Free, open-source digital signage playback software, typically run on a Raspberry Pi — the present-day, renamed and further developed continuation of the earlier Screenly OSE.
Screenly · open-source digital signage playback software
Anthias (formerly Screenly OSE) content management software
Anthias (the project's earlier name was Screenly OSE / Screenly Open Source Edition) is a completely free, open-source digital signage player, typically installed on a Raspberry Pi single-board computer: it is suitable for scheduled, looping (playlist) display of images, videos and web pages, with a local web admin interface.
Because it runs independently on your own device, with no central cloud service, it is the typical representative of the market's "free/hobby" segment — it is worthwhile on smaller, low-budget, one- or two-screen projects, or with a technically capable operator, where the paid, cloud-based convenience functions of the Yodeck/OptiSigns type (hundreds of templates, corporate integrations) are not needed.
Where the Anthias sits in an LED wall system
Anthias is a standalone player running on a Raspberry Pi or another ARM/x86 machine: the device's HDMI output goes to the LED processor's input, and the content sits in local storage. There is no cloud and no central server — every device has its own admin interface, reachable from a browser, where a looping playlist of images, videos and web pages can be assembled. The network is only needed for management, not for playback: the device runs the list in an endless loop even without internet.
WHEN IT IS THE RIGHT CHOICE
On low-budget digital signage projects with one or two displays that can be operated independently in technical terms, where the convenience functions of the paid cloud platforms are not needed.
WHAT TO WATCH OUT FOR
The project changed its name from Screenly OSE to Anthias — anyone who finds an old guide or a description under the name "Screenly OSE" should look for it in the current repository running under the name Anthias.
The Anthias in practice
Installation is done with the project's own script or with a container image, after which the interface is reachable from a browser at the device's IP address. The most important limitation is management: every display has to be handled separately, with no central supervision, group scheduling or status monitoring, so above a handful of devices maintenance becomes manual work. Video is played by the Raspberry Pi's hardware decoder, so the format and the bitrate have to be matched to it — a high-resolution, high-bitrate file stutters or does not start at all. Old guides still refer to it as Screenly OSE, while the maintained code is in the repository running under the name Anthias. There is no Hungarian interface.
Alternatives to the Anthias
If there is more than one display, it quickly becomes worth moving on: Yodeck gives central supervision on the same Raspberry Pi hardware, with a free single-display level. For a self-hosted, multi-device, open-source solution, Xibo is the option. In an industrial environment where the device has to run flawlessly for years, BrightSign's closed hardware carries less risk. And the paid, cloud version of Screenly is the commercial branch of this same project, for when the capabilities of the open-source version run out.
Anthias manual and datasheet
The documents live on the manufacturer's own site and open in a new window — so you always get the latest version. We do not copy or translate their contents.
Anthias on video
The player is only embedded on click — until then not a single request goes to YouTube.
How to get started with Screenly
Screenly · YouTube · Tutorial
An introduction to digital signage with Screenly OSE
Screenly · YouTube · Tutorial
How to create a playlist with Screenly
Screenly · YouTube · Tutorial
Related content management software
content management software — but what does it go into?
On its own the Anthias (formerly Screenly OSE) is a component. With us it works inside these displays — design, manufacturing and installation included.
