You Can Use Your Outdated TV As A Good Mirror

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So, you latterly upgraded to the newest sensible TV launch and now have an previous one to spare. As a substitute of letting it accumulate mud within the basement, you may really repurpose your old TV into one thing extra helpful — say, a sensible mirror. A smart mirror can be a game-changer as it’s basically a fusion of a standard mirror and a sensible dashboard. It seems and works like a mirror however comes with a hidden digital show behind the reflective glass. That is the place you may see content material just like the each day climate, your schedule for the day, and even information headlines. 

Good mirrors can are available in a number of shapes and varieties, however for this specific mission, the sensible mirror might be powered by Raspberry Pi and the free and open-source MagicMirror software program. MagicMirror permits you to customise the sensible mirror to your liking, so it can solely show your most well-liked sort of content material. Here is a easy information on methods to use your previous TV as a sensible mirror. 

This sensible mirror mission is without doubt one of the nifty Raspberry Pi projects that will make your smart home even smarter. On the {hardware} aspect, you may have to arrange three important gadgets. First, seize a Raspberry Pi equipment just like the CanaKit Raspberry Pi 5 Starter Kit PRO or Vilros Raspberry Pi 5 Starter Kit MAX. Be sure it consists of at the least a microSD card (with Raspberry Pi OS preloaded is healthier), an HDMI cable, an influence provide, and a case. Subsequent, discover a two-way mirror, such because the Supremetech See-Through Two-Way Mirror. You particularly want a two-way glass mirror, as it will allow you to see each your reflection and the contents on the display screen. Select one with the identical dimension as your TV. And eventually, get your previous TV prepared. It will function the sensible mirror’s show, so examine that the display screen remains to be practical and helps HDMI.

Apart from these main {hardware} parts, you may need a chassis to carry every thing collectively. You may DIY a picket body for this to make sure every thing suits completely. Go forward and add some woodworking necessities like plywood, wooden glue, wooden screws, and acrylic paint to your supplies checklist.

In the meantime, for the software program side, you may additionally want three issues: The Raspberry Pi OS Desktop, MagicMirror, and MagicMirror modules. The Raspberry Pi OS Desktop is obtainable from the Raspberry Pi downloads page, but when your Pi equipment already comes with an OS preloaded, that may work too. The MagicMirror and its modules require handbook set up utilizing the official guide.

To make the sensible mirror, begin by configuring the Raspberry Pi first. Here is how:

1. Set up and arrange the Raspberry Pi OS Desktop.
2. Launch the Terminal app.
3. Copy and paste the terminal instructions from the MagicMirror documentation into the Terminal app. Achieve this one by one and watch for the primary command to complete earlier than beginning one other.
4. Run the final command — node –run begin — to launch MagicMirror. It is best to see its default setup on the display screen, which incorporates the pre-installed MagicMirror modules Clock, Calendar, Climate, Compliments, Information Feed, Alert, and Hiya World.
5. Add extra modules to your sensible mirror. Merely flick through the official list, click on in your most well-liked module, and set up it as instructed. There are a number of dozen modules you may select from, from picture shows to a stay video from the Worldwide Area Station.
6. After putting in all of the modules you want, change the place of the modules on the sensible mirror to finest suit your wants. Perhaps you need the Clock in the course of the display screen and your to-do checklist on the left. You may comply with MagicMirror’s sample configuration to realize this.

When you’re happy with how your sensible mirror seems in your previous TV, proceed with assembling every thing into the chassis. Use screws to safe parts, however sizzling glue may also work for cables and light-weight gadgets. Set up your sensible mirror in your self-importance space or lavatory, plug it in, and you need to be good to go.