NovaStar MCTRL R5 User manual

MCTRL R5
LED Display Controller
User Manual
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Change History
Document Version
Release Date
Description
V1.0.3
2021-11-26
Added support for 10-bit video inputs.
Optimized the document content.
Changed the document style.
V1.0.2
2019-09-06
Optimized the document content.
V1.0.1
2018-06-04
Updated the document style.
V1.0.0
2016-06-06
First release
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Contents
1 Overview...........................................................................................................................................................................................1
2 Appearance......................................................................................................................................................................................2
3 Applications......................................................................................................................................................................................5
4 Cascade Devices.............................................................................................................................................................................5
5 Home Screen...................................................................................................................................................................................6
6 Menu Operations.............................................................................................................................................................................7
6.1.1 Step 1: Set Input Source...............................................................................................................................................7
6.1.2 Step 2: Set Input Resolution ........................................................................................................................................7
6.1.3 Step 3: Quickly Configure the Screen.........................................................................................................................9
6.3.1 Quick Configuration.......................................................................................................................................................10
6.3.2 Advanced Configuration................................................................................................................................................10
6.3.3 Image Offset...................................................................................................................................................................10
6.6.1 Mapping Function..........................................................................................................................................................12
6.6.2 Load Cabinet Configuration Files................................................................................................................................13
6.6.3 Set Alarm Thresholds....................................................................................................................................................14
6.6.4 Save to RV Card............................................................................................................................................................14
6.6.5 Redundancy Settings....................................................................................................................................................14
6.6.6 Presettings......................................................................................................................................................................15
6.6.7 Input Backup...................................................................................................................................................................15
6.6.8 Factory Reset.................................................................................................................................................................15
6.6.9 OLED Brightness...........................................................................................................................................................15
6.6.10 HW Version...................................................................................................................................................................15
7 Operations on PC............................................................................................................................................................................17
7.1.1 NovaLCT.........................................................................................................................................................................17
7.1.2 SmartLCT........................................................................................................................................................................17
7.2.1 NovaLCT.........................................................................................................................................................................18
7.2.2 SmartLCT........................................................................................................................................................................18
8 Specifications...................................................................................................................................................................................19
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1 Overview
Introduction
The MCTRL R5 is the first LED display controller of NovaStar that supports image rotation. A single MCTRL
R5 features a loading capacity of up to 3840×1080@60Hz. It supports any custom resolutions within this
capacity, meeting the on-site configuration requirements of ultra-long or ultra-wide LED displays.
Working with the A8s or A10s Plus receiving card, the MCTRL R5 allows for free screen configuration and
image rotation at any angle in SmartLCT, presenting a variety of images and bringing an amazing visual
experience to users.
The MCTRL R5 is stable, reliable and powerful, dedicated to providing an ultimate visual experience. It can be
mainly used in the rental and fixed installation applications, such as concerts, live events, security monitoring
centers, Olympic Games and various sports centers.
Features
A variety of input connectors
−1x 6G-SDI
−1 ×HDMI 1.4
−1x DL-DVI
8x Gigabit Ethernet outputs and 2x optical
outputs
Image rotation at any angle
Work with the A8s or A10s Plus receiving
card and SmartLCT to support image
rotation at any angle.
Support for 8-bit and 10-bit video sources
Pixel level brightness and chroma
calibration
Working with NovaLCT and NovaCLB, the
receiving card supports brightness and
chroma calibration on each LED, which
can effectively remove color discrepancies
and greatly improve LED display
brightness and chroma consistency,
allowing for better image quality.
Firmware update via USB port on the front
panel
Up to 8 devices can be cascaded.
Table 1-1 Feature constraints
Feature
Constraints
Image
rotation
A 10-bit input does not support image rotation.
The screen must be configured on the MCTRL R5 before rotation setting in the LCD menu.
The screen must be configured in SmartLCT before rotation setting in SmartLCT.
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2 Appearance
Front Panel
No.
Name
Description
1
“R5” indicator
Solid blue
The device is functioning normally.
Solid orange
The device has no signal input.
Breathing blue
The device is in standby mode.
Solid red
The device has an alarm.
2
OLED screen
Display the device status, menus, submenus and messages.
3
Knob
On the home screen, press the knob to enter the main menu screen.
On the main menu screen, rotate the knob to select a menu item or adjust
the parameter value. Press the knob to confirm the operation.
4
BACK
Go back to the previous menu.
5
POWER
Standby button
6
USB
A USB port used to connect a USB drive for firmware update
Rear Panel
Connector
Type
Connector Name
Description
Input
SDI
1x 6G-SDI input connector
Maximum resolution: 3840×1080@60Hz
Do NOT support interlaced signal input.
Do NOT support input resolution settings or input bit depth settings.
HDMI
1x HDMI 1.4 input connector
Maximum resolution: 3840×1080@60Hz
Minimum resolution: 800×600@24Hz
Custom resolutions supported
Maximum width: 3840 (3840×1080@60Hz)
Maximum height: 3840 (800×3840@60Hz)
Supported standard resolutions:
1024×768@(24/25/30/48/50/60/72/75/85/100/120)Hz
1280×720@(24/25/30/48/50/60/72/75/85/100/120)Hz
1280×1024@(24/25/30/48/50/60/72/75/85/100/120)Hz
1366×768@(24/25/30/48/50/60/72/75/85/100/120)Hz
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Connector
Type
Connector Name
Description
1440×900@(24/25/30/48/50/60/72/75/85/100/120)Hz
1536×1536@(24/25/30/48/50/60/72/75/85/100)Hz
1600×1200@(24/25/30/48/50/60/72/75/85/100/120)Hz
1920×1080@(24/25/30/48/50/60/72/75/85/100/120)Hz
1920×1200@(24/25/30/48/50/60/72/75/85/100)Hz
2048×640@(24/25/30/48/50/60/72/75/85/100/120)Hz
2048×1152@(24/25/30/48/50/60/72/75/85/100)Hz
2304×1152@(24/25/30/48/50/60/72/75/85/100)Hz
2560×816@(24/25/30/48/50/60/72/75/85/100/120)Hz
2560×1600@(24/25/30/48/50/60)Hz
3840×1080@(24/25/30/48/50/60)Hz
Support HDCP 1.4.
Do NOT support interlaced signal input.
DVI
1x DL-DVI input connector
Maximum resolution: 3840×1080@60Hz
Minimum resolution: 800×600@24Hz
Custom resolutions supported
Maximum width: 3840 (3840×1080@60Hz)
Maximum height: 3840 (800×3840@60Hz)
Supported standard resolutions:
1024×768@(24/25/30/48/50/60/72/75/85/100/120)Hz
1280×720@(24/25/30/48/50/60/72/75/85/100/120)Hz
1280×1024@(24/25/30/48/50/60/72/75/85/100/120)Hz
1366×768@(24/25/30/48/50/60/72/75/85/100/120)Hz
1440×900@(24/25/30/48/50/60/72/75/85/100/120)Hz
1536×1536@(24/25/30/48/50/60/72/75/85/100)Hz
1600×1200@(24/25/30/48/50/60/72/75/85/100/120)Hz
1920×1080@(24/25/30/48/50/60/72/75/85/100/120)Hz
1920×1200@(24/25/30/48/50/60/72/75/85/100)Hz
2048×640@(24/25/30/48/50/60/72/75/85/100/120)Hz
2048×1152@(24/25/30/48/50/60/72/75/85/100)Hz
2304×1152@(24/25/30/48/50/60/72/75/85/100)Hz
2560×816@(24/25/30/48/50/60/72/75/85/100/120)Hz
2560×1600@(24/25/30/48/50/60)Hz
3840×1080@(24/25/30/48/50/60)Hz
Do NOT support interlaced signal input.
Output
1–8
8x RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet ports
Capacity per port up to 650,000 pixels (8bit) or 325,000 pixels (10bit)
Do not support audio output.
Support redundancy between Ethernet ports.
OPT1–OPT2
2×10G optical ports
OPT 1 copies and outputs the data on Ethernet ports 1–8.
OPT 2 is the copy channel of OPT 1.
Control
ETHERNET
Connect to the control computer.
USB IN-OUT
IN: 1x type-B USB 2.0, used as the input port to cascade devices or
connect to PC for device debug
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Connector
Type
Connector Name
Description
OUT: 1x type-A USB 2.0, used as the output port to cascade devices.
Up to 8 devices can be cascaded.
GENLOCK IN-
LOOP
A pair of Genlock signal connectors. Support Bi-Level, Tri-Level and
Black burst.
IN: Accept the sync signal.
LOOP: Loop the sync signal.
Power
AC 100V~240V-50/60Hz
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3 Applications
4 Cascade Devices
To control multiple MCTRL R5 devices simultaneously, follow the figure below to cascade them via the USB IN
and USB OUT ports. Up to 8 devices can be cascaded.
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5 Home Screen
The figure below shows the home screen of the MCTRL R5.
No.
Description
1
The device name
2
The resolution and refresh rate of the current input source
3
IP Address
4
Types of input sources supported and their connection statuses
5
The working status of the Gigabit Ethernet ports
Black: The Ethernet port connection works and the port serves as master.
White: The Ethernet port is not connected or the connection does not work.
A mark in top corner of icon: The Ethernet port connection works and is in redundancy mode.
6/7
Working status description:
/ / /
Normal voltage and temperature / voltage alarm / temperature alarm /
temperature and voltage alarm
1–2
Optical port working status:
Black: The optical port connection works and the port serves as master.
White: The optical port is not connected or the connection does not work.
/ /
Connection status of control ports:
USB connected / Ethernet connected / GENLOCK connected
Screen brightness
/
Image rotation enabled / disabled
/
Front panel buttons locked / unlocked
Hold down the knob and BACK button simultaneously for 3s to lock or unlock
all the front panel buttons. After the buttons are locked, all the button
operations will not take effect and appears on the OLED screen.
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6 Menu Operations
The MCTRL R5 is powerful and easy to use. You can quickly configure the LED screen to light it up and
display the entire input source following steps in 6.1 Light a Screen Quickly. With other menu settings, you
can further improve the LED screen display effect.
Light a Screen Quickly
Following the three steps below, namely Set Input Source > Set Input Resolution > Quickly Configure the
Screen, you can quickly light up the LED screen to display the entire input source.
6.1.1 Step 1: Set Input Source
Supported input video sources include SDI, HDMI and DVI. Select an input source that matches the type of
the inputted external video source.
Constraints:
Only one input source can be selected at the same time.
SDI video sources do not support the following functions:
−Preset resolution
−Custom resolution
The 10-bit video sources are not supported when calibration function is enabled.
Figure 6-1 Input source
Step 1 On the home screen, press the knob to enter the main menu.
Step 2 Choose Input Settings > Input Source to enter its submenu.
Step 3 Select the target input source and press the knob to enable it.
6.1.2 Step 2: Set Input Resolution
Constrains: SDI input sources do not support input resolution settings.
The input resolution can be set through either of the following methods.
Method 1: Select a preset resolution
Select an appropriate preset resolution and refresh rate as the input resolution.
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Figure 6-2 Preset resolution
Step 1 On the home screen, press the knob to enter the main menu.
Step 2 Choose Input Settings > Preset Resolution to enter its submenu.
Step 3 Select a resolution and refresh rate, and press the knob to apply them.
Input Source
Available Standard Resolution Presets
HDMI 1.4 /DL-DVI
1024×768@(24/25/30/48/50/60/72/75/85/100/120)Hz
1280×720@(24/25/30/48/50/60/72/75/85/100/120)Hz
1280×1024@(24/25/30/48/50/60/72/75/85/100/120)Hz
1366×768@(24/25/30/48/50/60/72/75/85/100/120)Hz
1440×900@(24/25/30/48/50/60/72/75/85/100/120)Hz
1536×1536@(24/25/30/48/50/60/72/75/85/100)Hz
1600×1200@(24/25/30/48/50/60/72/75/85/100/120)Hz
1920×1080@(24/25/30/48/50/60/72/75/85/100/120)Hz
1920×1200@(24/25/30/48/50/60/72/75/85/100)Hz
2048×640@(24/25/30/48/50/60/72/75/85/100/120)Hz
2048×1152@(24/25/30/48/50/60/72/75/85/100)Hz
2304×1152@(24/25/30/48/50/60/72/75/85/100)Hz
2560×816@(24/25/30/48/50/60/72/75/85/100/120)Hz
2560×1600@(24/25/30/48/50/60)Hz
3840×1080@(24/25/30/48/50/60)Hz
Method 2: Customize a resolution
Customize a resolution by setting a custom width, height and refresh rate.
Figure 6-3 Custom resolution
Step 1 On the home screen, press the knob to enter the main menu.
Step 2 Choose Input Settings > Custom Resolution to enter its submenu and set the screen width, height and
refresh rate.
Step 3 Select Apply and press the knob to apply the custom resolution.
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6.1.3 Step 3: Quickly Configure the Screen
Follow the steps below to complete quick screen configuration.
Step 1 On the home screen, press the knob to enter the main menu.
Step 2 Choose Screen Settings > Quick Config to enter its submenu and set the parameters.
Set Cabinet Row Qty and Cabinet Column Qty (numbers of cabinet rows and columns to be loaded)
according to the actual situation of the screen.
Set Port1 Cabinet Qty (number of cabinets loaded by Ethernet port 1). The device has restrictions on
the number of cabinets loaded by the Ethernet ports. For details, see Note a).
Set Data Flow of the screen. For details, see Note c), d), and e).
Note:
a). If nports are used to load the screen,
the number of cabinets loaded by each
of the first (n–1) ports must be the same
and the integral multiple of the number
of cabinet rows or columns, and it must
be greater than or equal to the number
of cabinets loaded by the last port.
Example:
If all the 8 Ethernet ports are used to load the screen, the number
of cabinets loaded by ports 1–7 must be the same and the
integral multiple of the number of cabinet rows or columns.
Therefore, you need to set only the number of cabinets loaded
by port 1 according to the actual situation. The number of
cabinets loaded by port 8 must be less than or equal to the
number of cabinets loaded by port 1.
b). For irregular screens, NovaLCT software must be connected to configure the screen.
c). During data flow settings, you can rotate the knob to select a target data flow pattern.
d). During data flow settings, ensure that the cabinets loaded by each Ethernet port are connected one by
one in the same direction.
e). During data flow settings, ensure that Ethernet port 1 is at the beginning position of the whole physical
connection.
Brightness Adjustment
Screen brightness allows you to adjust the LED screen brightness in an eye-friendly way according to the
current ambient brightness. Besides, appropriate screen brightness can extend the service life of the LED
screen.
Figure 6-4 Brightness adjustment
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Step 1 On the home screen, press the knob to enter the main menu.
Step 2 Select Brightness and press the knob to confirm the selection.
Step 3 Rotate the knob to adjust the brightness value. You can see the adjustment result on the LED screen in real
time. Press the knob to apply the brightness you set when you are satisfied with it.
Screen Settings
Configure the LED screen to ensure the screen can display the entire input source normally.
Screen configuration methods include quick and advanced configurations. There are constrains on the two
methods, explained as below.
The two methods cannot be enabled at the same time.
After the screen is configured in NovaLCT, do not use any of the two methods on the MCTRL R5 to
configure the screen again.
6.3.1 Quick Configuration
Configure the whole LED screen uniformly and quickly. For details, see 6.1 Light a Screen Quickly.
6.3.2 Advanced Configuration
Set parameters for each Ethernet port, including number of cabinet rows and columns (Cabinet Row Qty and
Cabinet Column Qty), horizontal offset (Start X), vertical offset (Start Y), and data flow.
Figure 6-5 Advanced configuration
Step 1 Choose Screen Settings > Advanced Config and press the knob.
Step 2 In the caution dialog screen, select Yes to enter the advanced configuration screen.
Step 3 Enable Advance Config, select an Ethernet port, set the parameters for it, and apply the settings.
Step 4 Select the next Ethernet port to continue setting until all the Ethernet ports are set.
6.3.3 Image Offset
After configuring the screen, adjust the horizontal and vertical offsets (Start X and Start Y) of the overall
display image to ensure it is displayed in the desired position.
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Figure 6-6 Image offset
Image Rotation
There are 2 rotation methods: port rotation and screen rotation.
Port rotation: Display rotation of cabinets loaded by Ethernet port (For example, set the rotation angle of
port 1, and the display of cabinets loaded by port 1 will rotate according to the angle)
Screen rotation: Rotation of the entire LED display according to the rotation angle
Figure 6-7 Image rotation
Step 1 On the home screen, press the knob to enter the main menu.
Step 2 Choose Rotation Settings > Rotation Enable, and choose Enable.
Step 3 Choose Port Rotate or Screen Rotate and set the rotation step and angle.
Note
The screen must be configured on the MCTRL R5 before rotation setting in the LCD menu.
The screen must be configured in SmartLCT before rotation setting in SmartLCT.
After screen configuration is done in SmartLCT, when you set rotation function on the MCTRL R5, a
message saying “Reconfig screen, are you sure?” will appear. Please choose Yes and perform rotation
settings.
A 10-bit input does not support image rotation.
The rotation function is disabled when the calibration function is enabled.
Display Control
Control the display status on the LED screen.
Figure 6-8 Display control
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Normal: Display the content of the current input source normally.
Black Out: Make the LED screen go black and do not display the input source. The input source is still
being played in the background.
Freeze: Make the LED screen always display the frame when frozen. The input source is still being
played in the background.
Test Pattern: Test patterns are used to check the display effect and pixel operating status. There are 8
test patterns, including pure colors and line patterns.
Image Settings: Adjust the color temperature, contrast, saturation and hue of the output image to
improve the display effect.
Parameter
Description
Contrast
Range: 0% to 100%; stepping: 1%
Saturation
Range: 0% to 100%; stepping: 1%
Hue
Range: -180 to +180; stepping: 1
Note
The image settings function is disabled when the calibration function is enabled.
Advanced Settings
6.6.1 Mapping Function
When this function is enabled, each cabinet of the screen will display the sequence number of the cabinet and
the Ethernet port that loads the cabinet.
Figure 6-9 Mapping function
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Example: "P:01" stands for the Ethernet port number and "#001" stands for the cabinet number.
Note
The receiving cards used in the system must support the Mapping function.
6.6.2 Load Cabinet Configuration Files
Before you begin: Save the cabinet configuration file (*.rcfgx or *.rcfg) to the local PC.
Step 1 Run NovaLCT and choose Tools > Controller Cabinet Configuration File Import.
Step 2 On the displayed page, select the currently used serial port or Ethernet port, click Add Configuration File to
select and add a cabinet configuration file.
Step 3 Click Save the Change to HW to save the change to the controller.
Figure 6-10 Importing configuration file of controller cabinet
Note
Configuration files of irregular cabinets are not supported.
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6.6.3 Set Alarm Thresholds
Set the alarm thresholds for device temperature and voltage. When a threshold is exceeded, its corresponding
icon on the home screen will be flashing, instead of displaying the value.
Figure 6-11 Setting alarm thresholds
: Voltage alarm, icon flashing. Voltage threshold range: 3.5 V to 7.5 V
: Temperature alarm, icon flashing. Temperature threshold range: –20°C to +85°C
: Voltage and temperature alarms at the same time, icon flashing
Note
When there are no temperature or voltage alarms, the home screen will display the backup status.
6.6.4 Save to RV Card
By using this function, you can:
Send and save the configuration information to the receiving cards, including brightness, color
temperature, Gamma and display settings.
Overwrite the information saved to the receiving card earlier.
Ensure that the data saved in the receiving cards will not be lost upon power failure of receiving cards.
6.6.5 Redundancy Settings
Set the controller as the primary or backup device. When the controller works as a backup device, set the data
flow direction as opposite to that of the primary device.
Figure 6-12 Redundancy settings
Note
If the controller is set as the backup device, when the primary device fails, the backup device will immediately
take over the work of the primary device, that is, the backup takes effect. After the backup takes effect, the
target Ethernet port icons on the home screen will have marks in top flashing once every 1 second.
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6.6.6 Presettings
Choose Advanced Settings > Presettings to save current settings as a preset. Up to 10 presets can be
saved.
Save: Save current parameters as a preset.
Load: Read back the parameters from a saved preset.
Delete: Delete the parameters saved in a preset.
6.6.7 Input Backup
Set a backup video source for each primary video source. Other input video sources supported by the
controller can be set as backup video sources.
After a backup video source takes effect, the video source selection is irreversible.
Primary Video source
Backup Video source
SDI
NULL/DVI/HDMI
DVI
NULL/SDI/HDMI
HDMI
NULL/DVI/SDI
6.6.8 Factory Reset
Reset the controller parameters to factory settings.
6.6.9 OLED Brightness
Adjust the brightness of the OLED menu screen on the front panel. The brightness range is 4 to 15.
6.6.10 HW Version
Check the hardware version of the controller. If a new version is released, you can connect the controller to a
PC to update the firmware programs in NovaLCT V5.2.0 or later.
Communication Settings
Set the communication mode and network parameters of the MCTRL R5.
Figure 6-13 Communication mode
Communication mode: Include USB preferred and Local Area Network (LAN) preferred.
The controller connects to PC via USB port and Ethernet port. If USB Preferred is selected, the PC
prefers to communicate with the controller via the USB port, or else via the Ethernet port.
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Figure 6-14 Network settings
The network settings can be done manually or automatically.
−Manual setting parameters include controller IP address and subnet mask.
−Automatic settings can read the network parameters automatically.
Reset: Reset the parameters to defaults.
Language
Change the system language of the device.
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7 Operations on PC
Software Operations on PC
7.1.1 NovaLCT
Connect the MCTRL R5 to the control computer installed with NovaLCT V5.2.0 or later via USB port to
perform screen configuration, brightness adjustment, calibration, display control, monitoring, etc. For details
on their operations, see NovaLCT LED Configuration Tool for Synchronous Control System User Manual.
Figure 7-1 NovaLCT UI
7.1.2 SmartLCT
Connect the MCTRL R5 to the control computer installed with SmartLCT V3.4.0 or later via USB port to
perform building-block screen configuration, seam brightness adjustment, real-time monitoring, brightness
adjustment, hot backup, etc. For details on their operations, see the SmartLCT user manual.
Figure 7-2 SmartLCT UI
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