How to make it as slim as possible?

[A Former User]

Hi all

I’ve got my Magic Mirror running nicely, however now comes the part where I have to build it (where I have less experience).

I intent for the mirror to replace the existing hanging mirror in the bathroom. It’ll be about 1200 x 600mm landscape with the monitor positioned portrait on the left hand side.

So what I’m asking is…

1. What monitor did you use (trying to get this as slim as possible)?
2. Did you dissemble a monitor to make it slimmer?
3. Any other tips?

Thanks
Leadfarmer

[cowboysdude]

That’s a pretty big mirror…
In US size that’s 2ft X 4ft…

You’d need a TV for that size unless you want to pay big dollars for a monitor that big…

Going to take some planning for that LOL.

I’m currently building one out of a 32" TV and that’s a pretty big size as well… but mine won’t be a mirror… it’s going to be a control board for the house…

BUT if you do build it that big and you do use a TV do your homework… not all TV’s display computer info that well… be careful ;)

[A Former User]

@cowboysdude haha sorry I should have been more specific. The mirror is 1200 x 600mm landscape but the monitor will about about 24 inch but rotated to be portrait and positioned on the left end of the mirror.

Hope that makes sense.

[cowboysdude]

Yes a lot more LOL I would try to find a monitor that uses the HDMI cable that plugs in from underneath not straight out of the back…

Not sure where you’re from …

I would use either a 24" monitor or bigger… but you go bigger and the prices does too LOL

Something like this: https://www.amazon.com/Dell-E2416HM-G0RH1-24-0-Monitor/dp/B01LY59FT7/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1486872226&sr=8-3&keywords=24+inch+computer+monitor

Feb is usually the month new computer things come out so prices dip… ;)

BUT to solve my plugging directly into the back HDMI problem I used one of these :100:

https://www.amazon.com/Postta-Adapter-Degree-Female-Connector/dp/B01HZ60L9Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1486872434&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=right+angle+hdmi+connector&psc=1

[A Former User]

I’m from Aus. Came across similar monitors but trying to find something even slimmer. This one looks slimmer but in reality it might not be.

https://www.mwave.com.au/product/aoc-i2481fxh-238-fhd-ahips-ultraslim-led-monitor-ab92651?gclid=Cj0KEQiAifvEBRCVx5up6Ojgr5oBEiQALHw1TjWswuSF3s8KByUoY95zA1qCRWyJtvGYWJXxP4IjFLIaAuOp8P8HAQ#detailTabs=tabReviews

The HDMI adapter could be useful!

[cowboysdude]

@leadfarmer That’s pretty slim… a lot slimmer then the one I bought… wow… I like that one! :)

[broberg]

@leadfarmer yeah, at the moment you probably won’t find anything slimmer than that, what could it be 30mm at the base?

Don’t bother with an adapter just buy a hdmi cable with the angled connector instead, I think there is really short ones out there.

I’m also building a 120*60cm bathroom mirror, but I’m also putting in some 240v outlets in the frame so mine is around 10cm deep, I have lots of space inside.

Are you planning on a frame or just “studs” around/through the mirror?

And btw, I wouldn’t disassemble it, if it breaks while still under warranty, you will be glad you didn’t take it appart :)

[A Former User]

@broberg interested to see how yours comes out.

Decided to go with a different monitor that is only 57mm thick (including the case). The one I linked before has the hdmi/power plugs horizontal rather than vertical so that would have added more depth to the mirror.

I’m now going with a 1200 x 900mm mirror with a box frame that will be about 70mm deep.

I’m tempted to put a power socket in the ceiling and put the pi and pir sensor up there, meaning that I would just need to run the hdmi and monitor power cable down the wall to the mirror.

What do you think?

[broberg]

@leadfarmer sounds good! But going up in height of the mirror I would get a larger monitor to fill the height, 24" works well with the 600mm height, but with 900mm I would get a 32" monitor (aprox 720-750mm wide at 16:9).

[A Former User]

@broberg still gonna use a 24 inch. I’ve got the modules aligned down the left hand side and across the bottom and will have the monitor in the bottom left (portrait orientation). So from the outside the graphics will start about eye height and run down the left to the corner then across the bottom a little.