NovaStar TB40
NovaStar TB40: local content, HDMI input and control connection
Separate playback problems from signal and connection issues. Checks for switching between local content and HDMI and preparing event media.
Model and version
TB40 guidance based on NovaStar specifications V1.2.1. Check the unit’s firmware and accessories; do not assume TB8, TB2 or TB1 connections apply. Catalog reference quantity: 20 units; confirm location and event-date availability.
Prepare the check
Identify what should be displayed, where that content comes from and how the player is controlled. Keep a copy of the working program and configuration. Test files, mode changes and recovery before the event, with an alternative signal available.
Operating questions
HDMI is connected, but stored content is still playing. What should I check?
Check the mode before changing the LED map. The TB40 uses HDMI in synchronous mode and internal content in asynchronous mode. Check SWITCH and connect the source to HDMI IN, not HDMI OUT. Changing modes during a presentation can interrupt the displayed content.
Rehearse with a known source and easily identifiable content. If that source appears after selecting HDMI, you have separated a mode issue from a cabling issue. If it does not, check format and cable before changing receiving-card settings. When returning to local playback, check the entire program, not just its first frame.
Does 4K file playback mean I can send it a 4K HDMI signal?
No. File decoding, HDMI input format and LED pixel load are separate limits. The HDMI specifications list up to 1920 × 1200 at 60 Hz and exclude interlaced signals. Do not use decoding capability to choose a computer’s video output.
For a simple test, prepare a compatible progressive output and check the format actually sent by the source. If changing that format changes the image, investigate the input before rebuilding the map. For a custom canvas, check EDID, source, LED load and the official scaling conditions together; fitting an image to the screen does not imply support for any size.
Why can I see an image but cannot connect to change the program?
Video and control follow different paths. For wired control, identify USB type B or ETHERNET; LED OUT feeds the receiving cards. A computer connected over HDMI can supply video without a control connection to the player.
Try a known local connection first and check that the software detects the correct unit. If that works but remote control does not, investigate the network and remote access without changing the map. A SIM slot does not prove that mobile connectivity is installed: confirm the module, service and configuration before offering remote operation for an event.
A file works on the computer but not from USB. How should I test it?
Separate drive recognition from file decoding. The specification supports FAT32 and Ext4, but not exFAT; a FAT32 file cannot exceed 4 GB. Back up the data before reformatting: formatting erases the drive’s contents.
Try a short clip already validated on the player. If it plays, compare the problem file’s codec, resolution, frame rate and bit rate with the official table; renaming an extension does not convert it. Also rehearse audio, looping and startup of the complete program. If no clip works, return to the USB media and playback mode before blaming the video.
Symptom and next check
| Symptom | Check | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| HDMI connected, local program visible | Mode and HDMI IN connector | Test an identifiable source before changing the map. |
| HDMI source has no image | Progressive format and cable | Compare with a known compatible signal. |
| Video visible, control disconnected | USB type B or control ETHERNET | Separate local diagnostics from remote access. |
| USB recognized, clip does not play | File codec and parameters | Compare with a validated clip and the official table. |
Manufacturer documentation
Official TB40 specifications V1.2.1: modes, connections, HDMI input/scaling conditions and decoding table. Confirm installed modules and effective functions on the unit being used.