BrightSign XD1036

The XD1036 is the expanded I/O model in BrightSign's Series 6 XD6 family, purpose-built for demanding digital signage and kiosk installations that require maximum peripheral flexibility. It delivers dual 10-bit 4K video decoding at 60p with 10-bit HDR, responsive multi-touch HTML5 and 2D WebGL graphics, and supports 4K IP streaming — all on the proven BrightSignOS platform. Powered via PoE+ for cable-simplified deployments or an external locking 12V supply, it connects to virtually any AV and control ecosystem through USB-A, USB-C, GPIO, 3.5mm serial, IR, and dual Ethernet ports. An onboard NPU enables AI-driven signage applications without sacrificing video or graphics headroom. Ideal for retail, museums, corporate lobbies, transportation hubs, and entertainment venues where reliability and rich interactivity are non-negotiable.

Dual 4K60p Decoding with 10-bit HDR

The XD1036 can decode two independent 4K streams simultaneously at 60 frames per second in 10-bit colour depth, while also supporting full 4K video rotation. This matters in installations that need to drive two zones of premium 4K content from a single player — for example, a dual-sided display column in a retail atrium or a split-canvas projection setup — without the cost and complexity of a second player. The 10-bit HDR pipeline preserves the full luminance and colour range of HDR-mastered content, delivering noticeably richer shadow and highlight detail on HDR-capable commercial displays. Supported codecs at 4K include H.265/HEVC and H.264/AVC at 60p, ensuring compatibility with most production workflows and content platforms.

PoE+ Deployment Flexibility

Power over Ethernet Plus (PoE+, IEEE 802.3at Type 2, rated to 25W on the primary Gigabit port) lets the XD1036 receive both network connectivity and operating power through a single Cat cable. In practice this eliminates the need to route a separate mains power line to every display location — a decisive advantage in suspended-ceiling or in-wall mounts, shop-window installations, and anywhere that additional power outlets are expensive or impossible to add. Because PoE+ also delivers enough power to drive attached peripherals, small touch sensors or USB devices can be powered from the same supply chain. A secondary 10/100 Ethernet port provides a dedicated control network for attached displays, keeping display-ID and RS-232-over-IP traffic isolated from the main data network.

Dual 4K60p. Full IO. PoE+. Anywhere.

Included 5-year parts-and-labor warranty · BrightSign Control remote management included free

Expanded IO Package for Deep Integration

Where the sibling XD236 offers a standard IO set, the XD1036 adds a 3.5mm serial port, USB-A 2.0, and USB-C 2.0 (host and device mode, 5V/1A output) on top of the shared IO — 12-pin Phoenix GPIO with 8 bi-directional GPIOs, 3.5mm IR in/out, 3.5mm analog/SPDIF audio, and dual RJ45 Ethernet. The serial port makes it straightforward to control or query a display, a relay board, or a building-automation device using standard RS-232 commands without an external adapter. The GPIO header supports button pads (BP200/BP900), motion sensors, light triggers, and relay outputs for immersive sensor-and-light installations. USB-C enables connection of PANDA GPIO adapters for even more peripheral options. This IO breadth means the XD1036 can serve as the sole controller in a kiosk or interactive exhibit without adding an external microcontroller.

Integrated Neural Processing Unit (NPU)

The XD1036 includes an integrated Neural Processing Unit — dedicated silicon for running inference workloads that would otherwise burden the CPU or GPU. This enables AI-powered signage features such as audience analytics, object detection, or personalised content targeting to run locally on the player, without offloading compute to a cloud service and without stealing bandwidth from video decoding or graphics rendering. For installations in locations with intermittent or restricted internet connectivity, local AI inference means the application keeps functioning autonomously. It also reduces latency for real-time interaction triggers — for example, adapting displayed content within milliseconds of detecting a viewer's presence or demographic profile.

Flexible Storage: microSD, Internal microSD, and Optional M.2 SSD

The XD1036 features both an external and an internal microSD card reader — the internal slot adds a layer of physical security since it is not accessible without opening the enclosure, reducing the risk of accidental removal or tampering in public-facing installations. An M.2 PCIe slot supports optional NVMe SSD modules (up to 256GB PCIe NVMe M.2), enabling large local content libraries for 4K-heavy or offline deployments. A second M.2 E-Key slot accepts Wi-Fi/Bluetooth or cellular modem modules (one at a time, using the shared SMA antenna connectors), adding wireless connectivity or 4G LTE networking without an external USB modem dangling from the chassis.

BrightSignOS — Purpose-Built Reliability and Security

BrightSignOS is not a general-purpose OS running signage software on top — it is an operating system engineered exclusively for digital signage, with automatic fault detection, self-healing protocols, and secure boot built in. It runs only BrightSign-approved code, maintaining a minimal attack surface that is critical for unattended public installations. Long-term OS patching is maintained for 5+ years, meaning the XD1036 will continue to receive security updates well beyond the typical consumer-device lifecycle. The OS supports replaceable storage, so if a microSD card fails in the field, a pre-configured replacement card restores the player without a site visit to re-provision the device from scratch. These characteristics directly reduce support costs and unplanned downtime across large deployments.

Free BrightSign Control Device Management

Every XD1036 ships with access to BrightSign Control (formerly bsn.Control) at no additional subscription cost. This cloud-based service provides real-time player health monitoring, remote reboot, and CMS integration — covering the baseline management needs of most deployments without any ongoing licence fee. For larger networks requiring bulk operations, remote diagnostics, AI-powered assistance, and centralised scheduling, BrightSign Control Plus is available as a paid tier. The platform integrates with 200+ partner CMS solutions, so operators are never locked into a single content management tool and can switch CMS without replacing hardware.

Industry-Leading 5-Year Warranty

The XD1036 comes with a 5-year parts-and-labour warranty — included as standard for players purchased from BrightSign after January 1, 2025, and activated by online registration or automatically through an active BrightSign Control or Author Plus account. For AV integrators and their clients, this substantially lengthens the covered service window compared to the 1–3 year warranties typical of competing players, reducing the risk of unbudgeted hardware replacement costs midway through a 5-year signage contract. It is a concrete differentiator when justifying total cost of ownership against lower-cost alternatives.