NCP and rcfgx questions: how NCP files are produced, delivered and updated, and when rcfgx files can be used.
During NCP configuration process: NovaStar FAEs can use VMP to assist in controlling the cabinets, playing different test patterns to quickly check the NCP display effect and identify any abnormal display conditions, such as low-gray color cast or coupling.
After NCP configuration is completed: NovaStar FAEs and LED manufacturers will inspect the display effect of the user’s dedicated NCP file to ensure quality. In this stage, VMP can be used to set and play input sources with different frame rates and bit depths to test the display effect. Simultaneously, it can enable shutter fit feature and work with the camera to check scan line issue.
After NCP is shipped: Once the cabinets are received, users can use VMP to update the NCP file to cabinet for using. They can also enable functions like image booster and thermal compensation to test the effects.
Yes. NovaLCT also has NCP management function, allowing NCP update and using. However, the COEX control system has stronger compatibility with NCP files: 1. It can implement all functions contained in NCP files. 2. The VMP software offers a better operational experience. 3. VMP has cabinet library to give user a convenient way to do NCP switch, using and management. If a COEX controller is unavailable on-site, a non-COEX controller can temporarily be used to update and operate the NCP as a substitute.
A10s Pro shipping after 2024 or with version V1.3.3.0 and above, are configured by default with NCP files and shipping. They do not support working with rcfgx files.
If an A10s Pro is already at firmware version V1.3.3.0 or above, updating to the earlier firmware to adapt to rcfgx files is not supported.
Yes. A5s Plus, A7s Plus, A8s, A8s-N, A8s Pro, and A10s Plus-N can all be configured with NCP files and shipping. But they do not do it by default. So if user has NCP requirement, it needs the user to submit the requirement to the manufacturer. After submission, NovaStar engineer will evaluate if the requirement is reasonable. If evaluation passes, during the production process, NovaStar COEX specialist will assist in follow-up to ensure the quality of the user’s NCP file.
After the user places an order for cabinets and controllers, if there is a requirement to produce an NCP file, they can contact NovaStar. An FAE (field application engineer) will handle this matter.
For the Cabinets: Determine if the screen manufacturer has backup cabinets. If available, use them. If not, the customer’s cabinets need to be used.
For the Production Environment: The priority is the NovaStar Shenzhen Lab, as it possesses the most professional tools. If the customer has time or distance constraints, NovaStar European or American offices can be considered.
4. FAE produces the NCP and delivers it to the user.
Since the NCP strategy was implemented in April 2024, A10s Pro, CA50E, and XA50 Pro only support to work with NCP files. Other receiving cards can use rcfgx files. If rcfgx file is required, please contact the LED manufacturer.
Exporting NCP files requires NCP license. Personnel without NCP License can just use CabinetTool software to configure NCP parameters but cannot export the NCP. VMP does not have an NCP export function, but it has a Device Library and Local Library (allowing NCP storage within the VMP software or the controller, with mutual transfer capability).
NCP does not support split update. When updating NCP via LCT, intelligent update is supported (it does not update firmware, only updates all other files, significantly reducing the time). If the cabinet contains origin NCP file, when updating NCP via VMP, it detects intelligently all files within the new NCP file. It will not update the file which is unchanged between origin and new NCP to shorten the NCP update time.
Firmware Painter has this same logic.
Yes. The NCP file will be replaced.
The NCP file does not include adaptive thermal compensation files by default. Based on hardware supporting and actul needs of user, they are determined whether to create this function file. If the user needs to solve thermal effects and improve the display quality, this function file will be produced in the NCP file.
Yes. Among the COEX-compatible receiving cards, except for CA50E, XA50 Pro, and A10s Pro with firmware version V1.3.3.0 or later, other receiving cards can work with rcfgx files.
For CA50E, XA50 Pro, and A10s Pro with firmware version V1.3.3.0 or later, NovaStar needs to ensure the best display performance after shipping. Users only need to simply update the NCP file without modifying any receiving card parameters.
This depends on which generation of adaptive frame rate file is used, and does NCP or rcfgx is used. If an NCP file is used, a single NCP file with adaptive frame rate 1.0 can support fixed frame rate scenarios at 24, 25, 30, 48, 50, 60, 100, and 120 Hz. A single NCP file with adaptive frame rate 3.0 can support any frame rate between 23.98 and 240 Hz with 0.01Hz increments. If rcfgx file is used, different configuration files for different frame rates are still required.
The COEX series is NovaStar’s flagship control system solution. This solution introduces several innovative technologies for image quality and user experience enhancement. To ensure these technologies are optimally applied and guarantee the best display performance of cabinets before shipping, and to solve past user difficulties with file management, the COEX series adopts a “one-stop management” concept and specifically launched the NCP file (NovaStar Configuration Package). It combines multiple related basic cabinet parameter files, making subsequent cabinet management simpler and improving the user experience significantly, fundamentally solving the management difficulties of configuration files and firmware programs. The NCP file can contain firmware, configuration files (rcfgx), image booster files, thermal compensation files, multi mode files, and adaptive frame rate files. Therefore, the rcfgx file is included within the NCP file.
If the cabinet has already been shipped, but it was not configured with an NCP file, the user needs to contact the screen manufacturer to use their backup cabinet for NCP file production. If the manufacturer faces difficulties in cooperation, please contact the NovaStar salesperson. We will make every effort to coordinate manufacturer resources to complete the NCP file production.
In the NCP production process, an FAE (field application engineer) will handle this matter.
For the Cabinets: Determine if the screen manufacturer has backup cabinets. If available, use them. If not, the customer’s cabinets need to be used.
For the Production Environment: The priority is the NovaStar Shenzhen Lab, as it possesses the most professional tools. If the customer has time or distance constraints, NovaStar European or American offices can be considered.
4. FAE produces the NCP and delivers it to the user.
This is because VMP software detects that the current cabinet’s NCP file is not in the device pack in the cabinet library. The alarm is born to recommend user to import the NCP file into VMP to avoid loss.
If you have the NCP file, import it into the device pack in VMP can cancel the alarm.
The VMP interface supports updating independent rcfgx files, image booster files, and firmware programs to receiving cards other than A10s Pro, CA50E, and XA50 Pro.
For firmware version V1.3.3.0 and above, freedom update to any version above V1.3.3.0 are supported. Updating to versions below V1.3.3.0 is not supported.
For firmware versions below V1.3.3.0, only update to later version are supported.
For cabinets with A10s Pro, NCP files are included by default upon shipment. For other COEX-supported cabinets, after the user places an order for cabinets and controllers, if there is a requirement to produce an NCP file, they can contact NovaStar. An FAE (field application engineer) will handle this matter.
For the Cabinets: Determine if the screen manufacturer has backup cabinets. If available, use them. If not, the customer’s cabinets need to be used.
For the Production Environment: The priority is the NovaStar Shenzhen Lab, as it possesses the most professional tools. If the customer has time or distance constraints, NovaStar European or American offices can be considered.
4. FAE produces the NCP and delivers it to the user.
Since Q1 2026, we’ve launched a dedicated project team to tackle the problem users mentioned. Our solution is cloud-based NCP management, using the order number to lock a unique NCP file, ensuring user always have access to a factory-calibrated NCP file.
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