MX30 LED Display Controller

Change History

1 Overview

The MX30 is an all-in-one LED display controller in the brand-new control system COEX series of Xi'an NovaStar Tech Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as NovaStar). This controller integrates video processing and video control into one box and offers rich video input connectors (HDMI 2.0, HDMI 1.4, DP 1.1 and 3G-SDI), 10x Ethernet output ports and 2x 10G optical ports. It can also work with the brand-new software VMP (Vision Management Platform) to provide a better operation and control experience.

This document mainly describes the menu operations on the LCD screen of the controller. For more function operations, see the VMP Vision Management Platform User Manual.

2 Appearance

2.1 Front Panel

The front panel includes indicators, buttons, a screen, and ports for operation and status display.

2.2 Rear Panel

The rear panel features various input, output, and control connectors.

Inputs:

• HDMI 2.0-1 IN: Supports resolutions up to 4096x2160@60Hz (Forced), max width 8192 pixels, max height 7680 pixels. Supports various frame rates, HDR10, HLG, EDID management, and HDCP 2.2. Does not support interlaced signals.
• HDMI 1.4-2 IN: Supports resolutions up to 4096x1080@60Hz (Forced), max width 4096 pixels, max height 4096 pixels. Supports various frame rates, EDID management, HDCP 2.2. Does not support interlaced signals.
• DP 1.1: Supports resolutions up to 4096x1080@60Hz (Forced), max width 4096 pixels, max height 4096 pixels. Supports various frame rates, EDID management, HDCP 2.2. Does not support interlaced signals.
• 3G-SDI IN (2 ports): Supports ST-424 (3G), ST-292 (HD), ST-259 (SD) video inputs and 3G-Level A/Level B (DS mode). Max resolution 1920x1080@60Hz. Supports MQ level deinterlacing.

Outputs:

• 1-10 (Ethernet): 10 Gigabit Ethernet output ports with hot backup. Max device load capacity: 6.5 million pixels. Specific capacities for 8bit@60Hz and 10bit@60Hz are listed, with higher capacity when used with A10s Pro receiving card.
• OPT 1-2: 2x 10G optical output ports. OPT 1 carries data from Ethernet ports 1-10; OPT 2 is a copy channel.
• HDMI 2.0-1 LOOP: HDMI loop through, supporting up to 8 devices in a loop.
• HDMI 1.4-2 LOOP: HDMI loop through, supporting up to 8 devices in a loop.
• 3G-SDI LOOP (2 ports): SDI loop through, supporting up to 8 devices in a loop.
• SPDIF OUT: 1x Digital audio output (Reserved).

Controls:

• ETHERNET (2 ports): Gigabit Ethernet control ports supporting TCP/IP and star topology. Used for connecting to VMP software. Up to 20 MX30 devices can be cascaded.
• GENLOCK (1 port): Genlock signal connectors supporting Bi-Level, Tri-Level, and Blackburst. Accepts sync signal (IN) or loops sync signal (LOOP). Supports frame rates from 23.98 Hz to 60 Hz. Up to 20 MX30 devices can be cascaded.
• AUX (1 port): Auxiliary port for central control device (RS232) (Reserved).
• Power: AC power input connector and switch (100-240V~, 50/60Hz, 2-0.8A).

Note: Maximum input resolution and dimensions for HDMI/DP depend on graphics card settings.

3 Applications

The MX30 supports two typical application scenarios for LED screens with a size of 4096x2160:

Application 1: Synchronous Mosaic

This scenario involves connecting an input source (e.g., via HDMI/DP/SDI cable) to the MX30 controller, which then outputs to an LED Screen via Ethernet.

Application 2: Long-Distance Transmission via OPT Ports

This setup uses the MX30 controller connected to a Fiber Converter via OPT ports (OPT1/OPT2) for long-distance transmission to another Fiber Converter, which then connects to the LED Screen via Ethernet.

4 UI Introduction

4.1 Home Screen

After powering on, the device displays a home screen with status information. The home screen shows:

• Top Line: Device name (e.g., MX30) and working mode (e.g., All-In-One Controller).
• IP Address: The device's IP address (e.g., 192.168.255.160).
• Input Status: Shows accessed input sources (HDMI, DP, SDI, Internal) and their status (Green: accessed and used; Blue: accessed but not used; Red: abnormal; Gray: abnormal and not used).
• Internal Resolution/Frame Rate: Displays the resolution and frame rate of the currently available internal input source.
• Screen Resolution/Frame Rate: Shows the screen's resolution and frame rate.
• Brightness: Displays the screen brightness.
• Port Status: Indicates the connection status of Ethernet (1-10) and OPT (1-2) ports (Blue: Connected; Gray: Disconnected).
• Sync Status: Shows the sync signal currently used (e.g., Sync: HDMI@143.86Hz) and its status (Blue: normal; Red: abnormal).
• SDR: Indicates the format of the dynamic range.
• Output Display Status: Icons indicate display status (e.g., frozen, blackout).
• Temperature: Shows the internal chassis temperature.

4.2 Main Menu

From the home screen, pressing the knob accesses the main menu. The menu structure includes options like Screen Brightness, Layer Parameters (in All-In-One mode), Input Settings, Screen Configuration, Display Control, Preset, Advanced Functions, System Settings, Communication Settings, and Language.

5 Initial Screen Configuration

Screen configuration can be done via the front panel menu or VMP software, provided the LED screen, cabinets, data flow, and port loading meet specific requirements.

5.1 Quick Configuration via Front Panel Screen

5.1.1 Set Input Source

Select the desired input source and configure its resolution and frame rate. For external sources (HDMI, DP), configure EDID settings (Custom or Standard resolution/frame rate). For internal sources, select Image, then Resolution, and set parameters.

5.1.2 Load Cabinet Config File

To resolve display issues, load a cabinet configuration file (.rcfgx) via USB or VMP. The process involves selecting the file, sending it, and saving it to the RV Card.

5.1.3 Swift Layout

This feature quickly sets up cabinet connections by configuring parameters like Cabinet Row Qty, Cabinet Column Qty, Port 1 Cabinet Qty, Data Flow, and offsets (H Offset, V Offset).

5.2 Free Screen Configuration via VMP

VMP software offers advanced configuration for regular and complex screens, including free wiring and load capacity calculation. Refer to the VMP Vision Management Platform User Manual for details.

6 Display Effect Adjustment

6.1 Apply Presets

Apply saved presets from VMP to quickly adjust display effects.

6.2 Set External Input Source Parameters

6.2.1 View Input Source Information

View attribute values like resolution, frame rate, and bit depth for external input sources by navigating to Input Settings > Input Source > Infoframe.

6.2.2 Set Resolution and Frame Rate (HDMI1, HDMI2 and DP only)

Configure the resolution and frame rate for external input sources. This can be done via EDID settings, choosing between Custom manual settings or Standard presets.

6.2.3 Adjust Color

Adjust color parameters by setting infoframe override parameters. Navigate to Input Settings > Input Source > Infoframe Override, then select Color Adjustment. Parameters include Black Level, Contrast, Saturation, Hue, and RGB shadow/highlight adjustments.

6.2.4 Set HDR Parameters (HDMI1 only)

Configure HDR parameters for HDR video sources. Select HDR format (e.g., HDR10, ST2084, ST2086) and adjust parameters like MaxCLL. Note that HDR may reduce load capacity.

6.3 Set Internal Input Sources

Select and configure internal input sources (static pictures or motion pictures) for screen testing. Adjust resolution, frame rate, and bit depth as needed.

6.4 View Layer Parameters (All-In-One Controller Mode only)

View layer parameters such as Canvas Size and max frame rate. Layer configuration (creating/editing layers) requires VMP.

6.5 Set Output Parameters

6.5.1 Adjust Screen Brightness

Adjust and save the screen brightness. Navigate to Screen Brightness, adjust using the knob, and save the settings via Screen Configuration > Save to RV Card.

6.5.2 Adjust Gamma and Color Temperature

Adjust Gamma and Color Temperature via Advanced Functions > LED Screen Color. Settings can be saved to the RV Card.

6.5.3 Set Low Latency

Reduce or increase latency using the Low Latency function. This feature is available under Advanced Functions > Output Settings. Note that Genlock sync source cannot be used when low latency is enabled.

6.5.4 Set Bit Depth

Set the output bit depth of the input source via Advanced Functions > Output Settings > Bit Depth. Options include Auto, 8bit, 10bit.

6.5.5 Set Sync Source

Select a synchronization signal (Active Source, Genlock, Internal) and adjust phase offset via Advanced Functions > Output Settings > Sync.

7 Device Management

7.1 Switch Working Mode

Change the device's working mode between All-In-One Controller and Send-Only Controller via System Settings > Working Mode.

7.2 Set a Backup Device

Specify a backup device to take over if the primary device fails, configured under Advanced Functions > System Backup > Select Backup Device.

7.3 Configure Communication Settings

Configure network settings, including IP address (Manual or Auto) and protocol switches (SNMP, Art-Net), via Communication Settings > Network Settings.

7.4 Enable Mapping

Enable the Mapping function via Screen Configuration > Mapping to display information like Ethernet port number and receiving card number for easier location and topology tracking.

7.5 Control Display Status

Set the display status to Normal, Freeze, or Blackout via Display Control.

7.6 Diagnostics

7.6.1 Upon Powering Up

The device automatically performs a diagnostic process upon startup. Normal startup indicates all functions are available; abnormal startup may require exporting diagnostic results.

7.6.2 Maintenance

Perform device diagnostics, view results, and export them to a USB drive via System Settings > Diagnostics.

7.7 View the Firmware Version

Check the current firmware version in System Settings, next to Firmware Version.

7.8 Reset to Factory Settings

Reset device data to factory settings. Options include resetting part of the data (keeping user data) or resetting all data via System Settings > Factory Reset.

8 Basic System Settings

8.1 Set Language

Change the system language to English or Chinese (中文) via the main menu.

8.2 Set Session Timeout

Configure the session timeout duration (30s, 1min, 5min) after which the LCD returns to the home screen if no action is taken, via System Settings > Return to Home.

8.3 Set Temperature Scale

Select the temperature scale (Celsius or Fahrenheit) via System Settings > Temperature Scale.

8.4 View Service Information

Access NovaStar's official website, technical support email, and service hotline via System Settings > About Us.

9 Product Specifications

Note: Power consumption may vary. Prevent product from water intrusion.

10 Video Source Specifications

This section details supported video inputs, resolutions, color spaces, sampling, bit depth, and frame rates.

Note: Table shows common resolutions and integer frame rates. Decimal frame rates are also supported.

11 Ethernet Port Load Capacity

This section details the load capacity per Ethernet port based on bit depth and frame rate, for different receiving cards.

When Working with A10s Pro Receiving Card

When Working with Other Armor Series Receiving Cards

Note: Maximum load capacity is achieved when load width is 192 pixels or more. Load capacity is reduced if width is less, calculated as (192 - load width) x load height.