OFFBIT launches M1 e‑paper reference display for camera teams

Barcelona startup OFFBIT has introduced the M1, a pocketable e‑paper reference screen aimed at camera departments that want a persistent, readable place for lens charts, crew lists and quick notes.

The device is positioned as a single-purpose reference display rather than a camera or recorder. OFFBIT says the M1 is the company’s first product; the firm was founded in Barcelona in October 2025 by Bernat Eguiluz, a working cinematographer.

The M1 uses a 3.1-inch, 320 x 240 pixel black‑and‑white e‑paper panel mounted behind matte Gorilla Glass with an anti‑reflective finish. The housing is compact and light: 85 x 60 x 10mm (3.35 x 2.36 x 0.39in) and 71g (2.5oz). OFFBIT also states the screen remains readable in direct sunlight.

Controls are deliberately simple. Three buttons along the top edge switch the display between LENS, CREW and NOTES pages, and the unit has a flat back that attaches to a camera body or cage with Velcro. The box contains eight Velcro loop strips and a welcome card, but OFFBIT does not include a USB‑C cable.

Battery life is rated at 450mAh and the company quotes up to three weeks of operation on a single charge; the M1 charges via USB‑C and the website lists the charging input as 5V / 1A. OFFBIT labels the three‑week number as a manufacturer claim.

Networking and setup rely on a companion app. Content for the M1 is created and pushed from a free iOS app over Bluetooth 5.0 LE. OFFBIT says the app includes a database of more than 2,500 lenses and it also supports custom lenses, which are stored locally. At launch the app is available only for iOS on the App Store; an Android version is in development, but no release date is given.

On the display itself, the M1 can show lens specification pages, a crew list, and notes. It also stores a small gallery: the device can hold up to 25 custom images, useful for production logos, department photos or other quick references.

OFFBIT calls the M1 a dedicated reference display with no camera or recording function. The company’s messaging emphasises on‑set efficiency: “M1 saves prep time, but the real difference is on set: lenses, crew, notes and the shooting plan, all in one place.” A second bite‑sized slogan used by the company is, “You stop looking for the paper that went missing,” reflecting the aim of replacing loose pages on camera bodies.

Physical accessories include an optional M1 Backplate (M1‑BP) for camera bodies that lack a flat surface. OFFBIT describes the backplate as an aluminum plate priced at €35 with two 1/4″‑20 threads and a locking 3/8″‑16 point for mounting.

Pricing and ordering are set for a controlled initial release. The OFFBIT M1 is listed at €199 including VAT, while the M1 Backplate costs €35. Batch 01 is limited to 100 units, with a maximum of three units per person. Pre‑orders open on November 11, 2026, at 11:11 CET on the OFFBIT website, and full payment is taken at checkout.

Shipping for Batch 01 is limited to Spain and the rest of the EU, with Batch 01 scheduled to ship in December 2026. OFFBIT plans to expand to the UK, the US and other markets in spring 2027, but it has not published pricing in US dollars or British pounds. At the time of writing B&H and CVP do not list the M1.

OFFBIT’s website also states the company does not sell user data and that there is no subscription required to use the device and app.

From a workflow perspective the M1 is aimed at camera assistants, loaders and operators who often need to reference lens metadata, call sheets or quick notes without reaching for paper or a phone. The device’s small footprint and Velcro mounting position it as a camera‑side reference, while the local lens database and custom image gallery give crews a way to keep commonly needed information immediately accessible.

The limited first batch and per‑person caps suggest OFFBIT intends to manage early demand and feedback closely. The company’s founder and cinematographer background may mean future firmware and app updates will be informed by on‑set use, particularly as an Android app and broader market rollout are planned.

Technical buyers should note the M1’s stated connectivity and battery figures and the exclusion of a USB‑C cable from the box when budgeting for accessories. The optional M1‑BP provides standard thread mounting when a flat Velcro surface isn’t available.

OFFBIT positions the M1 as a small, low‑power reference display designed to reduce paper dependency at the camera head and to keep essential crew and lens information in a single, visible place. Whether it becomes a common sight on rigs will depend on uptake during the limited Batch 01 pre‑order and the wider product roll‑out in 2027.