In Wall Display for Dashboard (Flush Mount)

Hardware
1

Hi,
I am wanting to integrate a wall display for my HA. I am wanting the following

  • Size between 7" and 11"
  • The screen to sit flush against the wall with a cover that makes it appear fully integrated (similar to a power switch) so you can’t see behind the tablet holder at all
  • Not fussed with the brand. Have seen one instance of a Fire 10 HD which looked good but the linked mount in the description is not available and haven’t been able to find one elsewhere [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9ewXJsxKrI](https://Fire 10 HD Wall Mount - YouTube)
  • Want the cable to power it to be able to completely be hidden. To the point where I would be putting it I have ability to have both USB or POE
  • Planning on this tablet just running HA Dashboard (Wallpanel.xyz?) / fully kiosk. Possibly a few security cameras on the dashboard (ONVIF) but otherwise no real load on it but would like it to be fluid and not laggy when swiping screen etc.

On a side note I am also looking at a wall mount digital family calendar (with integration with outlook 365). Haven’t seen any of these that are wall mount. My ideal scenario would be something that shows HA dashboard all the time but can swipe to calendar and back again. Think this is expecting a bit much though so likely looking at two separate displays with dedicated purposes.

I have started to integrate some audio announcements when certain things happen (Mains Power Outage, Incoming Rain etc.). Have this working through a Google Nest Hub at the moment but would likely want to look at option of offloading those announcements to this display as the nest method doesn’t work all that well with “Incoming Broadcast”

Note: I do not have access to a 3D printer and for similar things I have looked at outsourcing it does appear ridiculously expensive

Would appreciate peoples advice on some tablet options with compatible wall mount options that can be purchased as having a hard time trying to find some options that aren’t $500+ which I just can’t really justify. Especially whilst I am in a proof of concept phase. If no options then will likely do trial setup using an old tablet on a table to make sure Im happy before spending extra.

2

I would start here. Not too expensive, PoE, integrated lights for alerts, decent specs, plus they got the thumbs up from 2 regulars over here.

If it ends up working for you, all thanks should go to @Nick4 & @Orange-GT3

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3

You can definitely achieve this with a single device.

For the calendar card, I would recommend Skylight Calendar Card, which is available in HACS.

For swiping, I recommend Simple Swipe Card, also available in HACS.

This is what my wall panel dashboard looks like:

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The bottom section below the placeholder picture and the weather uses the Simple Swipe Card to access cards for other rooms.

The Skylight Calendar Card is on a separate view linked to via touching the large date or the Family Calendar button at the top. I still use it in a Sections view, but you could equally set it up as a Panel (single card) view:

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This is all on a 15.6" Android tablet. Link available on the thread linked above by @ShadowFist.

4

One thing you may want to consider is video playback support. Make sure the OS that whatever tablet you get can support the codecs you need for the video you’re planning on playing back. H265 is pretty common amongst security cameras.

Also, if you’re trying to go flush-mount in-wall, you’ll most certainly need to print or buy a printed mount. If not, maybe you’ve got tools to make something out of wood. On the up side, if you’re going for an in-wall mount, hiding the power cable and all that should be easy; that’ll just be going in the wall cavity as well.

5

Or buy these: Appleby 35mm back box, although ideally, you would want a slightly deeper box which Appleby do make but I couldn’t source from Australia. The screw spacing (86mm) matches the mounting plate supplied with the tablet that I bought. Some use of a Dremel was needed to allow unhindered access to the ethernet port and to get the mounting plate truly flush with the wall but it was easy to do. If you do get these back boxes, you need to make sure that you buy matching screws (the thread pitch is very specific to the UK, where this style of back box is used) such as these: M3.5 x 30 x 50 x 70 mm.

6

This is what my display looks like. Sounds like this is what you want? 10"

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7

Yes @PatrickJanson that is the look I am after. Are you able to provide details of the tablet and the enclosure / case that holds it to the wall.

The other ones which have the glow behind the tablet I am not really a fan of as it if nothing else gives the illusion that it is out from the wall.

8

You don’t have to enable it. It uses MQTT and you have to switch that function on in the tablet settings and then connect it to an MQTT broker. That said, once connected, you can turn it on and off using a light card or automations.

9

I’m also not fond of bells and whistles but: I guess you can change the color/switch on/off which can be useful to report the state of something of importance without having to touch the panel…

Also: I have seen some examples of using ESP which I find more appealing since you are not bound to the OS and if it gets updates (or not).
Maybe an idea to have a look at that…

10

Its held in with magnets that are glued to a 3dprinted backplate thats glued to the inside of the wall…

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This is the display. I used a rpi4:

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