Client love…

Channels Apple TV
#1

I previously posted about eventually seeing some nicer changes to the client side apps. The new dialogs for shows and movies added last year are a really nice start, but hoping for more :slight_smile:

I’ve been doing some testing of Rivulet (which connects to Plex and Jellyfin, but also supports live tv). I dropped in an m3u link to Channels and really like the guide presentation. Also included a couple of screen shots of their Home Screen.

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So this isn’t really a complaint, just would love to see the client get some more polish. The back-end of Channels is excellent - just the client side needs some loving. :slight_smile:

2 Likes
#2

We're working heavily on the web admin rewrite right now, which we think is going to be one of the most valuable things we've done in years, but we'll pivot back to clients after. iOS is happening right now to support iPhone Duo, and it AIN'T easy.

As for screenshot #2, lol, we'll never do anything like that. It's an absolute waste of space and a design pattern created by streamers that we find abhorrible. In practice it's nothing but annoying and is designed for advertising, not for getting to what you want to watch faster, which the goal of Channels.

We like to call that Screenshot Driven Development. It looks nice on a website, but in practice, it's utterly frustrating to use.

6 Likes
#3

Yeah, I can take or leave the 2nd screenshot - I do like the larger size when I'm getting ready to play a movie, but have never been a big fan of the "Hero" section (or whatever they call it). In this app, it just scrolls movies I might be interested in - can't remember where this is pulling from TBH.

But the guide is nice (and fast - just like Channels).

#4

I thought I was the only weirdo who ever watched the Logan's Run TV show! Read all the books, too, except apparently one that has come out in 2026(?!) [EDIT: NM, this is seemingly an unapproved thing and part of a huge legal dispute], nor any of the comic adaptations.

1 Like
#5

I loved that show as a kid lol!

#6

I don't disagree. The Hero image does feel like a waste, an extra click to get to the content. I can see the flip side, where it is nice to see a big splash of your media's artwork. What's nice about Rivulet (and other's, I've tried them all), you can turn the Hero image off. I can appreciate that flexibility.

#7

While there are things that bug me about the design of the clients, Channels has a high WAF, at least in my house. Please don’t change the grid too much is all I ask

2 Likes
#8

It's not just in your house. :slightly_smiling_face:

I never imagined that my wife would ever get into it as much as she has. She LOVES Channels DVR.
So much that if it is ever down for some reason, she will ask me to fix it right away. :laughing:

What gets a lot of use out of it is virtual channels, especially at night.

First thing when we turn on the TV is to launch Channels DVR, if it's not already running.

We use Android and the client is good enough for now but I agree that it could use some improvements.
We'll get there.

#9

Same here! Wife sees me trying all sorts of new clients and servers and says "you can't get rid of that one." :rofl:

That being said, the fact that I've continued to look at other clients says something about the ones I've paid for. Part of it is just a hobby, but also I'm not getting quite what I'd prefer from what I have access to.

2 Likes
#10

I love the Apple client, does not need major changes, maybe lettuce choose the color instead if Prince's Purple Rain theme, and fix some minor quirks here and there like the page up page button down working everywhere.

Not a fan of those screen shots. Not a fan of plex, emby, or all that other jazz. If Channels deviates into those, I'll just add DVR to Spectrum TV and cancel the monthly sub.

As for Logans Run, thats on my sci-fi virtual channel!! Love the movie more though, esp Jenny's wardrobes and the changing of it and the lack of thereof.... :grinning: