NovaStar MCTRL660 LED Display Controller User Manual

Change History

1 Overview

1.1 Introduction

The MCTRL660 is an LED display controller developed by Xi'an NovaStar Tech Co., Ltd. (NovaStar). It supports 1x DVI input, 1x HDMI input, 1x audio input, and 4x Ethernet outputs. A single MCTRL660 device supports input resolutions up to 1920×1200@60Hz.

The MCTRL660 adopts an innovative architecture to implement smart screen configuration without using a computer, allowing a screen to be configured within 30 seconds. It also allows users to adjust screen brightness manually, which is faster and more convenient.

The MCTRL660 can be mainly used in the rental and fixed applications, such as concerts, live events, security monitoring centers, Olympic Games and various sports centers.

1.2 Features

• 3 types of input connectors: 1x SL-DVI, 1x HDMI 1.3, 1x AUDIO
• 4x Gigabit Ethernet outputs
• 1x type-B USB control port
• 2x UART control ports for device cascading (up to 20 devices can be cascaded)
• Support for high-bit-depth inputs: 8bit/10bit/12bit
• Support for 18-bit grayscale processing and display
• Support for manual screen brightness adjustment
• Quick screen configuration without using a computer
• Innovative architecture for smart screen configuration within 30 seconds
• Pixel level brightness and chroma calibration

2 Appearance

Front Panel

The front panel includes:

• 1. Power switch: ON/OFF
• 2. Indicator: PWR (Red) and RUN (Green) status lights.
• 3. LCD screen: Displays device status, menus, submenus, and messages.
• 4. Knob: Select menu items, adjust parameter values, and confirm settings.
• 5. BACK button: Return to the previous menu or exit the current operation.

Rear Panel

The rear panel includes:

• Input: DVI IN (1x SL-DVI input connector, max resolution 1920×1200@60Hz, supports custom resolutions, max width 3840, max height 3840, does not support interlaced signals), HDMI IN (1x HDMI 1.3 input connector, max resolution 1920×1200@60Hz, supports custom resolutions, max width 3840, max height 3840, supports HDCP 1.4, does not support interlaced signals).
• Output: AUDIO (Audio input connector), 4x RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet ports (capacity per port up to 650,000 pixels, supports redundancy), HDMI OUT (1x HDMI 1.3 output connector for cascading), DVI OUT (1x SL-DVI output connector for cascading).
• Control: TO PC (Type-B USB 2.0 port to connect to PC), UART IN/OUT (Input and output ports to cascade devices).
• Power: AC 100V-240V~50/60Hz.

3 Applications

The MCTRL660 can be used in various applications, including concerts, live events, security monitoring centers, Olympic Games, and sports centers. A typical application setup involves connecting a PC and DVD player to the controller, and then connecting the controller to a monitor and other PCs.

4 Cascade Devices

To control multiple MCTRL660 devices simultaneously, connect them using the UART ports as shown in the cascading diagram.

5 Home Screen

The home screen of the MCTRL660 displays the current status, including input source, master/redundancy mode, Ethernet port usage, screen brightness, button lock status, and EDID resolution.

Icon Descriptions:

• DVI IN / HDMI IN: Indicates video source connection. Flashes if no signal.
• Master: Indicates the device is in master mode.
• 1, 2, 3, 4: Indicate Ethernet output ports.
• 50%: Indicates current screen brightness.
• Lock Icon: Indicates knob and BACK buttons are locked.
• EDID RES: 1920×1080@60Hz: Indicates resolution and frame frequency.

6 Menu Operations

6.1 Light a Screen Quickly

This section guides users on how to quickly configure the LED screen to display the input source.

6.1.1 Step 1: Set Input Resolution

This function sets the output resolution of the graphics card. Users can select a preset resolution or customize one.

Method 1: Select a preset resolution

Choose a proper resolution and refresh rate from the available standard presets. If no suitable preset is found, use Method 2.

Method 2: Customize a resolution

Navigate to Advanced Setting > EDID Resolution to customize the horizontal resolution, vertical resolution, and refresh rate. Press Apply to confirm.

6.1.2 Step 2: Quickly Configure the Screen

Follow these steps for quick screen configuration:

1. Power on the screen. If the cabinet is in normal display, proceed to Step 2. If abnormal, load cabinet files first (see 6.3.4).
2. Enter the Screen Setting submenu and set parameters: Cabinet Row QTY, Cabinet Col QTY, Out1 Cabinet QTY, and Data Flow.

6.2 Adjust Brightness

Adjust screen brightness for optimal viewing and to extend the LED screen's service life. This can be done via the menu by selecting Brightness and adjusting the value using the knob.

6.3 Advanced Setting

Advanced settings include Offset Position, Image Quality, Master/Redundancy, Load Cabinet Files, Save RV Card Parameters, Smart Brightness, and Factory Default.

6.3.1 Offset Position

Adjust the start coordinates of the display image. Ensure the total offset and screen size do not exceed the output resolution.

6.3.2 Image Quality

Adjust gamma, contrast, saturation, and hue. Save the settings to the receiving cards.

6.3.3 Master/Redundancy

Configure the controller for master or redundancy mode when using multiple controllers.

6.3.4 Load Cabinet Files

Before loading, save the cabinet configuration file (*.rcfgx or *.rcfg) to a local PC. Use NovaLCT software to import the file via Tools > Controller Cabinet Configuration File Import.

6.3.5 Save to RV Card

Send and save current screen configuration parameters to the receiving cards. This data is retained after power off.

6.3.6 Smart Brightness

Enable this function to automatically adjust brightness. Requires loading configuration files first. Supports non-pulse-width modulation (PWM) chips.

6.3.7 Factory Reset

Reset controller parameters to factory settings.

6.4 Display Control

Control the display status on the LED screen:

• Normal: Displays content normally.
• Black Out: Makes the screen black without stopping the input source.
• Freeze: Freezes the current frame.
• Test Pattern: Displays test patterns for checking display effect and pixel status.

6.5 Language

Set the MCTRL660 UI language to Chinese or English.

7 Operations on PC

7.1 10-bit Gamma Adjustment

Perform 10-bit gamma adjustment using NovaLCT software:

1. Run NovaLCT, log in as an advanced user.
2. Select Screen Configuration, choose a communication port, and click Next.
3. On the Sending Card tab, set input source bit depth to 10bit and click Set.
4. In NovaLCT, go to Brightness > Manual Adjustment.
5. Under Advanced Settings, choose Gamma Adjustment > Gamma Value Adjustment.
6. Adjust the slider and click Save to HW.

7.2 Input Source Bit Depth

Set the input source bit depth to 8bit, 10bit, or 12bit using NovaLCT:

1. Run NovaLCT, log in as an advanced user.
2. Select Screen Configuration, choose a communication port, and click Next.
3. On the Sending Card tab, select the desired Input Source Bit Depth.
4. Click Save System Configuration File and Save.

Input Source Bit Depth Descriptions:

• 8bit: Does not reduce device loading capacity.
• 10bit: Reduces device loading capacity by half.
• 12bit: Reduces device loading capacity by half.

7.3 Firmware Update

7.3.1 NovaLCT

Update MCTRL660 firmware using NovaLCT:

1. Run NovaLCT, log in as an advanced user.
2. Enter the secret code "admin" to open the program loading page.
3. Click Browse, select the program package, and click Update.

7.3.2 SmartLCT

Update MCTRL660 firmware using SmartLCT:

1. Run SmartLCT and enter the V-Sender page.
2. In the properties area, click the icon to enter the Firmware Upgrade page.
3. Click the icon to select the update program path.
4. Click Update.

8 Specifications