INTERACT FORUM

More => Old Versions => JRiver Media Center 20 for Windows => Topic started by: Daveburt on December 22, 2014, 02:43:34 am

Title: Playlists
Post by: Daveburt on December 22, 2014, 02:43:34 am
Hi folks,

I may need to read a little more, but I'm having problems building a playlist (music) in MC 20...  :(
I realize JRiver is a huge undertaking with many variables, but I thought I'd make a suggestion that would make things easier on the playlist front.  
I know I'd appreciate it!

I usually work from "Theater View", but even switching to the basic screen I found it nearly impossible to build a playlist...

Anyway, I'll work from the Theater view premise to offer suggestions I feel would make building playlists more user friendly.
After a lot of fiddling, I found it pretty easy to get to the playlist feature in theater mode, but still found it virtually impossible to add files to said playlist.

FWIW, here's my suggestion...  ;)

If you select "Playlist", offer an option in the top menus to add files. Have the program split the screen with all media on one side and the (future/current) playlist on the other.
Then allow you to drag/drop files to the selected playlist...

I really like MC, and would love to see it become the MC of choice.
Ease of use, and "idiot proofness" is really important...

The versatility and audio/video functions of the program are awesome!
But, it seems like the interface is becoming less intuitive...  :-\

Thanks,
Dave


Title: Re: Playlists
Post by: Dawgincontrol on December 22, 2014, 08:39:16 am
In standard view, if you go to "Playlist", right click, then select "Add Playlist" a box comes up and you can drag and drop into the box.  You can even select more than one at a time from the "Files", "Artists", etc menus (using the shift and control key.

I use Theater view, but not for that.
Title: Re: Playlists
Post by: gvanbrunt on December 23, 2014, 01:17:44 pm
Theater View is for use in a home theater environment. I.E. From your couch with a remote control and large TV screen. Given that, it isn't the best environment for building complex playlists. It is used more to add one or two songs gradually to build a list. Like at a party where people ask for certain songs. These kinds of playlists are normally thrown away after.

For permanent playlists I would not even try to use Theater View. Use standard view as that is what it is designed for. Library management is much easier.

Title: Re: Playlists
Post by: Daveburt on December 23, 2014, 04:55:17 pm
Hi Folks,

Using standard view from my couch is a little difficult, due to my input device and eyes...  ::)
I do see what your saying though, and it makes sense not to offer playlist building in Theater Mode.

I may have to install MC on my desktop and build playlist from there.

Thanks,
Dave

Title: Re: Playlists
Post by: nwboater on December 23, 2014, 07:42:00 pm
What I have done for several years is to have a small monitor by our Win7 HTPC and a large screen and Remote for Theater View watching from the couch. We do all library and misc MC work on the small screen with a mouse/keyboard.

MC is very good at working with dual monitors.

Cheers,
Rod
Title: Re: Playlists
Post by: gvanbrunt on December 24, 2014, 10:08:19 am
Also, not sure if you are aware but you can use MC on multiple computers you own and "share" a library between them. So you can put it on another windows computer and do the tag editing there. Linux or Mac require a separate license, but they can be networked to share a library as well.
Title: Re: Playlists
Post by: nwboater on December 24, 2014, 10:42:46 am
Also, not sure if you are aware but you can use MC on multiple computers you own and "share" a library between them. So you can put it on another windows computer and do the tag editing there. Linux or Mac require a separate license, but they can be networked to share a library as well.

The last time I tried to edit tags on a 'Client' I had a lot of difficulties. Mostly the tag changes would not 'stick'. They showed ok on the Client but when I checked on the Server they weren't there. I have read of others having similar difficulties.

My last attempts were using MC19 so perhaps, and hopefully, this problem has been corrected in MC20.

Cheers,
Rod

Added on edit:

Actually it was back in MC17 when I tried doing a lot of tagging from a Client. Here is the thread I started on the issue:  http://yabb.jriver.com/interact/index.php?topic=72125.0
Title: Re: Playlists
Post by: gvanbrunt on December 25, 2014, 04:25:38 pm
My last attempts were using MC19 so perhaps, and hopefully, this problem has been corrected in MC20.

My comments were directed at the OP, but reading the thread again I can see how it looked like I was saying it to you. :)

But you are correct, tagging on a client has been hit or miss for me in the past as well. I just don't do it anymore and I'm not sure if it has been fixed or not. Probably back in the MC17 days for me as well.