My proposal

[THDBASED]

Ok I finally had the time to make some quick sketch how I would like to see myTV evolve into.

I would leave the basics so it would not stand out from the rest of MP, so leave the myTV logo on the left top and then include my sketch in there (dreaming I know ). I would use tabs to navigate in the myTV section as you can see in the right top corner, and have the colored buttons on the remote able to switch between the tabs.

Underneath the tabs I would put a section that shows TV shows that could be interesting for the user, the "Settings" button has all the options so you can set some preferences so MP knows what you like (movies, genre, actors, etc..)

Then I would have two sections with a quick overview of the recorded shows and the scheduled recordings, the two buttons lead you to the main sections with more info and the ability to schedule, delete, change, move, etc...

On the right I would put the TV preview of what is on at the moment, with the guide info of that show...

So take a look at my sketch and let me know what you think, it is still very very rough but it is just to have an idea...

Thanks to cul8er for the original idea of a dashboard like screen!!!

Greetz,

THDBASED

[infinityloop]

this also looks very good.

besides the layout and displayed contend, there is another very crucial component in the UserInterface.

the navigation.

since MediaPortal is a HTPC application, it will mainly be controled with an remote.
i guess that this maybe raised some concept design questions now

[THDBASED]

I don't think navigation using a remote will be that hard, although it should be well thought over and having to support multiple remotes isn't going to make thing easier but it's doable...using the color buttons, etc....

I think having a dashboard kinda screen when you first enter myTV is very helpful to have a basic overview and makes it easier for first time users too...

[infinityloop]

Originally Posted by THDBASED

I don't think navigation using a remote will be that hard

i just thought.

i.e. in your mockup-screen the "homesreen" button is highlighted/focused.
if i would now press "down" on my remote, where would i end up? and where would i go from there?

[THDBASED]

I guess we could use the colored buttons on the remote to change between tabs and then arrows and other buttons to navigate inside a tab. It is hard to talk about this for now because these are only rough sketches so a lot can an probably would when you actually code this (BIG if)....

[infinityloop]

Originally Posted by THDBASED

It is hard to talk about this for now because these are only rough sketches

thats right, but it is exactly this stage where you have to keep navigation in mind.

it would be absoultey horrible for the creator to find out that navigating with a remote is totaly user-unfriendly after you finished the initial design.

so layout, displayed contend and navigation has to be thought about at the same time.
if one of it doesnt work, the whole thing wont work


i realy like you attempt here. i just want to point at navigation

[GSteele]

This looks great. With a lot of good info on one screen so you can easily see recent recordings etc etc. One addtional option that would be nice would be an option to start TV in Fullscreen then if you don't just want to watch TV come back to a good info dashboard like this.

My View of navigation from looking at this is Down is OK and should seem fairly logical. I would guess if I hit hit "Right" in the top menu I'd go between the "Homescreen", "Live TV", Guide & Search in a loop. If I hit down from Home I'd guess I would arrive in the "Highlights or Mini Guide??? section (Is that intended to be based on viewing preferences by Keywords??? (if so I like that idea I always like the fact that in MCE I could put in Attenborough and any Attenborough doco would be recorded regardless of name) From there down pops to Recently Recorded from where down or Right go to the apprpriate cell.

Going up could be more arduous once you get into the upcoming schedule or recently recorded lists it could be a long way up to the top of either list or down to the bottom of the lists to reach the button. You may have already thought of this and be planning to limit it to the displayed 4 items (good idea).

Overall I like the look of the screen much more user friendly than having having to go into different menu options to see upcoming recordings or recent recordings.

I think this would be a really slick look for MP.

Thanks

[THDBASED]

Thanks for liking my idea!

I really think this could be something very usefull and navigation could work if the designers and devs work together and brainstorm about the subject.

I will try to make some more sketches and go a little more in detail to explain some of the things I would like to see...

@GSteele: Yes the Today section would be a place where MP puts some TV shows that might be interesting for the user to watch. the user can click the "Settings" button and set some prefferences he likes (actors, keywords, movies, documentaries, etc...).

[THDBASED]

I changed my design a bit, only a part of the first screen, just wanted to see if someone liked it and then I can go on some more

For navigation, I am to tired to write everything now but I think I have a way it could work...

[GSteele]

Looks Good THDBASED

I really like the "upcoming shows" idea and the "Today" "Tomorrow" buttons are good. How will you handle more than 2 "Upcoming Shows"? If it could it roll through them would look really nice. Then you'd only have to pick up the romote to set a reminder, record or move to Tomorrow.

Thanks