Question:
What are some options for a dynamic and attractive information center that can be displayed on a wall mounted TV in the hall? I want it to show various types of information, such as events, birthdays, and trivia, without requiring much maintenance. I am currently using MagicMirror, but I am looking for something more appealing and engaging.
Answer:
How to Turn Your Wall Mounted TV into a Smart Information Center
If you have a wall mounted TV in your hall, you might be wondering how to make the most of it. Sure, you can watch your favorite shows and movies, but what if you want to use it for something more? What if you want to turn it into a smart information center that can display various types of information, such as events, birthdays, trivia, weather, traffic, and more?
You might have heard of MagicMirror, a popular open source software that can turn any monitor into a smart mirror. MagicMirror can display a lot of useful information, such as time, date, calendar, news, weather, and more. However, you might be looking for something more dynamic and attractive, something that can catch your eye and keep you entertained.
In this article, we will explore some of the best options for creating a smart information center that can be displayed on a wall mounted TV in the hall. We will look at the pros and cons of each option, as well as the steps and tools required to set them up. Let’s get started!
One of the most popular options for creating a smart information center is to use a Raspberry Pi, a small and affordable computer that can run various operating systems and applications. With a Raspberry Pi, you can create a digital wall calendar and home information center that can display a lot of information, such as:
- A monthly calendar synced with your family members and other organizations
- Local weather forecast
- Local traffic map
- Home automation data, such as temperature, humidity, garage door status, light status, etc.
- Network monitoring data, such as servers, IP cameras, printers, routers, etc.
- Outdoor IP cameras
- Infrared control of the TV
- Date and time
- A digital chalk board for leaving notes
- A Raspberry Pi 2 or higher
- A micro SD card (at least 4 GB)
- A USB WiFi adapter
- An HDMI cable and a right angle HDMI adapter
- A sacrificial micro USB cable and power cord
- A 5 mm LED, a 2N2222 transistor, two resistors (220 ohm and 10 k ohm), a 940 nm IR LED, a small prototyping PCB, and some jumper wires
- A 40 mm 5 V PC fan with a USB plug
- An old flat screen TV (at least 22 inches)
- Some wood, metal, screws, nails, glue, paint, and other tools
- It is relatively cheap and easy to make
- It can display a lot of information and customize it to your preferences
- It can control the TV with the Raspberry Pi
- It requires some technical skills and tools
- It may not look very sleek or professional
- It may not be very interactive or engaging
- A Martin Furniture Asymmetrical Floating Wall Mounted TV Console
- A wall mounted TV (up to 60 inches)
- A power strip
- Some devices that can display information, such as a tablet, a digital photo frame, a smart speaker, etc.
- It is very stylish and modern
- It can hold a large TV and other devices
- It has a cable management system that keeps the wires hidden
- It is relatively expensive and heavy
- It requires some drilling and mounting
- It may not be very dynamic or attractive
- A MEBLE Furniture & Rugs Wall Mounted Floating Modern Entertainment Center
- A wall mounted TV (up to 70 inches)
- A power strip
- Some devices that can display information, such as a tablet, a digital photo frame, a smart speaker, etc.
To create this smart information center, you will need the following materials:
The
steps to create this smart information center are as follows:
1. Disassemble the TV and remove the plastic housing and stand. Save the LCD and the internal components.
2. Remove the metal bracket from the metal tray that holds the power supply and the PCB.
3. Cut the metal tray to fit the Raspberry Pi and the fan. Drill holes for the fan, the HDMI cable, and the power cord.
4. Solder the LED, the transistor, the resistors, and the IR LED to the prototyping PCB. Connect the jumper wires to the GPIO pins of the Raspberry Pi. This will allow you to control the TV with the Raspberry Pi.
5. Mount the Raspberry Pi, the fan, the power supply, and the PCB to the metal tray. Connect the HDMI cable, the power cord, and the micro USB cable.
6. Build a wooden frame for the LCD. Cut the wood to the size of the LCD and join them with biscuits and glue. Cut a groove for the metal tray and the LCD to fit in. Cut a hole for the IR LED to point at the TV’s IR receiver.
7. Stain or paint the wooden frame and let it dry. Attach the metal tray and the LCD to the wooden frame with screws and standoffs. Secure the IR LED to the frame with hot glue.
8. Mount the smart information center to the wall with a metal french cleat. Plug in the power cord and the micro USB cable to a power outlet.
9. Install the operating system and the software on the Raspberry Pi. You can use Raspbian as the operating system and MagicMirror as the software. You can customize the MagicMirror modules to display the information you want. You can also use other software, such as Smart Tiles, Xymon, and Axis, to display home automation data, network monitoring data, and outdoor IP cameras, respectively.
10. Enjoy your smart information center!
You can find more details and pictures of this project on [this website].
The
pros of this option are:
The
cons of this option are:
Option 2: Asymmetrical Floating Wall Mounted TV Console
Another option for creating a smart information center is to use a wall mounted TV console, a type of furniture that can hold your TV and other devices. A wall mounted TV console can provide some storage and display space, as well as hide the cables and wires. However, not all wall mounted TV consoles are the same. Some of them are more stylish and modern than others.
One of the most stylish and modern wall mounted TV consoles is the Martin Furniture Asymmetrical Floating Wall Mounted TV Console. This TV console has a unique design that features an asymmetrical layout of shelves and compartments. It can hold up to a 60 inch TV and has a weight capacity of 165 pounds. It also has a cable management system that keeps the wires organized and hidden.
The
Martin Furniture Asymmetrical Floating Wall Mounted TV Console is available in four colors: black, burka brown, sky blue, and white. It is made of laminated wood and has a glossy finish. It measures 8.5 inches high, 60 inches wide, and 11.75 inches deep. It weighs 51 pounds and comes with a mounting hardware kit.
To create this smart information center, you will need the following materials:
The
steps to create this smart information center are as follows:
1. Mount the TV console to the wall according to the instructions. You will need a stud finder, a drill, a level, and a tape measure. Make sure the TV console is level and secure.
2. Mount the TV to the wall above the TV console according to the instructions. You will need a TV mount, a drill, a level, and a tape measure. Make sure the TV is level and secure.
3. Plug the power strip into a power outlet and hide it behind the TV console. Run the cables and wires from the TV and the devices to the power strip. Use the cable management system of the TV console to organize and hide the wires.
4. Place the devices that can display information on the shelves and compartments of the TV console. For example, you can place a tablet that can show your calendar, weather, news, etc. You can also place a digital photo frame that can show your photos, a smart speaker that can play music and answer questions, etc. You can also decorate the TV console with some books, plants, or other items.
5. Enjoy your smart information center!
You can find more details and pictures of this product on [this website].
The
pros of this option are:
The
cons of this option are:
Option 3: MEBLE Furniture & Rugs Wall Mounted Floating Modern Entertainment Center
A third option for creating a smart information center is to use a wall mounted floating modern entertainment center, a type of furniture that can hold your TV and other devices. A wall mounted floating modern entertainment center can provide a lot of storage and display space, as well as create a focal point in your hall. However, not all wall mounted floating modern entertainment centers are the same. Some of them are more functional and versatile than others.
One of the most functional and versatile wall mounted floating modern entertainment centers is the MEBLE Furniture & Rugs Wall Mounted Floating Modern Entertainment Center. This entertainment center has a modular design that consists of four pieces: a TV stand, two cabinets, and a shelf. It can hold up to a 70 inch TV and has a weight capacity of 200 pounds. It also has LED lights that can change colors and create a cool ambiance.
The
MEBLE Furniture & Rugs Wall Mounted Floating Modern Entertainment Center is available in six colors: black, black and white, nut brown, white, white and black, and white gloss. It is made of high quality MDF and has a matte or gloss finish. It measures 17.7 inches high, 71 inches wide, and 13.8 inches deep. It weighs 135 pounds and comes with a mounting hardware kit.
To create this smart information center, you will need the following materials:
The
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