The NovaStar MCTRL600 is a cost-effective LED display controller. It has 1x DVI input, 1x HDMI input, 1x audio input, and 4x Gigabit Ethernet outputs. A single unit supports resolutions up to 1920×1200@60Hz, with each output port carrying up to 650,000 pixels.
You can cascade up to 20 units through the UART ports to drive larger screens. It is a common pick for rental and fixed-installation projects, such as concerts, live events, sports venues, and security monitoring centers.
This guide covers the MCTRL600’s key specifications, connection and setup process, control and cascading options, differences from the MCTRL660, pricing considerations, and common questions.
Table of Contents
1. What Is the NovaStar MCTRL600?
The MCTRL600 sits between your video source and the LED screen. You feed video in through the DVI or HDMI port; the controller processes the signal and sends it out through four RJ45 Gigabit ports to the receiving cards on the LED panels. You control the unit from a PC over USB, and you configure and calibrate it in NovaLCT.
For image quality, the MCTRL600 supports pixel-level calibration — it adjusts brightness and chroma on each LED to remove color differences across the display. It also supports a light sensor connection for automatic brightness adjustment.
Best for: rental fleets and permanent installs that want a dependable signal link and per-LED calibration, without paying for 4K input features.
2. NovaStar MCTRL600 Features
The MCTRL600 combines practical signal connectivity, flexible control, and image calibration features in a compact controller. Its main features include:
(1) Three input types — one SL-DVI port, one HDMI 1.3 port, and one audio input, so the controller works with most common video sources.
(2) Four Gigabit Ethernet outputs — each port carries up to 650,000 pixels, and the ports support redundancy: if one cable fails, the display keeps playing.
(3) Light sensor connector — pair the controller with a light sensor, and screen brightness follows ambient light automatically.
(4) Type-B USB control port — connect the unit to a PC for setup and calibration in NovaLCT.
(5) Two UART ports for cascading — chain multiple controllers together to drive larger screens.
(6) Pixel-level calibration — working with NovaLCT and the calibration platform, the controller adjusts brightness and chroma on each LED. This removes color differences across the screen and improves overall consistency.
2.1 Front Panel
The front panel is simple: two status LEDs and a power switch.
The green RUN LED tells you the video input status:
(1) Slow flash (once every 2 seconds) — no video input
(2) Normal flash (4 times per second) — video input is available
(3) Fast flash (30 times per second) — the startup image is showing
(4) Breathing — Ethernet port redundancy has taken effect
The red STA LED indicates power status: steady on means normal power; off means no power or a faulty power supply.
Quick tip: screen goes black unexpectedly? Check the RUN LED first. A slow flash means the controller has lost its video source — the problem is upstream, not in the display.
2.2 Rear Panel
All connections sit on the rear panel, grouped by function:
(1) Power — AC inlet on the far left, 100-240V~50/60Hz
(2) Output side — four RJ45 ports (OUT1–OUT4) that send the signal to the receiving cards on your LED panels, plus the UART OUT/IN pair for cascading controllers
(3) Input side — DVI IN and HDMI IN for video, AUDIO IN for sound
(4) Control side — the type-B USB port connects to your PC, and the LIGHT SENSOR port accepts an ambient light sensor for automatic brightness
Mount the unit flat in a rack — NovaStar specifies horizontal placement only; do not mount it vertically or upside-down.
2.3 Dimensions
The MCTRL600 fits a standard 19-inch rack: 482.0 mm wide with the mounting ears, 268.5 mm deep, and 44.4 mm tall — one rack unit. The chassis body itself is 428.0 mm wide, so it also sits comfortably on a shelf or table. Tolerance is ±0.3 mm.
3. NovaStar MCTRL600 Specifications
All data below follows NovaStar’s specification document V2.3.5 (released April 2026).
3.1 General Specifications
Category | Item | Specification |
Electrical Specifications | Input voltage | AC 100-240V~50/60Hz |
| Rated power consumption | 6.6 W |
Operating Environment | Temperature | −20°C to +60°C |
| Humidity | 10% RH to 90% RH, non-condensing |
Physical Specifications | Dimensions | 482.0 mm × 268.5 mm × 44.4 mm |
| Net weight | 2.5 kg |
Packing Information | Packing box | 586 mm × 465 mm × 353 mm |
| Carrying case | 565 mm × 88 mm × 328 mm |
| Accessory | • 1× Power cord |
Note: The 6.6 W rating is measured on a single unit (no cascading) with an HDMI input and all four Ethernet outputs in use. Actual power draw varies with site conditions.
3.2 Video Source Specifications
Input Connector | Bit Depth | Sampling Format | Max Input Resolution |
Single-link DVI | 8bit | RGB 4:4:4 | 1920×1200@60Hz |
| 10bit/12bit | RGB 4:4:4 | 1440×900@60Hz |
HDMI 1.3 | 8bit | RGB 4:4:4 | 1920×1200@60Hz |
| 10bit/12bit | RGB 4:4:4 | 1440×900@60Hz |
One thing to note: higher color depth costs resolution. At 8bit you get the full 1920×1200@60Hz; step up to 10bit or 12bit and the maximum drops to 1440×900@60Hz. Plan your source settings accordingly.
Custom resolutions are supported on both inputs — maximum width 3840 pixels (3840×600@60Hz), maximum height 3840 pixels (500×3840@60Hz). Interlaced signal input is not supported.
4. How to Connect and Set Up the MCTRL600
Setup takes four steps: video source in, panels out, power on, then configure in NovaLCT. The box includes everything you need — power cord, USB cable, cascading cable, and an HDMI cable.
(1) Connect the video source. Plug your PC or media player into the DVI IN or HDMI IN port. The controller accepts up to 1920×1200@60Hz and does not support interlaced signals, so set your source to progressive output.
(2) Connect the LED panels. Run Ethernet cables from the four RJ45 ports to the receiving cards on your panels. Each port carries up to 650,000 pixels — match your screen’s pixel count to the ports you use.
(3) Connect power. Plug into the AC inlet (100-240V~50/60Hz) and switch on. A steady red STA LED means power is normal; a normal-flashing green RUN LED means the video input is live.
(4) Configure in NovaLCT. Connect the type-B USB port to your PC and open NovaLCT to set up screen parameters, redundancy, and pixel-level calibration. NovaLCT is free on the NovaStar website — see our LED display control software guide for details.
Need a bigger screen? Link up to 20 units through the UART ports with the cascading cable from the box.
5. MCTRL600 vs MCTRL660: What's the Difference?
Both controllers share the same core performance:
- Max input resolution 1920×1200@60Hz
- 1× SL-DVI + 1× HDMI 1.3 + 1× Audio input
- 4× Gigabit Ethernet outputs (650,000 pixels per port)
- Custom resolutions up to 3840 pixels wide or high
- 8/10/12-bit video source support
- UART cascading (up to 20 units)
- Pixel-level brightness & chroma calibration
The real differences lie in usability, extra outputs, power, size, and on-device control.
5.1 Side-by-Side Comparison
Feature | MCTRL600 | MCTRL660 |
Front Panel | Indicators only (RUN + STA) | LCD screen + Knob + BACK button + Power switch |
Screen Configuration | Requires computer (NovaLCT) | Smart configuration without PC (≤ 30 s) |
Manual Brightness Control | No (software only) | Yes (via front knob) |
Extra Video Outputs | None | 1× HDMI OUT + 1× DVI OUT (for cascading) |
Light Sensor Port | Yes | No |
18-bit Grayscale | Not specified | Yes |
Rated Power Consumption | 6.6 W | 16 W |
Dimensions | 482.0 × 268.5 × 44.4 mm | 483.0 × 258.1 × 55.3 mm |
Net Weight | 2.5 kg | 3.6 kg |
Certifications | CE, RoHS, FCC, IC, CB, PSE | FCC, CE, RoHS, IC, UL/CUL, CCC, PSE, CB, RCM |
Accessories | Power cord + Cascading cable + USB + HDMI | Power cord + USB + HDMI |
Packing | Up to 5 units per box | Standard single-unit packing |
Quick Recommendation
Choose MCTRL600 if you want the lowest cost, lowest power, lightest weight, and already have a computer for configuration. Ideal for fixed installations and budget-conscious rentals.
Choose MCTRL660 if you need fast on-site setup without a PC, front-panel brightness control, or extra HDMI/DVI loop outputs. Better for touring / rental crews who value speed and convenience.
Both models remain fully compatible with the same receiving cards and software ecosystem.
6. Novastar MCTRL600 Price
The MCTRL600 sits at the affordable end of NovaStar’s sending controller lineup. Market pricing generally runs between $230 and $300, depending on the supplier and order volume.
Please note that controller prices have been rising with raw material costs, so the final price is subject to change. Contact us for your latest quotation — we keep our prices competitive in the market.
7. MCTRL600 Specifications & Firmware Download
8. FAQ
A single MCTRL600 supports up to 1920×1200@60Hz (approximately 2.3–2.6 million pixels). Each of the 4 Ethernet ports can load up to 650,000 pixels.
Yes. It supports 8-bit, 10-bit and 12-bit inputs.
8-bit → max resolution 1920×1200@60Hz
10-bit / 12-bit → max resolution drops to 1440×900@60Hz
Yes. Custom resolutions are supported on both DVI and HDMI inputs.
Maximum width: 3840 pixels (e.g. 3840×600@60Hz)
Maximum height: 3840 pixels (e.g. 500×3840@60Hz)
Interlaced signals are not supported.
Yes. Configuration and screen setup are done through NovaLCT software via the USB Type-B port. Unlike the MCTRL660, it has no front LCD or knob for on-device control.
Yes. Up to 20 units can be cascaded via the UART ports for larger LED walls.
Yes. It includes a dedicated light sensor connector for automatic brightness adjustment based on ambient light.
Rated power consumption is only 6.6 W, making it one of the most energy-efficient controllers in its class.
Standard package includes:
1× Power cord
1× Cascading cable (1 meter)
1× USB cable
1× HDMI cable
Both. It is widely used in concerts, live events, sports venues, monitoring centers, and permanent fixed installations thanks to its reliability and low cost.
9. Conclusion
Choosing the right sending equipment decides how smoothly your LED video wall runs for years. The NovaStar MCTRL600 covers the essentials well: stable signal output, straightforward wiring, and pixel-level calibration when image quality matters.
If your project needs a reliable HD controller without extra cost, it deserves a spot on your shortlist.
Not sure if it fits your setup? Just send us your screen size and installation type — we will check the configuration and reply within one working day.
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