NovaStar VX4S/VX4 LED Video Controller User Manual

Statement

Welcome to use products from Xi'an NovaStar Tech Co., Ltd. (Novastar). This manual is provided to help users understand and operate the product. While efforts have been made for precision and reliability, contents are subject to change without notice. Contact Novastar for any issues or suggestions. Copyright © Xi'an NovaStar Tech Co., Ltd. No part may be reproduced or transmitted without prior written consent.

Safety Statement

Please use this equipment according to regulations to avoid potential hazards.

• High voltage danger: Operating voltage is 100-240V AC.
• Grounding: Ensure good grounding via the power supply ground wire.
• Electromagnetic interference: Keep away from magnets, motors, and transformers.
• Moisture proof: Keep equipment in a dry, clean environment. Pull the plug immediately if liquid immersion occurs.
• Keep away from flammable and explosive goods.
• Prevent liquids or metal fragments from entering the machine.
• Non-professionals should not disassemble for maintenance without permission; contact the after-sales department.

Contents

1 Model description

2 Appearance

Front Panel

Rear Panel

3 Signal connection

4 Dimension

5 Operating motion instruction

6 Main Interface

7 Operation instruction

Step 1: Input Settings

Step 2: Screen Settings

Setp 3: Brightness

Step 4: Output Settings

Image Mosaic

Advanced Settings

Factory Reset

Communication Settings

Language

8 Specifications

9 FAQ

1 Model description

Tips: VX4 and VX4S have different interface types and numbers, but their functions and specifications are basically the same. VX4 is used as the example in this manual.

2 Appearance

Front Panel

The front panel features:

• [Power Switch]: Power ON/OFF.
• [Operation Screen]: OLED display showing system status.
• [Control Knob]: Used for menu selection, adjustment, and confirmation (Enter/OK).
• [Escape Button]: To exit current operation or selection.
• [PIP Button]: Turns Picture-in-Picture (PIP) on/off. Indicator light shows PIP status.
• [Scale Button]: Turns picture zoom on/off. Indicator light shows zoom function status.
• [Mode Button]: Shortcut for loading or storing display models. Indicator light is on when entering model or shortcut menu.
• [Test Button]: Shortcut for turning testing pictures on/off. Indicator light is on when displaying test pictures.
• [Input Source Key]: Shortcuts for switching signal input sources. Short press sets as main screen input, long press sets as PIP input. Indicator light is on if the video source has a signal; flashes if no signal.
• [Number Button]: Used to enter numbers for settings like layer size and offset values. Buttons highlight after pressing.
• [Take Button]: Display switching shortcut. Short press opens PIP; if already open, switches between MAIN and PIP.
• [Function Key]: Custom shortcut key.
• [USB Port] (Type A): USB Cascade OUT.
• [USB Port] (Type B): Communication with PC, or Cascade IN.

Rear Panel

The rear panel includes:

• Input Source Ports: DP Input, HDMI Input, 3-Channel CVBS Inputs (PAL/NTSC), 2-Channel DVI Inputs, 3-Channel VGA Inputs.
• Output Interface Ports: DVI LOOP Output, Monitor -DVI OUT1, Monitor -DVI OUT2.
• LED Out Ports: 4 Gigabit Ethernet outputs. Ethernet port 1 supports audio output when a multifunction card is connected for audio decoding.
• Controlling Interface Ports:
• ETHERNET: Network Control (Communication with PC, or Access Network).
• USB (Type B, female): USB Control (Communication with PC, or Cascade IN).
• USB (Type A, female): USB Cascade OUT.

Note: The two USB Type-A interfaces on the front and rear panels are not for direct PC connection.

3 Signal connection

Connect required hardware equipment referencing the interface descriptions. For controlling multiple VX4 units, connect them as per the cascading diagram.

4 Dimension

The dimensions of the VX4 unit are approximately 483.6 mm (Width) x 46.5 mm (Height) x 440.0 mm (Depth).

5 Operating motion instruction

• [Control Knob]: Press under the main interface to enter the menu. Rotate to select menus or adjust parameters. Press again to confirm selection or adjustment.
• [Escape Button]: Returns to the previous menu or exits the current operation.
• Key lock/unlock: Long press the [Control Knob] and [Escape Button] simultaneously.

6 Main Interface

After the controller starts, the OLED main interface displays:

• First row: Company name; product name and IP address alternate.
• Second row: Main screen information (e.g., 'VGA1'), signal source, and input source signal format (e.g., '1024x768@60Hz').
• Third row: PIP screen information (e.g., 'PIP 2'), signal source, and input source signal format.
• Fourth row: Status bar showing various icons:
• [LED Output Indicator]: Indicates LED output port status (e.g., 'Port 2 in primary mode', backup status shown as ' ').
• [PIP On Indicator] / [PIP Off Indicator]: Shows if PIP is enabled or disabled.
• [Point-to-Point Mode]: Indicates the current effect is point-to-point display.
• [Scale Down Mode]: Indicates the current mode is 'scale down'.
• [Scale Up Mode]: Indicates the current mode is 'scale up'.
• [Image Mosaic Disabled] / [Image Mosaic Enabled]: Shows if Image Mosaic is enabled or not.
• [USB Control Mode] / [Network Control Mode]: Shows the current control method.
• [Brightness Indicator]: Displays the current brightness percentage (e.g., '25%').

[Key Lock Indicator]: Appears when key and knob functions are locked.

7 Operation instruction

The VX4 offers powerful functions with simple operation using the knob and escape key, enhanced by shortcut keys.

Generally, normal LED display operation and moderate brightness can be achieved by following these four steps: Input Settings, Screen Settings, Brightness, and Output Settings. Other menus like Screen Control and Advanced Settings provide further control.

Step 1: Input Settings

Set the resolution of the input source signal. Digital input interfaces (DVI, HDMI, DP) allow direct resolution setting. For other inputs, resolution is modified on the input device.

Input resolution can be set via two methods:

• Method one: Preset Resolution
  Select from preset resolutions. If none match, use the custom resolution method.
• Method two: Custom Resolution
  Set Horizontal Resolution, Vertical Resolution, and Custom Refresh Rate, then select 'Apply' and press the [Control Knob]. Custom resolution is invalid if not confirmed.

Step 2: Screen Settings

Precondition: The screen must be a regular rectangle with identical cabinet sizes.

1. Ensure the cabinet is displaying normally. If not, load the cabinet file and save it to the receiving card (see Advanced Settings).
2. Return to the 'Screen Settings' submenu. Rotate the [Control Knob] to switch between submenus for configuration.
3. Set Cabinet Row Qty and Cabinet Column Qty according to the screen's physical layout.
4. Set Port 1 Cabinet Qty. Note device limitations on port cabinet quantities (refer to precautions).
5. Set the Data Flow (Front View). Pay attention to the precautions below.

Precautions for screen settings:

• a) If 'n' ports have loads (n≥4), the first n-1 ports must load the same number of cabinets, which must be an integral multiple of the cabinet rows or columns and be greater than or equal to the number of cabinets for the nth port. Example: If ports 1, 2, 3 have loads, ports 1 and 2 must have the same number of cabinets, an integral multiple of rows/columns. Port 3 loads must be less than or equal to port 1.
• b) For special-shaped cabinets, different cabinet sizes, or special-shaped screens, NovaLCT-Mars software is required for configuration.
• c) During Data Flow setting, rotate the [Control Knob] to preview effects in real-time. Press the [Control Knob] to save settings or [Escape Button] to exit.
• d) Ensure the data flow of each port is downward in the same direction.
• e) Port 1 must be the start position of the entire data flow connection.

VX4 can load a maximum of 2.3 million pixels (2048x1152@60Hz). Maximum lateral load width is 3840 pixels (3840x600@60Hz); maximum longitudinal load height is 1920 pixels (1920x1200@60Hz).

Setp 3: Brightness

Return to the main menu. Press the [Control Knob] to select the Brightness value and rotate the [Control Knob] to adjust it.

Step 4: Output Settings

Output settings are divided into three cases:

• Disable Scaling: Output image size matches input image size (original scale output). If input resolution is smaller, some display areas might be blank. If larger, content may be cut off. Applicable for point-to-point display. Horizontal and vertical offsets can be set.
• Auto Fit: [Scaling] is enabled, and [Auto Fit] is enabled. Input content is fully zoomed to the LED display size, suitable for full-screen playback.
• Custom Scaling: [Scaling] is enabled, [Auto Fit] is disabled.
• Step 1: Input Capture
  Capture a portion of the input image. Set Horizontal Res (<= input source width), Vertical Res (<= input source height), and starting position (Horizontal X, Vertical Y).
• Step 2: Output Window
  Set the output window size (<= LED display size). Images adapt within this window. Applicable for reserving borders or restricting the playing area.

After setting, captured contents display only in the set area on the LED display.

Image Mosaic

For very large screens requiring cascading of two or more VX4 units.

• Choose method: Equal Division (each VX4 has the same load area) or Unequal Division (each VX4 can have a different load area).
• Parameters: Total pixel points, rows, columns, serial No. of each VX4, load area size, and load area starting position.

Image Mosaic Example: For a total LED display of 3000x1000 pixels, exceeding single VX4 capacity, two VX4 units are used for mosaic processing.

Equal Division Parameters:

Unequal Division Parameters:

Advanced Settings

This section covers main functions including PIP, Redundancy, Advanced Attributes, Presettings, Fn Settings, Audio Settings, Display Control, Inputs Backup, Output Resolution, Cabinet Settings, OLED Brightness, and Hardware Version.

PIP

Control PIP on/off, set main screen and PIP input sources, and PIP parameters.

• Layout: Defines PIP position relative to the main screen (e.g., Custom, Left Top, Left Bottom, Right Top, Right Bottom, Center, Top Bottom, Left Right). Custom allows manual setting of size and position. Other modes automatically adjust offsets.
• Main source/PIP source: Input source switching for main picture and PIP.
• Horizontal Res / Vertical Res: Horizontal and vertical offset of PIP.
• Horizontal X / Vertical Y: Horizontal width and vertical height of PIP.
• PIP Crop Settings: Crop picture from a set starting position and define its size for PIP display.
• Transparency: Adjust the transparency of the PIP window.
• Window Swap: Swap the play content between the main screen and PIP.

Conflict List of PIP Signal Source (VX4)

This table shows signal source compatibility for Main Channel and PIP. Symbols indicate:

• [Available for Main/PIP]: Input sources can be used by both main screen and PIP simultaneously.
• [Not Available for Main/PIP]: Input sources cannot be used by both simultaneously.
• [Same Source for Main/PIP]: Main screen and PIP use the same input source.

A similar list exists for VX4S, including SDI input.

Redundancy

Set the controller as primary or backup mode.

Advanced Attribute

• VGA Auto ADJ: Automatically adjusts sampling parameters for clear VGA input pictures. (VGA1 does not support this feature).
• ADC Calibration: Performs automatic calibration for analog signals (CVBS, VGA) to correct color cast or dark pictures.
• Video Synchronization: Allows input and output of VX4 to be synchronous.
• Go Homepages: Sets the inactivity time period before the system automatically returns to the home screen (default 60 seconds).
• Presettings: Save current configuration parameters for direct loading later (10 presets available).

Fn Settings

Configure custom button functions, such as Black Out, Freeze, VGA Auto ADJ, and Video Synchronization.

Audio Settings

Control audio enable/disable, volume, and audio mode (e.g., fixed, accompanied). For audio via HDMI, enable audio and set mode to 'accompanied', then switch source to HDMI.

Display Control

• Modes: Normal display, Black out (blank screen), Freeze (current play lists frozen), Test Pattern (eight types including pure color and lines).
• Image Settings: Adjust Contrast, Saturation, Hue, Color Temperature, Red, Green, Blue, and Gamma values. Save parameters after adjustment.
• Switching Effect: Set effects for screen switching (e.g., Quick switch, Fade, Shrink, Zoom). Note: Enabling PIP function disables switching effects.

Inputs Backup

Specify backup for input sources. The system automatically switches to the backup source if the primary input signal fails, enhancing reliability. Options include specific inputs or custom backup.

Output Resolution

Set the output resolution for monitoring. Options include 'Reset Resolution' or 'Custom'.

Cabinet Settings

• Load RCFG Files: Import cabinet configuration files (.rcfg) from a PC using NovaLCT-Mars software.
• Save to RV Card: Save all current configurations to the receiving card, ensuring data persistence after power loss.

OLED Brightness

Adjust the gray scale of the OLED display.

Hardware Version

View the hardware version of the VX4. LCT-Mars can be used to upgrade the hardware program if a new version is available.

Factory Reset

Reset the device to its factory default settings.

Communication Settings

Set the communication mode (USB priority or LAN priority) and network parameters (manual or automatic IP configuration). Ensure IP addresses do not conflict.

Language

Switch the system language.

8 Specifications

Input

Output

Specification of complete machine

9 FAQ

Please investigate problems using the steps above. If issues persist, contact the local dealer or company customer service.

Safety Warning: There is high voltage inside the machine. Do not maintain the processor yourself to guarantee safety.