1. Home
  2. Hardware
A New Chapter for MagicMirror: The Community Takes the Lead
Read the statement by Michael Teeuw here.

Subcategories

  • 32 Topics
    236 Posts
    M
    Hi MagicMirror team, I wanted to share with the community my MagicMirror project featuring a completely custom-built LEGO frame! Hardware Setup: Display: Vertical monitor Computer: Initially Beelink (mini PC), now migrating to Dell OptiPlex D10U System: Ubuntu (Server → Desktop) PIR sensor for automatic screen on/off control via MQTT Implemented Modules: Clock & Calendar (with Italian custom calendar) Weather (Italian weather with hourly and daily forecasts) Compliments (motivational messages) News Feed (Italian news) Automatic screen control via PIR sensor and Node.js Unique Feature: The LEGO frame is completely customizable and modular. It includes: LEGO minifigures on top Colorful decorations on the sides with bricks from various collections Decorative elements (stars, clouds, stickers) Design that perfectly integrates into the home environment Technical Challenges Solved: MQTT integration for PIR control Italian weather modules configuration Optimization for vertical display Power management and automatic screen shutdown The project became not only functional but also a decorative element appreciated by the whole family. The LEGO frame makes the MagicMirror less “techy” and more accessible, especially for children. [image: 1763043465078-lego-frame.jpeg] ![alt text](image url) Thanks for this amazing open source project! Michele!!
Log in to post
Load new posts
  • B

    E-Ink Display

    3
    0 Votes
    3 Posts
    4k Views
    B
    Yeah, I assumed it would be a long shot. I also agree that the refresh flash for something like a clock would be pretty bad, I was thinking that you rarely stare at the mirror information for that long. That also means that using a more power hungry solution with PIR would likely be fine (as long as standby power is low). Thanks for the reply :)
  • O

    Can I use a plasma TV for a MM?

    4
    0 Votes
    4 Posts
    3k Views
    rcollieR
    For me the weight would be an issue. However, you can use a standard TV wall mount to get around it. If you get rid of the exterior casing on the TV you can get a smaller “footprint” when paired with the mirror. Really though, like Sean said burn in will be your biggest enemy here. You could write something to have the modules swap places every now and then to try to prevent it, but given that there isn’t really much motion I think you’d end up regretting it. That said… it’s free. So, I figure you’ve got two options: It’s a free TV the’s going to be a screen behind a mirror. How worried about it do you need to get… who cares right? Sell it on Craigslist, Gumtree, eBay, etc and put the funds toward a cheap thinner LCD. That display is a 480 widescreen (from when people mistakenly thought DVD’s were HD and not SD like the VHS replacement they were… so 1995), so I don’t know how much you’d get for it these days. Regardless, money is money.
  • R

    Is there a solution to sunlight overpowering the display?

    Unsolved
    3
    0 Votes
    3 Posts
    2k Views
    rcollieR
    Nothing short of a brighter display, or getting the display closer to the glass to eliminate the small gap. I bought a 40" commercial display on Craigslist for $100―one of the outdoor advertising see it from 6 miles away in direct light kind. I pulled everything out of the casing, and replaced the cabling with longer wires so I could mount the power supply and daughter board that had the inputs vertically against the back of the display. That cut down the weight a TON, and gave a much slimmer profile so I was able to get the screen even closer to the glass.
  • ?

    Thin Monitor Solution

    10
    0 Votes
    10 Posts
    7k Views
    ?
    @mizzoudavis enough but sometimes not stable. I use another hub.
  • O

    Question About Mounting a Mirror in a Dorm

    Unsolved frame mount
    15
    0 Votes
    15 Posts
    16k Views
    J
    I would certainly NOT trust it to tape, and if you are not allowed to put any holes in the wall at all, then the only thing you might want to try is hanging the mirror using an over-the-door hook, something like this: [image: 1502199734073-22461740469584p.jpeg] You should be able to find something similar, and likely more apt at a local hardware store. Otherwise I’d recommend just leaning it against the wall and don’t bother hanging it until you move to a permanent home.
  • D

    Type of Raspberry Pi Needed

    Moved
    4
    0 Votes
    4 Posts
    3k Views
    Mykle1M
    @darshan94 said in Type of Raspberry Pi Needed: is that possible to use Raspberry Pi Zero to use this Magic mirror ? Best to use a Pi 3 if you can, IMHO.
  • SnilleS

    Raspberry PI 3 Box for Big Passive Cooling Heat Sink.

    3
    2 Votes
    3 Posts
    3k Views
    SnilleS
    @Mykle1 I’m not sure of the temp before the heat sink. I never really payed any attention to it. I had already decided to use a big passive heat sink after reading trough some threads here. So I never tried running the mirror without a heat sink when it was built. But now when it’s all complete, It’s hovering around 50-55 degrees celsius when all is up and running. Even if I switch profiles, show, hide modules and “use” the mirror so to speak. :)
  • G

    New two way mirror order in Germany *Limited*

    6
    1 Votes
    6 Posts
    4k Views
    A
    @Goldjunge_Chriz OK, Danke… vielleicht beim nächsten Mal. Gruß Astrodidi
  • yawnsY

    Two way mirror order for Europe - Orders closed!

    249
    1 Votes
    249 Posts
    552k Views
    FistandantilusF
    Hi Chriz, thanks for your effort. The mirror has arrived in perfekt condition. Attached just a short impression. Once everything else I need to build the frame is solved I will post some more pictures. best regards, F. [image: 1500884989240-img_4167_2.jpg]
  • D

    Deep Neural Network USB Stick... AI in your mirror

    1
    0 Votes
    1 Posts
    1k Views
    D
    A new and inexpensive way to enhance the intelligence of magic mirror. just 80USD https://developer.movidius.com/ Disclaimer: I work at Intel
  • chaseb1357C

    How do I go about making a decent sized mirror cheap?

    7
    0 Votes
    7 Posts
    6k Views
    cowboysdudeC
    @j.e.f.f said in How do I go about making a decent sized mirror cheap?: @chaseb1357 the cost of your mirror is going to scale proportionally with how big you want to make it. If you want to keep it relatively small (say 20" monitor) then you can likely get away with this: https://www.amazon.ca/2-way-Acrylic-Mirror-Smart-Mirrors/dp/B01N05S3BC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1500571369&sr=8-1&keywords=two-way+mirror and combine it with any refurb computer monitor you can find. However you’ll still need to purchase the raspberry pi and build the frame for it. You’ll looking at somewhere in the neighborhood of $250 at a minimum. Not sure if that fits your budget, and that’s before even considering touch capability. When I built mine my costs quickly spiralled out of control… mine finished around $800. But that was with a 32" TV and a 1.5 meter piece of two-way glass. They can get VERY expensive… so far I’m about right where you are with the 32"… but like I said I also used a real itx board and IR touch frame… with more to come…
  • delfinparisD

    Where to buy ready-made frames or frame kit for 16"x20" Smart Mirror?

    Unsolved
    4
    0 Votes
    4 Posts
    4k Views
    ?
    In Gemany, You can consider Uni-box. It is made for Sammeln. It has enough thickness and be compatible any other normal frame. But I don’t know whether it is available out of Europe.
  • B

    Glass/Acrylic/2-way mirror

    4
    0 Votes
    4 Posts
    3k Views
    Mykle1M
    @BenTrigger Or a laptop with MagicMirror running on it for an even better idea of how it will work/look
  • O

    A Question About Power Cables

    cable
    19
    0 Votes
    19 Posts
    13k Views
    bheplerB
    @oldversions That’s nice. With some right-angle plugs, you’d be good to go with that.
  • D

    Thermometer?

    15
    0 Votes
    15 Posts
    10k Views
    D
    @j.e.f.f I will add heatsinks once the frame is built and mounted. Thank you.
  • E

    USA (2 Way Glass Mirror Prices)

    2
    0 Votes
    2 Posts
    2k Views
    E
    Note: Ideally I would like to order 18 x 24 or 24 x 36. Larger would be better as anything smaller in my opinion wouldn’t make a good mirror.
  • D

    Screen Saver on timer/cron?

    1
    0 Votes
    1 Posts
    1k Views
    D
    I’ve used the HDMI on/off before and my TV brings up a blue no signal box. Is it possible to time the blank screen saver to come on/off at certain times?
  • I

    Shopping list off Amazon

    7
    0 Votes
    7 Posts
    8k Views
    cowboysdudeC
    @Chiumanfu said in Shopping list off Amazon: I would add a USB Microphone https://www.amazon.com/Kinobo-Microphone-Desktop-Recognition-Software/dp/B00IR8R7WQ/ And a PIR Sensor https://www.amazon.com/PIR-motion-sensor-HC-SR501-Arduino/dp/B00L9GKN3I/ If I was to do it again, I would call your local glass shops first. I got the same acrylic mirror from Amazon and no matter how careful I was with the frame, it flexes and create a funhouse mirror effect. I called around and the first glass shop I contacted had glass two-way mirror for roughly the same price. What are you planning to do with the acrylic cement I bought a real two way mirror and it was not cheap… BUT worth it :)
  • T

    Cabinet speakers

    5
    0 Votes
    5 Posts
    4k Views
    T
    @bhepler Thanks for your feedback. I’ll be sure to check out Parts Express. In the meantime I did get a cheap set of speakers off amazon and will attempt disassembly for my cabinet. I may end up just modifying the cases they’re in rather than completely disassembling them though. And if all that fails I’ll look at doing a direct build off of parts from Parts Express.
  • I

    Where can I find some cheap buttons to control music?

    2
    0 Votes
    2 Posts
    1k Views
    pjkoelemanP
    Have a look here, al sizes and functions.
Enjoying MagicMirror? Please consider a donation!