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Dielectric TV Mirror FAQ


What is a dielectric mirror?
A dielectric mirror is created by permanently depositing thin layers of material on a glass substrate. Each of these layers filters light at an atomic level, allowing specific wavelengths to pass through, and reflecting the rest. Our TV mirrors are engineered to allow most of the light from your TV to pass through unimpeded, reflecting just enough to create a mirror effect when the TV is off.

How do I evaluate the mirror sample?
The easiest way to evaluate your mirror sample is to hold it close to your TV screen, being careful not to scratch the screen with the corners. With the TV on, you'll notice that the mirror becomes transparent and you are easily able to see through it. Turn the TV off, and you'll see that the sample becomes a mirror once more and is highly reflective. It's best to evaluate the reflection from a distance, as the mirror will not appear as reflective if you are standing within a couple feet of it. Due to the fact they are very transparent, dielectric mirrors are usually framed to only cover the screen of the television, rather than the entire front of the set.

Why does this mirror look like an ordinary pane of glass?
The mirror looks like a regular pane of glass it's not in front of the TV because the ambient visible light in the room overwhelms the light reflected by the mirror, making it difficult to see any reflection. Like a normal pane of clear glass, your eyes automatically focus on the objects behind it, which are brighter than the reflection. If the dielectric sample you receive is too transparent for your project, we offer several other types of mirrors which may work better for you.

Which side is coated?
Both sides of the mirror are equally coated, and you can mount either side against the TV.

How much light passes through the mirror and how much is reflected?
Roughly 70% of the light passes through and 30% is reflected. A small percent (less than 6%) is usually absorbed by the glass itself.

What can be used to clean it?
Any standard glass cleaner, such as Windex, will work great on your mirror, and you can wipe it clean with a normal paper towel.

How do you recommend that we care for the mirror over time?
The coating on the mirror is durable, but it's best to keep sharp metal objects away from the material so you don't scratch it. Be careful when handling the mirror it before and during installation, as you don't want it to shatter or chip.

What makes this mirror superior to your other mirrors?
Dielectric mirrors are specifically designed to give the viewer maximum brightness and full HD quality imagery. Our other mirrors are designed more for use in the bathroom, and they are much more reflective and less transparent.

What thicknesses are available?
We sell both 4mm (5/32") and 6mm (1/4") thicknesses. 4mm is better for picture quality, but 6mm is
thicker, and therefore sturdier. We generally recommend 4mm for most applications unless you have a specific reason to use 6mm.

Any other tips?
If your mirror is installed in such a way that part of it is hanging over the edge of the screen, the frame of the TV may show through the mirror, which can be unsightly. We recommend covering this overhanging area with black felt matting on the back side of the mirror to make it better blend in.

What size should I buy?
For a typical application, you'll need the mirror to be at least 0.5" longer on each side than your TV
screen. Our mirrors can be cut the same way as regular glass, but you should talk to a framer or the installer about your measurements before doing anything.


Dielectric TV Mirror Installation Tips

Selecting a television
We recommend that you use a LCD TV for your TV mirror rather than a plasma TV, because plasma TVs require plenty of air movement to allow heat to escape. The mirror may impede this, causing a fire hazard. We recommend that you buy a Sharp Aquos, because it is light, thin, and the remote sensor and connectors in the back are conveniently placed.

Some tips to consider if you are buying a different model:

  • Use a black TV, not a silver one. Silver TVs will not blend in with the screen; the silver part will show right through the mirror.
  • TV speakers are often a different color than the rest of the TV. I f they are going to be visible, cover them with black speaker cloth. Make sure that the mirror is not mounted flush to the speakers, unless you plan on using external speakers.
  • You do not want to block the buttons on the TV if you can avoid it. To be safe, buy a TV with buttons that are easy to access.
  • The remote sensor should be positioned close to the TV screen and not separated from the screen by the speakers.

    Heat dissipation
    After installation, put a digital thermometer to the back of the TV and leave it there for a while. Check the thermometer and compare the maximum heat reading you get to the specifications for the TV, and make sure you that are not exceeding them. If the TV is getting too hot, you can move it further from the wall, or install some small fans in back to blow the heat away from the TV. When constructing the frame or cabinet, make sure that the heat vents aren't obstructed so that there is sufficient air flow.

    Mirror size
    For most applications, the mirror should not be bigger than the TV. It's ideal to have the mirror be the same size as the screen. If the visible part of the mirror is sized to be exactly the same size as the screen, you don't have to worry about the TV frame blending in with the screen when the TV is off.

    Make the TV blend in
    Any portion of the back of the mirror that will not be in front of the TV screen should be covered with a thin black material  to help the screen blend in when the TV is off. If you use felt with a sticky backing, do not apply the sticky side directly to the glass. The cloth side should be against the mirror and the sticky side should be attached to some sort of firm backing to make the felt stay flat against the glass.
    You should also check the lighting and make sure there's enough light reflecting off the mirror to create the proper effect. Low lighting (and therefore less glare) makes the mirror much more transparent. In other words, a lot of lighting is helpful when the TV is off, and low lighting is best when the TV is on.

    Remote control
    The TV's 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 will still be able to use your remote from at least 18' away without a problem. Infrared repeaters are a great 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 as possible - no more than 1/4" away. This is critical, as it will ensure that no excess light gets between the TV and the glass, giving you the mirror effect without seeing the TV through the mirror when it's off.

    Mounting the TV
    Make sure that your mounting kit is strong enough to hold the weight of the TV, the glass, and the frame. For heat dissipation, you want a mount that keeps the TV out a little from the wall.

    Types of installations
    The most popular types of installations are mounting the TV on the wall, recessing it into the wall, and building it into a cabinet. The easiest installation is to have a custom frame made (that is the width of your TV frame) that will hold the mirror in place over the TV screen. This frame is attached to the TV with double-sided tape or L hooks.

    Speakers

  • You want to use external speakers if possible. 2.4G wireless speakers are great because you won't  clutter up the TV area with a bunch of cables.
  • Speaker cloth built into the frame will allow sound to escape and allow you to use the built-in speakers on your TV without having to worry about cluttering up your room with speakers and cables.
  • If possible, choose a TV with speakers that do not face forward. Instead, use a TV that has speakers on the sides or back - this works great if your frame will only be covering the front of the TV.

    Finding a contractor
    Most of our customers will hire an experienced professional to make sure the installation goes smoothly. We recommend you consult a cabinet maker, interior designer, carpenter, home builder, general contractor, architect, framer, glass company, or other contractors working in similar areas.
    We have a dealer search available to aid you in your search.