NovaStar TB2
NovaStar TB2: HDMI, control, synchronization and LED capacity
Separate source, control and capacity problems on the original TB2. Checks for recovering the image while preserving a working screen configuration.
Model and version
This guide covers the original TB2 described in specifications V1.0.0, document NS120100176. Check the label and firmware before applying it: TB2-4G and TB20 Plus are different models. The catalog lists 10 units; confirm location and availability for the event date.
Prepare the check
Keep the working program and screen configuration. Identify the unit, active source and signal path to the receiving cards. Use known content and perform checks off-air; if a change makes things worse, restore the previous state before proceeding.
Operating questions
Why does the local program keep playing when HDMI is connected?
Check HDMI IN and the SWITCH indicator. On the TB2 covered by this specification, SWITCH on means synchronous mode using HDMI; off means asynchronous mode using internal content. Also check whether HDMI priority is configured. Make the change before the event and verify which source stays active when the cable is connected or removed.
If the mode is correct but the image is missing, try a known source and cable. If the local program displays correctly across the entire screen, check the HDMI source and format first, without rebuilding the LED map. Automatic size fitting does not confirm support for every signal; validate the format with the actual unit and firmware.
How do I distinguish a control problem from a player fault?
Separate ETHERNET, used for wired or LAN control, from LEDOUT, which sends data to the screen. Try local access through ETHERNET or the TB2 Wi-Fi AP and confirm that ViPlex is accessing the correct unit. If local access works but remote access does not, check Internet connectivity and the remote service before changing receiving-card settings.
Read the indicators separately: in V1.0.0, SYS flashes every two seconds during normal operation; every half-second indicates a data download. CLOUD reports connectivity, not whether the screen is receiving an image. A solid or unlit SYS requires checking system status. Do not use RESET as a network test: holding it for five seconds restores factory defaults and may require rebuilding settings.
Does enabling HDMI mode synchronize multiple TB2 players?
Do not confuse source mode with synchronized playback across units. The former selects HDMI or internal content. For multiple TB2 units to play the same program in sync, the specification requires enabling that function, synchronizing their clocks and using the same program.
Before distributing content across several screens, compare the program, time and behavior of each unit over a complete cycle. If the content matches but drifts, check time synchronization first. For tighter requirements, NovaStar recommends asking about a synchronization module; do not assume it is installed or that this feature provides camera genlock.
Does 1080p decoding mean I can drive a Full HD LED screen?
No. Video decoding and LED output capacity are separate limits. The original TB2 specifies 1080p decoding and a load of up to 650,000 LED pixels. A 1920 × 1080 screen contains 2,073,600 pixels, exceeding that capacity even if the file can be decoded.
Calculate actual screen resolution from each cabinet’s pixel dimensions and layout, not its physical dimensions. Also check width, height and receiving-card limits for the specific configuration; being below the total does not validate every screen shape. If the map exceeds capacity, revise the controller or distribution plan. Reducing the file resolution does not reduce the physical pixels that must be controlled.
Symptom and next check
| Symptom | Check | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| Local program instead of HDMI | HDMI IN, SWITCH and HDMI priority | Test source and cable before changing receiving cards. |
| Player absent from control | ETHERNET or Wi-Fi AP, unit identity and SYS | Separate local access, remote access and system operation. |
| Screens drift out of sync | Matching program and synchronized clocks | Check a complete cycle, then time synchronization. |
| Screen map exceeds capacity | Cabinet pixels and loading capacity | Recalculate distribution or controller, not just the file. |
Manufacturer documentation
Scope reference: TB2 Specifications V1.0.0, NS120100176, 2017 edition. Ask NovaStar for documentation and software compatible with the unit’s firmware. Do not automatically apply TB2-4G, TB8 or TB40 specifications.