Cheapest monitor?

deephouselounge · Sep 17, 2016, 5:56 PM

Howdy.

Looking for the absolute cheapest monitor solution.

Any suggestions?

KirAsh4 · Sep 17, 2016, 8:50 PM

Thrift store?

McSorley · Sep 17, 2016, 10:13 PM

@deephouselounge I would suggest going to a local IT shop for the cheapest of cheap or look for second hand monitor online.
Make sure the ports suit your means though.

deephouselounge · Sep 18, 2016, 5:49 PM

ehh. im looking for bulk of the same monitor to use. I want to make 20 of these for a wedding gift to everyone involved.

amcolash · Sep 18, 2016, 6:11 PM

Depends how large you want them! I have a monitor (10 inch) covering about 1/2 of my mirror, I think mine cost about $60 /w shipping. Obviously that could get pricey for 20 mirrors if you are also using a pi for each, also I guess it depends what type of video input you are looking for - hdmi and vga (with adapter) are easiest for pi.

Depending on when you want it, there are some on ebay for $40 (shipping from Hong Kong, so expect 3 weeks) or $60 for shipping from USA (if you are in US).

Definitely get the mirrors from TAP Plastics. My mirror cost $40 or so ($25 + shipping, I think), but in bulk you might get a deal.

I spent a bunch on my pretty small mirror but learned a lot and really enjoyed doing it. Let us know how your adventures go!

deephouselounge · Sep 18, 2016, 6:22 PM

@amcolash I think my cheapest option is to buy bulk laptop screen and then purchase a LVDS to power it. I would love to get bulk 24" monitor screens on the cheap but I dont see that happening.

What thickness mirror did you get? The 1/8th?

amcolash · Sep 18, 2016, 6:28 PM

Yeah, I did 1/8. Cheapest they had, really nice 2-way mirror but also keep in mind that the backing is very delicate (at least what I got is).

Those are some nice party favors though: $35 pi + $35 mirror + $x monitor + extras and love! I am truly jealous of that gift, seems like a really cool idea

deephouselounge · Sep 18, 2016, 7:00 PM

@amcolash yea thats why I want the “cheapest” option lol

McSorley · Sep 19, 2016, 11:50 AM

If you are looking for bulk. I would suggesting phoning a few IT resellers to see if you can get some old OEM gear.

Mr.Meeseeks · Sep 20, 2016, 3:00 AM

Please document how you bulk build all of these!

Perhaps cheap tablets behind a

http://m.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/products/art/50264753/

With Gila mirror film

That would keep costs down.

https://learn.adafruit.com/android-smart-home-mirror
http://www.slashgear.com/build-your-own-magic-mirror-on-the-cheap-03425380/
There are others