Processor port capacity refers to the maximum number of pixels that a single output port on an LED video processor can drive. For most professional LED controllers, this limit ranges from 650,000 to 2,600,000 pixels per port, with the NovaStar MCTRL4K supporting 650,000 pixels across each of its 16 Gigabit Ethernet ports for a total canvas of 8.3 million pixels, while the Brompton Tessera SX40 delivers up to 9 million pixels total through its eight 10-Gigabit fiber trunks.
Every LED panel contains thousands of individual pixels. Every processor has a hard limit on how many pixels it can control. Miss this calculation by even a small margin, and you will discover the problem during load-in—not during planning—when your options are limited and expensive.
This guide provides exact specifications for the most common processors in touring and broadcast, explains how to calculate your port requirements accurately, and covers the edge cases that catch even experienced techs off guard. Whether you are speccing a corporate keynote or a virtual production volume, understanding port capacity is the difference between a smooth setup and an emergency equipment call.
Port Capacity Fundamentals: The Numbers That Matter
LED processors send video data to panels through output ports—either Gigabit Ethernet (1Gbps), 10-Gigabit fiber (10Gbps), or in some cases, proprietary connections. Each port has three critical limits you need to know:
Pixel Count Limit
The absolute maximum pixels one port can address. Exceeding this causes panels to go dark or display artifacts.
pixels per port
Maximum Width
The widest horizontal span a port can drive. Critical for ultra-wide LED strips and ticker displays.
pixels maximum width
Maximum Height
The tallest vertical span a port supports. Important for portrait-mode displays and column layouts.
pixels maximum height
The Triple-Check Rule
You must satisfy ALL THREE constraints simultaneously. A port might support 650,000 pixels and 4096 pixels wide, but if your layout is 4200x155 (651,000 pixels), it fails on pixel count. If it is 3800x170 (646,000 pixels), it passes pixel count but you still need to verify the width and height are within bounds. Many techs check only pixel count and get burned by dimensional limits.
Bandwidth: Why These Limits Exist
Port capacity is not arbitrary—it is determined by the data bandwidth of the connection. A standard Gigabit Ethernet port transmits 1 billion bits per second. LED panels typically need 24-48 bits per pixel per frame (depending on color depth), running at 60 frames per second. The math:
Data per pixel: 24 bits (8 bits x 3 colors)
Frames per second: 60 Hz
Bits per pixel per second: 24 x 60 = 1,440 bits
Available bandwidth: 1,000,000,000 bits/second
Theoretical max: 1,000,000,000 / 1,440 = 694,444 pixels
With protocol overhead (~6%): ~650,000 pixels
This is why you see 650,000 pixels as the standard capacity for Gigabit ports. 10-Gigabit fiber connections offer 10x the bandwidth, enabling 2+ million pixels per port—but at higher cost and complexity.
NovaStar vs Brompton: A Head-to-Head Comparison
NovaStar and Brompton dominate the professional LED processor market, but they approach port capacity and distribution differently. Understanding these differences helps you choose the right tool for each job. Here are the key specifications for the most common processors in the touring and rental market—see our full processor database for detailed specs on additional models.
NovaStar
| Model | Ethernet Ports | Pixels/Port | Max Canvas | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MCTRL4K | 16 | 650,000 | 4K×2K (8.3M) | Standard touring |
| VX1000 | 10 | 650,000 | 2.3M | All-in-one scaler |
| NovaPro UHD Jr | 16 | 1,300,000 | 10.4M | Large format |
| NovaPro HD | 20 | 2,600,000 | 16.2M | 8K+ installs |
Brompton Technology
| Model | Fiber Ports | Pixels/Port | Max Canvas | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SX40 | 4 | 650,000 | 2.6M | Broadcast/VP |
| S8 | 8 | 650,000 | 5.2M | Large format VP |
| 4K Tessera | 16 | 2,000,000 | 16M | Premium 8K |
Pixel Count Calculations: Step-by-Step Examples
Let's calculate processor requirements for a real-world example: A 9.6m × 5.4m LED wall using ROE Visual Black Pearl BP2V2 panels (500mm × 500mm, 2.84mm pitch, 176 × 176 pixels per panel).
Panels Wide: 9600mm ÷ 500mm = 19.2 → 19 panels
Panels High: 5400mm ÷ 500mm = 10.8 → 10 panels
Total Panels: 19 × 10 = 190 panels
Pixels Wide: 19 × 176 = 3,344 pixels
Pixels High: 10 × 176 = 1,760 pixels
Total Pixels: 3,344 × 1,760 = 5,885,440 pixels
Pixels per port: 650,000
Ports needed: 5,885,440 ÷ 650,000 = 9.05 → 10 ports
Verdict: ✓ 1× MCTRL4K (16 ports) is sufficient
Skip the Math
The Show Tech calculator handles these calculations automatically—select your panel model and enter your wall dimensions, and it computes processor requirements, port assignments, and flags any capacity warnings instantly.
Canvas Layout Optimization: Mapping Ports to Panels
How you divide your wall across ports affects reliability, troubleshooting, and data cable runs. Here are the most common strategies:
Vertical Stripe Layout
Divide the wall into vertical columns, each on its own port. If a port fails, you lose a vertical strip rather than horizontal bands—generally less noticeable for video content.
Horizontal Stripe Layout
Divide the wall into horizontal bands. Useful when cable runs from the processor naturally align with the bottom or top of the wall.
Quadrant Layout
Split the wall into quadrants or zones. Ideal for very large walls where signal integrity over long cable runs is a concern—shorter runs per port.
Common Port Assignment Mistakes
Ignoring Port Dimensional Limits
A port with 650,000 pixel capacity might only support 4096 pixels wide. A 3440×188 stripe = 646,720 pixels (under limit) but if the port max width is 3840, your 3440 is fine—but check the spec sheet!
Not Accounting for Receiving Card Limits
Each receiving card in the panels also has a pixel limit (typically 256×256 to 512×512 per card). The chain of receiving cards fed by one port must not exceed the port's capacity.
Forgetting HDR and High Bit Depth
HDR content and high bit-depth processing can reduce effective port capacity. 10-bit or 12-bit color requires more bandwidth—some processors reduce port capacity by 20-30% in high-quality modes.
Processor Selection Guide: Matching Hardware to Jobs
For walls exceeding a single processor's capacity, you'll need to configure multiple units. Here are the two main approaches:
Genlock/Frame Sync
Multiple processors receive the same video input and are synchronized via genlock reference signal. Each processor handles a portion of the wall.
- ✓ Works with most professional processors
- ✓ No special software required
- • Requires genlock-capable units
Primary/Backup Cascading
A primary processor cascades to additional units which extend the canvas. Used in NovaStar's MCTRL series and Brompton's daisy-chain systems.
- ✓ Simple cable management
- ✓ Unified control interface
- • Vendor-specific implementation
Frequently Asked Questions
What is processor port capacity?
Processor port capacity refers to the maximum number of pixels a single output port can drive. For example, a Brompton SX40 port can handle up to 2,097,152 pixels (2M), while a NovaStar MCTRL4K port supports 650,000 pixels per port at standard 8-bit 60Hz. This determines how many LED panels you can connect to each processor output.
How do I calculate pixels per panel?
Multiply the panel's horizontal pixel count by its vertical pixel count. For example, a 500×500mm panel with 2.9mm pitch has approximately 172×172 pixels = 29,584 pixels per panel. A 600×337.5mm panel with 1.5mm pitch has 400×225 = 90,000 pixels per panel.
What's the difference between NovaStar and Brompton processors?
NovaStar processors (like MCTRL4K) typically offer 16 Gigabit Ethernet ports with 650,000 pixels per port, totaling 8.3-10.4M pixels depending on model. Brompton processors (like SX40) use four 10-Gigabit fiber trunks delivering up to 9M pixels total with superior color processing and HDR support. NovaStar is cost-effective for large touring walls; Brompton excels in broadcast and color-critical applications.
Can I exceed a processor's total pixel capacity?
No—you cannot exceed the processor's total pixel budget. If your wall requires 12M pixels and your MCTRL4K supports 8.3M, you need a second processor. Multiple processors can be genlocked together or cascaded using primary/backup configurations to handle larger walls seamlessly.
Why do some panels require multiple data cables?
High-resolution panels with fine pixel pitch may exceed a single receiving card's capacity. A panel with 90,000+ pixels often has two receiving cards, each requiring its own data connection. This effectively doubles the data cable count and port usage for fine-pitch walls under 1.5mm.
What is canvas layout optimization?
Canvas layout optimization involves arranging your LED wall's data signal routing to minimize cable runs, balance port loads, and allow for easy troubleshooting. Best practice is to run data in vertical or horizontal snaking patterns, keep columns on single ports when possible, and document the layout for the crew.
Does HDR content affect port capacity?
Yes. HDR and high bit-depth processing (10-bit or 12-bit color) require more bandwidth per pixel. NovaStar processors lose approximately 50% capacity in 10-bit mode, while Brompton's architecture maintains full capacity at extended bit depths. Always check your processor's specifications for HDR-specific capacity limits before finalizing your design.
How do I choose between NovaStar and Brompton for my project?
Choose NovaStar for large-scale touring (10m+ walls), rental inventory standardization, and cost-sensitive projects where absolute color accuracy isn't critical. Choose Brompton for broadcast, film/TV virtual production, corporate events with camera IMAG, and any application where color matching and HDR performance are priorities. Many rental houses stock both ecosystems to match the right processor to each job's requirements.