NovaCLB vs CC3: NovaStar's New Calibration Software

For years, NovaCLB-Screen was the NovaStar software for camera calibration of LED screens. That has now changed: NovaStar directs customers to its new calibration software, CC3, instead of NovaCLB. Here is what CC3 is, which cameras it works with, which controllers it supports, and what our own engineer learned using it.

What is CC3?

CC3 is NovaStar's current calibration solution for LED displays. Like NovaCLB, it uses a camera to measure the brightness and colour of every pixel, then calculates correction coefficients that are saved to the LED modules. The result is an even screen with no patchy cabinets, visible module batches or colour casts. NovaStar quotes more than 98.5% overall uniformity, and CC3 is built with fine-pitch, Mini LED and Micro LED screens in mind.

CC3 covers both cabinet calibration (calibrating single cabinets, for example in production) and full-screen calibration (calibrating the finished, installed screen).

NovaCLB vs CC3 at a glance

Camera options: Canon DSLR or NovaStar industrial camera

CC3 gives you two camera routes.

• Canon DSLR cameras. Many common Canon bodies are supported, including the 70D, 80D, 90D, 7D, 7D Mark II, R7, 5D and 6D. If you already calibrated with NovaCLB, there is a good chance your camera works with CC3 too.
• NovaStar industrial cameras: CC60 and C3200. These are purpose-built measurement cameras that match human vision more closely than a DSLR. The CC60 is used for both cabinet and full-screen calibration, the C3200 for full-screen calibration.

Which features need an industrial camera?

Standard brightness and chroma calibration works with a Canon DSLR. The advanced modes need a NovaStar industrial camera:

• High-precision calibration for the most demanding uniformity targets.
• Full-grayscale calibration, which corrects the screen at many brightness levels, not just at full white. This is what COB, MIP and COG screens typically need.
• Low-grayscale calibration, which fixes the blotchy, uneven look many screens get in dark scenes and at low brightness.

Rule of thumb: for standard SMD screens a DSLR is usually enough. For COB, fine-pitch broadcast, xR or high-end rental screens where dark content and camera shots matter, plan for an industrial camera.

Supported control systems

CC3 is made for NovaStar's COEX platform, for example the KU20 and MX40 Pro with A10s Pro receiving cards. On COEX, calibration coefficients are managed in VMP.

It is not only for new systems. CC3 also works with older MCTRL systems: we have used CC3 ourselves to calibrate a screen running on an MCTRL660. So if you have an existing MCTRL installation that needs recalibrating, you don't need to switch controllers first.

How to order CC3

Ordering hasn't changed. You still order a NovaCLB license dongle, and the software delivered with it is automatically upgraded to CC3. Choose the version that fits your work:

• NovaCLB-Screen for on-site calibration of complete, installed screens.
• NovaCLB-Cabinet for calibrating single cabinets, for example in production.
• NovaCLB-Combo (Cabinet + Screen) for both, on one dongle.

All three are available in our shop: NovaCLB (CC3) calibration software →

Tip from our engineer: Canon works, but takes longer on fine pitch

A Canon DSLR does the job, also on fine-pitch screens. But expect it to be slower. On fine pitch our engineer had to:

• calibrate the screen in smaller sections, so the camera could resolve every pixel, and
• run more calibration rounds to reach a fully even result.

For a one-off job on a mid-pitch screen, a Canon is a cost-effective choice. If you calibrate fine-pitch screens often, an industrial camera saves a lot of time on site, and unlocks full- and low-grayscale calibration.

Learn more

NovaStar's own overview of CC3, cameras and calibration modes is on the COEX Wiki: NovaStar Calibration Solution. Related reading: NovaStar Adaptive Thermal Compensation, which keeps a calibrated screen's colour stable as it heats up, and our NovaStar software downloads.

Need help with calibration?

Planning a calibration, or unsure whether your screen needs an industrial camera? Contact us and we'll help you choose. Pixel Pitchers ships NovaStar from Sweden: order in-stock items by 14:00 CET for same-day UPS Express, with delivery in 1–2 days across the EU and no import duties.

Browse NovaStar COEX controllers →

Source: NovaStar COEX Wiki, NovaStar Calibration Solution, and our own experience with CC3.