Newbie - Build Smart Mirror
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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
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This is the fun part of the process. Figuring out what’s best to do for YOU.
I Would:
- Get a fan “hat” for your Pi.
- Use heat sinks
- If you use the HDMI outputs, use the one closest to the power plug.
- Know your power supply is proper for the unit. (Bad power = bad experience).
- Install using @sdetweil scripts. (See: https://docs.magicmirror.builders/getting-started/installation.html#alternative-installation-methods)
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.
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Thank you so much for all that advice, I really appreciate it
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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.
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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/ce6O2aGB9tYHope it helps !
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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.
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@bhepler the First 5 commandments…couldn‘t have phrased them better
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@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/ce6O2aGB9tYHope 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=0sIt shouldn’t be a big deal but as you tried to hide it, you may reconsider a re-upload of the video
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@djdocta Damm ! It always happens with me… i think i should stop hiding the API’s & Passwords
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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?
