This is the smallest screen based prop we've made so far
- Andy Harris
- Mar 23
- 2 min read
Props with screens are really useful in delivering 'Show don't tell' in narrative productions. It's been easy for us to deliver this using our screebly technology for some time.
Smaller screens are a useful addition to many types of props - particularly gadgets and wearables.
However when screens get smaller, there's not enough memory and processor power to support a browser. There is where we need microprocessors and low level drivers.
Designing for Size and Function
The key was to reduce the size of the screen-based prop and still be driven by the SetWideNet. This meant selecting a processor with combined screen that was small but still offered good resolution and backlight control. We chose an OLED because it provides vivid colours and excellent contrast in a tiny form factor.
The battery is a critical factor: it needs to be small yet have the capacity to support several hours of continuous use. The 450mAh battery gives us about 2-3 hours screen run time depending on backlight brightness.
The backlight is PWM modulated at 5kHz, which is well beyond the frame rate of cameras (hence no camera induced flicker). It can be set over 0-1023 steps. The brightness has fine control for the needs of the scene. For example it can support the scene at a low brightness or at higher levels become the focus of attention.
Overcoming Technical Challenges
Working with such a small screen has technical challenges:
Heat management: Small devices tend to heat up quickly. We incorporated heat-dissipating materials and designed ventilation paths to keep the prop cool.
Power efficiency: To extend battery life, the software was optimised to reduce power consumption by dimming the screen. There is a battery_save mode that switches off the backlight and places any background processing threads into a longer sleep cycle.
WiFi range: We've plenty of experience with 'cheap ESP32s and screens, the most common weakness is the WiFi (2.4GHz) antennae. In this case we used a top brand - and it shows in terms of screen appearance and the ability to work down to -90db WiFi signal strength.
These solutions ensured the prop remained reliable and user-friendly despite its tiny size.
Practical Uses of the Smallest Screen-Based Prop
This compact prop opens up new possibilities in various fields:
Theater and film: It can serve as a futuristic gadget or a miniature display in close-up shots where space is limited. The actual use case of the prop shown was a 'tracker' device.
Museum exhibits: Small screens could be useful in scale models.
Wearable tech prototypes: Production Designers can specify wearable props that drive the narrative whilst still having the actors and their reactions in the shot
The prop’s size makes it versatile and easy to integrate into props that can go where no other (automated) prop has been.
What We Learned
Every component had to be carefully selected and tested to work with the SetWideNet. The process reinforced the importance of design and engineering problem-solving.
This project shows how small screens can still deliver great visual experiences when paired with smart engineering.
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