How do I know if a monitor is suitable for a MagicMirror

RoyCormi

Important things you should consider if you plan to wall mount:

position of inputs. They should all be facing so that they don’t come out the back.
Weight. Lighter is better.
Resolution. The tighter the resolution, the better it’s gonna look.

oraturk75

@RoyCormi

Hi, can we please extend on this information.

Position of inputs, they should be all facing…
Facing where? Downwards, sideways but not straight out back, into the wall, right? I know it’s a dumb question but please bare with me :)

And what is tighter resolution? I know high (higher) and low (lower) resolution but I don’t know tighter resolution. I’m not trying to be smart-ass or something. I really want to learn and understand.

I also need to know if it’s easy to remove the frame, right? I wonder if you guys are using the monitor without removing the frame since the newer monitors are almost frameless with very tiny bezel?

I believe I have a lot of reading to do…

Thanks…

sdetweil

@oraturk75 u have to plug a cable into the HDMI input port… if the HDMI socket is pointing backwards, you do not have very much room to plug the cable in.

MMRIZE

@oraturk75
Or you need something like this;

sdetweil

@MMRIZE yes, and they come in left/right as well

oraturk75

Thank you guys.

I have just seen a post where the guy purchased a naked LCD panel then a separate controller board and a power supply; rather than taking the plastic cover off from a full blown monitor. Another option for me. I will just keep reading.

Thanks again…

oraturk75

I would guess an IPS panel would be much better than a TN one, right? Better viewing angles and more brightness(like nits wise). I don’t think I need to worry about refresh rate or something but higher resolution would be better I guess.

am I on the right track so far :)

BKeyport

@oraturk75 My rules:

Must plug HDMI into the bottom, top, or side, not the back. (Flat against the case)
Must have VESA Mounting if I keep the shell on.
Must remember if it’s on or off through power outage.

bhepler

@MMRIZE I just bought a couple of those for a mirror I was building where the monitor I had on hand had rear-facing HDMI ports. They work. But they do add some depth. Also, it constrains you a bit on where you put your Pi if you’re using short HDMI cables.

But yes, they do work.

bhepler

@oraturk75 said in How do I know if a monitor is suitable for a MagicMirror:

I have just seen a post where the guy purchased a naked LCD panel then a separate controller board and a power supply; rather than taking the plastic cover off from a full blown monitor.

I did something like this for another project (Retro arcade in a briefcase). I used an old laptop and ripped the LCD out, bought a controller board off Ebay and then powered it via direct 12v input. It’s definitely possible.

My only caution is that the ribbon cable connecting the controller board to the LCD was easily detached from the monitor. Solvable with a little tape, but do watch for it.