Dielectric TV Mirror FAQ
What is a dielectric mirror?
Thin layers of material are permanently deposited on a glass substrate.
Each layer filters light at
an atomic level, allowing specific wavelengths to pass through, while
the rest are reflected. The
TV mirrors we sell are engineered to allow most of the light from your
TV to pass through
unimpeded, and just enough is reflected to create a mirror effect.
How do I evaluate the mirror sample?
Hold the mirror close to your TV screen, while being careful not to
scratch the screen with the
corners. Notice that with the TV on, the mirror disappears and you are
easily able to see through
it. With the screen off, the mirror reappears against the black
background and is highly reflective.
It's best to evaluate the reflection from a distance--it does not appear
as reflective when you are
standing within a couple feet of it. Because they are very transparent,
the dielectric mirrors are
usually framed to cover only the screen part of the television.
Why does this mirror look like an ordinary pane of glass?
The reason it looks like a regular pane of glass when you hold it away
from the TV and look
through it is because the visible light is overwhelming the light
reflected by the mirror, making it
difficult to see any reflection. Like a normal pane of transparent
glass, your eyes automatically
focus on the objects behind it, which are brighter than the reflection.
If the dielectric mirror is too
transparent for your application, we offer several other types of
mirrors which may work better
for your project.
Which side is coated?
Both sides are equally coated. You can mount either side against the TV.
How much light passes through the mirror and how much is reflected?
About
70% of light passes through and 30% is reflected. A small percent
is absorbed by the glass
itself (less than 6%)
What can be used to clean it?
Any standard glass cleaner such as Windex works great on our mirrors,
and you can wipe it clean
with normal paper towels.
How do you recommend that we care for the mirror over time?
The coating is durable, but it's best to keep sharp metal objects away
from the material so it's not
scratched. Be careful not to shatter or chip it, especially when
handling it before and during
installation.
What makes this mirror superior to your other mirrors?
The dielectric mirror is specifically designed to give you maximum
brightness and full HD quality. Our other mirrors are designed for use
in the bathroom, so they are much more reflective and less transparent.
What thicknesses are available?
We sell 4mm (5/32") and 6mm (1/4") thicknesses. 4mm is better for
picture quality and 6mm is
sturdier. We generally recommend 4mm
unless you have a specific reason to use 6mm.
Any other tips?
If the mirror is installed so that part of it is hanging over the edge
of the screen, the frame of the
TV may show through. We recommend covering this area with black
felt matting
on the back side of
the mirror to make it blend in.
What size should I buy?
For a typical installation, the size you'll need will be at least 0.5"
longer on each side than your TV
screen. You should discuss the measurements with a framer or the person
doing the installation.
The mirrors can be cut the same way as regular glass.
Dielectric TV Mirror
Installation Tips
Selecting a television
We recommend that you use a LCD TV rather than a plasma, because plasma
TV's can be a fire hazard if you block the heat from escaping. We
recommend that you buy a Sharp Aquos, because it is light, thin, and has
convenient positioning of the remote sensor and connectors in the back.
Some tips to consider if you are buying a different model:
Use a black TV, not one that is silver. Silver colored TV's
will not blend in with the screen, the silver part will show right
through the mirror.The speakers are often a different color than the
rest of the TV. It's a good idea to cover them with black speaker cloth
if they are going to be visible otherwise. Make sure the positioning of the speakers is not
flush to the mirror, unless you plan to use external speakers.You do
not want to block the buttons on the TV if you can avoid it. Buy a TV
with buttons that are easy to access.The remote sensor should be
close to the screen. You do not want the remote sensor separated from
the screen by the speakers
Heat dissipation
After installation, it's a good idea to put a digital thermometer in
back of the TV and leave it running for a while. Compare the maximum
heat reading to the specifications for the TV, and make sure you are not
exceeding them. If it's getting too hot, you can move it further from
the wall, or install
some tiny fans in back to blow the heat upwards. When constructing the
frame or cabinet, make sure that the heat vents aren't obstructed and
that there is sufficient air flow.
Mirror size
For standard installations, the mirror should not be bigger than the
size of the TV. If the visible part of the mirror is the exact same size
as the screen, you don't have to worry about the TV frame blending in
with the screen when it's turned off.
Make the TV blend in
The back of the mirror should be covered with a thin
black material
except for the part which will be in front of the TV. The black material
will help the screen blend in when the TV is off. If you are using felt
with a sticky backing, do not apply the sticky side to the glass. The
cloth side should be flat against the mirror and sticky side should be
attached to a firm backing to make the felt stay flat against the glass.
It also helps to play with the lighting and make sure there's enough
light bouncing off the mirror to create the effect. Low glare makes the
mirror much more transparent. In other words, high glare is helpful when
the TV is off, and low glare is best when the TV is on.
Remote control
The remote control sensor can be either covered by the mirror, speaker
cloth, or an infrared repeater. Speaker cloth will decrease the range of
the remote slightly, but you should still be able to operate it from at
least 18ft away without a problem. Infrared repeaters are an excellent
option if the
sensor is going to be blocked by a picture frame or cabinet.
Mounting the Glass
The glass should be as close to the TV
is possible, no more than 1/4" away. This is critical to make sure you
get the mirror effect without seeing the TV through the mirror when it's
off.
Mounting the TV
Make sure your mounting kit is strong enough to hold the weight of the
TV, the glass, and the frame. For heat dissipation, you will want a
mount that has a little bit of space from the wall.
Types of installations
The most popular types of installations are mounting it on the wall,
recessing it into the wall, and building it into a cabinet. The easiest
installation is to have a frame made that is the width of the TV frame,
which holds the mirror in place over the screen. The frame is attached
to the TV with double
sided tape or L hooks.
Speakers
Use external speakers. 2.4G wireless speakers are nice because you do
not need to clutter up the TV area with excess cables.Build speaker
cloth into the frame to allow the sound to escape. This allows you to
use the built-in speakers without having to worry about cluttering up
your room with speakers and cables.Use a TV with speakers that do
not face forward. Instead, use a TV where the speakers send sound out
the sides or back. This is a good solution if your frame will only be
covering the front of the TV.
Finding a contractor
Most of our customers work with an experienced professional to make sure
the installation goes smoothly. We recommend you consult one of the
following: cabinet makers, interior designers, carpenters, home
builders, general contractors, architects, framers, glass companies, and
other
contractors working in similar areas.
We have a
dealer search available to aid you in your search.
Building a DIY Frame
A front frame typically hides the bezel
of the TV, while a back build box hides the sides. We have illustrated
this below:
Front frame and side frame (back build box)
The two frames screwed together with L-brackets
Front view of the completed TV mirror frame
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