using the web interface while sitting on the couch
I apologize in advance if this is:Not posted in the right forum, Already discussed some where else. (if it is I will delete and repost there) or asking for multiple features (I thought casting this one stone will kill 2 birds).
i am also not a developer, designer, or engineer. Just a guy with a problem with some ideas
The request.
To build "remote control/navigation" support for the web browser UI. Now for the second bird. Integrate that support into a browser built on pi or raspbmc.
The problem
Web UI is not couch or keyboard friendly. I like to use my computer/pi as a HT/MC like everybody else but I would like to keep the STB feel. With the native app I grab mobile device and point at screen (force of habit not really needed) and it works. With the web client not so much.
also the transcoding in my opinion is way better when using a browser. I use my pi for a lite weight HT device running plexbmc. the plugin lacks some features that from the native app or web client
The suggestions
1. Create web UI navi controls that use keyboard input (arrow keys, page up/down, enter and spacebar) other than tab/return
2. Server side navigation that controls the web client that can be programed into the mobile app and used as a new button for web client users ( i.e. Mobile device talks to server, server displays on web client) I know it would be slow by many mill secs but im willing to live with that... For now!
3. Design a remote control web client that looks for Web clients on the local network and then gives you (navi/second screen information) you click on movie on screen and on the mobile device it crawls interwebs for imdb/moviephone information that you can interact with. As I write it feels more and more crazy... but having a remote control web based interface save on writing a new app right???
4. Chrome and Firefox runs on Pi why not build the web client that works on chrome pi but allows for remote control?
The story.
Used the Plex client on mac and pc since before the redesign. I also bought into the pi for everyone project and dubbed it "the cheapest airplay/HT system on the market." locally these clients are unmatched but, connecting to remote servers I had several issues with streams, buffers, and transcodes. Nightmares caused partly by my own ignorance. For a time I had become sad. Then enter the new Plex server and the Web Client. Life was good again, so good I joined lifetime membership on the spot (if you havent you should). I started to believed the web experience had become superior in several ways than the native client. But as in any internet love affair the honey moon is over and the kid talk starts. I am in love with the web interface. Pop open chrome anywhere in the house on any computer and instant library access. problem is when I connect the laptop to the tv in the entertainment room. (Which will soon be replaced with pi) Ironically 10 feet away from the couch I dont have the same Set Top Box feel. In the past we sit down, turn on the laptop whip out the iphone, ipad, or droid (depending on what family member got to the tv first) and whisk through the menus to select the content and off to media land. The servers were relocated and the streaming experience suffered. Web Client changed that for the better but not with out its caveats. Instead of opening the Plex app on the mobile device to navigate we moved to Touch Mouse and then upgraded to Mobile mouse for more needed features breaking the set top box experience. PLEASE HELP! again dont know how hard it is to make but I would like my STB back.
