No more desktop mode in PMP?

Plex Players Desktop Players
1

Player Version#: 2.51.0

I got an announcement about this new version this morning and installed it. When i did I got a popup saying that it will only work in TV mode going forward and I should migrate to the new Plex player.

Personally I run both PLEX and PMP on the same system so I can see how PLEX is progressing compared to the existing PMP that has worked fine for years. That being said this version is in fact NOT in TV mode and seems to work fine. Was this announcement saying that this is the LAST version of PMP that will work in desktop mode and the NEXT one will remove it?

I get that Plex (the company) wants people to migrate to the new player, but I still have to ask why they would remove desktop mode. I use it both ways on an external monitor.

2

Not sure if already this one will be the last version, but the desktop mode will definitely be removed sometime in the future.
That is the price for keeping PMP alive (it was originally slated to get scrapped in favor of the Plex for Windows/Mac apps).

It avoids the complexitiy of having to handle two different user interfaces and the (only party realized) sync of settings and data between those.

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3

I never understood why PMP has separate modes at all.

Video games have been able to switch from FULLSCREEN EXCLUSIVE mode to WINDOWED mode for YEARS if not decades.

4

Bad comparison, IMHO. Video games don’t change their whole user interface when you do that.

5

most video games scale the UI.

which is what PMP should have been doing.

not developing 2 different UI with different settings.

look at hearthstone from blizzard.
PC app, IOS app, android app, all same UI, all scale to different resolutions, PC app can do full screen or resizable window mode.

I do understand that plex is not blizzard, but ‘we have the technology!’

edit; also kodi has had fullscreen/resizable windowed mode for years as well.

and if the new plex for windows had the audio/video pass through that PMP has, then there would not have been the huge outrage at loosing PMP for something more modern.

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7

Should, would, etc. is pretty pointless now.
There are good reasons to have both a “desktop” UI and a “10-foot” UI available.

I wouldn’t want to operate a “desktop” UI when lying in bed, with a small remote control in my hand – under the blanket.
Not even when sitting on my couch, with a certain distance to the screen.

The “desktop” mode requires the pointing precision of a mouse for fast and comfortable operation. I am only using it when sitting in front of the screen at my, err, desktop.

8

of course, that is why UI should scale properly to resolution and DPI, and the settings should not be specific to a particular ‘mode’.

also, I understand what is done is done, its all water under the bridge, etc.

but also, its 2020, and everything is clearer in hindsight :slight_smile:

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9
10

So does that mean Linux users won’t have a desktop client in desktop any more?

11

The standard ‘Plexweb’ is neither PMP or New Plex Player.

Plexweb - is Plexweb - in two flavors:
Local
and
Hosted

Could be - since Plex didn’t develop it, Plex can’t mess it up somehow (obvious).

Impossible - without these:

bigbinocsb

The good news:

No mode to switch means no ‘Loses Mind - and Home Screen - When switching Modes’. That’s one way to fix it and that one works fine for me - bring it on.

13

Yes, I do. (unofficial being unofficial builds; PMP itself can be compiled manually for Linux anyway).

14

So if I need passthrough audio and desktop mode i am screwed? I control Plex with the mouse on my projector, and it’s connected through a Dolby Atmos sound system.

The TV mode in it’s current iteration is horrible, and forces me to to control IT with a keyboard since it do not react to mouse inputs at all.

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15

I am confused by this drive to reduce features as well. I understand that maintaining unnecessary packages is not efficient, but the new PLEX app doesn’t have this audio functionality at all. It really seems like the development choices are being driven more by the desire to funnel folks to the new app than due to additional effort to leave the audio settings alone in desktop mode of PMP.

That being said, if you switch the system to TV mode, make the audio settings adjustments you want then switch it back to desktop mode will the settings stick? If not, why not?

16

It does blow and has for a long time.
The work-around is to use your Plex Phone app in ‘mirror’ or ‘remote control’ mode - or pick up a 10’ remote system.

The options are limited, but when you need PMP - what choice do you have?

17

tv mode is designed for remote controls.

like, an IR or bluetooth remote control.

it’s not designed for mouse.

18

Sorry - won’t work.

Your TV remote is right out.
10’ remote systems - like Harmony, I guess, do work.
The ‘cheap-ass’ 10 remote systems work.

if you don’t have any of those, for $5 you can get a Plex app for your phone - in a pinch. <—or use the one on it already.

19

TV remote not working, well duh, its for the TV!

windows doesn’t have much built-in remote support, so yes, since using a PC as an HTPC, you would need a windows supported remote control system.

in the xbox360 days, microsoft actually sold a remote/receiver kit for windows (folks used it for xbmc/kodi).

in any case, one of many reasons why HTPC are on their way out, and streaming devices have taken over.

@ cerunnir get a shield pro you will be happier and less problems dealing with htpc specific problems.

20

lol


Try explaining that one to ‘Aunt Gladys’
 I’ll wait


:smiley:

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21

I will probably just save the last version of PMP w/desktop support, and the last server version that works with the last desktop PMP and just consider the program “finished” and never update. I mean, it works perfectly for all my needs at the moment.

Maybe passthrough audio will be introduced to the new Plex for Windows program eventually, and just bide my time.

TV mode is terrible, and it would be a hassle to be forced to control it with a remote. Since my projector screen is like 150 inches being able to see details in the desktop mode isnt exactly a problem.

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22

Having PC’s use the Desktop interface via the Plex app, and then the TV Mode via PMP is garbage. 100% straight garbage.

I can tell you as soon as force that switch on us I’m dumping Plex and moving on to something else. Its a poor decision considering they will now still be maintaining two interfaces, in two apps.

Despite that We the Desktop users who use both desktop and TV mode are the people that MADE Plex. We are the ones that migrated to it and supported them.

Plex’s ultimate goal with dropping Desktop Mode in PMP is that later on they will discontinue PMP and because now a separate application they’ll play “its legacy and we won’t support it any more” card. Followed by a lack of support for your own content and further pushing of their hosted streaming content.

I see where they want Plex to go, and its not something I want a part of.