Lighting up an LED display isn’t just about assembling modules and cabinets — the real magic lies in getting the control chain right. Many common issues such as image tearing, latency, or incorrect resolution aren’t actually caused by the screen itself but by misconfigured control components.
In this article, we’ll break down the four key components — receiving card, sending card, multimedia player, and processor — explain what each one does, and provide practical selection tips for different applications.
1) What Does the Full Signal Chain Look Like?
Content Source → Playback/Control (Multimedia Player or PC) → Video Processing (Processor) → Sending (Sending Card) → Transmission (Cable/Fiber) → Receiving (Receiving Card) → Module Driving (HUB Interface) → Display
- Small storefront advertising screens: Multimedia Player (asynchronous) + Receiving Card — no PC needed
- Real-time or live content: PC + Sending Card + Receiving Card
- Stage events or control centers with multi-signal setups: Processor (with or without integrated sending) + Receiving Card
2) What Each Component Does
Receiving Card
Role: Installed inside the cabinet, it receives data packets from the sending side, handles mapping, brightness/color calibration, and outputs timing signals to LED modules.
Key Specs: Maximum pixel load (e.g., 256×256), supported HUB interface types and scan modes, dual-port redundancy, monitoring (voltage/temperature).
How to Choose: Make sure each cabinet’s pixel count ≤ card capacity, match HUB interface with module type, and choose redundancy/monitoring features for critical projects.
Typical Use: Essential for everything from small retail screens to large outdoor installations — the “brain” closest to the display.
Sending Card
Role: Installed on the control side (PC or rack), it takes real-time images from the GPU/DVI/HDMI source and packages them into network data to send to the receiving cards.
Key Specs: Input resolution limit, total pixel loading capacity, number of output ports, backup and fiber support.
How to Choose: Total screen pixels must not exceed the sending card’s capacity. For wide or multi-screen setups, consider port count and zoning. Low-latency models are recommended for live events.
Multimedia Player
Role: A standalone controller with built-in storage and operating system. It supports remote program publishing, scheduling, and offline playback.
Advantages: No need to keep a PC running; supports cloud-based management; simple cabling.
Limitations: Limited loading capacity; not suitable for live or real-time playback. Typical Use: Perfect for retail signage, building directory screens, and information displays.
Processor
Role: Handles multiple video inputs, scaling, layout arrangement, signal switching, and often integrates a sending function (all-in-one).
Key Specs: Total loading capacity, number and type of input ports, number of windows, latency, redundancy and fast switching capability.
How to Choose: Multi-source or multi-camera projects require low-latency, multi-window processors; large LED walls need higher loading capacity; mission-critical projects benefit from backup and failover features. Typical Use: Stage rental screens, exhibition setups, control rooms, and monitoring centers.
3) Three Steps to Choosing the Right Solution
- Content Type: Offline scheduled playback → choose a Multimedia Player; Real-time or live signal → choose a Sending Card or Processor
- Screen Size (Total Pixels): Small screens (<0.65M pixels): entry-level player or sending card; Medium screens (~1M pixels): high-capacity player or sending card; Large screens (10M+ pixels): processor with high-capacity sending
- Reliability Requirements: Critical projects → choose dual-port redundancy, dual-controller backup, and fiber transmission for long distances
4) Recommended Combinations
- Storefront screens (≤ ~0.65M pixels): Multimedia Player + Receiving Card
- Medium commercial screens (~1M pixels): PC + Sending Card + Receiving Card
- Stage or command center (10M+ pixels): Processor (with or without integrated sending) + Receiving Card
- Long-distance or cross-building links: Add fiber converters and dual-port redundancy
5) Installation and Debugging Checklist
- Calculate total screen pixels in advance; keep per-cabinet load within capacity
- Verify module direction and scan mode before mapping
- Balance port loading for easier troubleshooting
- Use fiber for runs over 100 m; separate power and signal cables
- Ensure proper ventilation, grounding, and power redundancy to avoid large-scale blackouts
6) Summary and Model Recommendations
By answering four questions — What content do I play? How big is the screen? How do I deliver the signal? How stable must it be? — you can quickly identify the right devices. Receiving cards ensure each pixel gets accurate data; sending cards and players decide how content is delivered; processors allow multiple signals to appear on screen with low latency and precise layout.
Proven models that cover entry-level to professional needs:
- NovaStar MRV208-1 — Receiving Card, 256×256 typical loading
- NovaStar MSD300-1 — Sending Card, ~1.3M pixel capacity
- Novastar TB30 — Multimedia Player, ~0.65M pixel capacity
- Novastar VX2000 Pro — Processor/All-in-One, ~13M pixel capacity
By calculating total pixels first and mapping them to the right device category, you can lock in the optimal combination and backup strategy for a reliable, smooth-running project.