NovaStar TCC160 at a Glance
The NovaStar TCC160 is an asynchronous full-color LED display control card that combines media playback, sending, and receiving functions in one compact device. It lets operators publish content and manage an LED screen from a computer, mobile phone, or tablet. With a cloud publishing and monitoring platform, authorized users can also manage connected displays over the Internet.
The integrated design reduces external hardware and cabling. With 16 standard HUB75E connectors, industrial-grade processing, 4K hardware decoding, and built-in Wi-Fi, the TCC160 is designed for small-capacity digital signage that needs reliable standalone playback and remote control.
Key Specifications
| Product | NovaStar TCC160 asynchronous LED control card |
|---|---|
| Controller type | Asynchronous full-color controller with integrated sending and receiving |
| Standard outputs | 16 x HUB75E connectors and 1 x stereo audio output |
| Pixel capacity | Up to 512 x 512 pixels at 60 Hz with PWM driver ICs; up to 512 x 384 pixels at 60 Hz with general driver ICs; maximum 260,000 pixels per TCC160 |
| Maximum width or height | 2048 pixels within the 260,000-pixel capacity |
| Cascaded capacity | Up to 650,000 pixels, with maximum width or height of 2048 pixels |
| Ultra-long screen | Up to 8192 pixels wide or 2560 pixels high; maximum 650,000 pixels per Ethernet port |
| Processor | Industrial-grade quad-core 1.4 GHz processor |
| Memory and storage | 2 GB RAM and 32 GB internal storage |
| Video decoding | Hardware decoding for 4K video |
| Control ports | 1 x USB 2.0 Type-A, 1 x USB Type-B, and 2 x RS485 |
| Wireless and timing | Wi-Fi AP and Wi-Fi STA, optional 4G, NTP synchronization, and GPS positioning/time synchronization support |
| Relay | Supports relay output up to DC 30 V / 3 A |
NovaStar TCC160 Display Capacity and Playback
A single TCC160 controls up to 260,000 pixels. For PWM driver ICs, the maximum load is 512 x 512 pixels at 60 Hz. For general driver ICs, it is 512 x 384 pixels at 60 Hz. The maximum width or height is 2048 pixels as long as the total pixel capacity remains within the limit.
Multiple TCC160 units can be cascaded for a maximum capacity of 650,000 pixels. For ultra-long LED displays, the system supports widths up to 8192 pixels or heights up to 2560 pixels, with a maximum load of 650,000 pixels per Ethernet port.
The built-in decoder supports smooth playback of one 4K video, three 1080p videos, eight 720p videos, ten 480p videos, or sixteen 360p videos. This makes the controller suitable for layouts that combine several independent video windows.
TCC160 Control, Connectivity, and Remote Management
- USB 2.0 Type-A: Use it for firmware upgrades, USB playback, storage expansion, and log export.
- USB Type-B: Connect a control computer for content publishing and screen control.
- Two RS485 ports: Connect compatible light, temperature, humidity, or other sensor modules.
- Wi-Fi AP: Connect directly to the TCC160 hotspot. The default SSID uses “AP” plus the last eight digits of the serial number; the product label provides the default password.
- Wi-Fi STA: Connect the TCC160 to an existing wireless network and the Internet.
- Cloud control: Publish content, control screens, and monitor displays remotely from supported computers and mobile devices.
- 4G and GPS: The controller supports optional 4G connectivity plus GPS positioning and time synchronization. The 4G module is sold separately.
The TCC160 also supports synchronized playback across multiple screens through NTP or GPS time synchronization. When synchronized playback is enabled, the device’s decoding capability is reduced by half.
TCC160 Integrated Receiving-Card Functions
- Up to 32 groups of parallel RGB data or 64 groups of serial data, expandable to 128 serial data groups.
- Standard Rec.709, DCI-P3, Rec.2020, and custom color gamut management.
- 18bit+ grayscale enhancement for smoother images at low brightness.
- Optional low-latency mode down to one frame when used with modules whose driver IC has built-in RAM.
- Independent red, green, and blue gamma adjustment when used with NovaLCT and a compatible controller.
- Image rotation at 0, 90, 180, or 270 degrees.
- Support for three-color, 16-pixel serial input from compatible PWM chips.
- Real-time receiving-card temperature and voltage monitoring.
- Ethernet communication bit-error detection and packet-error recording.
- Firmware and configuration-parameter readback for local backup.
- Mapping 1.1 for cascaded receiving cards, showing controller, receiving-card, and Ethernet-port information on cabinets.
- Dual firmware backup to reduce the risk of an interrupted program update.
Recommended Applications
Choose the NovaStar TCC160 when you need an integrated asynchronous LED control card for a small-capacity full-color display. Typical applications include:
- Storefront advertising and retail LED signs
- Vehicle-mounted LED displays
- Community information screens
- Lamp-post LED displays
- Remote or unattended digital signage
- Ultra-long LED ticker and ribbon displays
Its integrated architecture saves enclosure space and simplifies wiring, while remote publishing and monitoring reduce routine on-site work. For manufacturer information and compatible software, visit the official NovaStar website.
NovaStar TCC160 Ordering Notes
- Confirm the LED module’s driver IC type and calculate the total pixel load before selecting the controller.
- The 260,000-pixel limit applies to one TCC160. Cascaded and ultra-long-screen configurations have different capacity limits.
- The TCC160 does not include a 4G module; purchase a compatible module separately when cellular connectivity is required.
- Low-latency operation depends on LED modules that use driver ICs with built-in RAM.
- Synchronized multi-screen playback reduces the available decoding capability by half.
NovaStar TCC160 Appearance
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the NovaStar TCC160?
The TCC160 is an asynchronous full-color LED display controller with integrated sending, receiving, media playback, storage, and remote-management functions.
What is the maximum pixel capacity of one TCC160?
One TCC160 supports up to 260,000 pixels. The maximum load is 512 x 512 pixels at 60 Hz for PWM driver ICs or 512 x 384 pixels at 60 Hz for general driver ICs.
Can the TCC160 play 4K video?
Yes. Its industrial-grade quad-core processor supports hardware decoding of one 4K video. It can also decode multiple lower-resolution videos, depending on the selected layout.
Can I control the TCC160 remotely?
Yes. The controller supports Wi-Fi AP and STA modes and works with cloud publishing and monitoring platforms. Users can publish content and manage connected screens from supported computers, phones, or tablets.
Does the TCC160 include a 4G module?
No. The TCC160 supports 4G modules, but the module is not included and must be purchased separately.
Can several TCC160 controllers play content in sync?
Yes. Multiple screens can use NTP or GPS time synchronization for synchronized playback. Enabling this mode halves the device’s decoding capability.
Download the Specification
Download the NovaStar TCC160 asynchronous full-color LED display control card specification (PDF).
