Intel's Smart Display Module standard has long been the domain of x86 hardware, but the Raspberry Pi Smart Display Module brings a Linux-native ARM option into the ecosystem. The $30 (€28) carrier board pairs with a Compute Module 5 (sold separately) and conforms to the SDM-L form factor, slotting directly into compatible commercial displays, kiosks, and point-of-sale systems through a standard 96-pin PCIe edge connector. No external media player, cabling, or separate power supply is required.
The board packs a full-size HDMI 2.0 port, Gigabit Ethernet, USB 3.0 Type-A, and a 22-way MIPI DSI/CSI-2 connector for cameras. WiFi 5 and Bluetooth 5.2 come from the CM5 itself, with a U.FL antenna connector on the carrier. An M.2 M-key PCIe slot accepts 2230 through 2280 modules, opening the door to NVMe storage or AI accelerators. The whole assembly measures 19.3 x 11.5 x 2.5 cm (7.6 x 4.5 x 1.0 inches) and weighs 225 g (7.9 oz) with the included passive aluminum heatsink.
The open-source signage software ecosystem is where this gets interesting for Linux users. Raspberry Pi OS runs natively, and several community-driven CMS platforms already support the Pi 5 family. Anthias turns a Pi into a single-screen signage player out of the box, while the Arexibo project, a Rust-based client, recently brought Xibo CMS compatibility to the Pi 5 with multiscreen support. That software stack gives the SDM module a practical edge over proprietary x86 SDM cards that typically ship with Windows or locked-down Android.
Raspberry Pi developed the module in collaboration with Sharp Display Solutions Europe, whose MESSAGE-line, M-series, and P-series commercial panels support the SDM standard. The board is available now from approved resellers at $30 (€28) before taxes and shipping, with a guaranteed production lifecycle through at least January 2036.
