HT5 v5.0.68 Beta Version (UPDATED)

Because I like a well crafted Graphical User Interface - in my opinion a media player should do a lot more than just present a list of files - when I take a bottle of something good into the cinema to watch a movie it's not just about sitting down and picking a file - it's an experience, and a good GUI is a big part of that.

What would your Sky box look like with a plain list of TV programs? What would Netflix be like? Amazon, Hulu, and all the rest.

People like eye candy and there's a definite art to providing it.

I know some people just want a list and that's fine - Media Center does that, but it if you want a full experience, you have that too.

R_Zappitilution realise it too and they provide a rich UI - not as good or as slick as Zidoo's in my opinion, but they have their market and it is well liked.

I see a lot of Dune apologists dismissing a good UI over a simple list, but that's because their interface is so god awful and stuck in the early 2000s Skeuomorphic Era - if it wasn't, I'm sure it would be a different story.

UIs are important.

 

Todays Fun Fact:

In 2024, Apple spent approximately $30 billion on R&D (7.5% of annual t/0), with approx 30% of that spent on UI and The User Experience.

User Experience is king.

 

Does anyone know how to access the favourite section? I'm sure before the update I could scroll to show more and access all my favourite selected movies but it only shows 8 on the main page and cant find anyway to access all my favourited movies.

 

That is a setting

 

I'm not Mark, but I'm also an avid fan of home theatre.

I use home theatre because:
I want to see a poster to help me remember the film better.
I want to see a trailer to help me remember the film better, or if it's a new film, to get an idea of what it's about.
I see the cast list.
I see the video's features.
I can select the audio track in advance; for series, it is retained for subsequent episodes.
I see whether I have already started watching the film.
I can search the library according to many specific criteria.
I have a very good overview of which series I have already seen and which you haven't.
I can see if you have any other films with a particular actor in your collection.
View information about an actor without having to go online.
And much more.

And also because it's pleasing to the eye, unlike a dry list view.

I don't think it will help you understand because you don't use HT, but I tried...

 

I fully agree with your assessment and one of the main reasons I shifted from Zappiti to Zidoo was its brilliant and enhanced UI.

 

If you don't use HT you are better off with an usb stick in the back of the tv.
Xvid with ac3 at 480p
Nice and basic.

I always had a PC next to my tv as HT.
Using Kodi you could install so many things.
Spinning DVD's moving out of the cover and such.
Yes it can be to much.
But Zidoo has a lovely balance...and you can switch it off.
And..we had never so many updates.

Let's enjoy

 

Will updates app HT5 for RTD 1619BPD?

 

Is this version already in 1.2.42 firmware or is newer? Thanks

 

@Markswift2003 @Bill-Z9X @Berwyn and others - I could argue all your points quite easily but confirm I respect your views on HT.

I'm an avid fan of Home Theatre too but my Phone provides me with much more info than any Posterwall can - and it's the same in any Cinema out there.

99% of the time though I know what I'm going to watch so don't require such a thing.

I promise not to raise this again

 

No, this is newer

 

Yes, you're right. But are you watching the movie alone or in company with relatives or friends? Then the value of a nice and complete HT comes to the point!!

 

I have a feeling we'll get a new version today with the rating view fixed, and then the weekend will be perfect

 

Perfect with another thing for me

 

Sadly mainly alone since my good lady passed away in 2023. So not often watching with an audience these days - your point is well taken

 

So sorry, now I fully understand your arguments!!

 

Sorry - I was AFK most of yesterday and missed the PM with the NFO.

So a couple of things:


1. We know that HT has always had problems with numbers - I have no idea why, but it just does, so it's no surprise that "Blues Brothers 2000" doesn't get picked up first time but is found immediately on a "Rematch" - it's just one of the idiosyncrasies of HT that's always been there.

2. In a BDMV structure, because there is no "filename" as such, artwork lives in the root folder and is simply named poster.jpg and fanart.jpg (Collection art is just collection-fanart.jpg and collection-poster.jpg) and the NFO lives in the BDMV folder and is called index.nfo





3. Your NFO doesn't work and I think it's because it doesn't have a <path>..</path> statement. Attached is a working NFO for reference (of course my path won't match yours!)


So with artwork and NFO named and located correctly, it scrapes fine:

 

HT PC no longer works properly since the latest firmware!!

 

Well turn them off then.

 

No

No problem. You can't be working all the time.
I will check some other Bdmv movies I have.
Curious about the difference.

Thank you for the research