Add a USB GPS dongle to your Pi. Script Screenly to rotate assets based on location.
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.
We built three prototype units:
Test scenarios:
Metrics:
Future work could integrate MQTT for low-bandwidth asset commands or develop an Android companion app for tethering-based sync.
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
Before we discuss the "Portable" aspect, we must understand the engine. screenly anthias portable
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.
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.
The power trick: Many portable USB-C monitors can be powered directly from the same power bank as the Pi. You just need a power bank with two USB-C outputs or a USB-C hub that supports power passthrough. Add a USB GPS dongle to your Pi
Cable management:
Hard case layout:
Top foam layer: cables, mini keyboard
Middle cutout: USB-C monitor (screen facing foam)
Bottom cutout: Pi + power bank
Why go through this trouble instead of buying an Amazon Fire Stick or using a laptop?
| Feature | Screenly Anthias Portable | Fire TV Stick | Laptop | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Web Dashboards | Native (Full HTML) | Very limited | Excellent | | Offline Reliability | High (Local storage) | Low (Streaming bias) | Medium | | Cost | $100-$200 (Pi + Battery) | $40 (plus subscription costs) | $500+ | | Remote Control via Phone | Yes (Browser based) | Yes | Clunky | | Boot Time | 30 seconds | 45 seconds (with ads) | 60+ seconds | | Open Source | Yes | No | Depends on OS | Test scenarios :
The Verdict: A Fire Stick is cheap but requires constant internet and dies if left on a cart. A laptop is too expensive and fragile to leave strapped to a TV. The Screenly Anthias portable rig is the only "set it and forget it" solution.