Common Questions and Answers about PDi Products

Patient TV Safety & Infection Control

How do you clean PDi TVs?

All PDi products withstand daily rigorous sanitation with up to 5% bleach-based medical grade cleaning solutions, typically for many years after the warranty expires.

All PDi TV’s, power supplies, and most mounts are UL-Listed 60065 Annex Q.

Arms and arm-mounted TV’s have antimicrobial plastics. Coming soon: most metal surfaces will have antimicrobial baked paint coating.

All PDi products can withstand liquid cleaning and liquid spills when mounted properly.

Download Your Disinfecting Guide
What are the benefits of UL-Listed and CSA healthcare-grade standards?

Healthcare-grade televisions are designed with safety in mind, protecting both patient and facility. Healthcare-grade televisions meet the stringent requirements of UL60065 Annex Q and in Canada CSA C22.2 No. 60065, and are designed for disinfection and reduce the risk of shock or fires.

Healthcare-grade TV’s by PDi are designed to withstand up to a 5% chlorine bleach based disinfectant solution for infection control and repeated cleanings by facility staff to sanitize patient rooms. Download cleaning instructions here.

PDi arm mounted TV’s have full glass fronts and antimicrobial keypads to limit Hospital Acquired Conditions (HACs).

PDi Healthcare-grade televisions can connect to Nurse Call/Pillow Speakers.

PDi TVs outlast commercial or consumer sets. PDi builds with electronic components designed to be powered on almost three times longer than consumer grade televisions.

PDi Brand

What is a "healthcare-grade" television?
Commercially available televisions and tablets are not built for the demands of a healthcare facility.

A healthcare-grade television from PDi takes into account safety and regulatory standards that are ignored by major television manufacturers. We have solutions for integrating with your existing infrastructure, installation, mounting, and other healthcare-related details that other manufacturers have no clue and can't help.

Blog: 10 Questions to Ask Before Purchasing Healthcare-Grade Televisions

A few highlights:
- Infection control: most TVs are not coated to withstand regular sanitation, and that's a big concern in the wake of Covid-19.
- Daily Usage: off-the-shelf brands aren't meant to run more than 6 hours per day. Healthcare TVs are expected to be on 18 hours per day. PDi TVs run 3x longer than other brands.
- Safe near IV: PDi healthcare-grade TVs have a 5X less shock potential than commercial-grade TVs.
Download Why Healthcare-Grade TVs Matter

There are many factors that PDi takes into account when building your television solutions; healthcare is a part of our values statement, and that comes from working exclusively with healthcare facilities for over 40 years.
Who is PDi?
PDi is an American manufacturing company that builds televisions, tablets, and mounting solutions for the healthcare market.

We handle everything throughout the process, from specifying to installation and beyond.

Trusted for 40 years, PDi has solved many challenges for various healthcare spaces, such as hospitals, clinics, infusion centers, senior living, VA/government hospitals, outpatient surgery centers, post-acute and rehabilitation hospitals, and many more.

We genuinely value our customers as partners. Learn more about PDi.

Fast facts:
- PDi is the only US manufacturer to offer complete patient TV systems.
- PDi can customize solutions for any facility.
- We build in the United States, so we have far less supply chain issues than overseas manufacturers.
- PDi is the largest TV maker in North America.
- We do it all: custom builds, project planning, installation, maintenance...and you get to interact with a human whenever you need us.
What products does PDi offer?

Core Technology

What are the SMART TV features?

All PDi televisions and tablets can use GENiO, which will offer truly SMART TV enabled features for any screen. Since we build and integrate the system to our hardware, we offer customization of the system as well.

Built-in TV, games, relaxation, messaging, remote monitoring, patient education, patient-enabled streaming services (yes!) can all be managed the way you need.

Bring your facility into the future with GENiO enabled PDi TVs and tablets.
Does PDi offer television outside the patient room?

Yes. We do it all.

We compete directly with the largest TV brands on the market, but we are the only healthcare-grade option.

We do wall televisions in any context (waiting rooms, lobbies, conference rooms, cafeterias). We cover all telehealth needs as well. Children's hospitals love PDi for the extra attention to safety and mobility, as well as our gaming cart options (fully loaded with your choice of gaming consoles and equipment).

PDi is the leader in custom-manufactured mounting solutions for any context as well. We do arm mounts, wall and table mounts, ceiling mounts, and other mounting based on your needs.
How does patient-centered technology improve quality of care?

Technology that enables patients to access education about their medical treatment and steps to wellness help to improve patient satisfaction. This results in higher patient satisfaction scores for medical facilities.

The ability for a facility to more efficiently provide patients with both entertainment and education that is relevant to them has a direct impact on that patient's overall experience.

The only devices the patient feels they can control throughout their journey is a television, often with a pillow speaker. Having a feature-rich device that covers their entertainment and education needs, all within their control, greatly impacts their perception of care.

Quality care takes time, and the moments between phases of care can last a long time. That time can be filled with boredom, anxiety, and stress. Providing a patient with entertainment and control of that entertainment is essential to meet the standards of care provided by your facility.

PDi TV How-Tos

PD108-520 Programming Remote

The PD108-520 programming remote provides IR control and setup of PDi’s smart television models. It is not intended for patient use. It will operate any PDi TV regardless of the TV’s Bed A/B/C/D setting. Because this remote has the TV SETUP button to gain full access to the TV’s menus, it should not be given to patients.

PDi offers other patient remotes designed for patient use including the PD108-527 and P108-421.

PLEASE NOTE: Older model TV menus may not respond to the arrow keys on the PD108-520. If that happens, use the following key mapping.

VOL+ to move right

VOL- to move left

CH+ to move up

CH- to move down

For TVs built after 2018, a TV firmware update may be available to enable the arrow keys.

For more information, contact us here:

https://www.pdiarm.com/contact
PD108-420 Programming Remote New Functions
Does PDi have instructional videos?
Yes, we have a Youtube channel that has videos on how to:
- check firmware
- auto program
- enable/disable speakers
- set input sources
- perform a system recovery
- and many more!
How do I enable different sources, like a DVD player or HDMI?

As a hospital grade TV, each source input can be enabled or disabled individually. In order to use the HDMI 2 source, for example, you would first need a PDi programming remote control to access the setup menu so you can enable that source. Make sure you’re using PD108-420 (it’s black with a PDi logo on the front) and enter the setup menu. The programming remote control is different than a remote control given to patients.

For A-Series Wall TVs:

If the TV has image version 104 you’ll go to Setup > Features (Enter password) > Hospital Mode > Lock Input Source.

If you have the newer image version 108 or later, it can be done in the setup menu when selecting “Sources".

To navigate to the HDMI source on personal arm TVs, you can do this by pressing the TV AV or input button on your pillow speaker or remote control. If the "channel up or down to other sources" is ENABLED in the setup menu, you can go to the first channel in your line up and by channeling down, you can access your HDMI source. Similarly, go to the last channel in your lineup and channel up to your HDMI source.
Do PDi televisions work with universal remotes?

Yes. A universal remote will request a code to input when pairing with a television. The code to use may vary based on which television you use. Usually, PDi televisions will work by using the same code as a Phillips or LG TV, as listed in your universal remote's manual.

We suggest using the auto-program feature of your universal remote, if it has that feature.

Otherwise, PDi offers remotes for televisions that are directly compatible with our sets.

Programming remote (PD108-520)

You can shop our parts for other remote options as well:

Simple Patient TV remote (PD108-421)
Can wireless headphones work with PDi TVs?
How to increase TV display brightness

To make the screen brighter it will require the use of a PDi programming remote control. Using this remote control, you enter the TV’s setup menu. The steps for doing this will vary depending on the model of TV. You will need to enter the TV Picture settings and change the “Brightness” level to make the screen lighter.

NOTE: A dark screen can be a sign of a problem. If this adjustment doesn’t help the problem, please contact PDi ProServices technical support for further assistance, call 1-800-628-9870 extension 3486.
What does the mouse button do on PDi TV remotes and pillow speakers?

Doing Business with PDi

Where do I start?
PDi is flexible in how we provide you with products and professional services.
1. Find the products you are interested in purchasing or learning more about.
2. At any point, reach out to your local PDi representative who can guide you through selecting the right products for your facility.
3. Already found what you want? You can request a quote now.
4. Our ProService team can help you decide the best strategy for installation or even product details.
5. Have more questions or a complex challenge? That's our sweet spot! We often start projects together with a demo.
6. Shop online if you are interested in refurbished products or parts.
How do I get tech support?
Where do I send my Purchase Order (P.O.)?

Hi, I'm Cat.

I help you find the right person to talk to in your area!

If you need a demo, technical support, or product information, I will guide you through the process.

Warranty Information

What are the warranty options for televisions?

PDi TV products offer a 3-year standard limited warranty. We also offer an extended limited warranty on our televisions within your first year of purchase. This would cover your television for an additional 2 years above the standard, plus added benefits.

Our warranty will cover defects to material or workmanship. We offer a hassle-free repair process as well.

Download Extended Warranty Guide
What are the warranty options for arms?
How do I request a warranty repair?
We offer a simple 3-step process for warranty claims.
1. Speak with our PDi ProServices team to assess the type of repair/replacement needed. Most times, we can resolve an issue over the phone.
2. If a repair/replacement is needed, we schedule options for you to either ship your product back to us, or we can send a technician to perform the repair/replacement on site.
3. You then must fill out your RMA form so that we can track the issue and manage the project for your account. Send the completed form to t1service@pdiarm.com.

Large Screen Wall-mounted Smart TVs

How do I setup A-Series large-screen Smart TVs?
Do PDi wall-mounted televisions work with Pillow Speakers?
Which wall-mounted PDi televisions are available with DVD?
Which wall-mounted PDi televisions offer SMART technology?

Out of the box, the PDi A-Series TVs provide you with Smart TV features you can use. No head-end equipment, server, or internet is required to provide patients with pillow-speaker compatible games and relaxation applications.

PDi also offers Interactive Enhanced Entertainment for A-Series to take patient entertainment to the next level by providing internet access to your patient TVs.

GENiO is an optional cloud-based software tool that allows you to customize your patient engagement experience, affordably and easily. Engage patients with education videos, daily menus, video calls, send messages, patient surveys, and more using Smart A-Series hospital TVs by PDi. Offer patients the best interactive experience using PDi’s healthcare grade wireless keyboard.

PDi also brings long relationships with leading interactive software system vendors who can work with you to create a custom user interface with your own proprietary apps, links to patient portals, etc.

If you have existing patient education on channels in your head-end, PDi can also create a Patient Education app thereby leveraging your existing investment and technology.

Finally, all SW-Series sold in the Middle Eastern Region or earlier model PDi modular televisions are compatible with the Android Modules by PDi, which can be added anytime.
Do PDi wall-mounted televisions include a camera or microphone?
Do PDi wall-mounted televisions support hearing aids?
How do I troubleshoot Pillow Speakers with PDi TVs?

To check the TV pillow speaker connection, PDi TVs use a 3 wire (tip, ring and sleeve) configuration connected by a ¼ inch jack. There is a SMALL SLIDE SWITCH next to the ¼ inch jack input that may need changed depending on the voltage required by the pillow speaker.

Our wiring is:

Tip = Audio

Ring = Data

Sleeve = Common

The easiest way to trouble shoot the pillow speaker is to have a pillow speaker with a ¼ inch jack so you can plug directly into the TV and eliminate the wall plates at the head wall and foot wall.

If you don’t have a pillow speaker that can plug directly into the TV, you can use a meter and check measurements. You would unplug the ¼ inch jack from the TV and you should see less than 200 ohms from the outside to Common, and greater than 1M ohm from Common to the inside. If you see anything different then there is a problem with the wiring and not the TV.

Another check you can do with a meter is plug in a ¼ inch to ¼ inch cable into the TV. With the TV turned on measure the voltage from the common to the data and see what voltage you read. This will depend on the position of the pillow speaker switch on the back of the TV. CZ ≈ 12 -13 volts CP ≈ 5 volts and CR ≈ -5 volts.

Usually, if the pillow speaker isn’t controlling the TV it is a fault in the wiring either at the wall plate behind the TV or at the bedside wall plate.

Need more help? Email us:
Can you use a Roku with PDi A-Series hospital TVs?

Yes, a Roku would plug into one of the HDMI ports on the A-Series Smart Hospital TV.

This will require a programming remote control for the TV, shop PD108-520. Whichever port is used will need to be enabled in the TV’s setup menu. Select Setup > Sources > Source Enable > HMDI 1 or 2.

After the HDMI is enabled, you can select it by pressing the TV/AV button on the remote o scroll through the enabled inputs until you see the one you want.

Low-voltage Power Supplies

What are the recommendations for coax with a 10-Tap power supply?

Up to 10 low-voltage TVs can be powered with the central power supply by PDi.

RG-6 coaxial cable employing a solid copper center conductor and copper shield is required. Recommended RG-6 coaxial cable numbers to use include AlphaM4182 (replaced Alpha 9804C), Belden 9248, West Penn 806, or West Penn 25806 (plenum). Cable run lengths between the central power supply and room mounted televisions MUST NOT exceed 150 feet.

DO NOT USE copper clad steel center conductor style coax cable. The coax must carry not only cable TV RF signal, but also the AC power up to 150 ft from the central power supply to each television location. Unfortunately, the steel cable offers too much resistance to the low frequency AC power current. The copper clad steel center coax is almost 10 times the electrical resistance compared to a coax with a pure solid copper center conductor.
Which arm TVs offer PoE?
Why PoE? It's easy to balance and ready for IPTV.

The medTV16 and medTAB16 are the industry 's first arm-mounted patient televisions to offer PoE. These sets can be powered over coax or powered over ethernet.
- There are many levels of PoE power. To power PDi devices, use only UL listed power sourcing equipment that offers 72W (60W min) per port using all 4 pairs for power delivery. This is sometimes called UPoE, PoE++ or 3bt type 3.
- PDi recommends the Microchip Microsemi PD-9506G/ACDC/M midspan power inserter. The PoE midspan power inserter will be positioned near the ethernet switch, with short cables connected to the switch, and longer cables running to each PDi device.
- 2 midspan port connectors (Data In port and Data/Power out port) are used for each PDi device.
- 100m (3028ft) homeruns between the power inserter and either medTV16 or medTAB16.
NOTE: Be sure to order the correct part number for PoE or Coax Power devices.
What is a PDI-771-CA?

Why does the ten tap central power supply (PDI-772HE or PDI-772HE-IND) cause the circuit breaker in our load center to trip?

The high inrush current of the 1kVA toroidal transformer in the PDI-772HE can sometimes trip the 15A or 20A branch breaker. This will happen when the PDI-772HE is first plugged into the wall outlet or any time power is lost and then returned such as a power outage or backup generator test.

A “high magnetic” version of most common breakers exists. These breakers have a higher short circuit trip point. The higher trip point helps avoid tripping from the brief inrush current of the toroidal transformer and should be used with PDI-772HE power supplies whenever possible.

Ask your electrician to replace the standard breaker in your load center with a high mag version shown below.

Brand / Series	Rating	Normal Breaker	High Magnetic Trip Point
Square-D QO	15A	QO115	QO115HM
Square-D QO	20A	QO120	QO120HM
Siemens QP	15A	Q115	Q115HID
Siemens QP	20A	Q120	Q120HID
GE Q-Line	15A	THQL1115	THQL1115HM
GE Q-Line	20A	THQL1120	THQL1120HM

Which central power supplies to use with PDi minimod installations:

PDi Arms

What is the reach of the PDi Series Arms?
What is the weight capacity for each PDi Series arm?
What are the important design and coax requirements to know for arm systems?
Arm system configurators can be found under the medTV Product Catalog for 14", 16" and 19" medTV or medTAB complete systems.

Important cable requirements are shown here:
1. Coax must be solid copper core, solid copper braid. Recommended RG-6 coaxial cable numbers to use include AlphaM4182, Belden 9248, West Penn 806, or West Penn 25806 (plenum).
2. Max. home run distance for coax from central power supply is 150 ft.
3. Max length HDMI is 35 ft. Use an HDMI extender for longer distances.
  
  CAT5e supports 1Gbps speed and PoE power up to 328 feet between the network switch and the powered device. If using PoE the 328 ft limit includes the length of cable before and after the midspan power inserter.
4. CAT5e cable usually uses 24AWG wires, but more expensive versions can use 23 or 22 AWG. The lower AWG numbers are better because they allow for slightly less PoE power loss over long cable runs. This saves electricity costs and causes less self-heating of bundles of cables as they travel from the power inserter to the powered device.
5. Using CAT6 or CAT6A is generally unnecessary but may be desirable for future needs.
6. Always follow the local electrical code and category cabling best practices. Use plenum cable when crossing firewalls, crossing floors, or wiring through ventilation shafts. Use shielded cable when running alongside electrical wires or other sources of electrical noise.
Why won't my arm extend to its full reach?

PDi designs for safety first! PDi swing arms have a SAFETY PIN located at the base of the arm section that meets the nose of the arm.

ARM RECOIL HAZARD. The safety brake pin must remain in the SAFETY BRAKE PIN HOLE whenever the television set is removed from the arm or when the arm is removed from the wall bracket to prevent the arm from springing open. If your arm won't extend full reach, it likely still has the safety pin in-place.

For immediate help, please reach out to PDi ProServices!

Call 1-800-628-9870 ext. 505

TIP: Store the safety pin in the nose of the arm for easy future access!

PDi arm-mounted medTV and medTAB Systems

What is the difference between medTAB and consumer tablets?
The three main advantages of medTAB by PDi delivers versus passing out consumer tablets to patients include
- built for infection control
- continuously powered
- secure mounts avoid theft, damage and neck pain.
medTAB also has an integrated TV tuner, no dongle, and delivers more than just web OS.

Blog: Why iPads are Bad for Medical Facilities
Which products offer camera and microphone options for teleconference capability?
What are the USB charging options for medTAB?
How do I view photos from the USB media player on PDi-P14W TVs?

NOTE: P14W sets are no longer available.

If the picture is in either JPEG or BMP format it can be viewed on the P14W through the USB port on the back of the TV. When you plug in the USB thumb drive it will launch the media viewer input where you can select the files you wish to view. Use the arrows on the front of the P14w or the arrows on the PD108-427 remote control to select images.

NOTE: The current production PDI-P16TV and PDI-P19TV do not work this way. The USB port on 16" TVs and 19" TVs are only used for TV cloning and firmware updates.
Do PDi Persona P10 TVs have a digital tuner?
Does PDI-P15X TV support MPEG4 video?
What size is the headphone jack on the medTV or medTAB devices?
Can PDi arm TVs work with nurse call pillow speakers?

PDi builds several models of arm mounted TVs that work with a pillow speaker. NOTE: This is something that has to be specified when the TV is ordered so it can be built with the pillow speaker interface board and the correct cabling.

The two TV only models below would have a coax cable and pillow speaker compatibility.

PDI-P19TV-xG-C x=color Black/Cream/Gray

PDI-P16TV-xG-C x=color Cream/Gray, *Note the P16 is not offered in black*

For POE, order the 16" medTV or 16" medTAB using the suffix -P in place of -C.

These medTAB touchscreens are also built with nurse call pillow speaker functionality:

MEDTAB16D1R-xL2-C    (COAX + CAT6 + HDMI + PILLOW SPEAKER)

MEDTAB16D1R-xR2-C   (COAX + CAT6 + PILLOW SPEAKER)

MEDTAB16D1R-xY2-D   (XLR PWR + CAT6 + PILLOW SPEAKER), the XLR power is best cost option for use with IPTV.

1= camera

R= rear mount

x= color Cream/Gray

Product Series	Reach
500 Series Arm	58" (147cm)
1400 Series Arm	68" (172cm)
1000 Series Arm	72" (182cm)

Frequently Asked Questions

Our mission is to provide excellent service to who we serve. Please find answers to common questions below, or reach out to our sales or service team.

Patient TV Safety & Infection Control

How do you clean PDi TVs?

What are the benefits of UL-Listed and CSA healthcare-grade standards?

PDi Brand

What is a "healthcare-grade" television?

Who is PDi?

What products does PDi offer?

Core Technology

What are the SMART TV features?

Does PDi offer television outside the patient room?

How does patient-centered technology improve quality of care?

PDi TV How-Tos

PD108-520 Programming Remote

PD108-420 Programming Remote New Functions

Does PDi have instructional videos?

How do I enable different sources, like a DVD player or HDMI?

Do PDi televisions work with universal remotes?

Can wireless headphones work with PDi TVs?

How to increase TV display brightness

What does the mouse button do on PDi TV remotes and pillow speakers?

Doing Business with PDi

Where do I start?

How do I get tech support?

Where do I send my Purchase Order (P.O.)?

Hi, I'm Cat.

Warranty Information

What are the warranty options for televisions?

What are the warranty options for arms?

How do I request a warranty repair?

Large Screen Wall-mounted Smart TVs

How do I setup A-Series large-screen Smart TVs?

Do PDi wall-mounted televisions work with Pillow Speakers?

Which wall-mounted PDi televisions are available with DVD?

Which wall-mounted PDi televisions offer SMART technology?

Do PDi wall-mounted televisions include a camera or microphone?

Do PDi wall-mounted televisions support hearing aids?

How do I troubleshoot Pillow Speakers with PDi TVs?

Can you use a Roku with PDi A-Series hospital TVs?

Low-voltage Power Supplies

What are the recommendations for coax with a 10-Tap power supply?

Which arm TVs offer PoE?

What is a PDI-771-CA?

Why does the ten tap central power supply (PDI-772HE or PDI-772HE-IND) cause the circuit breaker in our load center to trip?

Which central power supplies to use with PDi minimod installations:

PDi Arms

What is the reach of the PDi Series Arms?

What is the weight capacity for each PDi Series arm?

What are the important design and coax requirements to know for arm systems?

Why won't my arm extend to its full reach?

PDi arm-mounted medTV and medTAB Systems

What is the difference between medTAB and consumer tablets?

Which products offer camera and microphone options for teleconference capability?

What are the USB charging options for medTAB?

How do I view photos from the USB media player on PDi-P14W TVs?

Do PDi Persona P10 TVs have a digital tuner?

Does PDI-P15X TV support MPEG4 video?

What size is the headphone jack on the medTV or medTAB devices?

Can PDi arm TVs work with nurse call pillow speakers?

Don't see your question? Ask us anything.