Server Version#: 1.27.1.5916
Player Version#: 1.19.1.3076
I love the new htpc app!
Just one small complaint: There’s no real support for mouse control. Scrolling doesn’t work, and going a step back (like using the esc-key in a menu) is impossible without keyboard.
I’m using a mouse 99% of the time on my couch, and even make use of an on-screen keyboard instead of turning around and picking up a keyboard just to enter a word or press a key.
I’d be very happy if you could improve this, just a bit.
Plex HTPC uses the “10-foot UI” of the Plex for Smart TV apps. TVs very rarely have pointer devices. Hence the lack for mouse support in this user interface.
It is optimized for control by keyboard / classic TV remote control.
If you want a GUI with mouse support, use “Plex for Windows/Mac/linux” instead of Plex HTPC.
I agree with Max06. With all due respect to the moderator and Plex staff, this seems like a rather bizarre oversight for a computer-based interface. Both the desktop Plex app and Plex Media Player allow for full mouse control, but the new PC app doesn’t? I can’t see the logic. I don’t navigate my home theater PC with a keyboard in my lap, and I suspect that’s true of may users. Without a usable mouse-friendly interface this app is not useful to me and others like me. I hope this can be addressed in a future update, because the app is otherwise excellent!
I agree—I’m loving the HTPC as well!! We are on Linux and Web Player was our only option until now (Web Player has some very nagging problems). And the new Linux Player has poor video playback quality for us.
HTPC, however, appears to have great video and is very responsive overall (only one issue so far—we have to turn captioning off and on to work on DVR recordings (TV Shows). I will report this separately—we live in an hearing impaired household.
Anyway…
YES, if there is a way to implement mouse scrolling and mouse Back/Esc functions, it would be more ideal for the desktop environment. Also, one likely would want mouse control of volume and time-shift as well.
I image there must be a way to map (some of) these to 10-foot UI. We don’t use smartTV, but I just bought my folks one of those little bluetooth keyboards for their new LG smartTV and it has a scroll wheel and pointer pad and these work with their TV.
For us, though, we would be perfectly happy using Linux Player (moving from Web Player) if it didn’t have playback issues, as the UI is the familiar Plex Player UI with full mouse support.
Logitech make specific Home Theatre keyboards for exactly that purpose.
Myself, I use a remote control with Plex HTPC running through Flirc. I also use a K400+ and it works perfect with Plex HTPC incl mouse pointer select. I would not want the mousepad two fingered scroll to work with HTPC as it would be pointless with the UI (grid pattern). The mouse pointer and directional arrows are far more accurate and controllable.
I don’t ever want to use a mouse as such with a ten foot interface that the Plex HTPC has.
Alright, there are different preferences. That’s nothing new.
The machine I use for everything is hooked up to a desktop env with keyboard, mouse and monitor, and to a second set of keyboard, mouse and AVR/projector for my couch. The only reason for the second keyboard is for work related topics, when something fails or when I get called.
This doesn’t mean I’m using the projector only for movies, I also do some causal gaming and web surfing on my couch - with my mouse. Sometimes even while watching a show at the same time. IMO, it’s nonsense to require a keyboard for exiting menus(!) when mouse support is no big deal and partially implemented. Not going to talk about accessibility, that’s another story.
(I am disabled, so I prefer to not reach for the keyboard if I don’t have to.)
To be clear: Switching to the web-app (in a window) is no option as long as there’s no support for audio passthrough and framerate adaption.
A good question, why does anybody argue against improvements to a product which are being requested by numerous users, similar to why developers develop an app specifically for a desktop app (not a phone or other mobile device) without supporting mouse control.
Generally speaking, people who have an HTPC want good quality which includes a player like mpv and audio pass through. The other options mentioned do not provide this functionality.
So create a thread for a feature request and put it to the vote.
Where are the numerous users wanting full mouse control over a HTPC app designed for a 10 foot interface ? Are you talking about this thread ?
I’m not against feature development that benefits users as long as those features don’t absorb developer time more suited to features that are needed by a majority. Core functions and issues that still need work.
A the moment, this thread is one user wanting a feature for a very unique and specific use. A use that can be managed by reaching for a remote or a keyboard (like my 650 and K400+).
So far there’s one reply stating the obvious, and one user arguing like I offended him personally. Which makes 3 users questioning the missing input method for a desktop app.
I’d say you’re going to keep an eye on your bug threads, and we let the developers decide what’s more important. Oh, almost forgot, I never asked about priority. Or mentioned the numerous users. I just asked, quite politely imo, for an improvement.
As I replied, wrong answer, to a question that was not asked. Did you not read the email I posted singing the praises of the new HTPC player? IT just does not deliver.
Plex HTPC has had development issues and I’ve moved from it to PMP and even Infuse/Emby/Kodi etc but back using Plex HTPC and without issue.
I use a combination of my 650 and the K400+. I don’t see a need for scroll on the K400+ due to the cell design of Plex HTPC. Pointer control works for selection and directional arrows work for navigation (on both the 650 and K400+).
The OP has a specific need for mouse control and hopefully that can be worked into Plex HTPC for him/her. However, it is a niche need.
Most of us that have been around since the early days of HTPC as Plex’s core offering were and still are using MCE remote like control or keyboard in a true Home Theatre usage.
For my desktop, I don’t use Plex HTPC as it is not designed for that purpose.
Edit - to be honest, it is a miracle that Plex HTPC even survived. Thanks to a dedicated few Plex staffers and the many who pushed for its return from the ashes. It definitely is not Plex’s core offering and it wouldn’t surprise me if it died again.
Fair comment and apologies for going on a rant in reply.
Plex HTPC has been a miracle to survive the onslaught from media players (it did die for some time) so I’m always reluctant to see developer effort focus on some things that are not core.
Again, you have a usage that could be addressed rather simply (from what I’ve seen on other players) but I’m not a developer by any stretch of the imagination.
I accept your apologies, and want to apologize as well. Sometimes I react a bit allergic to people claiming to know what the broader audience wants.
You might be right about the expected lifespan of plex htpc. But for now, since it got announced via newsletter, I hope for the best.
The question is not if the htpc app is designed for that purpose. The question is if there are comparable alternatives. I mean one that supports audio passthrough and adaptive framerates. I currently use VLC, and Kodi+PlexBMC. Kodi is not very usable in windowed mode, and its UI is not really performant. That newsletter about plex htpc made me pretty happy. I set it up and it worked out of the box, exactly as I intend it to use. It only lacks mouse support.
This might be an opinion, but it’s based on more than 20 years of experience in the IT world. An application, made for a desktop system (or a system with a graphical user interface), should support all major input devices, basically mouse and keyboard. Especially nowadays where inclusion and accessibility are keywords number one everywhere. And the most basic mouse support is not too complicated to implement - the basics are already there, you can click on things.
It’s true, I might be a special case here. And yes, it’s a dealbreaker for me. That’s why I opened this topic, to express my issues and let the developers know about my need. But I also think this is a reasonable feature to ask for, since I’m most likely not the only one missing mouse control. I’m not claiming to speak for the majority of the users, just saying the absolute number of users is likely larger than one. This topic is a way to allow others to express their needs for this as well, so plex can estimate how important this is. In the end it will be their decision, and I’ll have to live with it.
