Skip to content
Guide-ID Help Center
Hardware

Understanding the Brainbox

2 min read Updated Jun 2026

Brainbox (AV-Syncbox 2.0) — the bridge between Podcatcher Pro devices and external systems, with WiFi, Switch, and AV-Sync ports.

The Brainbox is a custom-built device that acts as the bridge between Podcatcher devices and external systems. It receives data from Podcatchers over BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) and makes it available via USB serial — enabling AV-sync with media players, interactive installations, and real-time visitor tracking.

What the Brainbox does

Section titled “What the Brainbox does”

The Brainbox has two main roles:

  1. AV-sync — Connects to media players (e.g. BrightSign) and synchronizes video playback with personalized audio on each visitor’s Podcatcher. Groups can watch the same video while each visitor hears audio in their own language.

  2. Serial data output — Exposes real-time Podcatcher data (visitor ID, clip playing, battery level, button presses, beacon triggers) as CSV frames on the USB serial port. Any computer or interactive installation can read this data.

How it works

Section titled “How it works”

The Brainbox communicates with Podcatchers via BLE. It receives two types of data:

  • Tracking frames (~1/second per device) — Current clip, battery voltage, button state, UWB distance
  • Interactive frames (on beacon trigger) — Triggered clip, language, video request code

This data is output as CSV lines on the USB serial connection at 115200 baud. A flashing LED on the Brainbox indicates active operation.

Use cases

Section titled “Use cases”

AV-sync with media players

Section titled “AV-sync with media players”

Connect the Brainbox to a BrightSign player via USB. The Brainbox monitors audio markers and signals Podcatchers to synchronize audio playback with video. See AV-Sync Setup for configuration details.

Interactive installations

Section titled “Interactive installations”

Connect the Brainbox to a computer via USB. Your custom software reads the serial data and reacts to visitor actions — for example, starting a video when a visitor approaches, displaying content in their language, or controlling exhibits based on button presses.

Visitor tracking

Section titled “Visitor tracking”

Use the tracking frames to monitor visitor flow through an exhibit, track battery levels, and know which clips are being played in real time.

Getting started

Section titled “Getting started”
Section titled “Related articles”
Was this article helpful?