Compact audio-only digital signage player
AU335
The AU335 is BrightSign's dedicated audio-only signage player, purpose-built for environments where sound — not video — is the primary medium. Running the proven BrightSignOS, it is suited for retail audio product demonstrations, museum exhibits, background music distribution, and any installation requiring reliable, scheduled, or interactively triggered audio. It supports up to three independent audio zones routed simultaneously across its ARC-eARC, 3.5 mm analog, and USB-C outputs, and integrates with physical controls via GPIO, USB, and Ethernet. Management is handled through the free BSN.cloud Control Cloud subscription included with every unit, with content authoring via BrightAuthor:connected, BrightScript, JavaScript, or third-party CMS solutions.
ARC-eARC Output: High-Bandwidth Audio to Modern AV Gear
The AU335's HDMI port is an ARC-eARC connection only — not a standard HDMI video output. This is a critical installation detail: the port must be connected to the ARC or eARC input on a soundbar or AV receiver, not to a display. When wired correctly, the connection unlocks 24-bit, high-bandwidth audio transport including Dolby Atmos and Dolby Audio, which would be impossible over a standard HDMI or stereo analog link. For retail audio demonstrations, this means a connected soundbar can perform at its full specification — giving end customers an accurate representation of what they are buying. For installers, this also eliminates the need for a separate audio extractor or DAC in many setups.
Three Simultaneous Audio Zones
The AU335 can route up to three independent audio zones at the same time across its outputs: HDMI ARC-eARC, 3.5 mm analog stereo, and USB-C. Each zone can carry different content, enabling a single player to drive, for example, a soundbar demo, a pair of background music speakers, and a headphone listening station from one device. This reduces hardware count and cabling complexity in retail or museum installations where multiple simultaneous audio experiences are needed in close proximity. Content creators can assign individual tracks, trigger conditions, and volume levels per zone within BrightAuthor:connected.
Three audio zones. One compact box. Zero compromises.
Free BSN.cloud Control Cloud subscription included · 5-year warranty
GPIO, USB and Ethernet Interactive Controls
The 12-pin Phoenix GPIO block provides 8 bi-directional GPIO pins that accept contact-closure triggers from physical buttons, motion sensors, proximity detectors, and other dry-contact devices — making the AU335 well-suited to interactive museum exhibits or retail demo stands where a visitor press or a motion event should start, stop, or switch audio. USB host mode allows connected devices (such as soundbars) to receive firmware updates directly from the player. Ethernet adds network-based triggering and serial control, and CEC command support over HDMI eARC enables volume and input switching on connected AV gear without additional wiring. The combination means a single AU335 can handle both the audio playback and the peripheral control logic that would otherwise require a separate controller.
BrightSignOS and Free BSN.cloud Control Cloud
The AU335 runs BrightSignOS — the same hardened, purpose-built operating system used across the entire BrightSign player range. This matters operationally: unlike consumer streaming devices, BrightSignOS is designed for unattended, long-term deployment with no user-facing UI to interfere with content. Every AU335 ships with a free subscription to BSN.cloud Control Cloud, giving operators remote visibility into player health, uptime status, and basic controls without purchasing a separate CMS licence. For content authoring, BrightAuthor:connected (also free) supports local and networked publishing, while BrightScript, JavaScript, and node application support cater to custom-coded deployments. Third-party CMS solutions available via BSN.cloud extend management options for larger networks.
Real-Time Clock with Supercapacitor Backup
The AU335 includes an onboard real-time clock (RTC) backed by a supercapacitor rather than a battery. When the player is power-cycled — scheduled or accidental — the RTC retains accurate time without requiring a network connection to re-synchronise. In practice, this means scheduled playback (opening hours, time-of-day audio changes) resumes correctly even after a power outage, which is a common failure point for lower-cost players that rely entirely on NTP. For unattended deployments in retail, hospitality, or public spaces this removes a whole category of service calls.
Multi-Player Synchronisation and Player Network Control
The AU335 can synchronise audio playback with other BrightSign players on the same network — including video-capable Series 5 models running digital signage content. This allows, for example, a museum installation where audio cues from the AU335 are locked to video transitions on a nearby XD or HD player, or a retail environment where multiple AU335 units distributed around a floor all start a promotional audio clip at the same moment. The player can also control lighting and other external devices via GPIO or network commands, enabling integrated audio-plus-environment experiences from a compact, low-cost node.
