Copyright and Statement

Copyright © 2018 Xi'an NovaStar Tech Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

No part of this document may be copied, reproduced, extracted or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of Xi'an NovaStar Tech Co., Ltd.

Trademark: NovaStar is a registered trademark of Xi'an NovaStar Tech Co., Ltd.

Statement: You are welcome to use the product of Xi'an NovaStar Tech Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as NovaStar). This document is intended to help you understand and use the product. NovaStar may make improvements and/or changes to this document at any time and without notice. For any problems in use or any good suggestions, please contact NovaStar through the provided channels. NovaStar will do its utmost to solve problems and adopt suggestions after evaluation.

Change History

Contents

• Change History
• Contents
• 1 Safety Instructions
• 2 Overview
• 3 Appearance (3.1 Front Panel, 3.2 Rear Panel)
• 4 Dimensions
• 5 Home Screen
• 6 Operations (6.1 Brightness, 6.2 Loading Modes, 6.3 Screen Settings, 6.4 Input Settings, 6.5 Display Control, 6.6 Advanced Settings, 6.7 Communication Settings, 6.8 Language)
• 7 Quick Screen Configuration
• 8 Specifications

1 Safety Instructions

To prevent potential danger, please use this device according to the following rules. In case of any damage, please contact NovaStar after-sales department for maintenance, rather than have the device disassembled and maintained by non-professionals.

• ⚠️ High voltage danger: Operating voltage of the product is 100–240 VAC.
• ⚠️ Grounding: The product connects to the ground upon the ground wire of the power supply. Please ensure good grounding of the grounding conductor.
• ⚠️ Electromagnetic interference: The device shall be kept away from magnet, motor or transformer.
• Please put the device in a dry and clean environment. In case of liquid immersing, please pull out the power plug immediately.
• Keep the device away from explosive or flammable articles.
• Forbid liquid or metal fragments immersing towards the machine interior to avoid security accidents.

2 Overview

The S1 is NovaStar's new generation of Thunderview series display controller, especially designed for high-end display applications. With multiple I/O connectors and control connectors, it is ideal for various applications, such as broadcasting and television, indoor high-end screens with fine pitch, rental for stage, and security monitoring.

The S1 features 3G data transmission bandwidth. A single coaxial connector supports up to 1920x1080@60Hz, and the device supports up to 3840x1080@60Hz. Benefiting from SerDes technology, the S1 can realize zero-frame latency.

Hardware Device Connection: The diagram shows the rear panel of the S1 controller with various ports including HDMI, DVI, SDI IN, SDI LOOP, OUT1, IN1, OUT2, IN2, GenLock, RS232, ETHERNET, USB (Type-A), USB (Type-B), Power, and Switch. It illustrates connections to a PC, Camera, GenLock Source, and a Receiving Card TR100. The device must be powered off before connection.

Cascade Connection: This diagram illustrates how to cascade multiple S1 units. It shows a PC connected to the first S1 unit via USB, and subsequent S1 units connected to each other via USB ports.

3 Appearance

3.1 Front Panel

The front panel includes the following controls:

• 1. Power button: Turns the device on/off.
• 2. INPUT: Switches video sources.
• 3. OLED operation screen: Displays device status and menus.
• 4. Knob: Pressing the knob enters a menu or confirms an option/operation. Rotating the knob selects a menu item or adjusts a parameter.
• 5. BACK: Pressing the button exits the current menu or operation.
• 6. USB port: Connects to a USB drive to update firmware.

3.2 Rear Panel

4 Dimensions

The device dimensions are provided in millimeters (mm):

Width: 482.6 ± 0.1 mm

Height: 44.2 ± 0.1 mm

Depth: 286.5 ± 0.1 mm

Chassis depth: 437.0 ± 0.1 mm

Space required: 1 RU (Rack Unit)

5 Home Screen

The home screen of the S1 controller displays key information after power-on:

• Product Name: THUNDERVIEW S1
• Input Source Status: Displays the currently selected input source (e.g., SDI, HDMI, DVI) along with its resolution and frame rate (e.g., 1920x1080@60Hz). Supported statuses include BLACK OUT, FREEZE, NO SIGNAL, and TEST PATTERN.
• IP Address: The device's IP address (e.g., 192.168.0.10).
• Input Source Types: Indicates the types of input video sources supported (SDI, HDMI, DVI).
• Connection Status: Shows the connection status of video sources. For example, if HDMI is selected, it means the HDMI input source is operating.
• Loading Capacity Status: Displays the loading capacity status of outputs and the device.
• Screen Brightness: Shows the current screen brightness level.
• Device Status: Indicates PRIMARY (primary device) or BACKUP (backup device).
• Control Connector Status: Shows the status of the control connector, such as GenLock.

6 Operations

Before operation, ensure the LED screen is powered on and displays normally. Press the knob to enter the operation menu screen for the following operations. Pressing the knob enters a menu or confirms an option/operation. Rotating the knob selects a menu item or adjusts a parameter.

6.1 Brightness

Navigate to 'Brightness' using the knob, press to select, and then rotate the knob to adjust the brightness value.

6.2 Loading Modes

The S1 controller supports two loading modes:

• Large Load Mode: In this mode, Output 1 (OUT1 and IN1) and Output 2 (OUT2 and IN2) can be used simultaneously. The loading capacity of each channel is up to 1920x1080@60Hz, and the device's total loading capacity is up to 3840x1080@60Hz.
• Backup Mode: Output 1 (OUT1 and IN1) serves as the primary output connector, while Output 2 (OUT2 and IN2) functions as the backup. If Output 1 fails, Output 2 takes over to ensure continuous output display.

6.3 Screen Settings

6.3.1 Quick Configuration

This section guides through basic screen setup:

1. Ensure the LED screen is powered on and displays normally.
2. Press the knob to enter the operation menu screen.
3. Navigate to 'Screen Settings' > 'Quick Config'.
4. Set 'Cabinet Row QTY' and 'Cabinet Col QTY' based on the physical arrangement of cabinets.
5. Set 'Out1 Cabinet QTY' for the number of cabinets loaded by Output 1. (Note: Device has loading capacity restrictions.)
6. Set 'Data Flow (Front View)' by selecting one of the eight available data flow presets.

Notes for Quick Configuration:

• When using both Output 1 and Output 2 simultaneously, the number of cabinets loaded by Output 2 must be less than or equal to the number loaded by Output 1.
• If the screen configuration is irregular (e.g., different cabinet sizes), NovaLCT software must be used for configuration.
• During data flow setting: Rotate the knob to select 'Data Flow (Front View)', press to enter the preview screen, select a preset, press the knob to save, and press BACK to exit. Ensure cabinets are connected sequentially in one direction and Ethernet Port 1 is at the start of the data flow.

6.3.2 Advanced Configuration

Advanced Configuration is available when 'Large Load' mode is selected. It allows setting 'Cabinet Row QTY', 'Cabinet Col QTY', 'Start X' and 'Start Y' (image offset), and 'Data Flow (Front View)' for both Out1 Setting (Output 1) and Out2 Setting (Output 2).

6.3.3 Image Offset

Set 'Start X' and 'Start Y' to define the horizontal and vertical offsets of the image.

6.4 Input Settings

Users can set input source resolutions based on requirements. Two methods are available:

• Method 1 (Preset): Select a resolution from the presets and press the knob to save.
• Method 2 (Custom): Choose 'Custom', then set 'Width (H)', 'Height (V)', and 'Refresh Rate'. Select 'Apply' and press the knob to save.

6.5 Display Control

Display control options include:

• Normal: Plays the current input source content normally.
• Freeze: Freezes the current playing content.
• Black Out: The screen turns black, not displaying any content.
• Test Pattern: Displays one of eight test patterns (e.g., solid colors, line patterns) for calibration.
• Image Settings: Adjusts brightness for Red, Green, and Blue channels, Color Temperature, and Gamma for the display.

6.6 Advanced Settings

6.6.1 18bit+

The 18bit+ function enhances the grayscale level of the LED display by four times. This helps prevent grayscale loss due to brightness reduction and results in smoother display.

6.6.2 Mapping

When Mapping is enabled, the receiving card number and Ethernet port information for each cabinet are displayed on the LED display. This helps users identify the position of receiving cards and the data flow.

6.6.3 Loading Cabinet Files

After connecting the S1 to a PC and running NovaLCT software, cabinet configuration files can be imported:

1. Save Cabinet Configuration Files: After configuring receiving cards, click 'Save File' to save the configuration files (.rcfgx) locally to the PC.
2. Import Cabinet Configuration Files: Import the saved files to the S1 via NovaLCT.
3. Load Cabinet Configuration Files: Load the imported files onto the S1.

6.6.4 Saving to Hardware

Configuration parameters for receiving cards are saved directly to the cards. These parameters remain even after the device is powered off.

6.6.5 Redundancy

Set the current device as either the primary or backup device for redundancy.

6.6.6 Factory Reset

Resets the device to its original factory settings.

6.6.7 Returning to Home Screen

Configure the time period after which the system automatically returns to the home screen if no operation is performed on the front panel.

6.6.8 OLED Brightness

Adjust the brightness of the OLED display, with a range from 5 to 15.

6.6.9 Hardware Version

View the current hardware version of the device. New versions can be checked and firmware updated by logging into NovaLCT on a PC.

6.7 Communication Settings

Configure the communication mode and network parameters of the S1:

• Communication Modes: Supports 'USB Preferred' and 'LAN Preferred'. If both USB and Ethernet ports are connected, the user-selected mode is used.
• Network Settings: Network (Config IPv4) can be set manually or automatically. Automatic setting allows only network parameter resets. Manual setting allows configuring the device's IP address (must not conflict with other devices) and subnet mask, or resetting network parameters.

6.8 Language

Change the user interface language of the device. Chinese and English are available.

7 Quick Screen Configuration

This section summarizes the quick setup process:

1. Quick Configuration: Set the number of cabinets, cabinet rows, cabinet columns, and data flow. (Refer to 6.3.1 Quick Configuration for details.)
2. Input Settings: Set the input source and resolution. (Refer to 6.4 Input Settings for details.)
3. Brightness Adjustment: Adjust the LED display brightness. (Refer to 6.1 Brightness for details.)
4. Advanced Settings (Optional): Load cabinet configuration files and configure parameters using NovaLCT on the PC. Further parameters can be configured in Advanced Settings as needed. (Refer to 6.6 Advanced Settings for details.)
5. Communication Settings (Optional): Set the control mode and network mode of the device. (Refer to 6.7 Communication Settings for details.)
6. Language (Optional): Set the user interface language. Chinese and English are available. (Refer to 6.8 Language for details.)

8 Specifications