More > JRiver Media Center 18 for Windows
NEW: Improved OSD
jmone:
Sorry IMO as OP it is an Epic Fail.
Matt, Jim - please try this experiment for "fun" before replying to this post. Run up TheaterView and give your better half or a complete MC novice the Remote Control.
1) Put in a DVD and ask them to change the Subtitles to Italian. Chances are the DVD Menu popped up anyway, otherwise they would have to press the "Menu" Button to access the DVD Menu. I'm betting they will be able to comprehend the OSD presented and will do something like:
- Will need to use the arrow keys to got to Subtitles and press Enter
- Will need to use the arrow keys to scroll down the list of Subtitles and press Enter/OK Button
- Chances are "Play" will now be highlighted. Press Enter/OK Button
2) Now repeat this exercise with a BD, Video File (or even with a DVD but using the MC OSD). As no Menu will pop up, cheat a little and tell them that pressing the "Up Arrow Key" will bring up an OSD where they can do this (don't let them press the Menu Button like with a DVD or MC will ask if you want to play a DVD). From what I saw using the MC OSD option they will need to:
- Press the Up Key 6 Times to get to the Streams menu,
- Press the Right Arrow Key to select the sub menu line,
- Press the Right Arrow Key 3 times to select Subtitles
- Press Enter
- Press the Right Arrow Key multiple times as MC loads each new subtitle track (display flickers). No idea if there is even an Italian Subtitle track as you never see a list, you just change it one at a time.
- Finally, Grow frustrated with the Wife/Kids trying to use the Remote Control to do this, pull out the keyboard and do a right click to access the Std View Menus.
Also, I have two different methods for changing Subtitles (or Streams), one that works only for DVD (and is the same on all DVD Players the world over) and another way that works with all media but is MC unique. I have not issues if most stuff is under the MC OSD, but I'm still clamoring for a DVD Style Menu (link to the Menu button) where the novice user can look and pick Streams, Lang and Subtitles ....
gvanbrunt:
I"m still of the opinion that 2 OSD's would be better choice. A compact one like Matt is creating, and full one that overlays on the whole screen. I don't think Matt is going to be convinced to go with a full menu only, so why not 2?
There are some things that are just better presented in full menu, especially for novices.
Matt:
I tested with my 5 year old and it didn't go well.
She doesn't know what a subtitle is and can't read everything fast enough before the OSD goes away.
I think a few tweaks would help a lot:
1 ) Remove header text like 'Color Controls' -- it's just more to comprehend and not needed.
2 ) Automatic selection of the first (or middle) sub-menu choice so you don't have to press left/right to start selecting.
3 ) Require enter to go into a submenu choice like 'Subtitles'.
4 ) For some submenus like 'Subtitles', show several (or all) the languages on the screen at once so you're not working through a long list one at a time.
5 ) Make the OSD wait 25% longer before going away on its own.
6 ) Possibly a better selection indicator than just bold (maybe the list selection graphic from Theater View)
7 ) Possibly a bottom line of instructions on the OSD in a slightly smaller font that describes what you should do (wouldn't help my daughter, but might help adults).
8 ) Make sure the most common commands (maybe 'Subtitles') are not nested
9 ) Make the menu button bring up the OSD.
My goal is to get something that my 5 year old can use without too much trouble or instruction, without switching to something that hides the movie, dominates the screen, or requires extra keys to use.
imugli:
--- Quote from: Matt on August 23, 2012, 09:56:26 pm ---...without switching to something that hides the movie, dominates the screen, or requires extra keys to use.
--- End quote ---
Matt, while I appreciate your steadfastness and loyalty to this attitude, I'd like to add that at some point this simply becomes being "different" and not necessarily "better" or "easier"...
Sometimes an extra button IS more intuitive because it replicates other devices, making it easier for your 5 year old to grasp it without instruction.
Sometimes an overlay that takes up 1/4 or 1/3 of the screen IS OK if it provides the info / actions people are after with one click.
jmone:
--- Quote from: gvanbrunt on August 23, 2012, 09:44:18 pm ---I"m still of the opinion that 2 OSD's would be better choice. A compact one like Matt is creating, and full one that overlays on the whole screen. I don't think Matt is going to be convinced to go with a full menu only, so why not 2?
There are some things that are just better presented in full menu, especially for novices.
--- End quote ---
I agree with this 100%. I'm not arguing taking away the MC OSD, I'm arguing for the Addition of a "Menu" like you get for DVD already in MC (containing Streams, Subs, Lang, etc) but is simply missing for other Video Formats (BD, Files etc). My logic is
1) that the UI for DVD is very very well entrenched and understood (has been around for decades) as is used by all the HW devices.
2) MC is NOT consistent in its presentation of the Menu, eg it has one for DVD but none for the others.
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