Server Version#: 1.27.1.5916
Player Version#: 1.19.1.3076-b24239e5
What a disappointment, that a dedicated app is actually not as good as no app at all.
Problems experienced:
1: unable to scroll the library list with the mouse wheel
2: unable to scroll the individual movies within a library with the mouse wheel
3: unable to scroll individual movies within a library using the slider bar
4: screen contents not visible as the screen extends past the physical monitor size
5: the library list width is enormous but no size control of either the column width or the library name font
6: No size control of movie icons within a library as there is in the server
7: Unable to lock the library list in a readable format, once a library is selected the column reduces to a list of type identical icons which is just ridiculous and pointless, how helpful is a dozen identical icons…
8: Unlike the server it is not possible to copy the version number from the app to include in these bug reports and they are so long…
9: When viewing libraries it is defaulted to recommended rather than library contents with no setting to set default handling
10: App is set to fullscreen rather than window but when set to window the movie itself is played in a window with annoying borders.
11: When playing a movie there is a pause button/icon but no stop button/icon and this is a dedicated player app?
12: Default mpv commands appear not to work though this may be a setings issue
13: When viewing the contents of a series only a limited number of episodes are listed on the screen rather than all season episodes.
At this time the app is not usable even though it does play movies (if you can actually select the one you want).
Are you certain you installed the correct application? Plex Desktop’s current stable release is 1.47.1.3086-6c3d964f.
It sounds like you actually installed Plex HTPC (of which the current version is 1.19.1); that application isn’t intended to be controlled by a mouse (and is intended to be used full-screen).
Try sudo snap install plex-desktop. It may be more to your liking, if you’re looking for an actual desktop application.
I received this email yesterday (excerpt) from PLEX:
HTPC is here to stay.
As you know, we talk about the Plex community a lot. And so we’re proud to be shipping our latest app made for our hardcore, long-term, passionate users. You asked for it, and we’re happy to finally be able to deliver it to you.
Drumroll, Please
Presenting the HTPC app: combining the modern UI of our TV apps with the extensive player capabilities of the desktop app, it’s designed to run on a computer connected directly to your home theater setup. The successor to the TV mode of our much-loved PMP app, this was a special project. It’s just another way of saying “we love you too” to our very own Plex community.
So I did install the app I intended to based on the above email because it claims to be the app for my situation, ie a HTPC.
To control the app I wish to use KDE Connect as it is so versatile (mimics a mouse).
I have been waiting for years for a PLEX app for a HTPC which uses mpv and fully supports audio pass through and DTS and Atmos. The email clearly claims this app does that. It also claims to incorporate the desktop player and be a successor to it.
Notwithstanding this you have not addressed the specific issues except full screen, which would not be such as issue if the other issues did not exist. I am also sceptical of your claim that mouse control is not intended, after all we are talking about an app specifically created to control a desktop PC, a server. HTPCs are not mobile phones, surface pros, laptops or any mobile type computer with a touch screen because they are just not capable of being a movie server. You cannot transfer my 70TB movie database to anything other than a desktop computer or commercial server.
Ah, I see. Sorry for the misunderstanding. Since you specifically mentioned the desktop player I thought perhaps you’d installed the wrong application.
Having said that, I do still believe the desktop application I mentioned may be better suited to your use case. It fully supports mouse input and audio passthrough (and uses mpv). I’ve not experienced any monitor shenanigans with it (but nor do I when using Plex HTPC either).
I have no opinion one way or the other regarding mouse control in Plex HTPC. However, it think it’s unlikely to be implemented given the apps’ history. Plex Desktop and Plex HTPC represent a hard split between the two modes which used to be offered in Plex Media Player: Desktop mode and TV mode. Much like this dedicated app, Plex Media Player didn’t fully support mouse control when in TV mode; you had to switch to desktop mode for that.
At any rate, I hope you find a solution which works for you.
You want the best like Atmos? That’s cool. Get a Shield Pro or an ATV4K that go along with your fantastic setup. They built those for a reason.
You bring up valid points about the new Plex HTPC app. I might be able to bring some clarity.
The HTPC app is meant to be used on a PC as you say, but it’s meant to be displayed on a TV. That’s its whole reason for being. HTPC TV Mode came into existence long before Apple TVs or Shields or Chromcasts or Fire Sticks. Using HTPC TV Mode was the best way to get a video from computer to your newly invented HDTV. And those TVs had no mouse.
HTPC TV Mode was always meant to be a special mode for TVs only, accepting the fact that TVs have no mouse but have remote controls with left right up down and enter buttons.
The GUI was purely designed for TV and remote. It still is.
The email had a different target audience, one that’s been on this journey with Plex for years and is familiar with their old Plex Media Player, it’s special TV Mode and Desktop Mode, it’s crazy scripting file, it’s old old old MPV version.
So the best thing in software that supports mouse is Plex for Mac or PC or the web app. Those are the only things designed to configure your Plex Media Server. The HTPC is not.
A special new thing is Plex HTPC, but the best version
of a Plex player for a TV is in Shield Pro and ATV4k.
