Screenly Anthias Portable May 2026
As of late 2024 and 2025, the Raspberry Pi compute module 5 and the rise of E-Ink portable displays are changing the game. We anticipate "Screenly Anthias Portable" becoming a standard term for disaster recovery kits and digital out-of-home (DOOH) advertising trucks.
The open source community is working on a "Wander" mode for Anthias—a native toggle that says "This device is mobile." It will automatically switch from infrastructure mode to hotspot mode when no upstream DNS is detected.
1. The Compute Unit: Raspberry Pi 4 or 5
2. The Power Source: USB-C Power Bank (PD Standard)
3. The Display: Portable USB-C Monitor
4. The Network: Onboard Wi-Fi Hotspot
http://screenly.local (or the Pi's static IP: 192.168.50.1), and upload new assets instantly.5. The Case: Rugged or Rackmount
Before we discuss the "Portable" aspect, we must understand the engine.
Screenly Anthias (formerly known as Screenly OSE—Open Source Edition) is a web-based digital signage platform designed to run on a Raspberry Pi. Unlike the paid "Screenly Cloud" version, Anthias is completely free and self-hosted. It allows you to manage a playlist of assets (images, videos, web pages, and even live weather feeds) via a simple web interface. screenly anthias portable
Key Features of Anthias:
The traditional limitation? Screenly Anthias assumes a static environment: a Pi bolted to the back of a TV, always connected to the office Wi-Fi.
Exhibition halls are notorious for expensive "power drops" and flimsy Wi-Fi. With a portable Anthias rig, you roll in, set up your booth TV, and the signage runs instantly. No begging the IT team for a network password.
Digital signage has become ubiquitous in retail, corporate, and public spaces. However, most solutions assume permanent network connectivity and mains power. This assumption excludes scenarios requiring temporary or moving displays—conference pop-up booths, fieldwork information points, or disaster response units. As of late 2024 and 2025, the Raspberry
Screenly Anthias (formerly Screenly OSE) is an open-source digital signage platform designed for the Raspberry Pi. While its default configuration targets fixed displays, this paper explores modifications for portable operation, including:
The goal is to assess whether Anthias can serve as a foundation for truly portable signage without rewriting core components.
Abstract
Digital signage has traditionally relied on fixed infrastructure, limiting its application in dynamic, temporary, or mobile environments. This paper examines Screenly Anthias, an open-source digital signage platform, and evaluates its viability for portable deployments. We propose a lightweight architecture leveraging Raspberry Pi hardware, battery power, and Wi-Fi tethering to enable fully portable digital signage. The study includes a technical deployment guide, power consumption analysis, and practical use cases such as event signage, emergency information systems, and mobile retail displays. Results indicate that Screenly Anthias, with minor configuration adjustments, can operate reliably in portable mode for 6–10 hours on standard battery packs, offering a cost-effective and flexible alternative to proprietary solutions.
Keywords: Digital signage, Screenly Anthias, portable display, Raspberry Pi, open-source, edge computing limiting its application in dynamic
| Component | Recommended Model | Why it works | |-----------|------------------|---------------| | SBC | Raspberry Pi 4 (4GB) | Enough power for 1080p video | | Storage | 32GB+ microSD (Class 10) | OS + media storage | | Display | 10–15" portable USB-C monitor | Runs off same battery as Pi | | Power | 20,000mAh+ power bank (with 5V/3A USB-C) | 4–6 hours runtime | | Case | Small Pelican-style hard case | Protects screen + Pi | | Peripheral | Mini keyboard or phone (for setup) | Initial config only |