What Is An LED Processor?
Updated: Sep 29
A practical guide for churches using NovaStar
An LED processor (also called an LED video processor or sending controller) is the hardware that takes video from your computer, camera, or media server, scales it to your wall, and sends it to the panels. It is the brain of the system. Without a compatible processor, the wall will not display anything.
ProPixel systems run on NovaStar. Our panels use NovaStar receiving cards, so they need a NovaStar processor. Mixing brands is not an option.
This guide walks through what a NovaStar processor actually does, how to size it, and which models we use most often.
What a processor actually does
When video hits a NovaStar processor, it goes through four steps:
Input handling — HDMI, DVI, or SDI from ProPresenter, a camera, a switcher, or a playback computer.
Scaling and processing — Matches the source to the exact pixel size of your wall, plus brightness and color.
Sending — Converts that video into the NovaStar protocol the receiving cards understand.
Data distribution — Sends the signal over Cat6 Ethernet (and fiber on larger units) to the panels.
Modern NovaStar units like the VX600 and VX1000 do all of this in one box. You do not need a separate computer sending card for a typical church wall.
Why the processor choice matters
The receiving cards in our panels only speak NovaStar. The wrong brand, or a unit that is too small, is one of the most expensive mistakes you can make.
Capacity is the other issue. If the processor cannot handle the total pixels — or does not have enough output ports — you end up with a wall that will not run at full size.
How NovaStar processors are built
The signal chain - Video source → NovaStar processor → Cat6 (or fiber) → receiving card in each panel → LED pixels
Integrated vs. standalone
Integrated processors (what most churches need): VX600, VX1000. Scaler + sending in one box. Fewer cables, simpler setup, easier backup.
Standalone sending boxes: MCTRL4K and similar. Used when you already have a scaler or when the wall is very large.
For almost every sanctuary project we quote, an integrated VX unit is the right starting point.
Key capacity numbers (NovaStar)
You have to satisfy two limits at the same time:
Total pixel capacity — how many pixels the whole unit can drive
Per-port capacity — how many pixels each Ethernet port can drive
Typical NovaStar Gigabit Ethernet capacity is about 650,000 pixels per port.
NovaStar model | Approx. total capacity | Outputs |
VX600 | ~2.3 million pixels | 6× Gigabit Ethernet |
VX1000 | ~6.5 million pixels | 10× Gigabit Ethernet |
MCTRL4K | ~8.3 million pixels | 16× Gigabit Ethernet |
MCTRL660 | ~1.3 million pixels | 4× Gigabit Ethernet |
Common trap: A large wall can fit the total pixel number but still need more ports. Always count both.
Example: A 3840 × 2160 wall is 8,294,400 pixels.8,294,400 ÷ 650,000 ≈ 13 ports. That is an MCTRL4K job, not a VX600.
How to calculate what you need
Step 1 — Total pixels - Total pixels = wall width in pixels × wall height in pixels
From panel count (500 × 500 mm, 2.6 mm pitch, 192 × 192 pixels per panel):10 panels wide × 6 highWidth: 10 × 192 = 1,920Height: 6 × 192 = 1,152Total: 2,211,840 pixels → VX600 range
From physical size:8 m × 4.5 m at 2.9 mmWidth: 8,000 ÷ 2.9 ≈ 2,759Height: 4,500 ÷ 2.9 ≈ 1,552Total: ≈ 4,281,968 pixels → VX1000 range
Step 2 — Ports - Minimum ports = total pixels ÷ 650,000 (round up)
Add about 20% headroom if you might grow the wall later.
Panels per port - Panels per port = 650,000 ÷ pixels per panel
Example with 2.6 mm 500 × 500 panels (36,864 pixels each):650,000 ÷ 36,864 ≈ 17 panels max per port.
That is why a bigger sanctuary wall often needs the VX1000 instead of the VX600 — not because the image is “better,” but because there are more pixels and more ports.
Which NovaStar we use at ProPixel
VX600 - Best for smaller walls and starter packages. We include this with our 15-panel 3.9 mm package. Clean, one-box setup for most church plants and fellowship halls.
VX1000 - Best for larger 2.6 mm and 2.9 mm walls, extra rows, or when you add a second screen. More inputs, more ports, more headroom.
MCTRL4K - Best when the wall is approaching 4K pixel count and you need 16 outputs.
We match the processor to the panel count and pitch on every bid. You should not have to guess.
Copper vs. fiber (NovaStar)
Cat6 copper is what we use on most church installs.
Reliable distance: about 80–100 meters
Familiar RJ45 connectors
Lower cost
Plenty of bandwidth for typical sanctuary walls
Fiber is for long runs, large rooms, or when the booth is far from the stage. Some larger NovaStar setups send fiber to a distribution point, then convert back to Cat6 at the wall.
If your booth is in the back of the room and the wall is on stage, we will tell you which cable plan to use. You do not need fiber just because the wall is LED.
Ready for a real number?
Tell us how wide and tall you want the wall, how far the first row sits, and whether you already have a NovaStar unit. We will quote panels, processor, cables, mounting, shipping, and install if you want it.
No pressure. Just a package your team can take to the board.
