Novastar UHD Jr : The Ultimate Practical Guide – From Beginner to Expert

This guide covers everything you need to know about the Novastar UHD Jr. Learn how to connect your hardware, configure screen settings, and master key features like free topology and hot backup. We’ll cover layer management, input switching, and common troubleshooting. No prior experience needed—just follow along and you’ll be up and running in no time.

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NovaPro UHD Jr is a powerful all-in-one controller from Novastar that integrates video processing, sending card functionality, and LED screen configuration into a single unit. This Novastar controller supports ultra-high-definition inputs up to 4K×2K@60Hz and can handle resolutions as high as 8K×1K@60Hz, making it a versatile solution for premium applications:

• Stage control systems: Delivering vibrant visuals for concerts and live performances with reliable performance.
• Conference sites: Ensuring crystal-clear presentations with minimal latency and seamless switching.
• Exhibition displays: Supporting large-scale, high-resolution screens for immersive brand experiences.
• Fine-pitch LED displays: Perfect for detailed content in retail, corporate, and broadcast environments.

The Novastar UHD Jr delivers its performance through a robust set of hardware and software capabilities:

• 16 Neutrik Ethernet ports and 4 optical fiber outputs provide extensive connectivity options.
• 10.4 million pixels maximum loading capacity ensures smooth operation even on the largest LED installations.
• Dual working modes—video controller and fiber converter—offer flexibility for different setup requirements.
• V-Can software integration enables quick configuration and rich visual effects with minimal effort.

Connecting the NovaPro UHD Jr all-in-one controller is simple, thanks to its comprehensive selection of input and output options. Here’s how to get started:

• DP 1.2: Supports resolutions up to 3840×2160@60Hz, ideal for high-frame-rate content from computers or media servers.
• HDMI 2.0: HDCP 2.2 compliant, making it perfect for protected content playback from Blu-ray players or streaming devices.
• 12G-SDI: Handles broadcast-grade video signals up to 4K resolution, commonly used in live production environments.
• DVI: Both single-link and dual-link modes available for flexible configurations with legacy equipment or high-resolution sources.

• Neutrik Ethernet Ports (16x): These locking connectors provide reliable direct connections to LED screens, even in high-vibration environments like concerts or touring events.
• Optical Fiber Ports (4x): Enable long-distance transmission up to 10G without signal degradation, perfect for large venues where the controller must be located far from the screen.

Connect your video source (e.g., laptop, media player, or camera) to the appropriate input port on the Novastar controller—HDMI for consumer devices, SDI for broadcast gear, or DP for high-resolution content.

Link the NovaPro UHD Jr to your LED screen using Ethernet cables for short distances or optical fibers for longer runs. The all-in-one controller automatically detects connected cabinets when properly configured.

Power on the device and configure screen settings via the front panel TFT screen and knob, or use Novastar’s V-Can software for more advanced adjustments.

NovaPro UHD Jr all-in-one controller features a Quick Configuration mode that simplifies setting up regular LED screens. This is especially useful when working with identical cabinets arranged in a standard grid pattern. Follow these steps:

Power On: Ensure both the Novastar controller and the LED screen are powered on and properly connected via Ethernet cables.

Access Menu: Rotate the front panel knob to select Screen Settings > Quick Configuration, then press the knob to confirm.

Set Cabinet Layout:Enter the number of cabinet rows and columns for your overall screen.Specify how many cabinets are loaded by Ethernet Port 1—this establishes the starting point for your data flow.

Define Data Flow: Choose the physical connection mode that matches your cabinet wiring (e.g., left-to-right, top-to-bottom, or zigzag). The Novastar UHD Jr supports multiple data flow patterns to accommodate different installation methods.

Save Settings: Once the LED screen displays the correct image, press the knob to save the configuration. If the image isn’t right, press ESC to cancel and try again.

Free Topology is one of the most powerful features of the NovaPro UHD Jr all-in-one controller. It allows you to configure non-standard LED screen layouts—such as curved displays, creative shapes, or screens with missing cabinets—without wasting port bandwidth on unused blank areas.

Traditional configuration methods require you to treat every Ethernet port load as a perfect rectangle. If your screen has an irregular shape, you’d still need to account for empty spaces in the grid, wasting valuable bandwidth. Free Topology eliminates this constraint by letting you map cabinets exactly where they physically sit.

• Navigate to Screen Settings > Advanced Configuration on the Novastar controller.
• Enable the Advanced Configuration function, then select the Ethernet port you want to configure.
• Define custom parameters for each cabinet group:Set cabinet rows and columns. Adjust horizontal and vertical offsets to position cabinets precisely. Specify individual cabinet dimensions if they vary across the screen
• Map each Ethernet port to its specific section of the LED display, placing cabinets exactly where they belong—even if that leaves gaps in the logical grid.
• Repeat for all Ethernet ports until the entire irregular layout is mapped.

NovaPro UHD Jr all-in-one controller gives you complete creative control over your display content through its flexible layer management system. Whether you’re running a live event, corporate presentation, or rental installation, understanding layers helps you deliver professional results.

Main Layer: The primary content layer that carries your main video source. This is the foundation of your display and supports all input types including HDMI, DP, SDI, and DVI.

PIP (Picture-in-Picture): Up to two additional overlay layers (PIP1 and PIP2) that can display secondary content. Perfect for speaker feeds, logos, or supplementary visuals alongside your main program.

BKG (Background): A dedicated background layer that sits behind all other layers. You can use solid colors or captured images from any input source as your background.

OSD (On-Screen Display): High-priority text or graphics that appear above all other layers. The Novastar controller supports up to eight OSD images, with priority that cannot be changed—ideal for watermarks, timecodes, or event branding.

Press the PIP button on the front panel to access the layer settings menu on the Novastar UHD Jr. Select the layer you want to configure (Main, PIP1, PIP2, BKG, or OSD). For each active layer, you can adjust:

• Status: Turn layers on or off as needed.
• Input Source: Assign which video source feeds the layer.
• Scaling Mode: Choose between Full Screen, Pixel to Pixel, or Custom scaling.
• Position & Size: Set exact coordinates (Initial X/Y) and dimensions (H Width/V Height).
• Priority: For Main and PIP layers, adjust which appears in front (1 = back, 3 = front).

Input Crop: Trim unwanted edges from your source and display only the portion you need

Beyond basic setup, the NovaPro UHD Jr all-in-one controller offers advanced features that elevate visual quality and responsiveness. Whether you need stunning image fidelity, real-time interaction, or immersive 3D effects, these performance-tuning options let you get the most out of your Novastar controller.

High Dynamic Range brings out deeper blacks, brighter highlights, and richer colors. When paired with compatible NovaStar receiving cards (such as A8s or A10s Plus), the Novastar UHD Jr supports HDR10 input sources, delivering exceptional image quality for premium content.

• Enable HDR: Navigate to Advanced Functions > HDR and turn the status on.
• Fine-tune: Adjust parameters like brightness, contrast, and gamma to match your screen and environment.

For applications where every millisecond counts—like interactive installations, live performances, or gaming—the NovaPro UHD Jr’s Low Latency mode achieves a mere 2-frame delay from the all-in-one controller to the receiving cards.

• Requirement: Use with NovaStar Armor series receiving cards (A8, A8s, A9s, A10s Plus).
• Activation: Go to Advanced Functions > Low Latency and enable the feature.
• Important: When Low Latency is active, the loading width of a single Ethernet port should not exceed 512 pixels.

Bring depth to your LED screen with 3D content. The Novastar UHD Jr works with the EMT200 3D transmitter and compatible shutter glasses to create an immersive visual experience.

• Connect a 3D video source to the Novastar controller via DVI, HDMI, or DP.
• Navigate to Advanced Functions > 3D Mode and turn the status on.
• Select the correct 3D format based on your source: Side-by-Side: Left and right images are compressed horizontally. Top-and-Bottom: Left and right images are stacked vertically. Frame Sequential: Full frames alternate for left and right eyes (requires 120Hz source).
• Adjust Eye Priority (Left or Right) to match your glasses’ synchronization.
• Fine-tune Right Eye Start Signal Delay Time if you notice ghosting or double images.
• Optionally, configure settings for third-party 3D transmitters under More Settings.

NovaPro UHD Jr all-in-one controller offers two distinct working modes to adapt to different installation requirements. Understanding when to use each mode ensures you’re getting the most from your Novastar controller.

In this mode, the NovaPro UHD Jr functions as a complete all-in-one controller, with both Ethernet and optical fiber ports configured for output. This is the standard mode for most applications:

• 16 Neutrik Ethernet ports drive your LED screen directly.
• 4 optical fiber ports provide additional output capacity or backup functionality.
• Ideal for typical rental and installation scenarios where the controller is located near the screen.

• In this mode, the optical fiber ports become inputs, and the Ethernet ports function as outputs. The Novastar UHD Jr effectively acts as a fiber-to-Ethernet converter:
• Optical fiber ports receive video data from a remote source (such as another NovaPro UHD Jr or a fiber-equipped video distributor).
• Ethernet ports output to your LED screen.
• Perfect for extended distance applications—transmit signals over hundreds of meters via fiber without degradation, then convert back to Ethernet at the screen location.

• Navigate to Working Mode in the main menu on the Novastar controller.
• Select either Video Controller or Fiber Converter.
• Confirm your selection. The device will restart automatically to apply the new mode.

Choose Video Controller Mode when your NovaPro UHD Jr is the primary processing unit located near the LED screen, or when you need both Ethernet and fiber outputs for maximum connectivity.

Choose Fiber Converter Mode when your video processing happens elsewhere (e.g., at a central equipment rack) and you need to transmit signals long distances to the screen location. This is common in large venues, outdoor events, or permanent installations where the control room is far from the display.