NovaStar VX400 Pro: setting up the 4-port all-in-one controller for event rental

Released in early 2025 and updated in August with the addition of OSD and remote control support, the VX400 Pro belongs to NovaStar's newest generation of all-in-one controllers. It merges video processing and sending-card duties into a single 1U chassis, with three selectable working modes: video controller, fiber converter, or ByPass for near-zero-latency pass-through.

Do not confuse it with the VX400s, covered in our dedicated tutorial at '/tutorials/novastar-vx400-pro': that unit belongs to an earlier generation of the VX line, with a different specification sheet and interface. The VX400 Pro described here is a separate 2025 model, identifiable by its self-adaptive OPT 1 optical port and its ByPass function.

It targets event rental: 4 Ethernet ports for 2.6 million pixels, output up to 10,240 x 8,192 pixels, and 256 one-touch scene presets. This guide follows a typical deployment, based strictly on the official V1.1.1 specifications.

1. A controller built for fast touring setups

On a concert stage or trade show floor, load-in time is measured in hours, not days. The VX400 Pro answers that constraint by combining what used to require a separate video processor and sending device into one unit: one HDMI 2.0 input with loop, two HDMI 1.3 inputs, one 3G-SDI input with loop, one self-adaptive 10G optical port and one USB 3.0 port for direct file playback.

Its industrial enclosure and end-to-end backup design (between inputs, Ethernet ports, and OPT and Ethernet) make it a natural fit for mobile rigs where a single cable failure must never black out the screen.

• Concert control room: switching between multiple cameras and a USB media player.
• Trade show booth: fast rigging with one-touch scene presets.
• Touring conference screen: ByPass mode for near-zero live latency.
• Small rental fleet: several VX400 Pro units managed from Unico or NovaLCT.

For a tour where the same background visual repeats at every stop, save the layer layout as a preset: recalling it takes one button press on the front panel, no computer required.

2. Official VX400 Pro specifications

The values below come from the official V1.1.1 spec sheet (August 15, 2025), which adds the OSD function and remote control.

The OPT 1 port is self-adaptive: it works as either an input or output depending on the connected device. Confirm its current role before wiring, so it does not get confused with OPT 2, which only mirrors or backs up the output of the 4 Ethernet ports.

3. Checks before rigging

Before rigging, verify delivered contents: power cord, Ethernet/HDMI/USB cables, Phoenix connector and quick start guide. At 3.8 kg net and 482.6 x 302.2 x 50.1 mm, it fits easily into a 1U flight case.

Also gather the cabinet configuration file to declare the screen topology in NovaLCT.

• Power cord, Ethernet cable and HDMI cable checked on receipt.
• Cabinet configuration file obtained from the LED panel manufacturer.
• PC with NovaLCT installed for the initial network setup.
• Dustproof plugs removed from unused connectors before rigging.

4. Wiring the video inputs and USB playback

The HDMI 2.0 input accepts the highest resolutions, up to 4096 x 2160; the HDMI 1.3 and 3G-SDI inputs stay capped at 1920 x 1080. The USB 3.0 port plays files directly from a drive at a fixed 1920 x 1080 @ 60 Hz, useful for a booth visual without a running PC.

The dedicated HDMI 1.3 monitoring output mirrors the displayed image to a control monitor without using a production input.

• HDMI 2.0: reserved for the main high-resolution source.
• HDMI 1.3 x 2 and 3G-SDI: secondary sources or cameras, capped at Full HD.
• USB 3.0: standalone playback of booth visuals without a PC.
• HDMI 1.3 output: control monitor at front of house.

For a booth visual running all day with minimal staff, load it onto a USB drive in a supported format and let the VX400 Pro play it standalone — the most reliable option on a trade show floor.

5. Distributing the 4 Ethernet ports and the optical port role

The 4 Gigabit ports share the 2.6-million-pixel capacity, enough for several columns of cabinets. Because OPT 1 is self-adaptive, it can receive an upstream feed or send output to a remote receiving rack over fiber.

On output, OPT 1 relays the image from the 4 Ethernet ports to fiber, while OPT 2 keeps a backup copy: if a copper link fails, switching to the backup avoids a black screen mid-show.

• Distribute the 2.6-million-pixel load across the 4 ports based on wall topology.
• Check the current role of OPT 1 (input or output) before connecting third-party gear.
• Use OPT 2 as a backup copy of the 4 Ethernet ports' output.
• Keep a load margin in mind if an extension module is planned on tour.

Do not exceed the maximum output width of 10,240 pixels or height of 8,192 pixels: beyond that, even with a total load under 2.6 million pixels, the display cannot be composed correctly.

6. Building a scene with the 6 layers and OSD

The VX400 Pro manages up to 6 layer resources at 2K x 1K, combinable into 4K x 2K, 4K x 1K or 2K x 1K layers depending on the source used. A 4K x 2K layer consumes four 2K resources, a 4K x 1K layer consumes two.

The OSD function, added in V1.1.1, overlays static text, scrolling text, weather, or a clock directly on the output, with control over font, color, size, opacity and background. On a booth or event stage, this overlay avoids opening a separate graphic layer for a simple announcement bar.

• 6 layer resources at 2K x 1K, combined into the required layer size.
• OSD static text, scrolling text, weather or clock components configurable directly.
• Position, scroll direction and speed adjustable for dynamic text.
• Priority and aspect ratio adjustable per open layer.

For a scrolling announcement bar during an event, use dynamic OSD rather than a dedicated video layer — it frees up layer resources for the main content.

7. Working modes and the ByPass function

Three working modes are available on the VX400 Pro: video controller, with full layer processing and calibration; fiber converter, where the device simply relays the optical signal to the Ethernet ports; and ByPass, which passes the signal through with minimal processing.

Combined with the low-latency option, ByPass mode reduces display delay to zero frame. This is the setting to prefer for a live camera feed on a backdrop screen, where any lag between an artist's movement and its magnified image becomes noticeable to the audience.

• Video controller: full mode with layers, calibration and OSD.
• Fiber converter: simple relay between fiber and Ethernet ports.
• ByPass: latency reduced to zero frame with low latency enabled.
• Choose the mode based on use case: direct live feed or elaborate screen composition.

In ByPass mode with a 3D source in Side-by-Side or Top-and-Bottom format, the device's output capacity is halved: check this before planning the final resolution of a 3D setup.

8. Control options: knob, NovaLCT, Unico and VICP

Four control paths coexist: the front panel knob for quick adjustments (brightness, volume, preset, layer source), NovaLCT for network configuration and calibration, the Unico web page for browser-based remote control, and the VICP app for on-the-go control.

An optional remote control complements these tools to adjust brightness, switch presets, or change a layer source from a distance — useful when the technician is working from the audience rather than the control room.

• Front panel knob: fast adjustments without a computer during a show.
• NovaLCT: network configuration, layers and screen calibration.
• Unico web page: remote control via browser through the ETHERNET control port.
• VICP app and optional remote control: mobile control from the venue floor.

9. Scene presets for a repeatable setup

The 256 user presets store a complete layer layout, with a preview before loading. On an evening with several successive scene configurations, each layout is recalled with a single button press, without manually rebuilding layers.

This function greatly reduces the risk of errors under pressure at front of house: the technician loads a preset validated during rehearsal instead of reconstructing the scene live.

• Up to 256 storable presets, with save, overwrite and delete.
• Preview of the layer layout before loading.
• One-touch recall from the front panel button.
• Recommended for configuration changes during a live show.

10. Troubleshooting common issues

Most touring issues with the VX400 Pro stem from confusion over the OPT 1 port's role, a source sent at a resolution unsupported by the chosen input, or a ByPass setting mismatched with a 3D feed. The table below lists the priority checks.

Setup steps

1. Check the delivered equipment

   Verify the chassis, power cord, supplied cables and gather the cabinet configuration file.

2. Wire the video inputs and USB output

   Connect HDMI 2.0, HDMI 1.3 or 3G-SDI sources based on the expected resolution, and prepare a USB drive if standalone playback is planned.

3. Deploy the Ethernet network and fiber

   Distribute the 2.6-million-pixel load across the 4 Gigabit ports and check the self-adaptive role of the OPT 1 port.

4. Build the layers and OSD

   Open the required layers based on their format, then configure any text, weather or clock OSD overlay.

5. Choose the working mode

   Select video controller, fiber converter or ByPass depending on the use case, enabling low latency if needed.

6. Save scene presets

   Store each validated layer layout as a preset for one-touch recall during the event.

7. Monitor from NovaLCT, Unico or VICP

   Check network status and adjust settings remotely with whichever tool is available on site.

Frequently asked questions

Downloads

• VX400 Pro specification sheet (PDF) — pdf
• NovaStar official downloads page — page

Related tutorials

• NovaStar VX400 Pro (VX400s)
• NovaStar MX40 Pro
• NovaStar VMP
• Screen Configuration with NovaLCT

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