The New COEX VMP Line – The Future of NovaStar processing?

One of the most vitally important components of an LED video wall system is the video processor, sometimes referred to as a “controller” or “sending card”. The video processor serves as the gateway between your video source and LED panels, as well as how you configure and control specific settings of the LED screen for operation.

An LED control system refers to a line of LED video controllers that are designed to work with a specific type of receiving card that is installed into the LED panels. Control systems distribute video signals through RJ45 connections that interconnect between subsequent panels, which can be configured for various different layouts to better support the modularity of LED screens. One can’t simply connect an HDMI to a video panel the same way they would a TV or monitor.

There are a few different LED video control systems available in today’s market, and the selection for LED control systems is actually quite small. Each control system can serve different purposes and functions for specific use applications. Similar to how there are different lighting consoles or control software available for DMX lighting. It is the backbone of the LED display system.

What is NovaStar?

If you’re a seasoned LED veteran, NovaStar is likely already a familiar name to you. But if you’re just getting your feet wet and doing your research before purchasing an LED wall, you may have seen this name pop up a couple of times.

NovaStar is currently the world’s leading provider of LED display control solutions and retains the highest market share globally across LED video walls with a diverse range of LED control and processing products to suit a wide range of applications. From concerts, broadcasting, event production, retail stores, digital signage, and more. It is currently the most common and most popular LED video control system in the LED video space. As a result, there is more familiarity among technicians for more universal support, which also leads to a greater market acceptance from an investment or cross-rental perspective. NovaStar also offers cost-effective, well-priced solutions for the features being offered, making it an attractive choice for virtually any budget.

For these reasons, 99% of the LED panels offered by DVS are standard-equipped with a NovaStar receiving card in order to be compatible with this diverse range of processors. Not only are they simply equipped with NovaStar receiving cards, but also designed and calibrated to enable the extensive image processing features NovaStar offers within their product line. Yes, one can simply buy an LED panel with NovaStar and it will display images, but achieving those vibrant, high-contrast colors, smooth image movements and nice gradients can be a different story. And now it’s getting a little more interesting.

What is NovaStar’s new COEX line?

COEX is NovaStar’s entirely new line of LED video processing that has been released to meet the new demands of advancing market applications. It introduces a new range of video processing hardware models with a further refined image processing engine, new advanced control features, and an entirely new software named “VMP” to completely redefine the LED video control and processing experience. The COEX line processors and VMP software are entirely separate from NovaStar’s traditional line of controllers and processors. Some features which were once only available from competing control system manufacturers, are now found in NovaStar’s COEX line at a competitive price point.

The COEX line was initially introduced back in 2020 in response to the exploding virtual production/xR sector, where green screens are replaced with LED displays with real-time tracking and motion graphics that respond to camera positioning. This can require a high level of color accuracy and extensive video processing performance to ensure responsiveness in an environment that requires on-camera performance when combined with advanced graphics and content sources.

At the time only one processor model was available and mainly limited to larger, more advanced applications like xR. However, now more economical processor models are becoming available with attractive features and improvements to enhance the user experience; along with new models forthcoming that are design to support advancements in video and LED display technology. As a result, we may start seeing a transition of NovaStar COEX into more common LED video wall uses and it’s time to start talking about it.

What does COEX offer?

This line is entirely different from the more standard line of processors, controllers, and sending cards NovaStar offers such as MCTRL, VX, NovaPro, and H-Series, which are extremely common in productions, installations, and venues. These models still have their place in the market, with some of them being released fairly recently, so they won’t be going away anytime soon.

On the hardware side, the most notable aspect of the COEX line is more powerful and refined image processing along with support for more advanced video features. Features like HDR10/HLG and Low-latency have been available in some NovaStar processing models for some time, but now come with easier compatibility and further refinement. Here are some of the most notable improvements and new features:

Notable Features & Upgrades*:

Improved low-latency support without reduced pixel loading capacity per port.
Enhanced Dynamic Image Booster function for refined contrast ratio and image detail.
Adaptive Frame Rates for adjustment of frame rates at the decimal level.
Full Grayscale calibration for improved color uniformity of the LED panels.
Ability to support 120Hz / 240Hz frame rates.
Frame remapping capability
Frame rate offsetting
3D LUT File Support
14-Channel Color Correction
Realtime Color Replacement
Improved configuration and control UI via Processor On-Board Menu

And the list can go on. However, some of the new features implemented into COEX are because these innovations have already made their way into other video head units such as cameras, video matrixes, and GPUs. This can make COEX a go-to choice for performance-critical applications like xR, Live Event Production, Virtual Events, Broadcasting, and E-Sports to name a few, but some of these features may not be used in a typical operation. However, it does expand an LED video wall’s performance capabilities and can make the LED screen more adaptable to advancements in video technology as they become more commonplace, which can prolong the investment for a greater ROI.

* NOTE: The above-listed features may require a specific processor model and/or receiving card with appropriate panel calibration and NCP file in order to be supported. Consult with your designated vendor to verify compatibility.

The new VMP Software

One of the most attractive features of the new COEX line is the all-new Vision Management Platform, known as VMP software. NovaStar’s standard line of processors and controllers typically operate on the NovaLCT software. NovaLCT, while powerful and stable, some users feedback that LCT is complicated to use, and ultimately leads to confusion. One wrong move in the settings and the LED screen may not display an image the way it’s supposed to. Some models like the H-Series and Taurus media players actually require a separate software program in addition to NovaLCT in order to be fully configured, which throws another learning curveball into the equation.

Easier to Use

With VMP, the user interface has been designed to be more simplified and easier to understand with the use of real-time display and adjustments of parameter settings of the LED screens. The top-level menus are appropriately segmented to provide quick and easy access to key setup areas of the LED screen for parameters such as input sources, panel layout, color/seam adjustment, and advanced functions. In each section, additional settings pertaining to that setup area are easily accessible through the sub-menus on the right side and bottom of the interface. Features and settings to make adjustments are no longer hidden in obscure menus that sometimes require a password to access, unlike LCT.

Drag-n-Drop Programming, In-Real Time

Another key feature in the VMP software is information and adjustments to settings happen in real-time. On the Source sections, users can see what the input sources are actually displaying live through the software, input sources can be easily switched at the click of a button or can be easily drag-n-dropped for positioning PIP layers.

The same can also apply to the configuration layout of the panels. Users can simply drag-and-drop panels from the ports on the bottom of the interface to the canvas and then simply drag-and-draw in the direction the panels are laid out which also configures the direction the cabling is connected. So do be careful as to how you draw your panel layout during this part. The drag, drop, and draw function can be placed anywhere on the canvas significantly simplifying complex multi-screen configurations.

To further make mapping simpler. By default, the layout and topology of the LED panels will overlay on top of the input source so users can easily understand how their input source would display on the panels or screen according to their layout, so they can make adjustments to their scaling settings to achieve a full-screen image according to the layout or reposition panels to a specific section on the canvas so those panels display a specific slice of the input sources. When panels are connected to the processor, the quantity of receiving cards are automatically detected and displayed on the bottom which also shows how much capacity is being used per port. This can be extremely helpful in identifying any faults in the LED screen and any loading capacity limitations from the get-go.

Quick & Intuitive Calibration

When screens need perfect uniformity or more accurate colors, calibration and adjustments may be needed. For example, curved LED screens built in a convex format may have bright lines or seams as a result of LEDs getting a little closer to each other compared to other pixels at their curve point. With VMP, users can quickly adjust seams between LED panels or even between modules (aka sub-panels). Adjustments are precise and occur in real time without any lag or loading time, so users can fine-tune their adjustments to that sweet spot quickly.

For colors, when paired with select processor models, users can adjust up to 14 different color channels that can be adjusted at the Hue, Saturation, and Brightness level for extremely refined color tuning. The Color Replacement function can completely change one color being displayed to an entirely different color if it’s not displaying the exact way you want it to.

MacOS Control

One of the more recent difficulties currently being experienced with NovaStar’s standard line is limited support for Mac computers. NovaLCT is a Windows-only program, limiting users to the SmartLCT software which offered limited features, limited control capabilities, and new models were not always immediately compatible with the program. Many Mac OS users have experienced issues with being able to connect their processors to their Mac computers due to security features preventing drivers from being installed in order to be detected by the software. Additionally, EDID and color space conflicts, particularly on Apple’s proprietary M1 GPU, have also resulted in either input sources not being detected by the processor or not displaying the correct colors.

With the introduction of COEX, NovaStar subsequently announced that SmartLCT has approached End-of-Life for both Windows and Mac versions. The program received its final update in May of 2023. This creates another unique challenge for Mac users as bugs may not be addressed.

The good news is COEX offers a MacOS version of its VMP software. It is a full version of VMP without any limitations and works the same way as it would on Windows PC versions. Additionally, with COEX products having a new chipset and enhanced image processing engine, input sources from Apple products are displayed natively like other HDMI sources normally would for a more seamless experience.

What about the deeper technical functions we’re already familiar with?

For the seasoned LED technicians out there, you’re probably wondering about some of the more technical or advanced functions that you typically interact with day-to-day in NovaLCT. Functions like sending RCFG files and redundancy configuration, for example, can still be done in COEX/VMP and even potentially have some degree of improvement thanks to a redesigned UI. Technicians can still calibrate panels, modules, seams and manage co-efficient within the VMP interface. It may have a different approach than what operators are typically used to, but not necessarily for the worse.

Are there any drawbacks or limitations?

Take this part with a grain of salt. COEX is still fairly new to market, while we may start seeing a transition of COEX into common LED video wall use, there isn’t a COEX product for every single type of application an LED video wall may be used on, so don’t jump to the immediate conclusion of making this a go-to replacement for every application.

Like other Novastar products, some of the advanced features highlighted that COEX VMP offers may not be enabled unless the panel is equipped with the appropriate receiving card. The most optimal day-to-day features of COEX are achieved with panels only equipped with the Amor series receiving cards, with the full suite of advanced pro-level, xR-grade features available in the flagship A10S Pro receiving card. In addition to being equipped with the right receiving card, panels also need to receive proper calibration during the manufacturing process. This can put lower-quality panels that use cheaper receiving cards out of the equation. However, most panels already equipped with NovaStar receiving cards can still work from a basic operation perspective.

As of right now, there are still some limitations that may need to be considered:

COEX processors only connect to control computers via Ethernet/LAN and must be within the same IP address range to be detected by VMP. There is no ability to connect to control computer via USB.
COEX/VMP is not ideal for digital signage applications, there are no standalone media players or cloud control like Taurus & VNNOX.
Users can only upload and send panel RCFG files through VMP. RCFG parameters cannot be manually adjusted in VMP and users cannot read back an RCFG file from a panel like NovaLCT.
Fiber Converters may require a firmware update in order to work with COEX processors.
Some less-common IC driver chips equipped in panels may not be supported or unable to achieve improved visual quality.
5G-based solutions with CX-Series processors can only work with panels equipped with a 5G receiving card, there is no backwards compatibility.

Some minor hardware and software bugs may still exist, especially on newly released models. However, like any other NovaStar product and electronic device, NovaStar is proactively updating the COEX processors and the VMP software to ensure the best possible experience. So check back on this article as we may update this part later.

Backwards Compatibility – For existing panels that already use NovaStar LCT products

As noted above, the COEX controllers will be able to work with existing panels that use NovaLCT-based processors. Some panels may be different depending on a variety of factors including chipset, receiving card, and firmware. Be sure to take a minute to verify with DVS technical support team or your designated dealer or vendors of any compatibility or feature limitations before purchasing.

It is important to note that the newly-introduced CX-Series processors on the COEX line are 5G-based solutions. 5G-based require panels to be equipped with a 5G receiving card as the internal architecture and protocol are different. Existing panels cannot be used with 5G based solutions and receiving cards cannot be upgraded currently.

Is COEX the future of NovaStar LED processing?

Here at DVS, we see a wide range of applications and product requirements, with processing definitely coming into the equation. With a better image processing engine, more advanced features available at a competitive price point, and a significant software UI, it’s definitely not something to overlook.

Now with the COEX line expanding to be more affordable that can suit smaller applications and other new forthcoming products to serve other applications. Users have more options with the NovaStar ecosystem to serve their needs. With the current advancements in both video and LED technology, COEX is being designed to support this forthcoming technology that can certainly make its way into the Pro Video sector before the consumer sector. As a result, COEX is likely to become a popular choice in the near future to support its large market share and user base as well as support the countless LED displays already equipped with NovaStar receiving cards. It can serve as a unique solution both for those getting a new LED video wall or those who wish to upgrade to a more intuitive solution in a cost-effective manner.

However, with NovaStar’s standard line still being an industry standard, it will take some time before we see COEX become the norm. However, the COEX platform is now at a point where it is stable enough to be used a in real-world environment. Which is where we will begin to see a transition period. For our LED technicians reading this, it’s probably time to start getting familiar with VMP in case you come across it.

How is DVS gearing up for COEX?

DVS is more than a supplier of LED displays but also a developer and innovator of the technology. With DVS panels, we always focus on ensuring our LED display products offer unique features and details to improve durability, reliability, stability, and ease of use. That being said, the operating experience on the software side is no exception, and that’s what makes us so excited to offer this option.

The COEX line from NovaStar has been on our radar for quite some time. With some products being in our hands for testing before public release, we’ve seen some of the early quirks initially discovered and worked closely with NovaStar developers to make sure these were mitigated before being put into real-world use. And that’s not just pointing out VMP or processor bugs we discover, but also understanding technical requirements on the panel level to ensure stability and optimal image quality of the LED screens themselves.

Panel optimization to get the best possible experience and image quality out of COEX is critical. It’s not just a matter of receiving card and chipset used, but also firmware integrity to ensure that bugs do not come as a result of hardware conflicts, colors appear vibrant and accurate, and users can operate their LED screens seamlessly on this program with these new features at their fingertips. This means testing both our new products and existing products already in the field along with making sure our technical support is well-versed in the COEX platform to best support both new users and users who want to make the switch.

Curious about COEX?

Whether you’re thinking about purchasing an LED wall with COEX processing or looking to upgrade your existing NovaStar LED wall to COEX, our team is here to help and provide the technical answers you need.

But see for yourself! The VMP software can be downloaded for FREE and prospective users can test out the interface in offline mode to try it out, it doesn’t require any hardware to be connected. Check the Support Page here to download the latest version for your operating system.