NovaStar VX400s LED Display Controller

1 Safety Instructions

To avoid any possible dangers, please use the device according to instructions. There are no user serviceable parts inside. Please refer all servicing to qualified personnel.

Danger High Voltage

High voltage is present inside the device. To avoid the electric shock, do not remove the rear cover yourself. Only qualified technicians should open the device.

Warnings

1. Do not place vessels containing water on the device to avoid water spill or water splash.
2. Do not place the device in a position near fire and heat.
3. If there are any unusual sounds, smoke or smells coming from the device, unplug the device immediately.

Important Safety Instructions

1. Read these operating instructions carefully before using the unit. Keep these operating instructions handy for future reference.
2. Unplug the device in a thunderstorm or when you intend to leave it unused for long periods of time.
3. Only trained professionals may operate the device.
4. Do not cram any objects into the device through ventilation holes to avoid device damage or electric shock.
5. Do not use the device near water or in a position with high humidity.
6. Do not use the device in a position with high temperature.
7. Please keep the power cord properly to avoid damage.
8. If any of the following occurs, unplug the device immediately and contact for servicing:
   • Liquid splashes into the device.
   • The device damages due to falling.
   • The device does not function normally or its performance changes.

Please read these operating instructions carefully. NovaStar assumes no responsibility for any personal injuries or device damage caused by misoperations that do not conform to the safety instructions above.

2 Overview

The VX400s is a NovaStar professional LED display controller, featuring excellent display control and powerful front-end video processing capabilities. With outstanding image quality and flexible image control functions, the VX400s can greatly satisfy the user needs in the media industry.

Features:

• Provides a variety of video input connectors, including 2 × CVBS, 2 × VGA, 1 × DVI, 1 × HDMI and 1 × YPbPr.
• Input resolutions of some connectors can be up to 1080p@60Hz.
• You can freely scale the image based on the screen resolution.
• Computer software for system configuration is not necessary. The system can be configured using one knob and one button. All can be done just by fingers. This is what NovaStar calls Touch Track.
• Powerful image processing, professional image control and user-friendly UI design, allowing for an easy and convenient display control experience.
• Adopts an innovative architecture to implement smart configuration, allowing for the screen debugging to be completed within several minutes, which greatly shortens the preparation time on the stage.
• Provides seamless high-speed switch and fade-in/fade-out effect so as to strengthen and display picture demonstration of professional quality.
• The position and size of PIP can both be adjusted, which can be controlled at will.
• Visualized LCD screen and distinct button indicators simplify system control operations.
• Adopts NovaStar G4 engine to realize a perfect display image with no flickering or scanning lines, as well as fine quality and good sense of depth.
• Adopts NovaStar new-generation calibration technology, allowing for a fast and efficient calibration process.
• Implements white balance calibration and color gamut mapping based on different features of the LEDs used by different screens to ensure colors are faithfully reproduced.
• Supports HDMI/DVI video input and HDMI audio input.
• Supports high bit depth video input: 10bit/8bit.
• Video output loading capacity is 2.3 million pixels and supported video formats are RGB, YCbCr4:2:2 and YCbCr4:4:4.

2.1 Front Panel

The front panel of the VX400s includes the following components:

• (1) Power button: Turns the device on/off.
• (2) Operation screen: Displays system status and menu options. The screen shows input sources (DVI, HDMI, VGA1, VGA2, CV1, CV2, YPbPr, E.M.) and their resolutions, as well as screen brightness and status indicators.
• (3) Knob: Used for navigating menus and adjusting parameters. Press to enter menus or confirm selections, rotate to select items or adjust values.
• (4) ESC button: Used to exit the current menu or cancel an operation.
• (5) 8 input source buttons: Used to select the input source for the main layer or PIP.
• (6) Fn button: Used for entering related menus or shortcut functions.
• (7) Shortcut button: Used for loading presets.

Icon Descriptions:

• Primary: The device is set as primary.
• Backup: The device is set as backup.
• [pixel-to-pixel]: Pixel to pixel display mode.
• [scale-down]: Scale down the image.
• [scale-up]: Scale up the image.
• [pip-off]: Picture-in-Picture function is off.
• [pip-on]: Picture-in-Picture function is on.
• [image-mosaic-off]: Image mosaic function is off.
• [image-mosaic-on]: Image mosaic function is on.
• [locked]: All buttons and knob are locked.

Screen Information:

• Row 1: Displays the main layer's signal source and resolution.
• Row 2: Displays the PIP layer's signal source and resolution.
• Row 3: Displays screen width, height, and brightness.
• Row 4: Displays the status bar.

Output Port: Ethernet port 2 is used for output.

2.2 Rear Panel

The rear panel provides various input, output, and control connectors:

Input Connectors:

• UART IN: Used as input for device cascading.
• UART OUT: Used as output for device cascading.
• USB: For communication with PC.
• HDMI: HDMI input connector.
• DVI: DVI input connector.
• SDI IN: 3G-SDI input connector, de-interlacing supported.
• VGA1-VGA2: VGA input connector.
• CVBS1: PAL/NTSC-compliant composite video input.
• CVBS2: PAL/NTSC-compliant composite video input.
• YPbPr: YPbPr input connector.
• AUDIO IN: 1 × Audio input connector.

Output Connectors:

• SDI LOOP: SDI loop output connector.
• DVI LOOP: DVI loop output connector.
• Monitor - VGA OUT: VGA monitoring connector.
• Monitor - DVI OUT: DVI monitoring connector.
• LED Out 1, 2, 3, 4: 4 Gigabit Ethernet output connectors. Only Ethernet port 1 supports audio output. When a multifunction card is connected for audio decoding, it must be connected to Ethernet port 1.

Control Connectors:

• UART IN/OUT: Used for device cascading.
• USB: For communication with PC.

Power:

• AC 100-240V~, 50/60Hz: AC power connector.

Note: Connector layout may be adjusted for user experience. Product images are for reference only.

3 Button Descriptions

Knob:

• On the home screen, press the knob to enter the operation menu screen.
• On the operation menu screen, rotate the knob to select a menu item, and press the knob to confirm the selection or enter the submenu.
• When a menu item with parameters is selected, you can rotate the knob to adjust the parameters. Press the knob again to confirm the adjustment.

ESC:

Press the button to exit the current menu or cancel the operation.

Lock/Unlock:

Hold down the knob and ESC simultaneously to lock or unlock all controls.

4 Operations

The VX400s is powerful and easy to operate. All operations can be performed using the knob and ESC button. Through simple 5-step operations, the LED screen can be lit and work normally. Advanced functions, such as display control, can help you better control the LED display.

4.1 Hardware Connection

Connect the required hardware devices. The diagram shows a typical VX400s signal connection including DVD player, PC, Camera, Control PC, Monitor, and TV Input Source connected to the VX400s, which is then connected to the LED display and power.

For controlling multiple VX400s units, connect them in series using UART IN/OUT ports.

Diagram Description:

VX400s signal connection: Shows a central VX400s unit receiving inputs from various sources (DVD, PC, Camera, Control PC, TV Input Source) and outputting to a Monitor and the LED Display. Power is also connected.

Multiple unit connection: Depicts a chain of PCs connected via UART IN/OUT ports, illustrating how multiple VX400s units can be networked for control.

4.2 Input Settings

You can set the input resolution according to your requirements. DVI and HDMI connectors support input resolution settings. For other connectors, set the resolution on the device providing the input source.

Input resolution can be set via two methods:

1. Standard Resolution: Select a standard resolution with a fixed frame rate of 60 Hz. Options include 1024×768, 1280×1024, 1366×768, 1440×900.
2. Custom Resolution: Rotate the knob to set custom width, height, and frame rate. Select "Apply" to make the settings take effect. If "Apply" is not selected, the settings will not be saved.

Screenshot Description:

Menu showing "Screen Brightness", "Quick Configuration", "Input Settings", "Output Settings". Selecting "Input Settings" leads to "Standard Resolution" and "Custom Resolution" options. "Custom Resolution" allows setting Width, Height, and Frame Rate, with an "Apply" button.

4.3 Quick Configuration

Preconditions:

• The LED screen must be a regular screen.
• Cabinets of the screen must be regular cabinets with the same resolution.

Procedure:

1. Power on the LED screen. If it displays normally, proceed to Step 2. If not, load configuration files and save them to the receiving card (refer to Advanced Settings for details).
2. On the main menu screen, rotate the knob to select "Quick Configuration" and press to enter the quick configuration screen.
3. Set "Cabinet Row Qty" and "Cabinet Column Qty" according to the actual row and column quantities of the cabinets.
4. Rotate the knob to select "Port 1 Cabinet Qty" to set the quantity of cabinets loaded by Ethernet port 1. Note: The device has restrictions on the quantity of cabinets loaded by Ethernet port 1.
5. Rotate the knob to select "Data Flow (Front View)" and press it, then select an appropriate physical connection mode of the cabinets.

Screenshot Description:

Menu showing "Cabinet Row Qty", "Cabinet Column Qty", "Data Flow (Front View)", "Port 1 Cabinet Qty" with corresponding values.

Notes:

• a) Ethernet Port Quantity: If 'n' Ethernet ports (n ≤ 4) are used, the number of cabinets loaded by each port must be the same. The number of cabinets loaded by each Ethernet port must be an integral multiple of the number of cabinet rows or columns in the LED screen. For screen settings, only the number of cabinets loaded by Ethernet port 1 needs to be set. The number of cabinets loaded by Ethernet port 3 must be less than or equal to that of Ethernet port 1.
• b) Irregular Screens: If the LED screen is irregular or cabinets are of different sizes, connect NovaLCT-Mars for screen configuration.
• c) Data Flow: When setting data flow, you can view the results of different data flow patterns in real time on the LED display by rotating the knob. Press the knob to apply and save the selected data flow. Pressing ESC exits without saving.
• d) Physical Connection: Ensure the physical connection of each port is along the same direction and downward to the next one.
• e) Ethernet Port 1 Position: Ensure Ethernet Port 1 is at the beginning of the whole physical connection.
• f) Loading Capacity: The VX400s has a maximum loading capacity of 2.3 million pixels (2048x1152@60Hz). The horizontal width can be up to 3840 pixels (resulting in 3840x600@60Hz), and the vertical height can be up to 1920 pixels (resulting in 1200x1920@60Hz).

4.4 Screen Brightness

On the main menu screen, select "Screen Brightness" and press the knob. Rotate the knob to adjust the brightness value.

Screenshot Description:

Menu showing "Screen Brightness" with a slider or percentage, allowing adjustment from 100% down to 98%.

4.5 Output Settings

I. Scaling turning off

When scaling is off, the output image size is the same as the input image size. If the input resolution is smaller than the screen resolution, some parts of the screen will not be lit. If the input resolution is larger than the screen resolution, the input source image will not be fully displayed. Turning off scaling is suitable for pixel-to-pixel applications. You can set the image H offset and V offset to adjust the position.

Screenshot Description:

Menu showing "Scale", "Auto Scale", "Custom Scale", "Image Offset". "Scale" is set to "Off".

Diagram Description:

Three scenarios are illustrated:

• Input Source 2000x1000, LED Display 2000x1000: The LED display size is suitable; contents are completely displayed and bright.
• Input Source 1000x1000, LED Display 2000x1000: The LED display is smaller than the input source; only some parts are displayed.
• Input Source 2500x1500, LED Display 2000x1000: The LED display is greater than the input source; some LED displays will not become bright.

This section describes "Scaling turning off".

II. Auto scaling

Scale is turned on and Auto Scale is turned on. The input source image fills the LED screen.

III. Custom scaling

Scale is turned on and Auto Scale is turned off. This allows for custom scaling adjustments.

Procedure:

1. Rotate the knob to select "Input Crop" and press to enter the input crop settings screen. Set H Width (no greater than input source width), V Height (no greater than input source height), Initial X, and Initial Y.
2. Rotate the knob to select "Output Layer". The output layer size is the same as the screen size. After the settings, the image will auto-fill the layer.

Screenshot Description:

Menu showing "Scale", "Auto Scale", "Custom Scale", "Image Offset". "Scale" is "On", "Auto Scale" is "Off". "Input Crop" screen shows "H Width", "V Height", "Initial X", "Initial Y" with example values. "Output Layer" screen shows "H Width" and "V Height" with example values.

After these settings, the LED screen will display the cropped image at the specified position. The diagram illustrates the input source being cropped and scaled to fit the output screen.

Diagram Description:

Input Source (720x240) is cropped to a specific region (e.g., starting at 240, width 720). This cropped region is then displayed on the Screen (800x600), positioned at (100,100). This represents custom scaling.

4.6 Display Control

The Display Control menu allows managing the display output:

• Normal: Displays the content of the current input source normally.
• Freeze: Freezes the current frame of the output image. If the current signal source is lost, the screen will go black.
• Black Out: Makes the screen go black.
• Test Pattern: Up to 8 test patterns are supported for testing purposes.

Screenshot Description:

Menu showing "Display Control", "Audio Settings", "Advanced Settings". Selecting "Display Control" leads to options like "Normal", "Black Out", "Freeze", "Test Pattern". Further options for "Color Adjustment" and "Transition Effect" are shown.

Color Adjustment: Set the R, G, and B values, and Gamma value of the image. Save the settings to the receiving card when satisfied with the image quality.

Transition Effect: Set the transition effect when switching the input source. Options include Cut, Fade, or None. Press the knob to make the settings take effect.

Note: The transition effect is available when PIP is turned off.

4.7 Audio Settings

Enable the audio function and set the volume and audio mode.

• To use audio from the "Audio In" connector, turn on the audio function and select "Fixed" for Audio Mode.
• To use audio from the HDMI connector, select "Follow" for Audio Mode, then switch the input source to HDMI.

Screenshot Description:

Menu showing "Status", "Volume", "Audio Mode". Options for "Status" (On/Off), "Volume" (percentage), and "Audio Mode" (Fixed/Follow) are displayed.

4.8 Advanced Settings

Advanced settings include configurations for PIP, Image Mosaic, Load RCFGx Files, Save to RV Card, Hot Backup, Advanced Functions, Factory Reset, Preset Settings, Fn, and Hardware Version.

Screenshot Description:

Menu showing "Display Control", "Audio Settings", "Advanced Settings". Selecting "Advanced Settings" reveals sub-menus: "PIP", "Image Mosaic", "Load RCFGx Files", "Save to RV Card", "Hot Backup", "Advanced Functions", "Factory Reset", "Preset Settings", "Fn", "Hardware Version".

4.8.1 PIP (Picture-in-Picture)

Turn on or off the PIP function. Rotate the knob to set the main layer source, PIP source, PIP size and position, as well as PIP cropping.

Main Layer Source/PIP Source: Select the input sources for the main layer and PIP. This function is similar to the front panel input source buttons.

H Width: Set the PIP width.

V Height: Set the PIP height.

Initial X: Set the horizontal initial coordinate of the PIP.

Initial Y: Set the vertical initial coordinate of the PIP.

Input Crop: Crop the input source image and display it on the PIP. Turn on the input crop function, then set H Width, V Height, Initial X, and Initial Y.

Screenshot Description:

Menu showing "PIP", "Main Layer Source", "PIP Source", "H Width". Options to select sources and set width. Another screen shows "V Height", "Initial X", "Initial Y", "Input Crop".

Conflict List for PIP Input Source

This table indicates which input sources can be used simultaneously for the main layer and PIP.

Legend:

• √: Main layer and PIP can use the input source simultaneously.
• X: Main layer and PIP cannot use the input source simultaneously.
• -: Main layer and PIP use the same input source.

4.8.2 Image Mosaic

The image mosaic function is required when the pixel count of the LED screen is larger than the loading capacity of a single VX400s unit.

First, turn on the image mosaic function. Then, set the total H pixels and V pixels of the LED screen. Lastly, set the size and initial position of the area loaded by each VX400s unit. The total loading capacity of all cascaded VX400s units equals the total pixel count of the LED screen.

Example: The total pixel count of the LED screen is 3000×1000, which exceeds the loading capacity of a single VX400s unit. Two VX400s units are needed for image mosaic.

Parameter Settings Table:

Diagram Description:

Shows two VX400s units connected via DVI LOOP. VX400s (1) handles the left half (1500x1000) and VX400s (2) handles the right half (1500x1000) of the total 3000x1000 LED screen. The DVI signal source feeds into VX400s (1).

Note: Please select Custom Scale in Output Settings before enabling the image mosaic function. Ensure Scale is set to On and Auto Scale is set to Off.

4.8.3 Load RCFGx Files

Connect the VX400s to a PC running NovaLCT-Mars and import configuration files to the controller.

1. Save cabinet configuration file: On NovaLCT, after configuring the screen, click "Save to File" to save the configuration file (.rcfg) to the PC.
2. Import the cabinet configuration file to the VX400s: Load the configuration file using the "Import the Configuration File of Controller Cabinet" interface in NovaLCT.

Screenshot Description:

NovaLCT software interface showing screen configuration options, including "Save to File" and "Load from File" buttons. Another interface shows "Import the Configuration File of Controller Cabinet" with options to select a serial port and manage configuration files.

3) Load the configuration file: The menu shows options for "For fine-pitch screen", "For fine-pitch screen 5041", etc., indicating how to load specific configurations.

4.8.4 Save to RV Card

You can send and save the screen configuration to the receiving card. The configuration data will not be lost after the device is powered off.

Screenshot Description:

Menu prompting "Save configuration data to RV card?". Options are "No" and "Yes".

4.8.5 Hot Backup

You can set the device as a primary or backup device. The backup status will be shown on the device home screen.

Screenshot Description:

Menu showing "Hot Backup", "Advanced Functions", "Factory Reset", "Preset Settings". Selecting "Hot Backup" leads to options "Set as Primary" and "Set as Backup".

4.9 Advanced Functions

Advanced functions include:

• VGA Auto Adjustment: Adjust sampling parameters of the VGA input signal to make the VGA image clear and complete. Select "VGA Auto Adjustment" and press the knob to perform the adjustment.
• ADC Calibration: Calibrate analog signals (CVBS, VGA, YPbPr) to correct color cast or dark images. Select "ADC Calibration" and press the knob to perform the calibration.

Screenshot Description:

Menu showing "VGA Auto Adjustment", "ADC Calibration", "Return to Home (s)" with a value of 60.

4.10 Factory Reset

You can reset all user data on the device to factory settings.

4.11 Preset Settings

The VX400s supports 10 user presets. Users can save, load, and clear configured presets.

Screenshot Description:

Menu showing "Hot Backup", "Advanced Functions", "Factory Reset", "Preset Settings". Selecting "Preset Settings" displays "Preset 1" through "Preset 4" as "Saved", with options for "Preset Operations" including "Save", "Load", "Clear".

4.12 Fn

The Fn button on the device front panel can be customized to an "Auto Scale", "Test Pattern", "PIP", or "Image Mosaic" shortcut button. After settings, press the Fn button to enter the corresponding screen.

1) Fn: Auto Scale

Press the Fn button to switch between full screen and pixel-to-pixel modes.

Button indicator descriptions:

• On: Full screen
• Off: Pixel-to-pixel

2) Fn: PIP

Press the Fn button to turn on or turn off the PIP.

Button indicator descriptions:

• On: PIP is turned on.
• Off: PIP is turned off.

3) Fn: Other functions

Press the Fn button to enter the submenu of the corresponding function.

Screenshot Description:

Menu showing "Fn", "Hardware Version V1.0.0.0". Selecting "Fn" leads to options like "Auto Scale", "Test Pattern", "PIP", "Image Mosaic".

4.13 Hardware Version

View the hardware version. If a newer version is released, connect the device to LCT-Mars to update the VX400s firmware.

5 Specifications

Input

Overall

6 Troubleshooting

If problems are still unsolved, please contact your local distributor or NovaStar customer service.

For your safety, please do not repair the device yourself because there are high voltage components inside the device.