NovaStar Media Server: Which ET Series Model Do You Need?
The NovaStar media server is a rack unit that stores, decodes and plays show content by itself, then hands a finished picture to your LED controller. NovaStar calls the current lineup the ET series. It spans seven models, from a 1U box with one 4K canvas to a multi-GPU flagship that feeds a 16K×8K wall.
This guide compares all seven with the numbers from NovaStar’s own latest documents, from the ET1S-G V1.3.2 sheet to the ET16S-G V1.6.0 sheet. You will see where each model fits, why the decode budget matters more than the layer count, and how to pick the right unit in four steps.
Table of Contents
1. What Is a NovaStar Media Server?
2. Media Server vs Media Player
3. The NovaStar ET Series Lineup
3.1 Specs Comparison
3.2 Model by Model
3.3 How to Choose the Right ET Series Model?
4. Where the NovaStar Media Server Fits in Real Projects?
5. NovaStar Media Server Price
6. FAQs
7. Conclusion
1. What Is a NovaStar Media Server?
Say you run a showroom. The wall is built, the controller is configured, and the client asks one question: what plays the video? A NovaStar media server is the answer: a computer built for one job, sitting in the rack between your content and the screen.
What it does all day comes down to three steps:
- You load media files onto the server.
- It decodes them, mixes them into layers, and sends one finished picture to your LED controller over DP or HDMI.
- The controller maps that picture onto the wall.
So the server decides what plays, and the controller decides where every pixel lands.
Why not just use a normal PC? You could, but an ET unit ships as a rack appliance with Kompass FX3 Pro already installed and licensed. No driver hunting, no license setup, no guesswork about the graphics card. Product lists also call these “LED media servers”; same role, one box: play, schedule and mix.
2. Media Server vs Media Player
First, the quick answer: a media player runs a playlist by itself; a media server mixes layers and feeds a controller. Both sit in the rack, but they solve different problems.
A NovaStar Taurus multimedia player is the set-and-forget option. You publish a playlist from the cloud, the TB unit plays it on schedule, and it drives the screen directly. That covers billboards, shop signs and reception walls.
An ET media server takes the jobs a player cannot:
- Mixing several sources on one canvas: local files, web pages, NDI and streams
- Live switching between programs, with crossfades and one-click fade to black
- Feeding ultra-wide or multi-screen walls through mosaic splits
So pick a player when the content is a fixed loop. Pick a server when the show changes by the hour, or when several screens must stay in sync.
3. The NovaStar ET Series Lineup
The NovaStar ET series covers every fixed-install scale, and the names follow a simple ladder. The number points at the tier, and the suffix tells you which hardware build sits inside.
- ET1S-G: 1U, one 4K canvas. The ET1S-500G is the same box with a larger SSD.
- ET2S-G: 2U, one or two 4K outputs.
- ET4S-G: 4U, four outputs up to 8K×4K. Two hardware builds exist: ET4S-G (P2) with a P2000 card, and ET4S-G (A4) with an HPGA4000 card.
- ET16S-G: 4U flagship, up to 16K×8K. Also two builds: (3A4) with three HPGA4000 cards, and (4A4) with four.
One buying note. Older listings still show names like ET4000 or ET8000-G. Those belong to NovaStar’s earlier pro server line, not this current family, and their numbers do not match the ET1S/2S/4S/16S models. So check the model name and the spec sheet version before you compare anything.
3.1 Specs Comparison
Here is the full NovaStar ET series comparison in one table. Figures come from NovaStar official spec sheets. Rows follow the way buyers actually decide, from rack space down to sync.
| Item | ET1S-G | ET1S-500G | ET2S-G | ET4S-G (P2) | ET4S-G (A4) | ET16S-G (3A4) | ET16S-G (4A4) |
| Chassis | 1U | 1U | 2U | 4U | 4U | 4U | 4U |
| CPU | Intel Core i3-1215U | Intel Core i3-1215U | Intel Core i5-12400 | Intel 12th Gen Core (i7-12700) | Intel 12th Gen Core (i7-12700) | 2× Intel Xeon Gold, 16 cores | 2× Intel Xeon Gold, 16 cores |
| Memory | 16 GB DDR4 | 16 GB DDR4 | 16 GB DDR4 | 32 GB DDR5 | 32 GB DDR5 | 128 GB DDR4 ECC | 128 GB DDR4 ECC |
| Graphics | Integrated | Integrated | MPGT400 | P2000 (5 GB) | HPGA4000 (16 GB) | 3× HPGA4000 | 4× HPGA4000 |
| Output capacity | 1× 4K×2K@60 | 1× 4K×2K@60 | Up to 8K×2K | Up to 8K×4K | Up to 8K×4K | Up to 16K×8K | Up to 16K×8K |
| Decode budget | 1× 4K@60 or 4× 2K@60 | 1× 4K@60 or 4× 2K@60 | 1× 8K×2K@60 or 2× 4K@60 | 1× 8K×4K@30 or 3× 4K@60 | 1× 8K×4K@60 | 3× 8K×4K@60 | 4× 8K×4K@60 |
| Layers | 20 | 20 | 40 | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Partitions per output | 1024 | 1024 | 64 | 64 | 64 | 128 | 128 |
| Frame sync | No | No | No | No | Yes, with sync card | Yes | Yes |
| Playback software | Kompass FX3 Pro Basic | Kompass FX3 Pro Basic | Kompass FX3 Pro Advanced | Kompass FX3 Pro Professional | Kompass FX3 Pro Professional | Kompass FX3 Pro Professional | Kompass FX3 Pro Professional |
| OS | Win10 Enterprise LTSC | Win10 Enterprise LTSC | Win11 IoT Enterprise LTSC | Win11 Pro 25H2 | Win11 Pro 25H2 | Win10 Enterprise LTSC | Win10 Enterprise LTSC |
Now read the table as three jumps, not eleven rows:
ET1S-G to ET2S-G: you double the outputs and double the layers, from 20 to 40. This is the one-canvas versus two-canvas decision.
ET2S-G to ET4S-G: layers go unlimited and decoding jumps to 8K×4K. Pick the (A4) build over (P2) if your 8K material runs at 60fps, or if you need the sync card later.
ET4S-G to ET16S-G: you stop buying one server per wall. Three or four GPUs live in one chassis, and frame sync comes built in.
Two cells also flip expectations. The decode budget, not the layer count, sets what actually plays, because it limits how many heavy streams run at once. And the little ET1S-G splits one output into 1024 partitions, more than any larger model, which is exactly why it owns the ultra-wide wall niche.
3.2 Model by Model
The table gives you numbers; this section gives each model a job description. Read the one that matches your project size.
3.2.1 ET1S-G and ET1S-500G
The NovaStar ET1S-G media server runs one 4K×2K@60 canvas by itself: showroom loops, exhibition stands, meeting room walls. Two details make it the ultra-wide wall pick:
- 1024 partitions on a single output, more than any larger model
- Custom widths up to 7680 px
It decodes one 4K@60 stream or four 2K@60 streams, and that budget is your real playback limit. Layers run on Kompass FX3 Pro Basic, 20 of them, on Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC.
The ET1S-500G is the same box with a larger SSD. Order it when the library holds hours of 4K files; otherwise the standard version does the job.
3.2.2 ET2S-G
The ET2S-G answers a simple brief: two 4K screens on one server. It drives one or two canvases, decodes 1× 8K×2K@60 or 2× 4K×2K@60, and adds HDR10 output, all from a 2U chassis with 40 layers on Kompass FX3 Pro Advanced.
Against the ET1S-G, you trade partition count (64 versus 1024) for twice the screens, 8K decoding and HDR. Banquet halls, museum walls and two-screen showrooms live here.
3.2.3 ET4S-G (P2 and A4)
The ET4S-G is the four-output workhorse: 4U, four DP 1.4 connectors, up to 8K×4K across mosaic layouts, unlimited layers. It comes in two builds, and the graphics card makes the difference:
- ET4S-G (P2): P2000 card. Decodes 1× 8K×4K@30 or 3× 4K@60. No sync card support.
- ET4S-G (A4): HPGA4000 card. Decodes 1× 8K×4K@60, and takes the optional sync card for multi-server synchronization.
Both run Kompass FX3 Pro Professional on a license dongle, with 32 GB DDR5 and Windows 11 Pro 25H2. So the (A4) costs more for a reason: 60fps 8K material, or any plan to link servers later, needs it.
3.2.4 ET16S-G (3A4 and 4A4)
The ET16S-G replaces four single-GPU servers with one chassis: up to 16K×8K output, 128 partitions, unlimited layers, and frame sync built in. Two Intel Xeon Gold processors with 128 GB ECC memory carry the load, so months-long shows run without sweat.
Choose by card count:
- ET16S-G (3A4): three HPGA4000 cards, 12 outputs, 3× 8K×4K@60 decoding
- ET16S-G (4A4): four cards, 16 outputs, 4× 8K×4K@60, no capture card option
Both ship Kompass FX3 Pro Professional on Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC. Large outdoor landmarks, naked-eye 3D and immersive domes live here.
3.3 How to Choose the Right ET Series Model?
The best NovaStar media server is the one that matches your largest canvas, not the one with the longest spec sheet. Four questions, and the answer picks itself:
(1) How big is the canvas? One 4K×2K@60 wall: ET1S-G. Two 4K screens or 8K-wide content: ET2S-G. Up to 8K×4K: ET4S-G. Anything larger, up to 16K×8K: ET16S-G.
(2) How wide and how many outputs? Ultra-wide walls live on partitions, and the entry model already carries 1024. Four separate screens point at the ET4S-G.
(3) What does your heaviest file decode at? One 8K×2K@60 file already rules out the entry pair. 8K×4K at 60fps needs the ET4S-G (A4) or an ET16S-G.
(4) Do screens need to stay frame-locked? Multi-server shows need frame sync: built into the ET16S-G, available on the ET4S-G (A4) with the sync card.
Control works the same way across the line. The NovaStar VICP app runs playback from a tablet over the network, and every model auto-plays its program on power-up for unattended installs.
One boundary note: for outdoor unattended billboards, step outside this series. The NovaStar MBOX600 Pro is the closer fit there.
4. Where the NovaStar Media Server Fits in Real Projects?
The series shows up wherever walls get big, curved or permanent. Two reported projects show the range:
✔ Longgang International Art Center, Shenzhen: a 16K flying theater plus a dome hall driven by a cluster of 16 ET16S servers. The dome alone covers about 1,550 square meters and over 120 million pixels, held in frame sync by the server cluster (source: NovaStar announcement via trade press, 2026).
✔ “Heart of Wuhan” LED screen: a 154-meter display at a Wuhan metro hub, certified by Guinness World Records as the largest metro station LED screen, and it runs on a single ET16S server (source: NovaStar announcement via trade press, 2026).
Closer to daily work, ET1S-G and ET2S-G units cover the showrooms, meeting rooms and two-screen retail walls described through this guide.
5. NovaStar Media Server Price
Honest math needs three inputs: the model tier, the hardware build inside it, and the software edition that ships with it. A P2 build and an A4 build of the same ET4S-G are not the same product, and neither are the three-card and four-card ET16S-G mainframes.
The practical route: register on LedInCloud – LED Screen Cloud Platform, check current pricing for your exact configuration, and send your screen size and playback plan for a project quote. That way, the number matches your build, not somebody’s stock listing.
6. FAQs
Q1. Can an ET media server drive an LED wall directly?
No. An ET media server outputs video through DP and HDMI, so the LED wall still needs a controller or processor with receiving cards. The server handles playback, while the controller processes the video signal and drives the LED pixels.
Q2. Does it work with any LED controller?
Yes, as long as the controller accepts DP or HDMI input. Most current NovaStar controllers support these standard video inputs. The media server works as a video source, with supported frame rates ranging from 23.98 to 60 Hz.
Q3. Can it take live or external sources?
Yes. Every model supports NDI, web pages, streaming media, and text sources alongside local media files. The ET4S-G and ET16S-G also include capture card inputs for cameras and other external devices.
Q4. Can I control playback from a tablet?
Yes. The VICP app connects over the venue network, allowing operators to switch programs and pause layers from a tablet while moving around the venue. It can also use a laser pointer to control PowerPoint slides.
Q5. Can it play PowerPoint files?
Yes. The ET1S-G and ET2S-G support PowerPoint playback up to 1080p. Higher models also support PPTX, PDF, and other file formats. Slides can play automatically in sync with the program.
Q6. Is the playback software included, or paid separately?
The software is included. Each ET media server comes with Kompass FX3 Pro pre-installed and licensed. The bundled edition ranges from Basic to Professional, depending on the model. You do not need to purchase the included software tier separately.
7. Conclusion
Pick the NovaStar Media Server by one number: the canvas you need to feed. One 4K wall runs itself on the ET1S-G. Two screens point at the ET2S-G, four outputs with 8K×4K material at the ET4S-G (A4), and a 16K×8K landmark at the ET16S-G. Sizing one for your wall? Register on LedInCloud, check current pricing, and send your screen size and playlist for a project quote.