Any touch enabled monitor would work, from professional brands like Dell or Asus, to cheap external monitors off your favourite Chinese site.
You’d obviously need to have separate hardware to run the OS (and no, this can’t be the same server that you’re using to run HA). Depending on your mounting space and whether you intend to use it for other apps, anything from a small intel stick to a Raspberry pi 5 hidden behind the monitor will do.
Hell, you could even go all out and get a micro pc (something in this form factor) if space and cooling requirements aren’t an issue.
There’s a few threads on this forum about this, but if you want specific model recommendations, there’s plenty of posts on the Home Assistant Facebook group. Good luck!
I would personally recommend “Wallpanel”.
I run a tablet with Wallpanel and it exposes the tablets sensors to mqtt. I then use an external motion sensor to send “screen on” command to the tablet.
Fully can also do this but i found it was easier with Wallpanel.
It works perfect on all mine. I will bet I know the issue which took me sometime to solve for various flavors of Android. You must enable “Display over other apps” and many devices block this ability … like period … like it’s offensive because it says “You cannot set that on because it causes too much battery use”.
I mean, it’s my tablet … who disables it without a chance for the consumer to make the decision?
BUT … you can override the manufacturer’s locked settings.
I had to go all the way to step 4 here and use the Android SDK to do it.
@ShadowFist,
I like your idea of the MiniPc. In fact, I think it will be easier than the Pi5.
With the many advisory reports of tablet problems from being constantly powered, I think it is the way to go… Would have any recommendations for a touchscreen thin enough to wall mount? I am hoping for 24". Thanks for collaborating
No personal recommendations for a touchscreen from my end, but do have a search in the HA Facebook group I linked to earlier. Plenty of recommendations there already
@ShadowFist Thanks for you assistance. (I don’t do FaceBook )
Today I completed the purchase. Thanks to everyone that took the time to contribute…
Here is the chosen configuration…
Dell OptiPlex 7040 MFF with Intel Quad Core i5 6500T 2.5Ghz and 16GB DDR4 Ram.
ASUS VT229H 21.5" 1080P Monitor with 10-Point Touch Eye Care.
And of course it would be incomplete without a VESA Quick Release Monitor Wall Mount.
Not bad for $360, I was expecting double that.
I’m in a similar position, so I’ve read this with interest.
Just a couple of silly questions;
Is the Dell the server or accessing the server on other hardware?
Is the Asus monitor just a monitor (connected to the Dell) or is it more like a tablet driven by android acting independently like a tablet would?
Is the Dell the server or accessing the server on other hardware?
The Dell OptiPlex 7040 MFF, is a standalone PC, But it has access to the Server that is hosting Home Assistant. Additionally, it is set to automatically display my Dashboard(s).
Is the Asus monitor just a monitor (connected to the Dell) or is it more like a tablet driven by android acting independently like a tablet would?
The Asus Monitor is a TouchScreen connected to the Dell OptiPlex. I chose this option because it is much larger and easy to see. I needed touchscreen because the only thing visible is the screen, it would be awkward to have keyboard or mouse on such a display interface. Many have commented that it could be done cheaply using a tablet; I chose not to go the cheap route, instead, it is Super Reliable and large enough to see from across the room.
Additionally, if you like the build but have not decided where to hide the PC, check this out on Amazon, you cam mount it directly behind the monitor. MFF Mount Bracket @tvns, If you need any additional information feel free to contact me.
I am just deciding how to go about remotely viewing dedicated dashboards. My mini PC is the server which I can locate anywhere, so it may end up with the solar install once that’s done.
I’ve been more focused on whether I want a tablet, android display, or some other display to use for the remote dashboard.
Really appreciate the details and clarification you provided! Thanks agajn.
Yes, I am using Windows. The Dell OptiPlex MFF (Micro Form Factor) PC came with the OS installed. I was so impressed with how this project turned out that I built another for in my work shop.
Another option for anyone who is looking to do this would be using a raspberry pi 5. Install nvme storage and flash the pi with base android 14 (many tutorials), then get Google play store. Running the base install of android would give you the functionality of using a tablet such as play store apps and fully kiosk, and would remove the inconvenience of a battery in a tablet. Hook this up to a wall mounted touchscreen monitor and your set. Most android software for raspberry pi supports USB camera/webcam that you could hide in the monitor frame and use for auto-waking the screen. This method may use less power and be more responsive than Windows. Just a suggestion!
Hey, so my first thought was the same as yours, a Raspberry Pi connected to a screen, but I quickly discovered that touch screens are expensive, bulky, and not all that attractive for wall mounting. You know what is cheap, slim, and good looking? Surface devices. I initially was thinking something like a Surface Go with a low end Intel Processor, but that still didn’t seem super cost effective to me. I then remembered the Surface Book (the laptop with detachable “Clipboard” tablet). The Surface Book tablets can be bought for super cheap on eBay, and you can just plug the Surface power cable into the bottom of it to keep it powered. It is super slim (7.7mm), more powerful than a Raspberry Pi, can be purchased in good condition used for $100-$200, and has a 13.5 inch screen that I think is just perfect for a touch panel. It’s high res and 3:2 aspect ratio, so you get a lot of tiles on the screen and they all look good.
I’m working on a 3d printable wall mount for it at the moment, but even just some VHB tape to the wall would honestly look pretty good with this device.
My plan for the OS is just Windows in Kiosk mode opening to a Home Assistant Dashboard I have set up. Additionally, I’m investigating a way to make the device wake up when motion is detected, but worst case scenario I’ll just have it always stay on.
Was searching for an alternative of the 11" tablet I was using. Based on your experience I bought the ASUS VT229H Full HD Touch Monitor and started testing, it works great with my laptop as system for it. With raspberry PI (3B) the response was unacceptable slow. Ended up with a Dell optiplex 7040MFF which gives a perfect response experience. But only one downside I’m trying to solve. I prefer to not have the screen always on. Currently it wakes-up when touching the screen, but that takes about 5 / 6 seconds. Sounds acceptable, but in practice this kills a smooth user experience. As the next step I want to make wake-up done by some motion detection functionality, but that delay in the wake-up will stay in issue then.
As you have exactly the same setup, what is your experience with this? And did you found a solution for the slow wakeup? Thinking about leaving it always on, but I hope there is a better solution.
Thanks! Much appreciated your shared experiences! KR, John
I’m courious, how much do electricity costs there? Here in the EU a full featured PC, with an i7, and an fairly sized LCD on 24/7/365 would create a little dent on my hobby budget just for showing a “simple” dashboard on a wall.
)