I tested the Screenly Anthias Portable for a week as a compact, on-the-go display solution. Here’s a concise review you can use or adapt.
Overview
Design & Build
Display
Performance & Connectivity
Software & Extras
Pros
Cons
Who it’s for
Bottom line A well-built, highly portable monitor that delivers great image quality for productivity and media on the go; pick a different model only if you need higher outdoor brightness, premium audio, or pro-level gaming performance. screenly anthias portable
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To prepare content for Screenly Anthias (formerly Screenly OSE), you can use the local web-based dashboard to upload and schedule various media types. Anthias is designed for single-screen or standalone deployments where simplicity and local management are prioritized. Supported Content Types Anthias supports several standard formats in 1080p full HD resolution: Standard formats like JPEG and PNG. Must be encoded in to ensure playback compatibility. Web Pages:
Live URLs can be displayed, though lean websites with minimal JavaScript perform best. RTSP feeds and YouTube URLs are also supported. Steps to Prepare and Add Content
Anthias - The world's most popular open source ... - Screenly
Anthias (formerly known as Screenly OSE) is a popular open-source digital signage platform primarily designed for the Raspberry Pi. While "Anthias" itself refers to the software, users often create portable setups by combining it with small, battery-powered hardware. How to Make Screenly Anthias "Portable"
To create a portable signage solution using Anthias, you generally need to integrate the software with mobile hardware components:
Hardware Baseline: Use a Raspberry Pi 4 or 5 (recommended for performance) or an older x86 mini-PC. Screenly Anthias Portable — Draft Review I tested
Portable Power: Power the Pi using a USB-C Power Bank (ensure it provides at least 3A/15W for stability) or a dedicated Pi Juice/LiPo battery HAT.
Compact Display: Connect to a portable HDMI monitor (often 7" to 15") or a specialized touchscreen display that can be mounted directly onto the Raspberry Pi case.
Networking: Anthias is managed via a local web interface. For portability, you can set up the Pi as a Wi-Fi hotspot or connect it to a mobile phone hotspot to update content on the go. Core Features of Anthias
Self-Hosted & Free: Unlike the commercial Screenly version, Anthias is community-supported and requires no monthly subscription.
Content Support: It can display high-definition video (up to 1080p), images (JPEG, PNG, GIF, WebP), and live web pages.
Easy Installation: Most users install it using a simple one-line bash script or via balenaCloud for easier management.
Scheduling: You can set specific times for assets to appear, which is useful for portable displays like mobile menu boards or event check-in kiosks. Common Use Cases for Portable Anthias
Trade Shows: Running a loop of promotional videos on a small tabletop screen.
Food Trucks: Displaying a digital menu that can be updated wirelessly. Design & Build
Retail Pop-ups: Providing dynamic information in locations without permanent power or internet infrastructure.
HTTPS Setup · Screenly Anthias · Discussion #1830 - GitHub
Prior portable signage attempts have used Android tablets (limited manageability) or proprietary embedded players (expensive). Open-source approaches on SBCs (Single Board Computers) remain underexplored.
Even the best rigs fail. Here is your troubleshooting cheat sheet.
Problem: The USB-C battery shuts off after 30 minutes.
Problem: The monitor flickers when the Pi boots.
Problem: Screenly Anthias shows "Unable to load asset" offline.
This is the DIY section. Here is your shopping list and configuration guide to build a "Professional Grade" portable unit.
| 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 |
To avoid corruption when the battery dies, create a low-voltage shutdown script.
sudo shutdown now to protect the SD card.