Release plans for Beta 2 (0.2) (1 Viewer)

[Anonymous]

Here is a small suggestion. Its not important but I think it comes under usability for newbies.

Currently the tickbox in the radio section is used to select which (if any) radio station is playing on MP startup. I don't think this is a very intuitive way to configure this. Perhaps there should be a small section at the bottom of the radio configuration screen, which says "Have a radio station play when you open MediaPortal". Next to this a checkbox with a grayed out dropdown box. When the box is checked the dropdown is available and lists all configured stations. Actually, I think this should be in the startup configuration options page.

Not a biggie, but worth doing, as new users are always mis-understanding these check boxes. (I think I was one of them )

 

[Anonymous]

Usability

I think you guys are doing great job, you’ve give us all a complete HTPC package on the back of a wish-list.

But I must say, this type of application, can only appeal to the enthusiast at this stage, as it still requires user intervention. I’ll list some things I think may improve usability, and please accept my apologies if some of these already exist, but that just shows they’re hidden or not easily findable (no such word) .

I think to get this successful in the consumer market, some of the following would act as a good crowbar:-

• Configuration - some of the functionality from the configuration section, should be transferred to settings within the app.

• Use consumer goods labels not tech terms

• Show channel ID on live TV

• Use on screen display for things like volume, channel etc

• Allow direct start-up so user doesn’t see OS

• Detect regional settings, to import channel guide automatically (this is currently very complicated)

The above is by no means an exhaustive list, and please is you are interested in what I have to say, let me know.

This is not a criticism of the system, as I am very close to switching off my MCE (which was very expensive) as MP has all the great features in one.


Imagine a consumer tool, that system builders can preload onto machines, and pay you a small fee (legally) ……………….you’re minted!

FM

 

[Anonymous]

As someone who is relatively (i.e. VERY) new to using MP (v0.1.0.3), I have several things I would like to see worked on. Though the setup is quite a bit easier, performance needs to be improved

(FOR USABILITY):
1) Better channel configuration. I had to manually set them (so that Channell 2 mapped to channell 2, channell 3 mapped to channell 3, etc). Perhaps there is an easier way to do this, but I did not see it in any of the Wiki's I read.

(CONCERNING PERFORMANCE):
2) Processor utilitzation. Bringing up the OSD TV guide while watching live TV causes major jitters (I'm running a Barton 2500 w/ 512MB RAM, so it's not like my PC is a slug). This is very annoying and is something which should be able to be corrected. Does calling a display have to jump CPU usage to 100%? I have no other non-system processes running, and the spike only happens when I call up the OSD.

3) Also, I'm not sure why, but it seems that just watching live TV on my Hauppage PVR250 uses around 40%-60% CPU at all times. I'm not sure this is something inherent in media portal or not, but in using MythTV, CPU usage hovers around 1-2% while watching live TV. I realize this might be out of the hands of the developers, but it certainly seems to be something to consider. I thought all coding on MPEG-2 cards was done on the card, not via the CPU

I hope to add more to this as a play with MP a bit more. All in all, seems pretty cool, especially for this early in the development process...

 

[Maschine]

One little usability suggestion:

If you are watching DVD (or I think any Media from Cds/DVDs) and hit the "eject" button, the CD is thrown out although MP is still playing. This causes errors, because MP is not able to access the content anymore. Suggestion:

Before the eject-function is called, MP should check if there is any content playing from this drive, if so, stop it and then eject the disk.

Got me?

Maschine

 

[Anonymous]

Maschine


I've seen somethink like this in my testing. In my case with a DVD playing if I shutdown MP for some reason the system freezes and needs TaskManager to close MP and in one case even restart XP.

 

[Downzy]

Firstly, hello and happy new year to everyone on here...

I've just been introduced to Media Portal today, and I'm really excited about the potential. I'm tired of Showshifter, and Meedio doesn't seem to be getting close to supporting the NOVA-t.

When I first started reading, I thought that MP was ready for the NOVA-t ..sensational!!! Alas, you are still woking on that bit. Regardless, I like the way MP seems to be heading and can't wait to try it out. Without being pushy, just wondering when the new version is expected? I've got no doubt you'll beat Meedio to the punch...

Cheers.

 

[Anonymous]

Without being pushy, just wondering when the new version is expected? I've got no doubt you'll beat Meedio to the punch...
Cheers.

Don't know about release plans for version 0.2, but the next version with the new tv engine is to be released "soon". Not sure what version number they will give to it. Before you ask, IMHO "soon" should be days, not weeks or months, judging from the speed of these guys. And the NOVA-T support has already been done, just waiting on the skinners I believe.

However, like any FOSS no-one can make any promises, we all just hope real soon.

P.S. If you can't wait, and have a copy of MS VS 2003, you could build a CVS version now.

 

[Anonymous]

Hello,

Here are some possible suggestions on usability:

My Music - at the top of the screen, the name of the
highlighted track is displayed. I think that this
should be replaced with the name of the track
that is currently playing. The name of the
track gets displayed now, but it scrolls very slowly
along with a lot of other information. Sometimes
you have to wait a long while before being able
to find out the current track.

My Weather - The fonts are a little small. The information
is quite a bit smaller than, say, the weather network
on TV.

My TV - full screen mode - The blue bar that
pops up at the top of the screen should include
the station name and program title. Also, I
find that it interferes with viewing. Just text
instead of the bar would be preferred. The
text should appear as you change the channel
using F7 and F8, not just when you type in a
number.

The information section that can be displayed
at the bottom of full screen mode is very slow
to update. Also, it doesn't update when
you change the channel using F7 and F8. Lastly,
it would be nice to be able to change channels
by entering a channel number when the panel
is displayed.

In non-full screen mode, F7, F8 don't change channels
and entering a number directly also doesn't work.

It would also be nice to have a way to minimize the
ap as a whole.

im

 

[Schmidti]

Improvement for beginners like me

I have one idea to improve the implementation of new plugins:

Plugins that don`t support to be shown under Home or My Plugins -> the ckeckboxes in the configuration menue shall be gray and not selectable.

Plugins that have a setup menue shall have a separate button. (To mark and select setup it not clear for everyone)

 

[majones73]

as for the configuration, I think a password protected configuration might be most suitable to keep pb&j covered hands out

I do agree that keeping the brunt of the config external is perfectly acceptable. ui adjustments, skin changes, adding and removing folders for music and video and playlists are examples of things that really should be internal aswell.
Things like configuring cards and codecs are very rarely done (or should be on a stable system / software) and can be left external, which is great because those would be the hardest to add into the menus, imho.
Maybe somebody should create a list of the most used config options?

My suggestion for configuration would be to possibly support a web based interface for the device. I use Media Portal purely as an HTPC with no keyboard or monitor and hooked directly to my tv. I own three Tivos and have been using them for a bout 5 years and using a remote for anything more than simple navigation is a chore.

I would be interested in working on one if interest exists.