Media Portal is not mouse friendly v1.2.3 & v1.3.0RC (1 Viewer)

[Hartz]

MediaPortal Version: 1.2.3

Description
I tried to search for these issues but could not find anything. Apologies if I am duplicating reports.
1) When using Media Portal v1.2.3 with only a mouse, navigating between menu options on the welcome screen does not feel natural. For instance, moving the mouse slightly higher or lower to scroll between options, then you have to bring the mouse back to center to keep the desired option before you can select it.
2) Based on the above I decided to try v1.3.0RC with the new Titan Extended theme. The menu system here feels much nicer for both MCE remote and mouse only use, however, when using the mouse to select TV you have to select the TV option, a right-hand popup menu is then displayed. When you move the mouse over to the popup (or even still over the same TV menu option) the popup itself disappears, making it impossible to select any TV option without either a remote or a keyboard. I have had the same results on two PC's, one running Windows 7, the other running Windows 8.
I am happy to provide further details if required.

Steps to Reproduce:
v1.3.0RC - attempt to enter the TV section using only a mouse without scroll wheels.

 

[RonD]

I also find a mouse a bit frustrating to use but I think the default-wide skin is a bit easier to use than titan.

I have a logitech mouse and use the setpoint utility to let me program the mouse wheel buttons

wheel left-click and right-click send the left and right arrow keys, I use this to skip forward/back in time when watching video
wheel-click sends "enter", I use that to get past the Titan TV button, left button then wheel-click

 

[RicoHTPC]

Well I guess as a developer you have to choose what input device has priority and for a mediacenter I think
it's the right decission to give remotes and keyboard this priority...

 

[Hartz]

Can't we have both? I don't understand why all three input devices shouldn't be given equal priority.

Yes it is a HTPC where users typically have a remote, however it is also a computer where users will almost definitely have a keyboard and a mouse. Some may have wireless keyboard & touchpad mouse combinations, in my case I have a standard wireless mouse that is useless in navigating the front menu. It's a mouse - not something out of the ordinary like a joystick.

I could buy a remote, however then I will have another device on the table that I didn't really need. The keyboard and mouse are already there for browsing so it makes sense that they work properly.

Anyway, the powers to be can decide whether this gets accepted as a fault or not. I still love the software and really appreciate TMP for the hard work that they have put in to it.

 

[andrewNZ]

MediaPortal Config > Plugins > Home (plugin) > Fix Scroll bar.

It might make it better, it might make it worse. Depends what you're after.

 

[HomeY]

Please note that all skins are not fully compatible with mouse navigation. If you have trouble, consult the Skins Forum thread for the skin you are using or contact the skin designer.

http://wiki.team-mediaportal.com/1_...g_MediaPortal/01_Basics/03_Navigation/3_Mouse

The fact that Titan works a lot better is because this was more designed to be used with a mouse also, but the above is still valid.

 

[kiwijunglist]

Yeah titan skin still has bugs related to using mouse, from memory some of them are related to the actual MP code, hopefully these problems will be fixed with the final 1.3 release. I believe the goal is for the default skins (default/defaultwide/titan) to work with a mouse, even though the main focus of MePo is to have a GUI that works well and can do everything using just remote control buttons alone (ie a keyboard or remote).

 

[HomeY]

... when using the mouse to select TV you have to select the TV option, a right-hand popup menu is then displayed. When you move the mouse over to the popup (or even still over the same TV menu option) the popup itself disappears, making it impossible to select any TV option without either a remote or a keyboard.

@ncoH @dlarge500 could you comment on this? Is this intended behavior for mouse usage?

 

[RonD]

The Titan TV SubMenus make it difficult to enter TV using a mouse. For mouse users it would be nice if Titan had a config option to disable to the SubMenus so a mouse click would bring you into the TV-Home. I needed to program the Mouse "wheel click" = Enter to use Titan with a mouse.

 

[HomeY]

The Titan TV SubMenus make it difficult to enter TV using a mouse.

Kind of an understatement Makes entering the TV Section with mouse impossible for me