Thanks for a great program.

I would like to use it as my primary Media Center application.

1. Since you already have a working Menu System and File Browser, would it be hard to implement it as a fullscreen menu?

2. Would it be possible to launch your movie files directly when clicking on the folder name? (Instead of having to click first on the folder, then on the file name and then on Launch with VLC for example).

A preference like: Auto Play Movie Files when clicking Directories (Folders).

3. Folder thumbnail picture. If you have a "Folder.jpg" file in your movie directory, could Remote Buddy show it as a thumbnail when browsing your movie directories? (This would really give a HTPC feel).

4. Dynamic font sizes. With long filenames, I loose the end of the name. Automatic resizing of the directory/file names would be great.

If all the ideas where implemented it could look like the image below.

Please look a this screenshot to get an idea of what I mean:

Link: http://centerstage.pink-mac.de/big/simple-movies.jpg

Thanks :) 
/Martin

Last edited: 04.11.2006 13:25:47 

thanks for sharing your ideas.

Regarding 1): I am thinking about this one.

Regarding 2-4): I already have solutions for these requests on my 
ToDo list. I plan some very powerful features for this kind of stuff.

All I can do for now is to ask for your patience as I'm implementing 
the required code. I'll start working on this right after I finish 
what I'm currently working on (some new, very cool and powerful 
stuff, too).

Best regards, 
Felix 

If all the features I mentioned gets implemented and it could function similar to the screenshot I posted, you will have the very best HTCP solution on the Mac! :) - I can promise you a lot of customers.

PS. Do you have a timeline for some of the features I mentioned?

It would be nice to see a roadmap or similar, so I have something concrete to look forward too.

PPS. You should take a look at this Advanced VLC How-To for tighter integration with VLC through command lines.

Link: http://www.videolan.org/doc/play-howto/en/ch04.html

Regards 
Martin 

you're welcome!

I think a roadmap would be a bit of an overkill. I generally think 
the time is better spent in actual development than in announcing 
announcements. ;-)

Thanks for the VLC link. It does, however, seem to refer mostly to 
the command line options of VLC rather than the VLC media player 
package on the Mac. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Best regards, 
Felix 

2) Opening files with a default application should be optional, since it is sometimes handy to be able to choose which app to open a particular file with. For example, depending on what kind of video file I am trying to open through the file browser (mkv, avi, etc), I like to use different apps (VLC, MPlayer, Quicktime)

4) When remote buddy encounters long filenames, I think have the text scroll (at a user configurable speed) would work just as well. One downside to resizing text is that it may become too small. I have had this problem on HTPC programs in windows - the filename is really long and the program squeezes it into one line, making it impossible to read. Selecting between text scrolling and text resizing would be ideal though :)

Thanks for this fantastic program!

PS what are the chances of remote buddy supporting bluetooth phones as remotes in the future? that would make remote buddy the ultimate control program :)

Last edited: 22.11.2006 01:36:56 

thanks for contributing!

Right now, Remote Buddy only has (limited) support for the Bluetooth- 
enabled phones listed on the Remote Buddy website. I will, however, 
support everybody who wants to write additional remote control 
drivers for Remote Buddy.

Best regards, 
Felix 

2.) Support for Handbrake. ASAP! 
http://handbrake.m0k.org/

3.) Support for Democracy. 
http://www.getdemocracy.com/

3.) Alternative to Front Row for interfacing with iTunes. I have no use for Front Row because it's so restrictive (and hence why I bought Remote Buddy) *except* for iTunes -- which is nice because it replicates the iPod interface. However, it's terrible for users because it works rather differently than Remote Buddy (and learning two systems sucks). Navigating in the same menu tree inside Library/Playlists/Podcasts, and then menu information (not unlike the current ratings infobox) for "Now Playing". 

By,

der leider 

thanks for the input!

1) Where can I find this function in VLC?

2) I put it on the ToDo list.

3) Democracy is still a tough one as long as it doesn't offer either 
the necessary AppleScript or keyboard support.

4) I'm working on something :-)

Best regards, 
Felix 

(an option for cycling through Audio->Audio track would be nice too, since this is usually how 
commentary tracks and dubbing are included.)

thanks again!

1) I have added this to the todo list :-)

3) If I wasn't so entirely out of time right now, I'd ask them right 
away. I've added it to the Todo list as well, though.

4) Yep, looks pretty ;-)

Best regards, 
Felix 

Perhaps another for the Todo pile:

I noticed in VLC under Preferences->Hotkey settings that it does support short, medium, and long skips forwards and backwards. For very long videos, sometimes I want a faster skip than the default one. (Precisely, I'd like click to skip and hold to fast-skip.) 

I've added it to the ToDo list (which is rapidly getting shorter 
right now btw ;-)

Cheers, 
Felix