[mythtv] MythUI Screenshots - "Watch Recordings"

[Stuart Morgan]

On Tuesday 04 November 2008 05:57:56 Jason Gabriele wrote:
> I think MythTV should only require a 6-button remote.

The six button remote is a myth that needs to be dispelled, even Apple, king 
of the simple UI don't have a six button remote. "Wait a minute!" I hear you 
cry, "yes it does!". Look again, holding down buttons for a little longer 
triggers different behaviour. So it's no longer a six button remote, it's at 
least 8 buttons. "Ok, now you're being picky", well yes I am but for good 
reason.

So why can't MythTV just use 8 buttons then? Well mostly it can, but you can't 
compare MythTV to AppleTV because one is a media player and the other is a 
powerful PVR and media centre. The difference here is, would you rather 
navigate through a maze of long menus to access features or press a single 
button. Features like "one touch" recording are no longer possible, forget 
about muting embedded video or using the music miniplayer whilst browsing 
other screens.

Changing channels now takes 30 seconds instead of being instant and bringing 
up subtitles 10 seconds. Deleting a long list of recordings, channel, 
schedules takes three times as long because you've no delete key on your 8 
button remote. The reason these buttons exist on most remotes, after more than 
three decades of evolution in remote design, is because people want them and 
they save time. The Apple remote might be stylish and the Apple faithful might 
throw themselves on a sword to defend it, but it's not practical for a TV, 
STB, PVR and yes, a full featured media centre.

MythTV, especially after the mythui port is complete should hopefully be a 
more consistent experience. You will be just about be able to control it with 
a six (eight) button remote, but only a masochist would chose it over 
something like the Windows MCE remote.
-- 
Stuart Morgan