Sharp MPi4 Kit powered by Raspberry Pi

Name: Sharp MPi4 Kit powered by Raspberry Pi Signage Computing Module
Brand: Sharp
SKU: sharp-mpi4-kit-powered-by-raspberry-pi
Availability: InStock

Overview

The Sharp MPi4 Kit is a slot-in computing module based on Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4, designed to fit inside compatible Sharp and NEC large format displays. It has a quad-core 1.5 GHz processor, 4 GB RAM, 32 GB eMMC storage and hardware decoding for 4K H.265 video. A watchdog timer and real-time clock support unattended signage in retail, transport and food service across Qatar. Request a quote with your display model to confirm compatibility.

What the MPi4 Kit adds to a Sharp large format display

The MPi4 Kit is a computing module that slots inside compatible Sharp and NEC large format displays and runs signage playback from within the screen. It is based on the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4. Because it connects internally for power, video, audio, data and control, there is no external media player box beside the display and no external housing to mount or cable run behind it.

Processing, video decoding and memory

The module uses a quad-core 64-bit ARM Cortex 72 (ARM v8) processor running at 1.5 GHz with a VideoCore IV GPU. It has 4 GB of LPDDR2 SDRAM and 32 GB of on-board eMMC storage. Hardware decoding covers H.265 (HEVC) up to 4Kp60 and H.264 up to 1080p60, and the graphics stack supports OpenGL ES 3.0. Pre-loaded licences for video decoding are included, which helps when one playlist mixes 4K files with HD content.

Built for unattended signage

Public signage often runs for many hours with nobody watching it. The module includes a watchdog timer that supports recovery when the system stalls, and a real-time clock that keeps scheduled content accurate when playlists change by time of day. The manufacturer describes the components as industrial grade, with advanced heat management suited to 24/7 operation.

Where it fits in Qatar

Retail: a store in a West Bay shopping mall running promotional loops on several screens, all managed from one content system.
Transport: a passenger information display near Hamad International Airport showing time-scheduled updates.
Food service: a quick-service restaurant in Msheireb with a menu board that changes by part of the day and a touch input connected through USB.

Campus wayfinding and event screens at a university in Education City are another practical fit, since the module can take schedules from the same network as the rest of the campus.

Connectivity, compatibility and planning

The Ethernet and USB interfaces on the display interface board allow a wired network connection and the attachment of a mouse, keyboard, sensor or touch input. The WiFi version has a built-in WiFi module with an external antenna, designed for good communication once the module is slotted into the display. The order codes are L50MPI4-KIT-RPI-OS and L50MPI4-KITWRPIOS, so state the version you need when you request a quote.

Check compatibility before ordering. The manufacturer's compatibility list includes PN-M862, PN-P556, PN-M652 and PN-P656, while its specification sheet names a separate group of ME, M, MA and P series displays. Send your exact display model with your request so the SmartRooms Qatar team can confirm the match.

What to plan before you buy

The source data does not state an operating temperature range for the module, so have the display location reviewed before committing to round-the-clock use. A sunlit lobby, an unshaded entrance or a dusty area needs particular attention, because summer temperatures in Qatar can rise above 45 degrees Celsius. A free site survey lets us check sun exposure and ventilation before the quotation is issued, and quotations are usually provided within one working day.

Request a quote for the MPi4 Kit with your display model, quantity and installation site, and the SmartRooms Qatar team will confirm compatibility and send your quotation.

Highlights

Quad-core 64-bit ARM Cortex 72 processor at 1.5 GHz
4 GB LPDDR2 SDRAM and 32 GB on-board eMMC storage
Hardware decoding of H.265 up to 4Kp60
Watchdog timer and real-time clock for scheduled playback
WiFi version with built-in module and external antenna
Slot-in design with no external mounting required

Estimated timeline

Quotation within 1 working day · delivery timing depends on stock availability, and we confirm it with your quotation.

Specifications

6 specifications · Source: manufacturer · checked Oct 2026

Specifications6

CPU: Quad Core 64-bit ARM Cortex 72 (ARM v8) @ 1.5GHz, VideoCore IV GPU
Graphics: Hardware video encode / decode H.265 (HEVC) (up to 4Kp60 decode), H.264 (up to 1080p60 decode, 1080p30 encode), OpenGL ES 3.0 graphics
RAM: 4Gbyte LPDDR2 SDRAM
Memory: 32 GByte on-board eMMC
Operating System: Built to order / Raspberry Pi OS optimised for Signage
Compatible Displays: ME431 (IR-2), ME501 (IR-2), ME551 (IR-2), ME651, M431 (PCAP/PG), M491 (PCAP/PG), M551 (PCAP/PG), M651 (PCAP/PG), M751, M861, M981, MA431, MA491, MA551, P435, P495, P555

Downloads

4 files from the manufacturer

PDF Datasheets SharpNEC-Datasheet-MPi4-Kit-english.pdf 226 KB PDF Brochures Warranty-and-Services_Interactive_Computing.pdf 1.0 MB URL Brochures · Opens on manufacturer site Sharp Product Overview PDF Certificates & compliance CE DoC_DS1-IF20CE_(EMC_RoHS).pdf 113 KB

Questions about MPi4 Kit powered by Raspberry Pi

What is the Sharp MPi4 Kit?

The MPi4 Kit is a slot-in computing module that runs signage playback inside compatible Sharp or NEC large format displays. It is based on the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 and connects to the display internally for power, video, audio, data and control. Because no external media player box or external mounting is needed, the back of the display stays clean and cable-free. It suits Qatari organisations that want one integrated display unit.

Which Sharp and NEC displays is it compatible with?

The manufacturer's compatibility list names PN-M862, PN-P556, PN-M652, PN-P656, PN-M982, PN-P756 and several other PN-series models. Its specification sheet lists a separate group that includes ME551 (IR-2), M751, M981, MA551 and P555. The two lists use different naming, so send your exact display model with your quote request. SmartRooms Qatar will confirm whether the module fits that display before you order.

What processor, memory and storage does it have?

It has a quad-core 64-bit ARM Cortex 72 (ARM v8) processor running at 1.5 GHz, with a VideoCore IV GPU. Memory is 4 GB of LPDDR2 SDRAM and storage is 32 GB of on-board eMMC. The operating system is listed as Raspberry Pi OS optimised for signage, and the source also notes a built-to-order option. Confirm the software configuration with your content management vendor before you fix the quantity.

Can it play 4K content on a large display?

The module decodes H.265 (HEVC) up to 4Kp60 and H.264 up to 1080p60 in hardware, with OpenGL ES 3.0 graphics. Pre-loaded video decoding licences are included. Its listed encoding is H.264 up to 1080p30. Check your content codecs and resolutions against these figures before planning a 4K playlist, because the manufacturer data does not cover other formats.

Will it keep running unattended in a public area?

The module includes a watchdog timer that supports recovery when the system stalls, and a real-time clock for time-based scheduling. The manufacturer describes its components as industrial grade, with advanced heat management suited to 24/7 operation. The source does not state an operating temperature range, so ask SmartRooms Qatar to confirm the display location, particularly for a sunlit lobby or a hot, dusty entrance, before relying on continuous use.

How does it connect to the network and to touch screens or sensors?

The display interface board provides Ethernet and USB, so the module can join a wired network and connect a mouse, keyboard, sensor or touch input. The WiFi version has a built-in WiFi module with an external antenna, designed for good communication once the module is slotted into the display. The order codes are L50MPI4-KIT-RPI-OS and L50MPI4-KITWRPIOS, so state which version you need when you request a quote.

Is it suitable for promotional screens in a West Bay shopping mall?

Yes, provided the screens show promotional playlists managed from a central content management system. A retailer with several displays across a West Bay mall can update offers from one place, while the module handles playback inside each display, so no separate player sits on the shop floor. Confirm your display models and content system with SmartRooms Qatar before ordering.

Could it drive passenger information displays near Hamad International Airport?

A passenger information display needs a dependable schedule and an accurate clock. The real-time clock supports timed content changes, and the watchdog timer supports unattended operation. Because the screen will face travellers and may sit in an air-conditioned concourse or a sun-exposed landside area, confirm the exact location and display model with SmartRooms Qatar before requesting a quote.

How would it work for a quick-service menu board in Msheireb?

A quick-service restaurant in Msheireb can run a menu board that changes by part of the day, with the schedule controlled by the real-time clock. Ethernet or WiFi links the board to the content system, and USB can connect a touch input or sensor where customers interact with the screen. Check the menu board display model and the heat around the counter area before you request a quote.

Would it suit wayfinding or event screens on a university campus in Education City?

A campus in Education City could use the module for wayfinding, event listings and timetables shown in lobbies and corridors. The Ethernet connection allows content updates from the campus network, and the real-time clock runs scheduled content. Because the MPi4 Kit sits inside the display, the display model and mounting location matter most, so plan a free site survey before ordering several units.

Can I install it in a sunlit entrance in Al Wakrah or Al Khor, where summers are very hot?

The source data gives no operating temperature range for the MPi4 Kit, so this page cannot confirm suitability for an outdoor or unshaded entrance. Summer temperatures in Qatar can rise above 45 degrees Celsius. Ask SmartRooms Qatar to review the exact display model and location, and use the free site survey to check sun exposure, ventilation and airflow before the quotation is issued.

Can a government body order several units through an LPO or Monaqasat tender?

Yes. SmartRooms Qatar accepts purchase orders (LPOs) and government tenders, including Monaqasat, and accepts payment by bank transfer, cheque or purchase order. A ministry or authority planning several MPi4 Kit units should list each display model and the quantity in the request, so the quotation covers compatibility. Products are covered by the manufacturer's warranty, and quotations are usually issued within one working day.