<![CDATA[Newbie - Build Smart Mirror]]>Hello,

I am a complete newbie to Raspberry Pi and Magic Mirror. I have decided to build a Smart Mirror and just lookingi for any tips or advice on what to do or not to do. I have ordered the Raspberry Pi 4 Starter Kit. Is touch screen better or not for this? Any advice is much appreciated :)
Thanks, Lula

]]>https://forum.magicmirror.builders/topic/12925/newbie-build-smart-mirrorRSS for NodeFri, 17 Jul 2026 04:41:49 GMTMon, 25 May 2020 16:53:02 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to Newbie - Build Smart Mirror on Tue, 26 May 2020 14:21:14 GMT]]>@xxLulaBelle alternatively you could use a gesture sensor and run it with the MMM-GroveGestures module. I have one to swipe pages and to start/stop a news podcast with MMM-Podcast2. Works great!

]]>https://forum.magicmirror.builders/post/75947https://forum.magicmirror.builders/post/75947Tue, 26 May 2020 14:21:14 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Newbie - Build Smart Mirror on Tue, 26 May 2020 13:52:34 GMT]]>@xxLulaBelle - None of my mirrors have touch capability. Personally, I don’t understand why people want it. It will collect fingerprints and smears. But several people have built it and they seem happy with it.

A touchscreen monitor will work if you’re not building a mirror but instead are building a display with the framework. The reason is that the glass/acrylic that provides the mirror finish will interfere with the touch signals. In order to get touch capability, you’ll want a touch overlay that you can place on top of the mirror (with a regular monitor behind it).

]]>https://forum.magicmirror.builders/post/75946https://forum.magicmirror.builders/post/75946Tue, 26 May 2020 13:52:34 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Newbie - Build Smart Mirror on Tue, 26 May 2020 13:43:44 GMT]]>@xxLulaBelle none of my mirrors have any function requiring/or leveraging touch directly

]]>https://forum.magicmirror.builders/post/75944https://forum.magicmirror.builders/post/75944Tue, 26 May 2020 13:43:44 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Newbie - Build Smart Mirror on Tue, 26 May 2020 13:26:20 GMT]]>@xxLulaBelle If you need a two way mirror, PM me, I have one to sell. :-)

]]>https://forum.magicmirror.builders/post/75943https://forum.magicmirror.builders/post/75943Tue, 26 May 2020 13:26:20 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Newbie - Build Smart Mirror on Tue, 26 May 2020 12:22:54 GMT]]>Thank you all very much for the advice and tips, I have learned some new things already. One last question I hope, regarding the monitor, I read somewhere about using a touch screen monitor, is it better to use touch screen or no?

]]>https://forum.magicmirror.builders/post/75942https://forum.magicmirror.builders/post/75942Tue, 26 May 2020 12:22:54 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Newbie - Build Smart Mirror on Tue, 26 May 2020 08:48:12 GMT]]>@djdocta Damm ! It always happens with me… i think i should stop hiding the API’s & Passwords :-P

]]>https://forum.magicmirror.builders/post/75936https://forum.magicmirror.builders/post/75936Tue, 26 May 2020 08:48:12 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Newbie - Build Smart Mirror on Tue, 26 May 2020 08:24:25 GMT]]>@pandeyprakhar00 said in Newbie - Build Smart Mirror:

I made these tutorials for giving a head start, starting from scratch !

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBy3Sw0lBrNeihCn0fOr-m5RYJNb4w4IS

It used @sdetweil installation scripts !

Introduction to Raspberry pi : https://youtu.be/wqKCPbu7V7Y
Setting up MM Hardware : https://youtu.be/BZ_JVD9ReMk
Installing MM & introduction to MM - Modules : https://youtu.be/PHpth_KQHcE
Configuring Calendar & Weather Modules : https://youtu.be/ce6O2aGB9tY

Hope it helps !

Please note that your API key is visible in below video :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ce6O2aGB9tY&list=PLBy3Sw0lBrNeihCn0fOr-m5RYJNb4w4IS&index=5&t=0s

It shouldn’t be a big deal but as you tried to hide it, you may reconsider a re-upload of the video :-)

]]>https://forum.magicmirror.builders/post/75935https://forum.magicmirror.builders/post/75935Tue, 26 May 2020 08:24:25 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Newbie - Build Smart Mirror on Tue, 26 May 2020 07:51:58 GMT]]>@bhepler the First 5 commandments…couldn‘t have phrased them better😃🤙🏻

]]>https://forum.magicmirror.builders/post/75934https://forum.magicmirror.builders/post/75934Tue, 26 May 2020 07:51:58 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Newbie - Build Smart Mirror on Tue, 26 May 2020 07:32:02 GMT]]>I forgot one:

Don’t freak out about the “Mirror” in the name. It don’t have to be a mirror. Much creativity is coming from not even bothering to do a mirror - My setup, for instance, is filling a former passthrough in my office… It’ll be a monitor covered with clear material, then wrapped with a face wood and framed to look decent.

]]>https://forum.magicmirror.builders/post/75933https://forum.magicmirror.builders/post/75933Tue, 26 May 2020 07:32:02 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Newbie - Build Smart Mirror on Tue, 26 May 2020 04:48:27 GMT]]>I made these tutorials for giving a head start, starting from scratch !

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBy3Sw0lBrNeihCn0fOr-m5RYJNb4w4IS

It used @sdetweil installation scripts !

Introduction to Raspberry pi : https://youtu.be/wqKCPbu7V7Y
Setting up MM Hardware : https://youtu.be/BZ_JVD9ReMk
Installing MM & introduction to MM - Modules : https://youtu.be/PHpth_KQHcE
Configuring Calendar & Weather Modules : https://youtu.be/ce6O2aGB9tY

Hope it helps !

]]>https://forum.magicmirror.builders/post/75932https://forum.magicmirror.builders/post/75932Tue, 26 May 2020 04:48:27 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Newbie - Build Smart Mirror on Tue, 26 May 2020 02:12:40 GMT]]>More advice for you:

  • Whatever monitor you purchase/acquire, be sure the HDMI ports face down.
  • Use @sdetweil’s installation scripts when it comes to installing the Magic Mirror framework. (we’re both recommending this. That should be a hint)
  • No shame in doing the software part long before building the mirror part. If you’ve never run a table saw, this is a good way to get an early success in.
  • Mirror glass is better than mirror acrylic is better than mirror film on glass. With an accompanying difference in price. But it all works. Don’t get too hung up on the hardware aspect.
  • Do not power your Pi off of the monitor’s USB ports.
]]>https://forum.magicmirror.builders/post/75931https://forum.magicmirror.builders/post/75931Tue, 26 May 2020 02:12:40 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Newbie - Build Smart Mirror on Mon, 25 May 2020 19:51:36 GMT]]>Thank you so much for all that advice, I really appreciate it :)

]]>https://forum.magicmirror.builders/post/75917https://forum.magicmirror.builders/post/75917Mon, 25 May 2020 19:51:36 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Newbie - Build Smart Mirror on Mon, 25 May 2020 18:29:55 GMT]]>This is the fun part of the process. Figuring out what’s best to do for YOU.

I Would:

I Wouldn’t:

  • Follow any old guides regarding magic mirror or follow guides not on the magicmirror.builders website - They may have bad information.
  • forget to specify your OS version when searching for help (major system breaking changes happen between releases, so always search for things like this “Static IP address using buster”)
  • ask questions before searching for an answer (We’ve been through it all).
  • be afraid to ask questions here - no question is stupid, just some are already answered.

– Good luck, may your project be successful.

]]>https://forum.magicmirror.builders/post/75914https://forum.magicmirror.builders/post/75914Mon, 25 May 2020 18:29:55 GMT