You both have great videos on this topic I agree! You use a 1/4" glass and am curious how it would turn out with the newer 1/8" now carried by @twowaymirrors which I can't find a video on that.
Yup, if you're looking for my conclusion that's where to skip to! If you're deciding what material to use yourself though it's probably worth spending a few minutes watching and forming your own opinion, as this is a bit subjective and a very close call.
@@WhosTheBossHD thanks! I really only have a personal Instagram I'm afraid, but occasionally projects end up there in stories while in progress - @benrules2
Thanks for the work comparing and the ratings. I'm going to go for the glass to get a proper reflection. I am going to make the frame a bezel design by routing a lip out for the screen that will cover the edge of the panel to avoid bleed. Making the frame a tiny bit smaller than your panel will really help to avoid bleed.
This sounds like a really good approach, good luck. Please share a photo or video back here of your build once you’re done, I’d love to see how the frame comes together!
Thanks for this video, currently in the process of figuring out which I want to go with. Picked up a monitor yesterday and have had the software configured ready to go on my pi. In the future I would recommend adding some sort of on screen graphic to the left side of the video when your going through each of the scores, would help a viewer follow along.
Thanks for the suggestion. I am bad at bells and whistles when it comes to editing, but I will try to learn some new techniques for videos like this going forward... Have you made a decision on which mirror type to use?
Granted, I haven't watched your other smart mirror video(s), but one thing you didn't talk about in this video is cost. With the film being $30 and the glass being $150, the real question I have is: Is the glass $120 dollars better than the film. I mean, you rated the glass as better as would be expected. But for a person who might or might not be on a budget, is the glass worth the expense?
I'm surprised to realize I didn't include price as its own criteria. Admittedly a blind spot in this comparison. If budget is your top criteria, there is no doubt in my mind that the film approach is the best way to go!
Thanks! Really glad it was helpful for you. They really are very comparable, but if you're on the fence it's definitely worth going the film route. And you can always upgrade later like I did.
@@BenjaminEagan BTW, I did a film on plexiglass and film on glass - the film on glass came out as a better mirror compared to plexiglass with film. Reflection and resolution/sharpness are my only criteria for this subjective comparison.
Is the IKEA glass a high-quality glass or plexi like made to frame big pictures? I'd love to see a comparison against a 6mm annealed glass. It might even beat it. Also, 3mm vs 6mm. Would it make a difference? Loving the energy! Greetings from Canada!
Hey, thanks Esteban! This is the plexi like material, probably about 3mm. In terms of 3mm vs 6mm, you actually get a little reflection off both layers and some ghosting on the letters. So the thinner the better. However, you also want it to be totally rigid or you get distortions in the reflection. So it's a tricky balance!
Yeah that's a very good point. Honestly didn't think of that. The idea of getting custom glass cut seems prohibitively tricky to me, but to some it might be quite simple.
My Man! Exactly what i was looking for. I've had my RasPi sitting for months because I saw the price of the glass mirror (and flying drones and making music...ha). Looks like a pre-made frame frame and flip to get this bish moving it is! Thanks a bunch!
I used the glass a while ago but looking to make another one that is touch screen. Do you think the glass or film would be better with a touch screen monitor?
Ben Eagan I love the effort and time you do for your video so I have to show some love. Yea I built one for my cousins graduations present and but the frame was too bulky. I just bought the mirroview so I can have my own magic mirror.
With all smart mirrors, the thinner the better! You get reflection artifacts from the two surfaces, the thinner this is, the fewer artifacts. But with film you also need it to be rigid. So you’ll have to try to luck. I’d suggest 1/4” if plastic, 1/8” if regular glass.
@@RJD0717 yeah me too, I used the Ikea frame plastic, it was rigid enough on this one... 2 way glass is a superior end result for sure though so worth it if you're willing to pay a little more
I have been reading about the film. What I read is the cling side is on the reflective side of the film. If it, the cling bit (not sure if it's glue or not?), is on the see through side your suggestion might work. I need to go watch Ben's build using the film...
That is true that the better reflective surface is cling side. It's a strange way the film attaches, I think it's a really slow water soluble glue. It's not sticky at all while it's being applied, but seems to set after the water used during application dries.
@@BenjaminEagan oopsy! I was chatting about stroganoff! Now I get it, 'THE CORDS! Your wife can try my solution, if she likes pothos! Put a plant stand under the 'situation' and the pothos will climb the cord! They are the only ones I've found so far that like it. Hopeful that was helpful!🙄
Great video!! I was excited to see your comparison of the film vs glass. Love your energy!
Thanks! I saw your video comparing glass and acrylic just a few days ago as well, so between our videos we've got the major bases covered.
You both have great videos on this topic I agree! You use a 1/4" glass and am curious how it would turn out with the newer 1/8" now carried by @twowaymirrors which I can't find a video on that.
This is exactly what I was looking for. Thank you for this thorough comparison.
You're very welcome, thanks for letting me know! And good luck with your smart mirror.
This was one of the most helpful smart mirror videos I’ve come across, looks like I’ll start with the film! Thanks
Thanks Michael, glad I could help! Good luck with your build.
You all came for 4:27
Yup, if you're looking for my conclusion that's where to skip to! If you're deciding what material to use yourself though it's probably worth spending a few minutes watching and forming your own opinion, as this is a bit subjective and a very close call.
Ben Eagan Great video nonetheless. Do you have Instagram?
@@WhosTheBossHD thanks! I really only have a personal Instagram I'm afraid, but occasionally projects end up there in stories while in progress - @benrules2
Thanks for the work comparing and the ratings. I'm going to go for the glass to get a proper reflection. I am going to make the frame a bezel design by routing a lip out for the screen that will cover the edge of the panel to avoid bleed. Making the frame a tiny bit smaller than your panel will really help to avoid bleed.
This sounds like a really good approach, good luck. Please share a photo or video back here of your build once you’re done, I’d love to see how the frame comes together!
Good job on the comparo...been wondering exactly this for several weeks now.
Try and put some tint or the film on the back of the 2 way glass mirror... may improve the bleed ;)
Great suggestion, thanks!
Finally got my answer! Glass wins over film due to this reflection issue. Never knew how to describe it
Thanks for this video, currently in the process of figuring out which I want to go with. Picked up a monitor yesterday and have had the software configured ready to go on my pi. In the future I would recommend adding some sort of on screen graphic to the left side of the video when your going through each of the scores, would help a viewer follow along.
Thanks for the suggestion. I am bad at bells and whistles when it comes to editing, but I will try to learn some new techniques for videos like this going forward... Have you made a decision on which mirror type to use?
Ben Eagan Went with the film for now. Planning on upgrading to proper glass on iteration 2.0 if I end up using it enough
Good, sensible conclusions
Granted, I haven't watched your other smart mirror video(s), but one thing you didn't talk about in this video is cost. With the film being $30 and the glass being $150, the real question I have is: Is the glass $120 dollars better than the film. I mean, you rated the glass as better as would be expected. But for a person who might or might not be on a budget, is the glass worth the expense?
I'm surprised to realize I didn't include price as its own criteria. Admittedly a blind spot in this comparison. If budget is your top criteria, there is no doubt in my mind that the film approach is the best way to go!
Hmm... I read that diff.,answer: If you are NOT in a budget, buy a nice one with a good warranty🤗
two way glass is not available in India please help me i need glass only not film.. :(
shrikant richhariya i have the same problem bro,did u get the two way glass finally?
Hi Ben, great comparison! I don't have to do it then :) I was suspecting thesame outcome but not as close as you rated them. Thanks alot for sharing!
Thanks! Really glad it was helpful for you. They really are very comparable, but if you're on the fence it's definitely worth going the film route. And you can always upgrade later like I did.
@@BenjaminEagan BTW, I did a film on plexiglass and film on glass - the film on glass came out as a better mirror compared to plexiglass with film. Reflection and resolution/sharpness are my only criteria for this subjective comparison.
What type of display did you use? I'm wondering how the richness of black the display can achieve would improve the clarity of the film build.
I literally used the cheapest monitor I could find from a used computer store. There's no doubt better blacks would improve the clarity!
Extremely useful. Thanks for the video
Thanks Vinyila! Glad it was helpful. Are you building a smart mirror? What did you decide for glass?
Is the IKEA glass a high-quality glass or plexi like made to frame big pictures? I'd love to see a comparison against a 6mm annealed glass. It might even beat it.
Also, 3mm vs 6mm. Would it make a difference?
Loving the energy! Greetings from Canada!
Hey, thanks Esteban! This is the plexi like material, probably about 3mm. In terms of 3mm vs 6mm, you actually get a little reflection off both layers and some ghosting on the letters. So the thinner the better. However, you also want it to be totally rigid or you get distortions in the reflection. So it's a tricky balance!
Please am just asking is it possible to make a smart mirror without monitor or tv?
can I just put the water and film straight on to my monitor?
but to be faire you could buy a ikea frame and buy a chustom cuted glas so it would be as easy to build as with the film
Yeah that's a very good point. Honestly didn't think of that. The idea of getting custom glass cut seems prohibitively tricky to me, but to some it might be quite simple.
Thanks Ben! What about cost comparison? Isn't the film/reflective tint a much cheaper option?
Yeah, about 1/10th the price.
My Man! Exactly what i was looking for. I've had my RasPi sitting for months because I saw the price of the glass mirror (and flying drones and making music...ha). Looks like a pre-made frame frame and flip to get this bish moving it is! Thanks a bunch!
Nice! Make your life easy with pre made frame and put that Pi to work.
Can you use reflective plexiglass or plexiglass with mirror tint? It would just save a lot of money.
If you can see through it at all then you should be fine
Very good, thank you so much!
Great video thank you for your help do you think this would also work with a flat screen television
Yup, screen shouldn’t matter too much. The better the black quality the crisper the numbers, but basically anything works.
I used the glass a while ago but looking to make another one that is touch screen. Do you think the glass or film would be better with a touch screen monitor?
Awesome work!! Thanks for putting the time in!! Which one do you prefer using the mirropane or mirroview?
Not familiar with mirropan or mirroview specifically, but after a quick search I would personally go for the lower VTR (mirropan).
Ben Eagan thank you for responding!!!!
No problem, glad you liked the video. You working on your own build right now?
Ben Eagan I love the effort and time you do for your video so I have to show some love. Yea I built one for my cousins graduations present and but the frame was too bulky. I just bought the mirroview so I can have my own magic mirror.
Hey there! What is I install the film directly in the screen? Will it work?
Did you try the install directly on the screen?if so what happened?
Is the screen pressed against the glass ??
What’s the better thickness of glass to put the film on it? , and can I make it to work touch like the two way mirror
With all smart mirrors, the thinner the better! You get reflection artifacts from the two surfaces, the thinner this is, the fewer artifacts. But with film you also need it to be rigid. So you’ll have to try to luck. I’d suggest 1/4” if plastic, 1/8” if regular glass.
Please is it possible to make smart mirror without monitor or tv?
Haha I doubt it, the whole screen part is a pretty important piece. Tablets can work too.
Did you use the plastic that came with the Ikea frame? Or did you buy glass to fit it? All the Ikea frames I see come with that flimsy plastic.
Used the ikea frame, the one I bought actually had quite a rigid interior. Not sure if it's still available.
@@BenjaminEagan I was talking about the glass that came with the frame. But I decided just to contact a local shop and get real 2way glass.
@@RJD0717 yeah me too, I used the Ikea frame plastic, it was rigid enough on this one... 2 way glass is a superior end result for sure though so worth it if you're willing to pay a little more
What was the Film mounted on?
On an Ikea frame, 1/8" glass.
does anyone have the link for the ikea frame ?
and THE Price?
Glass is $100+
Film is cheap
What if you were to apply the film directly to the monitor? Wonder how that would go/look.
Not sure it would stick, but if so it would work just fine
I have been reading about the film. What I read is the cling side is on the reflective side of the film. If it, the cling bit (not sure if it's glue or not?), is on the see through side your suggestion might work. I need to go watch Ben's build using the film...
That is true that the better reflective surface is cling side. It's a strange way the film attaches, I think it's a really slow water soluble glue. It's not sticky at all while it's being applied, but seems to set after the water used during application dries.
You forgot the WAF or wife acceptance factor.
Indeed, that's an important point. I just asked her and she said 'glass' immediately.
Great video, thanx bruh! One more question. How does your wife deal with the cords?🤔
Begrudgingly
@@BenjaminEagan not at all! I prefer my own cooking😎 and sharing it is fun, too!🤗
@@mystfaex8794 glad to hear it! Always appreciate some unexpected info.
@@BenjaminEagan do u cook?
@@BenjaminEagan oopsy! I was chatting about stroganoff! Now I get it, 'THE CORDS! Your wife can try my solution, if she likes pothos! Put a plant stand under the 'situation' and the pothos will climb the cord! They are the only ones I've found so far that like it. Hopeful that was helpful!🙄