NovaStar MCTRL R5 vs MCTRL4K
The NovaStar MCTRL R5 and NovaStar MCTRL4K are both in the Controllers family. This page compares their specifications side by side so you can choose the right controller for your LED display project.
The MCTRL R5 is the more affordable option. The MCTRL4K sits higher in the lineup — typically with more pixel capacity, more input/output ports, or extended professional features.
Side-by-Side Specifications
| Spec | MCTRL R5 | MCTRL4K |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,703 | $5,288 |
| Status | Active | Active |
| Series | MCTRL Series | MCTRL Series |
| Max Pixels | 4.1 million pixels | 8.9 million pixels |
| Inputs | 1x 6G-SDI, 1x HDMI 1.4, 1x DL-DVI | 1x DP 1.2, 1x HDMI 2.0, 2x DL-DVI |
| Ethernet Outputs | 8x Gigabit | 16x Gigabit |
| Fiber Outputs | 2x Fiber | 4x Fiber |
| Output Ports | 8x Gigabit Ethernet, 2x Fiber | 16x Neutrik Gigabit Ethernet, 4x Fiber |
| Applications | — | Fixed Installation, Ultra-wide & Ultra-tall Displays, Rental & Staging, Broadcast |
| Software | NovaLCT | NovaLCT |
About the NovaStar MCTRL R5
A single MCTRL R5 features a load capacity of up to 3840×1080@60Hz. It supports any custom resolutions within this capacity, meeting the on-site configuration requirements of ultra-long or ultra-wide LED displays. Working with the A8s or A10s Pro receiving card, the MCTRL R5 allows for free screen configuration and image rotation at any angle in SmartLCT, presenting a variety of images and bringing an amazing visual experience to users. The MCTRL R5 is stable, reliable and powerful, dedicated to providing an ultimate visual experience. It can be mainly used in the rental and fixed installation applications, such as concerts, live events, security monitoring centers, Olympic Games and various sports centers.
About the NovaStar MCTRL4K
The NovaStar MCTRL4K is a dedicated 4K LED display controller (sending box) built for large-format LED walls that need a full 4096×2160@60 Hz of loading capacity from a single unit. Unlike all-in-one processors, the MCTRL4K is a pure sending controller: pair it with your video processor or feed it directly from a media server or graphics card over DisplayPort 1.2, HDMI 2.0, or dual DL-DVI, and it drives the wall through 16 Neutrik etherCON Gigabit Ethernet ports plus 4 optical fiber outputs for long-distance runs. It supports custom resolutions with a width or height up to 7680 pixels, which makes it a go-to controller for ultra-wide and ultra-tall installations — ribbon boards, perimeter displays, and architectural facades that break normal aspect ratios. Image quality features carry NovaStar's flagship DNA: HDR support, individual gamma adjustment for R, G, and B, low-latency processing, 3D display support, and pixel-level brightness and chroma calibration that produce uniform, detailed images across the entire wall. Multiple units cascade for walls beyond 8.8 million pixels, and configuration is handled through NovaLCT — the same software your receiving cards and legacy NovaStar hardware already use, which keeps the MCTRL4K a drop-in choice for integrators standardized on the MCTRL workflow. Stable, reliable, and field-proven across thousands of installations, the MCTRL4K remains one of the most widely deployed 4K LED display controllers in North America, and Olympian LED stocks it in Florida with same-day shipping on in-stock orders.
Buy from Olympian LED — Authorized USA NovaStar Distributor
Olympian LED supplies the MCTRL R5 and the MCTRL4K from our Florida warehouse, with same-day shipping on stocked items. Call 321-747-3220 to confirm stock, dealer pricing, or technical questions on which controller is right for your LED display.