1345: Playlist button non function in video screen [#7506]

[Lowlander]

In video screen mode (just video with player) the Playlist (on/off) button is non functional. I would assume that it should open the Now Playing, if that't the case it should be renamed to be more clear (this naming issue is also present in MiniPlayer).

When Playlist is turned off the Now Playing is missing when returning to main MediaMonkey window mode.

Tested on skinned 1345 on XP. Can anyone confirm?

[Dreadlau]

I can confirm.

But i don't really see the problem here.
This button is used to toggle if the np panel is visible in the main window.
If you are in video mode, I think it's expected that you can't see the np panel.

[Lowlander]

Then either the button should be removed, be disabled or toggle a Now Playing window like the MiniPlayer.

[Dreadlau]

Then either the button should be removed, be disabled or toggle a Now Playing window like the MiniPlayer.

Well here is how i see it:

the button should be removed, be disabled

=> Then it's not possible to toggle the np pane anymore for later.
Some users might find handy the possibility to use this button in advance
( for when they will return from the video view to the normal view )

toggle a Now Playing window like the MiniPlayer

Could be handy, I like this idea but...
This introduce a problem:
Now playing windowed should be disabled by default in video mode ( I think we can agree on this)
But in that case if the user has the np panel toggled in normal mode and then switch to the video mode
=> the state of the button will be wrong
To resolve that issue the state of the button could be switched when entering the video mode.
But in that case the button will have 2 different effects depending in which mode you are.
( effect1: toggle np panel ; effect2: toglle np window )

[Lowlander]

Then just use the MiniPlayer button. I think a button that has no visible affect (because is affects another mode) is a bad idea. I don't mind it being disabled although I think hiding would be less confusing. Being able to toggle the Now Playing Window like the MiniPlayer would be useful though as it allows you to continue watching video and modify the Now Playing.

I see no issue in treating the video window as a different mode like the MiniPlayer and thus have some things behave mode specific.

[Dreadlau]

Being able to toggle the Now Playing Window like the MiniPlayer would be useful though as it allows you to continue watching video and modify the Now Playing.

yes I can see this as something very handy.

I see no issue in treating the video window as a different mode like the MiniPlayer and thus have some things behave mode specific.

This is where I disagree.

IMO it's not a good comparison:
Unlike with the mini player, there is no visual difference between the video mode and the normal mode.
I mean the player is exactly identical and stays at the exact same position in this two modes.
=> therefore one wouldn't expect this button to behave mode specific.

[Lowlander]

I would, it's a whole different window.

It took me 15 minutes to realize I was toggling the Now Playing window in the normal mode. I also have no clue why I need to be able to do this in the Video mode.

I think the ability to open the Now Playing window is too useful to not implement it because the player looks the same. If that is really a concern the button should be removed. It's really confusing to have a button that doesn't do anything in the mode you're in.

[Dreadlau]

I would, it's a whole different window.

No. There is absolutely no difference. The Window position, size, frames, borders and like I said the player are exactly the same.
In fact you're not even really entering a new mode, you're simply maximizing the video panel.

It took me 15 minutes to realize I was toggling the Now Playing window in the normal mode. I also have no clue why I need to be able to do this in the Video mode.

Some users might find handy the possibility to use this button in advance
( for when they will return from the video view to the normal view )

I think the ability to open the Now Playing window is too useful to not implement it because the player looks the same.

I totally agree. But lets try to find a way to introduce that properly. ( Without inconsistency and complexity )

If that is really a concern the button should be removed. It's really confusing to have a button that doesn't do anything in the mode you're in.

It does do something. You simply don't see it because the np panel is hidden by the video.

[Lowlander]

I think for most the video mode is sufficiently different. After all the player is only a small part of the whole window. If other also think that having it open a seperate Now Playing window is too confusing despite being actually useful the button should be removed (disabling would still have the confusion of why it's disabled). I see no point in controlling the Now Playing when it's not visible and it could actually do something really useful by opening a Now Playing window like the MiniPlayer.

I think having it do an invisible action is more confusing than having it do a visible action that differs from the normal mode. After all you're seeing what it does. And the button can be the same as the MiniPlayer Now Playing button (although I actually requested it be the same as the Player Now Playing button as they both control the Now Playing belonging to that mode).

[rusty]

Added at http://www.ventismedia.com/mantis/view.php?id=7506

-Rusty

[Topcat44]

I think opening the now playing window would be perfect. I could then full size it on a second screen or TV attached to my PC. Someting like the visualization window. Or am I bering stupid and missed a way to do thic as I would still like the playlist and controls on the PC Screen.

Thanks Trev