Commercial TV glossary

The conditional-access card that goes in the receiver’s card slot (behind a door on the front panel). A misseated, wrong or expired card triggers codes in the 744 to 764 range. It goes in chip down, logo up.

In a business: When a receiver shows a code between 744 and 764, the card is the first thing to check. Keep each card with the receiver it came with.

Related: Receiver, Receiver ID (RID)

The technique SignalSaver uses to raise or lower picture resolution to match the internet bandwidth available at that moment.

In a business: It explains why picture quality can change during a SignalSaver outage: it follows the internet bandwidth available at that moment.

A DIRECTV platform that combines DIRECTV FOR BUSINESS service with apps to enhance TV for hospitality and institutional properties such as hotels and care facilities.

In a business: Aimed at hotels and similar properties that want TV services beyond standard programming.

A restriction that blocks a sports program in certain markets to protect rights holders. DIRECTV follows these rules but does not set them; it appears on screen as error 727.

In a business: A blackout is a rights restriction rather than a fault. When a game is blacked out in your area, check local channels or regional sports channels.

The commercial package category for places where customers can see the TVs but no food or drink is sold for immediate consumption and no admission or cover is charged (membership dues for organizations such as gyms are acceptable).

In a business: Typically fits spaces such as lobbies and waiting areas, where guests can see a TV but nothing is sold for immediate consumption.

Related: Public viewing, Private viewing

A free tablet app (iPad and Android) that controls DIRECTV receivers from one screen, with custom receiver names and channel changes across several TVs. It needs broadband-connected compatible receivers on the same local network as the tablet.

In a business: Handy for a manager who wants one screen to control several TVs. It needs compatible, internet-connected receivers on the same network as the tablet.

How accurately the dish is pointed at the satellites, plus whether anything (such as new tree growth or snow) blocks its view. Low signal in clear weather points to alignment, obstruction or cabling and usually needs a professional installer.

In a business: A dish can be blocked by tree growth or snow, which is why low signal in clear weather usually calls for a service visit.

A receiver with a hard drive that records programs. Under DIRECTV’s commercial terms, DVR service is available only to private viewing establishments.

In a business: DVR service is limited to private viewing spaces on commercial accounts, so it is uncommon in bars and restaurants.

An estimate of the total number of people, seated and standing, who could watch TV at the location at maximum capacity. DIRECTV uses it to set rates for certain premium sports programming.

In a business: It is an estimate you give when setting up certain sports programming, so it helps to think it through before the call.

The maximum occupancy allowed for a commercial business, backed by an FCO certificate. Public viewing establishments must provide FCO documentation before seasonal sports or Pay Per View programming is activated; it is not required for business or private viewing.

In a business: If you run a public viewing venue, keep your occupancy documentation handy for when seasonal sports programming is set up.

A smaller box at an additional TV that gets its programming from the Genie server instead of directly from the dish. Wireless versions connect through a Wireless Video Bridge.

In a business: A way to add a TV without a full receiver at each one. It relies on the server and on the connection between them.

Related: Genie server, Wireless Video Bridge (WVB)

The main DVR-class receiver (for example HR34, HR44, HR54 or H44 with a hard drive) that serves programming to Genie Mini clients elsewhere on the property.

In a business: In a larger venue one server can feed several client TVs, so a problem with the server affects every client it feeds.

Related: Genie Mini (client), Wireless Video Bridge (WVB)

DIRECTV commercial receiver models that can connect to the internet and support SignalSaver; the H26K is the receiver DIRECTV requires for 4K programming.

In a business: These are the receivers DIRECTV lists for SignalSaver. A specialist can tell you which models you have.

The digital video and audio cable connection DIRECTV recommends between a receiver and an HD TV for the best picture quality.

In a business: A damaged or loose HDMI cable can affect the picture, so check it when one TV looks wrong and the others are fine.

A separate DIRECTV terms category for places such as hotels, motels, hospitals and nursing homes, where service is provided in guest or patient rooms and not shown in public areas unless DIRECTV approves.

In a business: Relevant to hotels and care facilities, where service in guest or patient rooms follows its own terms.

A networking standard the Wireless Video Bridge uses to link to the Genie server. The WVB2 supports version 2.0 and works with older 1.1 equipment; its status LED reports whether a MoCA network is present.

In a business: You will mostly meet it as a light color on the Wireless Video Bridge, where it describes the network between the bridge and the Genie server.

The traditional alternative to a SWiM for distributing the dish signal to receivers. A receiver can report which type your install uses.

In a business: If you are not sure whether your installation uses a SWiM or a multiswitch, a specialist can tell from the equipment.

A separate antenna feeding local channels to certain receivers. Receivers searching for that signal show error 792; some HR44/HR54 setups use a Local Channel Connector.

In a business: Only some setups use one. Error 792 appears when a receiver is searching for an off-air signal.

One-time paid movies and events. Public viewing establishments must give DIRECTV their FCO documentation before seasonal sports or Pay Per View programming is activated.

In a business: One-time events. Confirm with your specialist how occupancy documentation applies before a big event.

The commercial package category for areas the public or clientele cannot access, such as offices and conference rooms. Private viewing programming cannot be shown in public or common areas, and DVR service is available only on private viewing accounts.

In a business: Typically fits offices, conference rooms and other areas the public cannot access.

Related: Public viewing, Business viewing, DVR

The commercial package category for places where the public or clientele can watch and either food or drink is served for immediate consumption or an admission or cover charge is part of the business (bars, restaurants and similar). Requires Public Viewing programming packages.

In a business: This is the category for bars, restaurants and similar venues. The category for each room follows how that space is used, not which TV is on the wall.

Related: Business viewing, Private viewing

The DIRECTV set-top box at a TV that decodes the satellite signal. In commercial installs it is identified by a model such as H25, H44 or H26K, and it holds an access card.

In a business: Every TV in your venue has one. Knowing which receiver sits behind which screen, and its model, makes any support call faster.

The identifier DIRECTV keeps on file for each receiver. It must match both DIRECTV’s records and the access card; pressing DASH on the remote shows the last six digits.

In a business: Have it ready when you call support. Pressing DASH on the remote shows the last six digits of it.

An online action (Manage Receivers > Refresh receiver) that resends service and programming authorization to a receiver. DIRECTV says it often restores missing channels and is a first step for codes 721, 722 and the 724 to 726 range.

In a business: Many "channel missing" problems clear with a refresh followed by a restart, in that order.

Related: Reset (restart)

A channel carrying local or regional team games. DIRECTV suggests tuning to local channels or RSNs when a game is blacked out on another channel.

In a business: Regional sports channels carry local team games, so they matter a great deal to bars in a team's home market.

Restarting the receiver by pressing its red reset button (on the side or inside the access card door, depending on model) or by unplugging power for 15 seconds. DIRECTV’s first fix for many on-screen codes.

In a business: Reset one receiver at a time so you can tell what helped.

Related: Refresh

The coax input on the back of a receiver where the line from the dish connects. Loose SAT-IN connections are a first check for 771.

In a business: A loose or poorly seated SAT-IN connection is one of the first things to check when a receiver loses its signal.

The outdoor antenna that receives the satellite signal. Many on-screen errors (771, 775, 782) are described as the receiver not communicating with the dish.

In a business: Staff should look at it from the ground only. Adjusting a dish, or climbing to reach one, is a job for a technician.

Related: Dish alignment, Signal strength

A reading in the receiver’s satellite settings showing how well it is receiving the satellite signal. DIRECTV’s business guide treats a low reading in clear weather as a reason to call for service.

In a business: Note the reading on a clear day so you have a baseline. A reading well below it in clear weather is a reason to call.

A DIRECTV feature that switches eligible receivers to internet-based viewing during a weather-related satellite outage and returns to satellite when the signal is back. It needs an H44 or H26K receiver on the internet.

In a business: It does not replace a good installation, but it can keep eligible channels on screen during a satellite outage when the receiver is online.

Related: H44 and H26K receivers, Adaptive bit rate

A dish-distribution setup that lets several receivers share one coax line from the dish. A SWiM can only support a limited number of receivers and tuners, and receivers can show 'SWiM Connected' on the DASH status screen.

In a business: Common in venues with many TVs because it keeps cabling simple. It also means one power or connection problem can affect several screens at once.

Related: SWiM Power Inserter, Tuner, Multiswitch

The small box on the dish cable (two twist-on coax connections, plugged into a regular outlet) that must stay powered for a SWiM setup to work. Power problems here are a common cause of error 775.

In a business: Plug it into an outlet that always stays on, and label it so nobody unplugs it for something else.

Related: SWiM (single wire multi-switch)

A built-in diagnostic you run from Menu > Settings > Info & Test that checks the system, including cabling, dish position, phone connection and access card.

In a business: A good first step when guide data will not download or you are not sure where the problem is.

A receiver’s internal channel-receiving circuit. A SWiM supports only so many tuners in total, so adding receivers (or multi-tuner units) can exceed its limit and cause 776.

In a business: This matters when you add receivers: too many tuners on one SWiM can cause errors, so plan expansions with a specialist.

A device that carries video wirelessly from the Genie server to wireless Genie Mini clients over a private network used only by DIRECTV products, avoiding coax runs to each TV.

In a business: Useful where running cable to a TV is impractical, such as a patio room or a banquet hall. It adds a network to plan around.

Related: MoCA, Genie server