TB20 Plus Novastar Controller

The NovaStar TB20 Plus is an industrial-grade, next-generation multimedia player designed for full-color LED displays. Acting as both a media player and a sending box, it eliminates the need for a dedicated control PC during standalone operation. Users can publish content and adjust screen configurations locally or remotely via computers, smartphones, or tablets. When integrated with NovaStar’s cloud-based publishing (VNNOX) and monitoring platforms, it facilitates internet-based fleet management for widespread digital displays.

A primary upgrade distinguishing the TB20 Plus from baseline models (like the TB10 Plus) is its native support for Dual Modes (Synchronous and Asynchronous playback). It features an integrated HDMI input and a physical toggle switch to alternate instantly between live video feeds and internal media playback, making it highly versatile for corporate conference rooms, commercial retail, and smart city infrastructure.

Technical Specifications & Features

Core Processing & Display Capacities

• Pixel Loading Capacity: Drives up to 650,000 pixels. The maximum width and height configurations can each reach up to 2048 pixels.

• Ultra-Long Stretched Screens: Supports custom horizontally or vertically stretched layouts, accommodating a maximum width of 8192 pixels or a maximum height of 2048 pixels.

• Processing Hardware: Powered by a quad-core ARM A53 processor running at 1.4 GHz, incorporating dedicated hardware decoding for high-bitrate 4K assets.

• Memory & Storage: Equipped with 2 GB of onboard RAM and 32 GB of internal solid-state storage.

• Multi-Stream Performance: Capable of concurrent decoding, supporting up to 1x 4K video, 3x 1080p videos, 8x 720p videos, or up to 20x 360p streams simultaneously.

Dual-Mode Playback & Video Input

• Asynchronous Mode: Utilizes the device’s internal storage or an attached USB drive to run pre-programmed media schedules autonomously.

• Synchronous Mode: Replicates an external source in real time via an integrated HDMI 1.3 input port.

  • Input Limits: Maximum resolution up to $2048 \times 1024$ @ 60Hz. Pixel clock must not exceed 164 MHz. Interlaced signals are not supported.

  • Scaling: Full-screen auto-scaling is supported in synchronous mode; however, images can only be scaled down to fit the display layout, not scaled up.

Hardware Interfaces & Connections

• Display Output: 1x Gigabit Ethernet output port (LED OUT) to pass serialized data downstream to LED receiving cards.

• Control Network: 1x Fast Ethernet port (ETHERNET) for LAN/WAN network connectivity and local content publishing.

• USB Ports: 1x USB 2.0 (Type-A) port for direct USB media playback, firmware updates, and storage expansion (supports Ext4 and FAT32 file systems up to 128 GB); 1x USB (Type-B) port for hardwiring a local control computer.

• Audio Line-Out: 1x 3.5 mm stereo audio output jack (supports 3-pole connectors) running at a fixed hardware sample rate of 48 kHz.

• Expansion Sensors & Relays: Built-in sensor port allowing plug-and-play connections for external environmental sensors (light, temperature, or humidity sensors). Includes standard antenna terminals for Wi-Fi, optional 4G cellular, and GPS.

System Connectivity & Synchronization

• Simultaneous Wi-Fi Roles: Operates in Wi-Fi AP (hotspot) and Wi-Fi STA (station client) modes concurrently, allowing terminal control while linked to an upstream network.

• Network Redundancy Priority: Seamlessly falls back through connections if an outage occurs following a set hierarchy: Wired LAN > Wi-Fi Network > 4G Cellular.

• Multi-Screen Frame Sync: Supports precise simultaneous playback across separated displays using Network Time Protocol (NTP), GPS time syncing (requires 4G module), or RF synchronization. Note: Activating frame-sync tracking halves the hardware’s video decoding headroom.

Data Reference Tables

Front Panel Diagnostics & Button Controls

Media Decoding Parameters

Physical, Environmental & Electrical Parameters

• Chassis Dimensions ($L \times W \times H$): $141.2\text{ mm} \times 120.0\text{ mm} \times 33.5\text{ mm}$ (Manufacturing Tolerance: $\pm0.3\text{ mm}$)

• Weight Profile: Net Unit Weight: 470.3 g | Gross Packaged Weight: 776.1 g

• Power Input Requirements: DC 5 V to 12 V

• Maximum System Power Draw: 15 W

• Cooling Topology: Fully passive cooling (fanless design, silent thermal dissipation enclosure)

• Ingress Protection Rating: IP20 (Indoor deployment only; keep insulated from water ingress or humidity)

• Environmental Boundaries: * Operating: $-20^\circ\text{C}$ to $+60^\circ\text{C}$ ($5\%$ to $85\%$ RH, non-condensing)

  • Storage: $-40^\circ\text{C}$ to $+80^\circ\text{C}$ ($5\%$ to $95\%$ RH, non-condensing)

• Core Operating System: Android 10.0 base system software with integrated FPGA program structures (does not support arbitrary third-party application installs).