NovaStar MX40 Pro - User Manual

The NovaStar MX40 Pro is a flagship all-in-one LED display controller from the COEX series, designed for advanced video processing and control in LED display systems. It integrates video processing and control functions into a single unit, offering a comprehensive solution for managing LED screens. The device is also compatible with the VMP (Vision Management Platform) software, enhancing its operational and control capabilities.

Function Description

The MX40 Pro serves as a central control unit for LED displays, capable of handling complex video signals and distributing them across a large number of LED cabinets. It supports both All-In-One Controller mode, where it performs both video processing and sending, and Independent Controller mode, where it only handles video sending. This flexibility allows it to adapt to various application scenarios, from synchronous mosaic displays to long-distance transmissions via optical ports.

Key functions include:

Video Input Management: Supports a wide array of video input connectors, including HDMI 2.0, DP 1.2, and 12G-SDI, allowing for diverse source connectivity.
Output Distribution: Features 20 Gigabit Ethernet output ports and 4x 10G optical ports for efficient data distribution to LED cabinets.
Screen Configuration: Provides both quick configuration options via the front panel screen and free screen configuration via VMP software, accommodating regular and complex screen setups.
Display Effect Adjustment: Offers extensive controls for adjusting display effects, including brightness, gamma, color temperature, HDR settings, and 3D functionality.
Device Management: Includes features for switching working modes, setting up backup devices, configuring IP addresses, enabling mapping for cabinet information display, and controlling display status (normal, black out, freeze).
Diagnostics: Allows for device diagnostics and the viewing/exporting of diagnostic results for troubleshooting.
System Settings: Basic system settings cover language selection, session timeout, and viewing service information.

Important Technical Specifications

Inputs (INPUT area):

HDMI 2.0-1 IN (Qty: 1):
- Resolutions: Max 4096×2160@60Hz or 8192×1080@60Hz; Min 800×600@60Hz.
- Max width/height: 8192 pixels (8192×1080@60Hz) / 7680 pixels (1080×8192@60Hz).
- Frame rates: 23.98/24/25/29.97/30/47.95/48/50/59.94/60/71.93/72/75/100/119.88/120/143.86/144/240 Hz.
- HDR: Supports HDR10 (SMPTE ST 2084, ST 2086) and HLG (BT.2100).
- EDID management: Supports standard resolutions up to 3840×2160@60Hz and custom input resolutions.
- HDCP: HDCP 2.2 compliant, backwards compatible.
- Interlaced signal inputs: Not supported.
HDMI 2.0-2 IN (Qty: 1): Same specifications as HDMI 2.0-1 IN.
HDMI 2.0-3 IN (Qty: 1): Same specifications as HDMI 2.0-1 IN.
DP 1.2 (Qty: 1):
- Resolutions: Max 4096×2160@60Hz or 8192×1080@60Hz; Min 800×600@60Hz.
- Max width/height: 8192 pixels (8192×1080@60Hz) / 7680 pixels (1080×8192@60Hz).
- Frame rates: 23.98/24/25/29.97/30/47.95/48/50/59.94/60/71.93/72/75/100/119.88/120/143.86/144/240 Hz.
- HDR: Supports HDR10 (SMPTE ST 2084, ST 2086) and HLG (BT.2100).
- EDID management: Supports standard resolutions up to 3840×2160@60Hz and custom input resolutions.
- HDCP: HDCP 1.3 compliant.
- Interlaced signal inputs: Not supported.
12G-SDI IN (Qty: 1):
- Standards: Supports ST-2082 (12G), ST-2081 (6G), ST-424 (3G), ST-292 (HD) standard video inputs; 3G-Level A/Level B (DS mode).
- Resolutions: Max 4096×2160@60Hz.
- Frame rates: Up to 60 Hz.

Outputs (OUTPUT area):

1-20 (Qty: 20): Gigabit Ethernet output ports.
- Max loading capacity per port: 8bit@60Hz: 650,000 pixels; 10bit@60Hz: 480,000 pixels (with A10s Pro receiving card); 10/12bit@60Hz: 325,000 pixels.
- Supports hot backup between Ethernet ports.
OPT 1-4 (Qty: 4): 10G optical output ports.
- OPT 1 transmits data for Ethernet ports 1-10; OPT 3 is a copy channel of OPT 1.
- OPT 2 transmits data for Ethernet ports 11-20; OPT 4 is a copy channel of OPT 2.
HDMI 2.0-1 LOOP (Qty: 1), HDMI 2.0-2 LOOP (Qty: 1), HDMI 2.0-3 LOOP (Qty: 1): HDMI loop through.
12G-SDI LOOP (Qty: 1): SDI loop through.
SPDIF OUT (Qty: 1): A digital audio output (Reserved).

Controls (CONTROL area):

ETHERNET (Qty: 2): Gigabit Ethernet control ports. Supports TCP/IP protocol and star topology. Functions as a network switch for cascading multiple devices.
GENLOCK (Qty: 1): A pair of Genlock signal connectors (IN/LOOP). Supports Bi-Level and Tri-Level. Up to 20 MX40 Pro devices can be cascaded.
AUX (Qty: 1): An auxiliary connector for central control device (RS232) (Reserved).

Power:

100-240V~, 50/60Hz, 1.5A (Qty: 1): AC power input connector and switch.
Max power consumption: 95 W.

Physical Specifications:

Dimensions: 482.6 mm × 94.2 mm × 467.0 mm.
Net weight: 7.5 kg.
Gross weight: 10.5 kg (including product, accessories, and packing materials).

Environmental Conditions:

Operating Temperature: -20°C to +50°C.
Operating Humidity: 0% RH to 80% RH, non-condensing.
Storage Temperature: -30°C to +80°C.
Storage Humidity: 0% RH to 95% RH, non-condensing.

IP Rating: IP20.

Usage Features

The MX40 Pro is designed for user-friendly operation through its front panel TFT screen, knob, and buttons, as well as through the VMP software.

Front Panel Interface:
- TFT Screen: A 3.5-inch screen displays device status, menus, submenus, and parameter settings.
- Knob: Used for navigation, selecting menu items, adjusting parameter values, and confirming operations. Holding down the knob and BACK button simultaneously for 5s or longer locks/unlocks the buttons.
- BACK Button: Returns to the previous menu or cancels the current operation.
- Standby Button: Powers the device on/off or restarts it (hold for 5s or longer).
- Running Indicator: Provides visual feedback on device status (solid red for standby, solid blue for powering on, solid green for running normally, flashing red for abnormal operation).
- USB 2.0 Port: Used for sending cabinet configuration files and exporting diagnostic results.
Quick Configuration: Allows for rapid setup of LED screens with regular cabinets and specific data flow patterns directly from the front panel.
Free Screen Configuration (via VMP): For more complex or irregularly shaped screens, the VMP software offers advanced configuration capabilities, including free wiring of cabinets and automatic calculation of loading capacity.
Preset Application: Saved presets from VMP can be applied to quickly adjust display effects.
Input Source Settings: Detailed control over external input sources (HDMI, DP, SDI) including resolution, frame rate, color adjustment, and HDR settings. Internal test patterns are also available.
Output Parameter Adjustment: Fine-tuning of screen brightness, gamma, color temperature, 3D function, low latency, and bit depth.
Layer Management: In All-In-One Controller mode, users can define canvas size and manage up to four layers, including their input source, scaling mode, size, position, priority, cropping, and borders.
Device Backup: The ability to set a backup device ensures system reliability and seamless operation in case of primary device failure.
Network Settings: Supports both manual and automatic IP address configuration.
Mapping Function: When enabled, displays Ethernet port numbers and receiving card numbers on the cabinets, simplifying topology identification.

Maintenance Features

Diagnostics: The device includes a diagnostics function that allows users to check the system status and identify potential issues. Diagnostic results can be viewed directly on the screen or exported to a USB drive for further analysis.
Firmware Version Display: Users can easily view the current firmware version of the device, which is crucial for troubleshooting and ensuring the device is up-to-date.
Factory Reset: Provides options to reset either part of the device data (keeping user data, network parameters, language settings, and device name) or all data to factory defaults. This is useful for resolving persistent issues or preparing the device for a new deployment.
Service Information: Access to NovaStar's official website, technical support email address, and service hotline for assistance.
Environmental Protection: The IP20 rating indicates that the product should be protected from water intrusion, emphasizing the need for a dry operating environment.