Display Setup Guide
Complete guide to setting up FamilyCast displays throughout your home. Whether you're adding your first display or your fifth, this guide covers everything you need to know.
Overview
FamilyCast displays can be set up in minutes using any device with a web browser. Each display shows layouts tailored to its location and audience - calendars in the kitchen, photos in the living room, and kid-friendly schedules in bedrooms.
What You'll Learn:
- Choosing the right hardware for each room
- Creating and configuring displays
- Registering devices with FamilyCast
- Setting up room-specific layouts
- Managing multiple displays
Before You Start
Hardware Requirements
Minimum:
- Any tablet, smart TV, or computer
- Web browser (Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge)
- WiFi connection (5+ Mbps)
- Power outlet nearby
Recommended:
- Tablet: iPad (2018+) or Android tablet (4GB+ RAM)
- Smart TV: Any TV with built-in browser
- WiFi: 10+ Mbps for photos and videos
- Mounting solution (wall mount, stand, etc.)
Account Setup
Make sure you have:
- ✅ FamilyCast account created
- ✅ At least one integration connected (Cozi, Google Calendar, or Google Photos)
- ✅ At least one layout created
Not ready? Complete the Quick Start Guide first.
Step-by-Step Setup
Step 1: Choose Your Display Location
Popular Display Locations:
Kitchen (Most Popular)
- Perfect for: Family calendar, meal planning, shopping lists
- Recommended device: 10" tablet on counter stand or wall mount
- Best layouts: Calendar + weather, family schedule
Entryway/Mudroom
- Perfect for: Daily schedules, reminders, weather
- Recommended device: 8-10" tablet on small shelf
- Best layouts: Today's schedule, weather forecast
Living Room
- Perfect for: Family photos, shared calendar, entertainment
- Recommended device: Large tablet or smart TV
- Best layouts: Photo slideshow, family updates
Kids' Bedrooms
- Perfect for: Individual schedules, chores, activities
- Recommended device: 7-8" tablet (kid-proof case recommended)
- Best layouts: Kid's schedule, chore chart, activity reminders
Home Office
- Perfect for: Family calendar visibility while working
- Recommended device: Small tablet or second monitor
- Best layouts: Calendar week view, family messages
Step 2: Create the Display
- Log into your FamilyCast dashboard
- Click Displays in the main menu
- Click Create Display
Fill in Display Information:
Name: Descriptive name that includes location
- Good: "Kitchen Family Calendar"
- Good: "Emma's Room Schedule"
- Avoid: "Display 1"
Type: Choose display purpose
- Family Hub - Central family information (calendar, photos, messages)
- Kids Display - Child-specific content with safety controls
- Photo Display - Primarily for photo sharing
- Info Display - Weather, news, information
Location: Physical room or area
- Example: "Kitchen", "Living Room", "Emma's Bedroom"
Description (Optional): Additional notes
- Example: "Mounted on kitchen wall next to refrigerator"
- Click Create Display
You'll receive a 6-character registration code.
Important:
- Code expires in 24 hours
- One-time use only
- Case-sensitive
- Can generate new code if expired
Step 3: Prepare the Physical Device
Before registering, set up the device:
For Tablets
iPad:
- Update to latest iOS
- Install Safari (default browser)
- Go to Settings → Display & Brightness
- Set Auto-Lock to "Never"
- Go to Settings → General → Software Update
- Enable automatic updates
- Connect to WiFi
- Disable notifications for distraction-free display
Android Tablet:
- Update to latest Android version
- Install Chrome browser
- Go to Settings → Display
- Set Screen timeout to "Never"
- Go to Settings → System → Advanced → Developer Options
- Enable "Stay awake" (keeps screen on while charging)
- Connect to WiFi
- Enable "Do Not Disturb" mode
For Smart TVs
Samsung, LG, or Other Smart TVs:
- Update TV firmware
- Open web browser app
- Connect to WiFi
- Disable sleep mode/screen saver
- Set input to browser app as default
- Consider using guest mode if available
For Computers
Windows PC or Mac:
- Update operating system
- Install Chrome browser
- Disable sleep mode:
- Windows: Settings → Power & Sleep → Never
- Mac: System Preferences → Energy Saver → Never
- Connect to stable network (ethernet preferred)
- Set browser to open full screen (F11)
Step 4: Register the Device
On your prepared device:
-
Open web browser (Chrome or Safari recommended)
-
Navigate to:
display.familycast.app
-
Enter registration code (the 6-character code from Step 2)
- Example:
FAM123
- Case-sensitive!
- Example:
-
Click "Register Device"
What Happens Next:
✅ Device connects to FamilyCast cloud ✅ Creates secure session ✅ Registers device fingerprint ✅ Downloads assigned layout ✅ Begins displaying content ✅ Starts heartbeat monitoring (every 2 minutes)
Troubleshooting Registration:
"Registration code invalid"
- Check code was entered correctly (case-sensitive)
- Verify code hasn't expired (24 hours)
- Try generating new code
"Connection failed"
- Check internet connection
- Verify WiFi is stable
- Try reloading the page
- Clear browser cache
"Display not authorized"
- Verify display is active in dashboard
- Check that display type is correct
- Contact support if issue persists
Step 5: Assign a Layout
Now connect your content to the display:
- Back in FamilyCast dashboard
- Go to Displays
- Click on your new display
- Under Active Layout, click the dropdown
- Select appropriate layout for this display
- Click Update
Layout will appear on display within seconds!
Layout Recommendations by Room:
Kitchen Display:
- Family Calendar + Weather
- Meal Planning + Shopping List
- Today's Schedule + Photos
Kids' Room Display:
- Kid's Schedule + Chore Chart
- Morning Routine + Evening Routine
- Activities + Reminders
Living Room Display:
- Photo Slideshow Full Screen
- Family Calendar + Photos
- Calendar + Weather + Photos
Entryway Display:
- Today's Schedule + Weather
- Quick Calendar + Messages
- Daily Agenda + Alerts
Step 6: Test and Verify
Verification Checklist:
- Display shows online (green status) in dashboard
- Layout appears correctly on physical screen
- Content is visible and readable
- Calendar events display properly
- Photos rotate (if photo slideshow included)
- Weather shows correct location
- Display stays on (doesn't sleep)
Test Updates:
- Make a small change in dashboard (edit calendar event)
- Wait 2-5 minutes
- Verify change appears on display
- Confirms cloud sync is working
Display Configuration
Display Settings
Basic Settings:
- Name - Change display name
- Type - Modify display type
- Location - Update physical location
- Is Active - Enable/disable display
Advanced Settings:
- Auto-refresh - Reload content every X hours (prevents browser memory issues)
- Brightness schedule - Dim display at night (requires compatible device)
- Safe mode - Kid-friendly content filter
- Private mode - Hide calendar event details (kids' displays)
Session Management:
- Current Session - View active session details
- Last Active - When display last checked in
- Registration Code - Generate new code
- Disconnect - End current session
Multiple Layouts
You can rotate between multiple layouts:
Manual Switching:
- Change active layout anytime from dashboard
- Display updates within seconds
- No need to touch physical device
Scheduled Switching:
- Morning layout (6 AM - 12 PM): Today's schedule
- Afternoon layout (12 PM - 6 PM): Family calendar
- Evening layout (6 PM - 10 PM): Photos + messages
- Night layout (10 PM - 6 AM): Clock + weather
See: Family Calendar for advanced scheduling
Room-Specific Setup Guides
Kitchen Display Setup
Recommended Hardware:
- 10-12" tablet (iPad or Android)
- Wall mount or counter stand
- Near refrigerator or planning area
Suggested Layout:
- 60% Family calendar (week view)
- 20% Weather widget
- 20% Shopping list or family messages
Content Updates:
- Syncs every 15 minutes
- Real-time for family messages
- Daily weather refresh
Kids' Room Display Setup
Recommended Hardware:
- 7-8" tablet
- Protective kid-proof case
- Mounted out of reach (prevents tampering)
Suggested Layout:
- 50% Kid's personal schedule
- 25% Chore checklist
- 25% Activity reminders or rewards
Safety Features:
- Enable safe mode (filters calendar details)
- Private mode (hides other family members' events)
- Read-only (kids can't edit)
See: Kids Safety for detailed safety setup
Living Room Photo Display
Recommended Hardware:
- Large tablet (12"+) or smart TV
- Picture frame mount or TV mount
- Near seating area for visibility
Suggested Layout:
- 100% Google Photos slideshow
- OR 75% photos + 25% family calendar
- Slow transitions (15-30 seconds per photo)
Photo Tips:
- Create dedicated "Living Room" album in Google Photos
- Curate favorite family photos
- Update monthly for variety
- Use landscape orientation photos
Entryway Daily Display
Recommended Hardware:
- 8-10" tablet
- Small shelf or wall mount near door
- Eye level for easy viewing
Suggested Layout:
- 70% Today's schedule (list view)
- 20% Current weather + forecast
- 10% Quick family messages
Updates:
- Real-time schedule changes
- Hourly weather updates
- Instant message notifications
Managing Multiple Displays
Display List View
Dashboard Features:
- See all displays at once
- Online/offline status indicators
- Quick layout switching
- Bulk actions
Filtering:
- By room/location
- By type (Family Hub, Kids, Photo, Info)
- By status (Online, Idle, Offline)
Bulk Operations
Update Multiple Displays:
- Select displays using checkboxes
- Click Bulk Actions
- Choose action:
- Assign same layout
- Change settings
- Generate new codes
- Disable/enable displays
Use Cases:
- Deploy new family photo album to all displays
- Switch all displays to holiday layout
- Update weather location after moving
Display Groups
Organize related displays:
By Floor:
- First Floor Displays (kitchen, living room, entryway)
- Second Floor Displays (bedrooms, office)
By Function:
- Calendar Displays (show schedules)
- Photo Displays (primarily photos)
- Kids Displays (child-focused content)
Benefits:
- Easier management
- Coordinated updates
- Consistent layouts
Best Practices
Hardware Selection
Budget-Friendly:
- Amazon Fire Tablet HD 10 ($150)
- Older iPad (refurbished)
- Repurposed Android tablet
Mid-Range:
- iPad (2020 or newer) ($329+)
- Samsung Galaxy Tab ($200-300)
- Google Nest Hub Max ($229)
Premium:
- iPad Pro ($799+)
- Large smart TV (reuse existing)
- Dedicated digital photo frame displays
Installation Tips
Mounting:
- Wall mounts keep displays secure
- Counter stands work for temporary setups
- Ensure power cable is hidden or managed
- Position at comfortable viewing height
Power:
- Use surge protector
- Hide cables with cable management solutions
- Keep device plugged in at all times
- Consider smart outlet for scheduling power
WiFi:
- Ensure strong signal in display location
- Use 5GHz WiFi if available
- Consider WiFi extender for weak areas
- Test speed: minimum 5 Mbps, recommended 10+ Mbps
Content Strategy
Start Simple:
- Week 1: Calendar only
- Week 2: Add photos
- Week 3: Add weather/messages
- Week 4: Customize per room
Update Regularly:
- Monthly: Refresh photo albums
- Weekly: Review calendar integration
- Daily: Check display status
- As needed: Adjust layouts
Family Involvement:
- Let kids help choose photos for their displays
- Ask family members what they want to see
- Gather feedback after first week
- Adjust content based on usage
Troubleshooting
Display Won't Register
Check:
- Registration code entered correctly (case-sensitive)
- Code hasn't expired (24 hours max)
- Internet connection working on device
- Browser is compatible (Chrome/Safari/Firefox)
Solutions:
- Generate new registration code
- Try different browser
- Clear browser cache
- Restart device and try again
Display Shows Offline
Check:
- Device powered on and browser open
- WiFi connected and stable
- Browser hasn't crashed or closed
- Device hasn't gone to sleep
Solutions:
- Refresh browser page
- Reconnect to WiFi
- Disable device sleep mode
- Re-register if needed
See: Display Problems for comprehensive troubleshooting
Content Not Updating
Check:
- Display is online (green status)
- Layout is assigned to display
- Integration is connected (Cozi, Google Photos, etc.)
- Calendar/photos actually have content
Solutions:
- Wait 15 minutes for sync
- Refresh display browser
- Verify integration still connected
- Re-assign layout to display
Display Keeps Disconnecting
Common Causes:
- Weak WiFi signal
- Device sleep mode not disabled
- Browser memory issues
- Network instability
Solutions:
- Move closer to router or use WiFi extender
- Disable auto-lock/sleep in device settings
- Enable auto-refresh (reloads page daily)
- Use ethernet if possible (computer displays)
Advanced Features
Scheduled Display Power
Control when displays turn on/off:
Using Smart Plugs:
- Connect display to smart outlet
- Set schedule: On 6 AM, Off 11 PM
- Saves energy when family is sleeping
Using Device Settings:
- Some smart TVs support scheduled power
- Tablets can use automation apps
- Computers can use scheduled tasks
Display Automation
Auto-Refresh:
- Reload page daily at 3 AM
- Prevents browser memory leaks
- Ensures latest content
Layout Scheduling:
- Different layouts for different times of day
- Morning: Today's schedule
- Evening: Family photos
- Night: Clock + weather
See: Family Calendar for scheduling details
Guest Mode
For temporary displays or visitors:
- Create guest display
- Assign public-safe layout (no private calendar details)
- Use 24-hour expiration
- Delete display after guest leaves
Next Steps
Expand Your Setup:
- Family Messages - Leave notes for family
- Kids Schedules - Set up chore charts
- Photo Sharing - Customize photo displays
Manage Your Family:
- Adding Family Members - Invite family to collaborate
- Managing Access - Control permissions
- Kids Safety - Set up kid-friendly displays
Integrate More:
- Cozi Integration - Family calendar and lists
- Google Calendar - Additional calendars
- Google Photos - Photo album management
Questions? Check Common Issues or contact [email protected]