First Build - 30" w/ custom frame and AlexaPi integration

[lucallmon]

Finally got it working and built.

Here’s a video of it working: https://goo.gl/photos/KZNFsERx2zUJ58GTA

I started out with an old HEAVY 30" monitor that I bought from a friend with 1080p HDMI support.

Then of course I installed all of the required MagicMirror software on my RPi 3 model B with Canakit case. I added a 5v GPIO fan because I knew it was going to generate heat behind the mirror and the monitor puts off a TON of heat. I drilled holes on the top of the case to allow more air flow and screwed it into the top. I also attached two squid buttons: both with python scripts to run reboot command and shutdown commands:

I built the frame from 2x4 birchwood with 1x3 45deg angled cuts for the border and 1x4 for the back to allow for hanging (no plan to hang as of right now). I used pre-drilled holes and Gorilla wood glue to hold in place. I also used wood putty to fill in the holes and gaps created by imperfect cuts of wood that I picked up at Lowes. Then I sanded the beJesus out of it with both a belt sander and by hand. I also drilled several venting holes for the heat to escape. Then I put about 2-too-many coats of wood stain on it. It was below freezing in my garage when it was drying so it cracked after I put the acrylic top-coat on it. I think it looks pretty cool like that anyway. It looks kind of like snake scales.

The glass I used was the 1/8" acrylic from Tap Plastics. I’ll be honest, I’m not that pleased with it. Since it’s acrylic, in certain places it looks like a fun house mirror, distorting the image–perhaps it’s not completely flat, but it works well enough. To cut ~30" piece was $67 + 16 for S&H. I wasn’t willing to spend $150+ for the glass at twowaymirrors.com. Also there are a few small imperfections with the glass where the mirror coating had chipped off when I got it. It’s hard to see unless you’re up close, so I can deal with it.

Here is the setup behind the mirror:

Everything fits very snugly into the frame.

1. stereo speakers built into the monitor that supplies HDMI audio
2. Oontz angle BT speaker with better bass response for music. Currently plugged into the RPi via 3.5mm jack.
3. The RPi with attached fan, x2 squid buttons, micro-USB microphone, and mini wireless USB keyboard
4. pre-drilled holes for the squid buttons
5. simple 3-port extension cord for power supply to speaker, monitor and RPi. I’d like to figure out something better in the future.
6. monitor buttons and LED (puts off a cool blue light behind the mirror).

Here’s my button and mic setup. The top squid is for restart and the bottom for shutdown. I took my Kinobo mic, attached it to a USB extender and glued it to the back of the frame.

And that’s pretty much it! The software has been the biggest hurdle. I’ve had the hardest time getting the AlexaPi skill to stay working correctly. It was working amazingly the first time I installed it but every subsequent install it has gotten worse and I can’t figure out why. I’ve been in contact with the devs over at gitter.im but it still works well enough.

Here’s my module setup:
Top Left

• Time in 12h format with date
• CPU temp
• multiple calendar events
• gmail

Top Right

• Wunderground with forcast
• phone notifications
• car and train travel times in DC area

Bottom Bar

• AlexaPi integration
• Compliments
• RSS news feed

I have other modules not showing - MMM-ModuleScheduler, MMM-RemoteControl and MMM-Instagram turned off.

Here’s the final product:

I hope you enjoy.

[cyberphox]

what Alexa module is that? fantastic by the way!

[johnnyboy]

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[lucallmon]

@cyberphox https://github.com/alexa-pi/AlexaPi with https://github.com/dgonano/MMM-AlexaPi module.

[yawns]

Very nice build. And a very nice structured explanation of your mirror setup. Well done!

[lucallmon]

@yawns thanks! it was terribly fun to build.

[johnnyboy]

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[cyberphox]

Gonna attempt this Alexa install one more time…have a USB sound card and would love to have it integrated with the icon on screen like that…but at the end of the day - $50 to just buy a dot and stick it behind there might be worth my time…lol

[cowboysdude]

Are you compliments in color?

[lucallmon]

@cowboysdude no. I like the black and white look.

[lucallmon]

@johnnyboy said in First Build - 30" w/ custom frame and AlexaPi integration:

@lucallmon
Yeah, good run down there ;-) Really like the idea of the squid buttons for instant reboot/shutdown .

Couple questions if you don’t mind? …

What was your reason for several subsequent installs, if first one worked good?
What issues are you having? and, (This will probbably be answered with the issues you have) what do you mean that it still works well enough?

The first one was set up perfectly, but curiosity killed the cat. I’m pretty much a NOOB too. I just started working on this stuff 2 months ago. So, once it was working, I tried to install more and more programs to play with the OS and capabilities until they started becoming incompatible with each other and I couldn’t figure out why. The last one was when I had the MM setup with AlexaPi and then I tried to install MMM-Voice and it messed up the pocketsphinx add on and I couldn’t fix it, so I just wiped the SD card and started over.

Is this set up just to compliment the Monitors stereo speakers you have playing through HDMI audio? and Alexa plays through all?

Right now I have everything playing through the wired BT speaker. It’s essentially just a back up now.

I was tempted to get one of these, but conflicting reviews put me off… How do you find it? does it pick up your voice even through your Mirror and frame? Just seems the Mic is really tucked in there behind a lot of wood/monitor/acrylic.

Right now it’s tucked in the back, but I just bought a USB extender and I’m going to reposition it. I currently have the gain all the way up so it does a pretty good job of picking up the wakeword.

Now… this is where my Nooooobnessss really shines bright :-) … Is this what is used instead of buying a Dot/Echo? Its a client yeah? dispensing with the need to buy the Dot/Echo? ( Yes, I’m very much brand new to the Pi, and Linux, but i’m really not as dumb as some of my questions make me out to be… Im just learning something new ;-) )

The Alexa AVS is completely software; you don’t have to purchase one. I have an Amazon Dot and it’s great, much better than the AlexaPi software, secondary to limitations placed by Amazon. However, I like how the icon on the MMM changes when you address Alexa. My goal is to get a working Alexa Module that shows cards on the screen when I ask a question. There is already one out there but it’s very difficult to set up and not user friendly, so until that happens, I’m not going to invest the time in it.

[johnnyboy]

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[zdenek]

@lucallmon great job. I like the idea with buttons. Can you tell me plz, to which PIN to connect and how to use Python?

thanks, Zdeněk

[pepemujica]

Hi! This should be one of the best mirrors you have seen so far. Very impressive!!
I am developing mine, I am close to finishing it, but I am very stuck with the integration with alexa.
I would be very grateful if you could tell me how you did yours, some step by step or tip to take into account.

Kind regards

[lucallmon]

https://github.com/alexa-pi/AlexaPi

This is the first step separate from MM. Then install the MMM-AlexaPi module from https://github.com/dgonano/MMM-AlexaPi after you get the MM up and running.

My recommendation is that you try this on a fresh SD card, installing AlexaPi first. Get it running the way you want it, then install MM.

DO NOT install any modules that mess with any audio functions. I had to start the whole project over when I tried to install voice control and couldn’t get Alexa to work again.

If you have trouble getting AlexaPi working, get on the gitter chat and ask the devs.

I hope this helps.

[lucallmon]

@zdenek PM me your email address and I’ll send the python scripts to you.

[zdenek]

@lucallmon thanks. Addy sent viad chat. And which pins have tu use? thank you

[AZ_Geek]

@lucallmon said in First Build - 30" w/ custom frame and AlexaPi integration:

@cyberphox https://github.com/alexa-pi/AlexaPi with https://github.com/dgonano/MMM-AlexaPi module.

Can the Alexa wake word be modified to something specific like “Magic Mirror”?