[Plexamp] Desktop User Interface

[kylebouder_gmail_com]

Currently the PC version of Plexamp is using the same interface present in the Android and I assume iOS release. While what’s present works great for touch controls and small displays, the user experience doesn’t translate well when blown up on a display greater than 1080p. This was brought up before in a previous post, but was closed due to inactivity and I would like to try and spark the discussion once again.

Simply put, listening to music on Windows using Plex Media Player isn’t exactly ideal because of its interface being more tailored to video consumption as well as a lack of features in comparison.

Edit: Changing this to a feature suggestion and elaborating a little bit further:

General Issues I Have With the Current Interface:
While the Album, Artist, and Playlist views are completely fine the way they are, the UX isn’t designed for mouse input and maybe it’s just me, but it seems pretty clunky. For example, if you were to go to the artist view and look at an artist, but then wanted to switch back to album view, you would have to back out to the artist view, then back out of the library, and then enter album view. For a mobile app where you’re working with limited space, that makes total sense.

A Potential Solution
It would make sense to have that library view as a collapsible sidebar for easy on the fly switching between views. Simply moving the downloads and settings to the sidebar and the search bar to the top right completely removes the need for a bottom bar, which in a app that is designed vertically, is pretty important on a horizontal display.

Artist View:
Naturally, Plex has a plethora of things that it can show you through its metadata, from artist bios to album reviews. This artist doesn’t have a description since they are pretty niche and weren’t around too long, but pretend that they do and that it is tucked at the bottom of the page. Next to the Artist Image, there is plenty of wasted space where a bio could easily fit, along with Artist Styles and Moods. It would be nice if instead of the UI expanding vertically, it could expand horizontally as well, allowing the user to see more things all at once.

Album View:
Here’s an example of how an album looks in this manor…

And compare that to the way albums look in TIDAL…

Now, I have never used TIDAL and I am sure that it has its own sets of shortcomings, but both examples show almost the same amount of information in completely different ways. Another thing that bothers me about this design, is that the issue is even more pronounced on large compilation albums with 70+ tracks and multiple disks. Many players will split their tracks into multiple columns, which I feel makes the most sense here.

This is a bit of an exaggeration, but also a great example of this. This is a massive compilation album, even with 5 columns it cant fit onscreen (there are 5 more disks). Navigating this in Plexamp, is a huge pain.

On Plexamp, it took 21 downward scrolls (scroll wheel default sensitivity) to reach the bottom.
In MusicBee, it only took 2. With only 3 columns I assume it would probably take closer to 7 or 8, but that is still a huge difference.

Album Art View? Or Whatever This Is Called:
Last talking point, with the window maximized, this is view is a little unnecessary. Incorperating it into its own sidebar on the opposite side of the window, not only gives you a nice view of the album art, but gives you room to do some more metadata stuff.

This is how I had my sidebar set up in MusicBee

You could stick an artist bio in there, or an album review, or even scraped lyrics.

All in all, Plex has some amazing features, especially when it comes to metadata. But the way it is displayed on a desktop, and really any landscape oriented device leaves a lot to be desired. Now am I suggesting that you rip off the designs of other streaming services and music players? Absolutely not, but it would be really great way to show off what Plexamp can really do.

[OttoKerner]

@kylebouder_gmail_com

the user experience doesn’t translate well when blown up on a display greater than 1080p.

Why are you blowing it up in the first place?
Plexamp is best when not in fullscreen.

[D_eight6]

That’s actually a bad response.

Apparently you haven’t seen this:

HUGE Plexamp Jukebox!!! For the lawlz..

I’d make the suggestion that OP could adjust the text size and use keyboard shortcuts but I’m more interested in learning what is it they are expecting from PlexAmp in the first place?

[kylebouder_gmail_com]

Okay, on an unrelated note I want that.

[OttoKerner]

I haven’t seen that one yet.
As he says in the intro: it doesn’t make much sense, but it’s fun to build it.

[kylebouder_gmail_com]

To answer your question, other music players I’ve used benefit from having them in full screen, having your music library, your now playing, song and artist details, playlists, and even lyrics off to the side is actually a pretty nice experience. I prefer having all sorts of information in one place. I understand what you are saying that it is best when not in fullscreen, but it doesn’t have to always be that way.

A layout of this nature is what I’ve become accustomed to on a desktop environment, and it would be nice to have a layout like that alongside Plex’s feature set.

Edit: While I do say that, I don’t necessarily mean a 1:1 copy, just a little better use of the empty space, where Plex’s metadata would really have a chance to shine.

[OttoKerner]

I see your point. I used to use players like that in the past as well.
But the thing is: Plexamp is primarily built to be a small player which you can use on your phone or tuck away into a corner of your desktop.

Once you’ve learned to harness the advanced music features, like sonic analysis and automatic playlist generation, you simply don’t need a full-blown “cockpit” like that. You only pick your musical starting point and then let Plex do its thing.
This was one of the key points when it was imagined back then.

I won’t say that what you want will never happen.
That is not up to me anyway.
But it is always a question of development effort and eventual usefulness for a large portion of users.

[kylebouder_gmail_com]

I suppose that makes sense. I’m just used to these small players being a check box in a drop down menu. I originally switched to Plexamp for it’s extensive feature set, and not once have I had to mess with metadata for an album (unless its a soundtrack…) and for that I absolutely love it.

You’re also right, I don’t need it. But the metadata addict in me needs it.

[kylebouder_gmail_com]

A more sensible example of what I’m getting at is Spotify’s first redesign for PC. Very similar features, but a cleaner look, and great use of empty space. I believe it has been updated again since this though. What’s neat about modern app design is that the layout can dynamically scale based off the resolution of the window. Plexamp already does this a little bit with the “Now Playing” view, but other alternatives are able to be used in a big desktop view, and then seamlessly enter a more “mobile phone-ish” view by simply shrinking the window and without losing out on much functionality. That is how I would like Plexamp to act.

Edit: Figured I would also throw in an example of TIDAL’s player, since that looks pretty clean as well.

[kylebouder_gmail_com]

@D_eight6

That’s actually a bad response.

Apparently you haven’t seen this:
https://youtu.be/e9a0cJ2-hw0

I’d make the suggestion that OP could adjust the text size and use keyboard shortcuts but I’m more interested in learning what is it they are expecting from PlexAmp in the first place?

Tagging @OttoKerner as well. I edited the original post, changing it from a general discussion to a feature request, as well as elaborating on some of the issue I have with the current interface design. My original post was a little vague.