Reddit Reddit reviews Vilros Magic Glass Mirror and Frame - 2 Way Mirror for Smart Mirror Project (Does not Include LCD)

We found 1 Reddit comments about Vilros Magic Glass Mirror and Frame - 2 Way Mirror for Smart Mirror Project (Does not Include LCD). Here are the top ones, ranked by their Reddit score.

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Vilros Magic Glass Mirror and Frame - 2 Way Mirror for Smart Mirror Project (Does not Include LCD)
Simple Plug N play setup via the Vilros Mystic Mirror Cloud PortalFrame Dimensions: 26 X 20 X 1 - InchInside cavity dimensions 21.5 x 15.25 inch
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1 Reddit comment about Vilros Magic Glass Mirror and Frame - 2 Way Mirror for Smart Mirror Project (Does not Include LCD):

u/averyminya · 217 pointsr/raspberry_pi

r/magicmirror is helpful.

If you're crafty, build it. Individual pieces, the expenses will be 2-way 70% transparent mirror, monitor, raspberry pi, 2"x4", mounting materials, screws.

Or, do what I did and buy this mirror and frame by Vilaros, recognize from the reviews that you have ~1 and 1/2 inches of depth to work with and go from there.

I used the Scepter monitor which comes apart very easily and into a very thin LCD frame. Pry apart the plastic, unscrew the mounted navigation strip and you're free to the the monitor however you like.

Warning: That monitor has flat-angle ports, not downward angled ports. This means that rather than a the HDMI port facing the ceiling, it is facing your eyes. My solution was to use a 90 degree HDMI cable. Yours may be to get a different, higher resolution monitor.

From there (well, you might want to play with and set up the Raspberry Pi first), it's just downloading the MagicMirror module, which is added to the Raspbian OS. So, when you turn on the Raspberry Pi computer, it boots up as normal, and after a minute or two goes into the mirror modules once configured to do so. There's some commands to minimize it, but all that is pretty post-setup.

There's a large amount of available modules, and for the most part are easy to install. I have always been interested in coding, but I am far from a coder and far from fully understanding any languages.

For the most part, modules are set-up for their old user in "config files" (.ini files which are edited in notepad), and while they are technically a coding language (java?), it is for the most part fill-in-the-blank.

Generally, the hardest modules to work with are those the need API requests, because then you have to go and create an account to get an API key to add into the config.ini file, however those can also be the most rewarding (weather and maps are the two outstanding ones for me. Weather API key was easy enough, but google is frustrating.)


In short, raspberry pi + SD card with MagicMirror module (available through r/magicmirrors), find a 70% transparent 2 way mirror and a cheap LCD monitor that can be removed from its shell and set them flush against each other with a black-out board behind the monitor. Mount the monitor safely inside, wire it all before-hand and my recommendations are to have the Pi at the bottom of the mirror near the lead-out of the power source to the monitor, that way and USB, ethernet, or HDMI cables will be routed out/hidden behind the frame/still easily accessible - especially if you plan on using USB of any kind. SSH is great, but it's really hard for a non-user. Best bet is to get a wireless keyboard/combined trackpad w/ USB dongle, that way you can interact with your Pi easily while it's mounted on the wall.

That wasn't as short as I meant it to be...

It's a fun project. It's easy and minimal. I have my monitor connected to my RPI and my PC, it would be nice to have an easier way to select sources outright, and while I don't use the "magic" mirror every day, I use the mirror at least once a day and it's very easy to turn the "magic" on. When it is on, I mostly use it for current time.

Beyond that, I have a third monitor for my PC that's mounted inside a mirror on my wall. It's pretty fucking dope.

OH. Last thing. 70% transparent = fucks with the monitors brightness. For the Magic Mirror, backlight + brightness up is all you will need. However, PC. That means TV/movie/media.

You saving graces will be ~.20 to .80 added gamma, adding a little saturation, adding a little contrast, and for me, going most of the way full on brightness (between 70 and 90 from memory). However animation looks much better on what I currently have than regular TV does, regular TV could do to lose some of my added gamma, possibly some brightness, or possibly both. Animation could do to lose ~5 to 10 during bright sequences.

It's been a while since I've talked about Magic Mirrors so I'm pretty sure those are all of my immediate thoughts. I'd say it's worth it if you don't already have a (nice, robust, portrait-sized) mirror in your room alone. Mine easily came out to be around $150 (I linked 2 of my 3 total purchases... nyeh I guess that's $140 +tax and shipping), I technically already owned the same monitor I linked, however I did later buy it again to replace the one that was used for my Magic Mirror.

God, if I don't stop this post now its never going to en