NovaStar Thunderview S1 User manual

Step 1
LED Display Controller
Thunderview_S1
User Manual
Product Version:
V1.0.1
Document Number:
NS110100640
XI'AN NOVASTAR TECH CO., LTD.

www.novastar.tech
i
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
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. For accuracy and
reliability, NovaStar may make improvements and/or changes to this document at any time and without
notice. Any problem in use or any good suggestion, please contact us through ways provided in the
document. We will do our utmost to solve the problems and adopt the suggestions after evaluation as
soon as possible.
XI'AN NOVASTAR TECH CO., LTD.

LED Display Controller Thunderview_S1
User Manual
Change History
www.novastar.tech
ii
Change History
Version
Release Date
Description
V1.0.1
2018-08-23
Changed pictures in the document.
V1.0.0
2017-11-20
First release
XI'AN NOVASTAR TECH CO., LTD.

LED Display Controller Thunderview_S1
User Manual
Contents
www.novastar.tech
iii
Contents
Change History ..................................................................................................................ii
Contents............................................................................................................................iii
1 Safety Instructions..........................................................................................................1
2 Overview..........................................................................................................................2
3 Appearance .....................................................................................................................3
3.1 Front Panel .................................................................................................................................................. 3
3.2 Rear Panel................................................................................................................................................... 3
4 Dimensions .....................................................................................................................5
5 Home Screen...................................................................................................................6
6 Operations.......................................................................................................................7
6.1 Brightness.................................................................................................................................................... 7
6.2 Loading Modes ............................................................................................................................................ 7
6.3 Screen Settings ........................................................................................................................................... 8
6.3.1 Quick Configuration.................................................................................................................................. 8
6.3.2 Advanced Configuration ........................................................................................................................... 9
6.3.3 Image Offset ............................................................................................................................................. 9
6.4 Input Settings............................................................................................................................................... 9
6.5 Display Control .......................................................................................................................................... 10
6.6 Advanced Settings..................................................................................................................................... 10
6.6.1 18bit+...................................................................................................................................................... 10
6.6.2 Mapping.................................................................................................................................................. 10
6.6.3 Loading Cabinet Files..............................................................................................................................11
6.6.4 Saving to Hardware.................................................................................................................................11
6.6.5 Redundancy............................................................................................................................................ 12
6.6.6 Factory Reset ......................................................................................................................................... 12
6.6.7 Returning to Home Screen..................................................................................................................... 12
6.6.8 OLED Brightness.................................................................................................................................... 12
6.6.9 Hardware Version................................................................................................................................... 12
6.7 Communication Settings............................................................................................................................ 12
6.8 Language................................................................................................................................................... 12
7 Quick Screen Configuration ........................................................................................14
8 Specifications ...............................................................................................................15
XI'AN NOVASTAR TECH CO., LTD.

LED Display Controller Thunderview_S1
User Manual
1 Safety Instructions
www.novastar.tech
1
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.
XI'AN NOVASTAR TECH CO., LTD.

LED Display Controller Thunderview_S1
User Manual
2 Overview
www.novastar.tech
2
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 different applications, such as broadcasting and
television, indoor high-end screens with fine pitch, rental for stage, security monitoring,
etc.
The S1 has 3G data transmission bandwidth.A single coaxial connector can support
up to 1920x1080@60Hz and the device supports up to 3840x1080@60Hz. Benefiting
from the SerDes technology, the S1 can realize zero-frame latency.
Connection of hardware devices to the S1 is shown in the figure below. The device
must be powered off before connection.
Figure 2-1 Hardware device connection
To control multiple S1 units, cascade them according to the figure below.
Figure 2-2 Cascade
XI'AN NOVASTAR TECH CO., LTD.

LED Display Controller Thunderview_S1
User Manual
3 Appearance
www.novastar.tech
3
3 Appearance
3.1 Front Panel
No.
Description
①
Power button
②
INPUT: Switches video sources.
③
OLED operation screen
④
Knob: Pressing the knob enters a menu or confirms an option or
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
Inputs
HDMI
Standard HDMI 1.4a input
Supports 8-bit/12-bit.
For 8-bit, supports RGB 4:4:4 1080P.
For 12-bit, supports YCbCr 4:2:2 1080P.
DVI
Single-link DVI
Users can customize the resolution.
Maximum horizontal resolution: 3840
pixels
Maximum vertical resolution: 3840
XI'AN NOVASTAR TECH CO., LTD.

LED Display Controller Thunderview_S1
User Manual
3 Appearance
www.novastar.tech
4
pixels
SDI IN
Supports 3G-SDI progressive input in
standard format.
SDI LOOP
SDI loop out
Outputs
OUT1, IN1
OUT2, IN2
OUT1, IN1, OUT2 and IN2 are coaxial
output connectors.
OUT1 and IN1 are used in pairs. OUT2 and
IN2 are used in pairs.
Supported bandwidth of each channel is up
to 3G.
Loading capacity of each channel is up to
1920x1080@60HZ.
Maximum transmission distance of the
coaxial cable is 100m.
GenLock
In
It is the GenLock synchronization signal,
which is used to ensure synchronization
between the LED screen display and
external GenLock source.
Loop
GenLock loop out
Control
RS232
Baud rate: 115200 Bps
ETHERNET
RJ45 (TCP/IP) control connector
USB (Type-A)
Control connector that connects to the upper
computer
USB (Type-B)
Cascade connector
Power
100–240VAC@50/60Hz
AC power input
Switch
ON/OFF
Note:
The type-A USB port is prohibited from being connected to the upper computer directly.
XI'AN NOVASTAR TECH CO., LTD.

LED Display Controller Thunderview_S1
User Manual
4 Dimensions
www.novastar.tech
5
4 Dimensions
Unit: mm
XI'AN NOVASTAR TECH CO., LTD.

LED Display Controller Thunderview_S1
User Manual
5 Home Screen
www.novastar.tech
6
5 Home Screen
The home screen of the S1 controller after it is powered on is shown in the figure
below.
No.
Description
①
Product name
②
The currently selected input source and its resolution and frame
rate
Supported statuses: BLACK OUT, FREEZE, NO SIGNAL and
TEST PATTERN
③
IP address
④
Types of input video sources supported by the S1: SDI, HDMI
and DVI
Displays the connection status of video sources.
As shown in the figure above, the HDMI is selected, which
means the HDMI-type input source is operating.
⑤
Loading capacity status of outputs
⑥
Loading capacity status of the device
⑦
Screen brightness
PRIMARY (primary device)/BACKUP (backup device)
Statuses of control connector: GenLock.
XI'AN NOVASTAR TECH CO., LTD.

LED Display Controller Thunderview_S1
User Manual
6 Operations
www.novastar.tech
7
6 Operations
Before operation, ensure the LED screen is powered on and displays normally. Then,
press the knob to enter the operation menu screen and the following operations can
be performed.
Note: Pressing the knob enters a menu or confirms an option or operation.
Rotating the knob selects a menu item or adjusts a parameter.
6.1 Brightness
Choose Brightness and press the knob. Then, rotate the knob to adjust the
brightness value.
6.2 Loading Modes
Large Load Mode
When the Large Load mode is selected, the Output 1 (OUT1 and IN1) and Output 2
(OUT2 and IN2) can be used together at the same time. The loading capacity of each
channel is up to 1920x1080@60HZ and the loading capacity of the device is up to
3840x1080@60Hz.
Backup Mode
When the Backup mode is selected, the Output 1 (OUT1 and IN1) is used as the
primary output connector and the Output 2 (OUT2 and IN2) is used as the backup
output connector.
XI'AN NOVASTAR TECH CO., LTD.

LED Display Controller Thunderview_S1
User Manual
6 Operations
www.novastar.tech
8
OUT1 and IN1 (OUT2 and IN2) are used in pairs. When the Output 1 (OUT1 and IN1)
fails, the Output 2 (OUT2 and IN2) will take over the work of the Output 1 to ensure
normal output display.
6.3 Screen Settings
6.3.1 Quick Configuration
Step 1 Check to ensure the LED screen is powered on and displays normally.
Step 2 Press the knob to enter the operation menu screen.
Step 3 Choose Screen Settings > Quick Config to enter the submenu of Quick Config.
Step 4 Set Cabinet Row QTY and Cabinet Col QTY (number of cabinet rows and columns)
based on actual conditions.
Step 5 Set Out1 Cabinet QTY (number of cabinets loaded by the Output 1). (The device has
restrictions on loading capacity of the output. For details, see the first note item in the
table below.)
Step 6 Set Data Flow (Front View) by selecting one from the eight data flow presets. (For
details, see the third note item in the table below.)
Note
a
When the Output 1 (OUT1 and IN1) and Output 2 (OUT2 and IN2) are
used together at the same time, the number of cabinets loaded by the
Output 2 must be less than or equal to the number of cabinets loaded by
the Output 1.
b
If the screen loaded is irregular (sizes of the screen's cabinets are
different), NovaLCT must be connected to configure the screen.
c
During data flow setting, pay attention to the following points.
To set the data flow, rotate the knob to select Data Flow (Front
View) and press the knob to enter the data flow preview screen.
Then, select one from the eight data flow presets. At last, press the
knob to save the setting and press the BACK button to exit the
current operation.
Ensure that the cabinets are connected one by one according to
one direction
Ensure that the Ethernet Port 1 is at the beginning position of the
whole data flow.
XI'AN NOVASTAR TECH CO., LTD.

LED Display Controller Thunderview_S1
User Manual
6 Operations
www.novastar.tech
9
6.3.2 Advanced Configuration
The Advanced Config function can be enabled when Large Load in loading modes
is selected.
After enabling Advanced Config, set the Cabinet Row QTY, Cabinet Col QTY,
Start X and Start Y (image offset), and Data Flow (Front View) for Out1 Setting
(Output1) and Out2 Setting (Output 2) respectively.
6.3.3 Image Offset
Set Start X and Start Y (the horizontal and vertical offsets of the image).
6.4 Input Settings
The user can set resolutions for input sources based on actual needs.
Setting Methods
Method 1: Set the Preset resolution.
Select a proper resolution from the resolution presets and press the knob to save
the setting.
Method 2: Set a Custom resolution.
After choosing Custom, set Width (H), Height (V) and Refresh Rate. Then,
select Apply and press the knob to save the settings.
XI'AN NOVASTAR TECH CO., LTD.

LED Display Controller Thunderview_S1
User Manual
6 Operations
www.novastar.tech
10
6.5 Display Control
Normal: Play the contents of current input source normally.
Freeze: Freeze current playing.
Black Out: The screen blacks out and does not display the contents that are
being played.
Test Pattern: The LED screen displays one of the eight test patterns, such as
pure colors and line patterns.
Image Settings: Set brightness of Red, Green and Blue, Color Temperature,
and Gamma for the display based on display needs.
6.6 Advanced Settings
6.6.1 18bit+
The 18bit+ is a grayscale level of LED display. When the 18bit+ function is enabled,
the grayscale level of LED display can be raised by four times, which can effectively
prevent loss of grayscale caused by brightness reduction on LED display and make
the display smoother.
6.6.2 Mapping
When the Mapping function is enabled, each cabinet's receiving card No. and
Ethernet port information will be displayed in the corresponding area on the LED
display. Therefore, the user can obtain the position of the receiving cards and the data
flow.
XI'AN NOVASTAR TECH CO., LTD.

LED Display Controller Thunderview_S1
User Manual
6 Operations
www.novastar.tech
11
6.6.3 Loading Cabinet Files
After connecting the S1 to the PC and running the NovaLCT on the PC, import the
cabinet configuration files.
Step 1 Save cabinet configuration files.
After configuring the receiving cards, click to save the cabinet
configuration files (.rcfgx) to the PC as local files.
Step 2 Import the cabinet configuration files to the S1.
Step 3 Load the cabinet configuration files.
6.6.4 Saving to Hardware
Save all configuration parameters concerning the receiving cards to the receiving
cards and those parameters will not be lost even after the device is powered off.
XI'AN NOVASTAR TECH CO., LTD.

LED Display Controller Thunderview_S1
User Manual
6 Operations
www.novastar.tech
12
6.6.5 Redundancy
Set the current device as the primary or backup device.
6.6.6 Factory Reset
Reset the current device to factory settings.
6.6.7 Returning to Home Screen
Set the period of time during which the system stays at the current screen before
returning to the home screen automatically when there is no operation performed at
the front panel.
6.6.8 OLED Brightness
Adjust the OLED brightness which ranges from 5 to 15.
6.6.9 Hardware Version
The user can view the hardware version of the current device. If a new version is
released, the user can log in to NovaLCT on the PC to view the version and update
the firmware programs.
6.7 Communication Settings
Set the communication mode and network parameters of the S1.
Communication Modes
Two communication modes: USB Preferred and LAN Preferred
When the USB and Ethernet control ports are connected at the same time, the system
will use the communication mode set by the user.
Network Settings
The network (Config IPv4) can be set manually or automatically.
When setting the network automatically, the user can only reset the network
parameters.
When setting the network manually, the user can set the device's IP address (cannot
conflict with IP addresses of other devices) and subnet mask, or reset the network
parameters.
6.8 Language
Change the user interface language of the device.
XI'AN NOVASTAR TECH CO., LTD.

LED Display Controller Thunderview_S1
User Manual
6 Operations
www.novastar.tech
13
XI'AN NOVASTAR TECH CO., LTD.

LED Display Controller Thunderview_S1
User Manual
7 Quick Screen Configuration
www.novastar.tech
14
7 Quick Screen Configuration
Step 1 Quick configuration
Set the number of cabinets, cabinet rows, cabinet columns, and data flow. For details,
see 6.3.1 Quick Configuration.
Step 2 Input settings
Set the input source and resolution. For details, see 6.4 Input Settings.
Step 3 Brightness adjustment
Adjust the LED display brightness. For details, see 6.1 Brightness.
Step 4 (Optional) Advanced settings
Load the cabinet configuration files and configure the cabinet parameters on
NovaLCT on the PC.
The user can configure other parameters in Advanced Settings based on actual
needs. For details, see 6.6 Advanced Settings.
Step 5 (Optional) Communication settings
Set the control mode and network mode of the device. For details, see 6.7
Communication Settings.
Step 6 (Optional) Language
Set the user interface language of the current device. Chinese and English are
available. For details, see 6.8 Language.
XI'AN NOVASTAR TECH CO., LTD.

LED Display Controller Thunderview_S1
User Manual
8 Specifications
www.novastar.tech
15
8 Specifications
Input voltage
100–240 VAC
Rated current
1.5 A
Rated power consumption
20.0 W
Operating temperature
-20°C–60°C
Ambient humidity
10%RH–90%RH, no condensation
Dimensions
482.6 mm x 288.5 mm x 45.0 mm
Net weight
3.85 Kg
Space required
1 RU
XI'AN NOVASTAR TECH CO., LTD.