>18x24
Nicely done! I was thinking about doing the same, but did not get to it yet. I considered cheating (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B083V7RK8H/), but the mirror is fairly small.
You chose a Raspberry Pi 3, I was thinking about getting the Zero to save a few bucks as I don't think you need more CPU power for the mirror.
we sell two way mirror glass on Amazon, which has the reflective properties of a standard mirror (see pics in listing). https://www.amazon.com/Two-Way-Glass-Mirror-Surveillance/dp/B01MSAZ3PN
this will be the nicest looking option if your primary purpose is to be a regular mirror (and you can afford it)
Go to a local glass shop, get some regular glass cut to size (1/4") and then find something like this to tint it with: https://www.amazon.ca/Daytime-Privacy-Non-Adhesive-Decorative-Control/dp/B07P9Q4ZP8
oh wow, I completely missed that you were using Android, even though it's the 1st word in the title :)
Can you clarify what it is you need to do remotely on the android device?
If it's something like restarting the magic mirror app, you could for example use Tasker and AutoRemote to send a message to the device to close the app and open it up again
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.joaomgcd.autoremote&hl=en
i got mine off amazon, for a 24"x36" piece. same with the frame. i ordered a 24"x36" two pack and painted it, along with the back extension i made white for this mirror
SupremeTech 24 x 36 x 0.12 Inch Acrylic See-Through Mirror, Scratch Resistant, 40% Transparent https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078H6GDCB/ref=cm_sw_r_apanp_rKgfGK2t3m8Oh
My mirror is 12 5/16 by 21 inches. Not quite as large as what you want but close.
I have heard that for large setups it is better to use a real two-way mirror as opposed to acrylic because the plastic will bend and distort due to its size. However I don't have any experience myself. I got a custom-cut two-way mirror. It looks very sharp and worth the money, but it's not cheap.
Another thing to keep in mind is the total weight and how you plant to hang it. for that size you will want to make sure you use a french cleat system like [this] to ensure your wall can handle it.(https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08P7HHBSF/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1)
Two more things: if you plan to use a large monitor, you will probably want to use a wifi dongle that has an external antenna so you can plug it in and have better reception. the monitor will very likely block most of your signal if the access point is in front of it. Finally, make sure your pi and the back of the monitor has air circulation so it does not overheat.
good luck!
I use https://github.com/paviro/MMM-PIR-Sensor with https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B07KBWVJMP/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glt_fabc_4WAPAA4W3DJ5E2EWEVMC?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1, works great to turn off the display while I'm away.
I keep the pi running 24/7.
This is the one I bought. More bulky than I thought but I never built my own so this could be standard. I wish I could use a RPI zero W but I wasn’t able to get it working. Haven’t tried recently.
Vilros Magic Glass Mirror and Frame - 2 Way Mirror for Smart Mirror Project Includes Internal Ready to Connect LCD https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B083V7RK8H/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_849KYVWVCSKK1JPX3A5E?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
That is super cool! I would definitely look to do that in the future if I redid this or made another. Most of my woodworking knowledge was from asking friends so need to expand my knowledge base.
I used a 21.5" BenQ monitor (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KYCSRQI/ref=ppx_od_dt_b_asin_title_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) and this privacy film (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000H5XTKG/ref=ppx_od_dt_b_asin_title_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
Don't have the exact dimensions but it's about 24 x 12. It's just snuggly fit around the monitor
When it's on, the backlighting can make the edge of the screen obvious if the monitor isn't filling the mirror, but if you use a PIR or other motion sensor, when the screen is off, it's pretty seamless. Using a quality vinyl over the non-screen sections is critical. This one is often recommended and it's what I used- Vinyl Frog vehicle wrap.
I bought this stuff from Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CWGIHBE/ref=nav_timeline_asin?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Hopefully it is as good as the reviews. I may need to work on my technique though
I bought a simple low-profile HDMI switch from amazon and have it mounted on the side (hidden). Very small and needs no external power (link below). I'm using an amazon with Alexa fire stick for the streaming input, which is what I would recommend.
I use this monitor of which I had no idea what the luminance was, but according to the details -
> The brightness is 250 CD/M2. Power Range: (V, A, Hz) 100 – 240 VAC, 50/60 Hz, 1.1A (Max.).
I made sure the brightness was all the way up and the I adjust the contrast, saturation, and most importantly the gamma to make it brighter while keeping graphical fidelity (no artifacting, etc.)
I use it in a bright room during the day and it gets a little washed out, however it's not even because of the monitor or the mirrors transparency, rather it's the actual reflection of light that causes glare. At the right angle, I can see it just fine during the day.
At night it's not a problem at all. Too bright even, and it's dimmer than the other 3 monitors I have in my room.
You can also always check by using your cellphone at varied brightness levels and contrast that with the max rated nix of your phone.
Whatever you do, just be sure you put the monitor up against the glass, that there's some airflow around the back, and that you have access to the buttons somehow. I dismantled the frame which left just the LCD panel and the PCB panel for power, volume, and options, which I unscrewed from the housing and set underneath the mirrors frame.
Tl;dr should be fine as that's what mine is, you can always check your situation by using your phone at varying brightness levels with the mirror in a light and a dark room.
I am not an expert at this stuff by any stretch of the imagination. But from looking up guides I was able to have this thing up and running at a pretty basic level in just a few hours. Then I spent the next week or so tweaking things, trying different modules and just fine tuning it.
As for cost I think I spent less than 10 bucks on a glass pane from home depot.
12 bucks on this mirror tint. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07S681BW2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_iJd7DbZM0RGE8
I got the monitor for free.
And I didn't have to spend any money on the frame since we already had that.
And obviously the price of a raspberry pi.
Also make sure you get some kind of black material so you can black out all the area behind the mirror, where the monitor isn't located. I used some landscaping fabric I had laying around.
Honestly the hardest and most time consuming part of the build was making the mirror and mounting everything. That took me about 4 or 5 hours probably.
Also the mirror is pretty dark. It's good for if it's mostly just a decorative mirror or you just want to see how you look but it's not going to be good for doing makeup or anything like that in it.
Good luck!!
For this version I've used this film http://www.amazon.com/Window-Film-Mirror-Silver-36in/dp/B00CWGIHBE
Also I have a new updated version where I've used a 2 way plastic mirror: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIuTx4HZAGQ