diff --git a/TM1638.cpp b/TM1638.cpp
index 8785789..04ede46 100644
--- a/TM1638.cpp
+++ b/TM1638.cpp
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ const byte ERROR[] = {
   0
 };
 
-TM1638::TM1638(byte dataPin, byte clockPin, byte strobePin)
+TM1638::TM1638(byte dataPin, byte clockPin, byte strobePin, boolean activateDisplay, byte intensity)
 {
   this->dataPin = dataPin;
   this->clockPin = clockPin;
@@ -74,8 +74,8 @@ TM1638::TM1638(byte dataPin, byte clockPin, byte strobePin)
   digitalWrite(strobePin, HIGH);
   digitalWrite(clockPin, HIGH);
 
-  sendCommand(0x8B);
   sendCommand(0x40);
+  sendCommand(0x80 | (activateDisplay ? 8 : 0) | min(7, intensity));
   
   digitalWrite(strobePin, LOW);
   send(0xC0);
@@ -85,6 +85,12 @@ TM1638::TM1638(byte dataPin, byte clockPin, byte strobePin)
   digitalWrite(strobePin, HIGH);
 }
 
+void TM1638::setupDisplay(boolean active, byte intensity)
+{
+  sendCommand(0x80 | (active ? 8 : 0) | min(7, intensity));
+}
+
+
 void TM1638::setDisplayToHexNumber(unsigned long number, byte dots)
 {
   for (int i = 0; i < 8; i++) {
diff --git a/TM1638.h b/TM1638.h
index 65e320d..cfb0646 100644
--- a/TM1638.h
+++ b/TM1638.h
@@ -28,8 +28,12 @@ along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
 
 class TM1638
 {
-  public:  
-    TM1638(byte dataPin, byte clockPin, byte strobePin);
+  public:
+    /** Instantiate a tm1638 module specifying the display state, the starting intensity (0-7) data, clock and stobe pins. */
+    TM1638(byte dataPin, byte clockPin, byte strobePin, boolean activateDisplay = true, byte intensity = 7);
+
+    /** Set the display (segments and LEDs) active or off and intensity (range from 0-7). */
+    void setupDisplay(boolean active, byte intensity);
 
     /** Set the display to a unsigned hexadecimal number */
     void setDisplayToHexNumber(unsigned long number, byte dots);
diff --git a/tm1638_lib.pde b/tm1638_lib.pde
index e82228a..8b0fe62 100644
--- a/tm1638_lib.pde
+++ b/tm1638_lib.pde
@@ -6,13 +6,13 @@ unsigned char hello[] = {
 
 TM1638 module1(2, 3, 4);
 TM1638 module2(2, 3, 5);
-
-unsigned long value = 87654321L;
+unsigned long value = 0L;
+boolean state = true;
 
 void setup()
 {  
-  module1.setDisplay(helloLCD);	  
-  module2.setDisplay(helloLCD);	  
+  module1.setDisplay(hello);	  
+  module2.setDisplay(hello);	  
  
   module1.setLEDs(0b00011111 | 0b11111000 << 8);
 
@@ -21,7 +21,6 @@ void setup()
   module2.setLED(TM1638_COLOR_RED | TM1638_COLOR_GREEN, 7);
 }
 
-
 void loop()
 {
   byte key1, key2;
@@ -42,6 +41,13 @@ void loop()
       module2.setDisplayToBinNumber(key1, 0);
 
       module1.setLEDs(key1);
+      
+      if (key1 & 128) {
+        state = !state;
+        delay(200); // just wait for button up
+      }
+      
+      module1.setupDisplay(state, key1 >> 1);
     }
 
     if (key2 != 0) {