Years ago it was really hard to run digital signage on Linux. No real free drivers, old kernels, tons of reverse engineering.
That’s largely over now.
RK3588 is the go-to platform, Mali finally has open drivers (Panfrost/Panthor), and hardware video decode landed in mainline in early 2026.
I’m the dev behind the GarlicSignage stack and dug into the current state:
https://garlic-signage.com/resources/technology/linux-digital-signage/
We mostly used small form-factor mini PCs from Polywell.