Instructions and lessons for building a smart mirror with a raspberry pi
My goal was to make this project possible for anyone to complete, no matter your current computer science knowledge or skillset. I researched and came up with these steps on my own. In the end, this project only cost me $64.
- Computer Monitor with HDMI Port
- 16GB Micro SD Card
- Micro SD Card Reader
- Scrap Wood
- Wood Saw
- Nails
- Hammer
- Wood Glue
- Wood Clamps
- Metal Wire
- Squeegee
- Double Sided Tape
- Install the Raspberry Pi Imager
- Download the Reflect-OS Firmware and use the Raspberry Pi Imager to flash the firmware onto your Micro SD Card
- Follow the Reflect-OS Quickstart and setup your mirror layout
- Apply the Mirror Film to the Picture Frame (my advice is to have one person lay the film while the other person uses a squeegee and warm water to press it down).
- Cut 4 pieces of your Scrap Wood using the Wood Saw and use your Hammer to put a Nail halfway into each piece.
- Put the Computer Monitor on the back of the Picture Frame with Double Sided Tape attaching the bottom and edges.
- Use Wood Glue and Clamps to secure the Wood Blocks to the back of the Picture Frame (wood glue usually takes 24 hours to dry).
- Run Metal Wire around the Nails to press and secure the Monitor to the Frame.
- The Reflect-OS solution was chosen for simplicity, but MagicMirror² with SSH access could be an alternative approach for people who want more functionality.
- Having a helper during mirror film application makes the process much easier and reduces air bubbles. I learned this the hard way and had to re-apply the mirror film.
- If I were to do this again, I would have bought wood to build my own frame. It is really challenging to find a picture frame that is sturdy enough to hold a monitor. In the end, my pi-mirror could only be displayed on top of a table.
