices by purchasing more input and/or output adapters.

If you have run out of ports contact us about our trade in program.

Yes, with a “but”. These devices to not have a native way of controlling them via IP so we developed custom IR Blasters that need to be mounted to the device. DisplayHub will automatically discover these blasters allow you to configure them. We currently only have pre-programmed remote codes for Spectrum but we are happy to custom code IR Blasters with the data needed to control your device but we will need you to send that device in to us. We typically have a turnaround of about 2 days for this service. IR Blasters are $119 each. Please contact us for move info.

We also offer custom IR Blasters to control TouchTunes, AMI, zoned amplifiers and other devices can be integrated.

Of course! You can add any device with an HDMI output. We can also offer built in digital signage for an additional fee (subscription based). Please contact us to learn more.

Activate Online
After you complete the receiver setup, DIRECTV allows you to activate the receiver online. To do this, open an Internet browser and navigate to the DIRECTV website. Click “My Account” in the upper-right corner of the window. Click on the “My Equipment” tab. Click the “Update” button next to your receiver’s name. The receiver’s name is usually DVR or Standard. Type the access code number and model number of the receiver. Enter the receiver ID. To find out your receiver’s ID, open the access card door panel and look for a sticker inside. The receiver ID is written on the sticker.

Call DIRECTV
If you cannot access the Internet or the DIRECTV website, DIRECTV customer service will activate your receiver over the phone. Call customer service at 1-800-531-5000. DIRECTV offers general support from 8 a.m. to 1 a.m. (EST), seven days a week. They offer technical support 24 hours a day, seven days a week. When you call, have your receiver ID, model number, and access card number ready.

Activate a Used Receiver
DIRECTV lets you activate a used receiver in certain circumstances. If the receiver has no receiver ID, you cannot activate it. A receiver without an ID is too old to work with the current DIRECTV service. The receiver must have been owned, not leased. It must also not be active on a different DIRECTV account. If you think that your receiver meets these conditions, call DIRECTV customer service. To activate the receiver, you need to order a new access card for $20. After installing the receiver and new access card, call DIRECTV again for activation. Let customer service know that you have a used receiver.

The IR Blasters are shipped already prepared to be used in your DisplayHUB system and should be plug and play however there are times that the WiFi configuration of the blaster might need to be updated:

The DisplayHUB IR Blasters are configured by connecting your computer to the SSID labeled “IRBlaster” and then entering “displayhub” for the password. Your browser should automatically launch and go to http://192.168.4.1, this is where you enter the DisplayHUB appliance WiFi credentials. The default credentials are already entered, just click save! Only change the defaults if you are instructed by customer support to do so.

HDMI converters: https://amzn.to/3bKvYMs
USB cables to power the above: https://amzn.to/3ua18Dd

Managed Switch (for the matrix):  https://amzn.to/3fam2hy <- we recommend buying 2 to have 1 as a backup. We've never had one fail but it's a good idea!
Desktop Switch (for data out of the DisplayHUB appliance: https://amzn.to/3hKDafq

Optional but recommended…
Digital Signage: https://amzn.to/3430j4A <- only 1 is needed, this is broadcast via DisplayHUB Power backup: https://amzn.to/2QFs7sF
Power Distribution: https://amzn.to/3ua1JVt
Velcro to strap devices into place when they cant be mounted (like the boxes to the TV): https://amzn.to/34chbFX

In order to use your DirecTV receivers with DisplayHub, they must be enabled in the set-top box by navigating to the
“External Device” settings screen (Menu->System Setup->Whole-Home->External Device) screen.
Once on this screen select “Allow” for “External Access”

Some DirecTV receivers will fall asleep and become unresponsive to DisplayHub, to avoid this issue make sure all receivers have this mode disabled.

Press {MENU}.
Arrow down to “Settings” and press {SELECT}
Arrow over so “Settings & Help” is highlighted and press {SELECT}.
Arrow down to “Power Saving” and press {SELECT}.
Select NO and save

This is only for technicians and should not be done unless instructed.

Hold the reset button until the middle green light goes out and the red light comes on, this can take around 20 seconds. Holding the reset will cause the middle green to blink, then blink faster and then blink rapidly… wait until it goes out and the red light comes on, release the reset button.

The first green light is the system light, it indicates if there is power and will blink when the appliance calls home.
The middle light indicates if the system has an internet connection. This light checks for an internet connection every 60 seconds, if internet is not found, the light will flash several times and then system will reboot.
The last light is a red Wifi traffic indicator.

To teach a remote command go to your IR Blasters Configuration screen.

Locate the IR Blaster you want to learn commands from by clicking the “Blink Light Button”, this will flash a light on the IR Blaster for 1 minute. Once you are sure you have located the proper IR Blaster you will now locate the learning port on the device (small hole and labled). This is where you will aim your teaching remote.

Now click “Remote Buttons”, click add button, give your button a name, then point your teaching remote at the learning port on the iR blaster and briefly push the button you are teaching/learning. The IR blaster will blink confirming it registered your code in it’s memory.
TIP: push the button for only a split second, some remotes repeat commands in rapid succession, this will produce a code that the IR Blaster can not understand.

After the IR Blaster registered a code in it’s memory, click the “Get last IR code learned” button, this will copy the command from the IR Blaster into the button you have created.
TIP: most button commands will be very long (32 bits) and will look similar to this example: {‘data’:[9018,4484,588,546,586,546,586,542,588,546,584,542,588,512,616,542,586,546,588,1662,586,544,590,540,584,514,618,542,588,540,588,510,618,1666,586,544,586,1666,584,1666,586,1666,588,546,588,1664,588,542,588,542,588,1666,588,542,584,546,590,538,588,1664,588,544,584,1666,588,1660,584],’type’:’raw’,’khz’:38}
TIP: The command you just retrieve should be at least slightly different than the previous.

With the IR Blaster connected to the device you are attempting control, click the “Test” button, your command should be sent to the IR Blaster which will then convert it back into an IR signal that will produce the desired result.

Continue adding buttons, once you have added the buttons you wish to use (not all are needed) simple click save.

That’s it! You have taught your remote to the DisplayHub system! Don’t forget to associate the IR Blaster to a port/device

For color buttons, simply use the color name like RED for the button label.

For CC / Closed Captioning use “CC”.

Some odd devices use special characters for channel numbers etc. For example, our EPG’s supply digital channel numbers with – (dash) but your device might want to receive a . (period / dot) for seperation of the numbers in a digital channel, this is can be fixed by simply teaching your remote a command of – (dash) with the IR code for a . (period / dot).

For all other buttons simply use the same character, for example, some want to use “period” for dots, simply use a single . (period).

Yes, you can add more devices anytime within the limits of your subscription and main switch.

Example, you purchased a 23 device subscription and have a 24 port switch with open ports available you can add devices by purchasing more input and/or output adapters.

If you have run out of ports contact us about our trade in program.

Yes, with a “but”. These devices to not have a native way of controlling them via IP so we developed custom IR Blasters that need to be mounted to the device. DisplayHub will automatically discover these blasters allow you to configure them. We currently only have pre-programmed remote codes for Spectrum but we are happy to custom code IR Blasters with the data needed to control your device but we will need you to send that device in to us. We typically have a turnaround of about 2 days for this service. IR Blasters are $119 each. Please contact us for move info.

We also offer custom IR Blasters to control TouchTunes, AMI, zoned amplifiers and other devices can be integrated.

There’s many factors here and this can really only be answered during a free consultation. Please feel free to contact us.

Ballpark you say?

We are located in Central Florida and are willing to travel just about anywhere provided travel expenses are covered, we can generally do a complete install for about $2,000. We are also happy to recommend a local installer. We also offer huge install discounts for long term commitments.

 

Yes, and we can offer free phone support (by appointment) if you have any trouble. Some networking knowledge is useful but there is no coding or any other really techy skills needed, if you can paint by color then you can follow our installation instructions (video coming soon). All our techs and coders speak English natively and we do not outsource ANYTHING. Translators also available for a small fee. A happy, non-frustrated customer is a long term customer!

Of course! You can add any device with an HDMI output. We can also offer built in digital signage for an additional fee (subscription based). Please contact us to learn more.

Yes, most definitely. The ethernet cabling used is just like any RJ45 ethernet network. You must use at least CAT6 and the runs can go past 323 feet without additional hardware needed. Please test each and every cable thoroughly, we solve a large number of support tickets by discovering the cabling was faulty.

Short and simple answer, 323 feet but this can be extended with the use of ethernet extenders up to 7000 feet! However, we’ve done some rather big installs and have not yet needed these devices

USB, yes! Click for more info. 

What about POE (power over ethernet), not currently but we are working on it.

The IR Blasters are shipped already prepared to be used in your DisplayHUB system and should be plug and play however there are times that the WiFi configuration of the blaster might need to be updated:

The DisplayHUB IR Blasters are configured by connecting your computer to the SSID labeled “IRBlaster” and then entering “displayhub” for the password. Your browser should automatically launch and go to http://192.168.4.1, this is where you enter the DisplayHUB appliance WiFi credentials. The default credentials are already entered, just click save! Only change the defaults if you are instructed by customer support to do so.

Yes, you can add more devices anytime within the limits of your subscription and main switch.

Example, you purchased a 23 device subscription and have a 24 port switch with open ports available you can add devices by purchasing more input and/or output adapters.

If you have run out of ports contact us about our trade in program.

We all have that closest of shame with DVD and BluRay players collecting dust. DisplayHub is future proof, we roll with the technology changes. While we are the subject, DisplayHub can be retro fitted into existing systems and also be connected to older devices with simple converters.

Yes, with a “but”. These devices to not have a native way of controlling them via IP so we developed custom IR Blasters that need to be mounted to the device. DisplayHub will automatically discover these blasters allow you to configure them. We currently only have pre-programmed remote codes for Spectrum but we are happy to custom code IR Blasters with the data needed to control your device but we will need you to send that device in to us. We typically have a turnaround of about 2 days for this service. IR Blasters are $119 each. Please contact us for move info.

We also offer custom IR Blasters to control TouchTunes, AMI, zoned amplifiers and other devices can be integrated.

Glad you asked! This very question is how this software was born over 8 years ago. Over founder and current CEO, Michael has been a Video DJ for nearly 30 years and when he decided to open a Retro themed nightclub they needed a way to put music videos on the displays but also be able to easily switch between other sources like DirecTV.

Side note, did you know that Karaoke singers sing better when they are looking up rather than a screen on the stage? Well, there’s no science to back this up we’ve been told it’s a much more natural position for singers and it requires less setup for your DJ’s.

There’s also a way really cool “wow” effect when the DJ switches all the displays showing the news or infomercials to every display in the bar showing music videos. The customer retention rate also went up, bonus! Entertained guest stay longer and spend more.

You could but they will all be out of sync and you won’t have all the other features like being able to switch all display to a signal source.

Yep! The audio latency is 10ms which is undisguisable to the human eye.

There’s many factors here and this can really only be answered during a free consultation. Please feel free to contact us.

Ballpark you say?

We are located in Central Florida and are willing to travel just about anywhere provided travel expenses are covered, we can generally do a complete install for about $2,000. We are also happy to recommend a local installer. We also offer huge install discounts for long term commitments.

 

Yes, and we can offer free phone support (by appointment) if you have any trouble. Some networking knowledge is useful but there is no coding or any other really techy skills needed, if you can paint by color then you can follow our installation instructions (video coming soon). All our techs and coders speak English natively and we do not outsource ANYTHING. Translators also available for a small fee. A happy, non-frustrated customer is a long term customer!

Of course! You can add any device with an HDMI output. We can also offer built in digital signage for an additional fee (subscription based). Please contact us to learn more.

Yes, most definitely. The ethernet cabling used is just like any RJ45 ethernet network. You must use at least CAT6 and the runs can go past 323 feet without additional hardware needed. Please test each and every cable thoroughly, we solve a large number of support tickets by discovering the cabling was faulty.

Short and simple answer, 323 feet but this can be extended with the use of ethernet extenders up to 7000 feet! However, we’ve done some rather big installs and have not yet needed these devices

The DisplayHub system offers a built in EPG (electronic program guide) but we do not provide the actual data used in that. The EPG data subscription is $25 per year and must be purchased by the system owner. Due to legal reasons we can not incorporate that fee into the monthly subscriptions. The signup process is very easy and we will guide you through that after your system is configured and probably operating.

The EPG is not an absolute requirement but is very useful throughout the system.

Our servers are redundant and hosted within the Amazon Web Services cloud. The uptime for 2018 was 99.99%.

Full Transparency:
Should a problem we guarantee a functional fix within 24 hours but this is only in a worst case scenario.

All servers are setup with automatic failover and redundancy for everything, the likelihood of a mass failure is low but not impossible.

We offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee.

We can return the cost of the entire system within 30 days minus the cost of cabling and installation as we can not reuse cabling once it’s been used.

After 30 days the hardware returned will be subject to a 10% restocking fee.

Yes, like so many other things these days DisplayHub is considered an “Internet of Things” system meaning it requires a persistent internet connection. Your TV’s will continue to work if your internet goes out but you will not be able to make any changes until service is restored.

You may also opt to use a backup cellular connection. The DisplayHub system can operate independent of your internal network.