Recordings View

Channels DVR Server Feature Requests
#12

Can you provide an example of a show you can't find in Channels? I am seriously not understanding what you are finding so difficult.

If I want to find a movie, its either in Kids>Movies>All or its in Movies>All. Both are in alphabetical order. I have about 500 Movies in Channels and I can get to a Movie as quickly as it would going into something llike Netflix, going to search, and then typing in the name.

If I want to find a show, its a toss up if it was something recorded today, or something recorded in the past. If its in the past, I start just like with Movies above. Once I've found the show, I click on it and all the Episodes are organized by season and episode. You can set whether you want oldest first or newest first in the settings. If there are a lot of seasons, I click up and scroll seasons then down and to the episode. If not that many, I just scroll the episodes. I have shows with 300-400 episodes in Channels and I can find the episode in a few seconds.

Often times the show I want to watch was recorded today. In that case I go to Recordings and just scroll through what was done today and find it very quickly.

There is also the Up Next view of shows which is quick if its a regular series and just looking for the next one. Many of the shows I frequently watch are there and I see it before I even get to going further.

No Waldo required. Its different from Tivo, but certainly not as dire as you are portraying. Maybe they will add new views, that would always be great.

Personally, I'd rather see them spend the effort on getting channel and favorites management sorted to handle a large number of channels organized on multiple streaming devices in the house. That is something that is very challenging if you have hundreds of channels and multiple devices to manage.

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#13

This option isn't for recording a show it's the view you get of the shows that have already been recorded. Look at the top image I posted. It's a list view example right from Tivo of your shows that have been recorded. This feature request has nothing to do with finding a show to record. Re-read what was posted above to see what we were actually talking about.

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#14

This option isn't for recording a show it's the view you get of the shows that have already been recorded. Look at the top image I posted. It's a list view example right from Tivo of your shows that have been recorded. This feature request has nothing to do with finding a show to record. It's all about the big thumbnail view of all of your shows recorded that you get instead of just being a simple list view like TiVo does making it much much easier to quickly find a show. See image Tivo recorded shows view vs Channels and I'm not talking about the different categories that TiVo has on the left just the way it list them all on the right side making it easy to scroll quickly though recorded shows instead of the big thumbnail view that channels gives.

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#15

I realize that. The description I gave you is for how I find recorded shows and movies in Channels in my large library. I asked for an example of what you find extremely difficult to find, to try and understand why it was stated that Channels is unusable with a large library, because I don’t get it. I used Tivos for years so I’m aware their views are different.

#16

There’s the Recodings view which shows all your recording by date they were recorded.

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#17

In my experience, it's more like past two weeks' of recordings, rather than all.

Also, two major limitations of the Recordings page:

  1. Grouping – Recordings are simply listed in reverse-chronological order, grouped simply by day. There is no way to change the order, nor to collapse a grouping.
  2. Information density – The Recordings page simply lacks decent information density. Looking at the enclosed image, you can only see 4.5 items at a time. A similar text-heavy list view on other DVR/media apps could easily and legibly display 10 items.

I understand both sides of this argument. I appreciate new new Recordings page—I've even promoted it to a permanent place in my sidebar—and use it. However, it is not a substitute for a true list view in the Library pages.

Conversely, while I would like to see a list view with multiple sorting/filtering options, I also recognize that it is a large UI/UX endeavor to implement, while keeping it consistent and easy-to-use, especially when many devices have such limited remotes that will be used, and need to be considered. It is certainly much more than simply slapping a toggle in the views to change ordering and remove the thumbnails.

I look forward to Channels' implementation when it comes. But I am also realistic and know this is not an easy addition.

3 Likes
#18

Yes but because it shows that as single records and I have over 400+ recordings and it doesn't group them together it makes the scrolling problem even worse. I'm talking about a view that is like that but has the episodes grouped together like the shows view has. Another words title only without the big picture thumbnail like the example I provided. Scrolling is out of control now and getting worse by the day since I started using Channels DVR 4 months ago.

1 Like
#19

And I have stated why multiple times but will do it again is because with a very large and ever growing collection of episodes the way the episodes tv shows I am scrolling though many pages of shows and not having a text title you are looking at picture thumbnails to find the show you are looking for and depending on your tv screen size it becomes very difficult to find the show you are looking for as you scroll and scroll and scroll. I have 400+ episodes and over 100+ tv shows that I have recording and it becomes a huge where's Waldo every time. That the difficulty I am having. And like I said maybe you are great at where's Waldo or maybe you have a hugh tv screen or are very close to it but for me it's a horrible experience every time I look for a show though the 100+ I have looking at thumbnails pics that my or may not even have the show titles on it. And now with m3u support I don't even get the thumbnail pic on any of those recordings just a blank square with an episode count so it's even worse for those.

#20

I just don't understand why it would be difficult to Implement it. Keep the current layout but in the tv shows and movie tabs allow it to display the text only and not the thumbnails. It already gives you the shows and movies in a grouped episode format so all you would need to do is allow the thumbnails to be turned off and only have the show or movie title to remain. The show and movie titles are already there if you highlight on any show or movie. Am I missing something on why removing the thumbnail is a big thing to implement?

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#21

And that is the root behind the frustration with unimplemented feature requests. What to you is just a simple non-trivial addition, actually requires far more hours of work. Not only that, but then you add on testing, bug fixing, porting across platforms, and integration into the current UX, and what you thought would take a day is actually months of work.

Of course, if you want it to be graceful, fit in with the current scheme, and have more than just a text list (list sorting, collapsing/expanding multiple nodes, etc.) then you need to add extra time for that, too. Otherwise, all you get is a hack that only partially works, and can sink your product like a lead anchor.

Remember, if it was trivial and simple, it'd already be there. But good software doesn't happen simply by force of will.

(No, I am not a developer of this software. However, I have developed software, both individually and as part of a larger organization. I am not trying to minimize your request—a feature I too want—but merely trying to explain that your simple request is anything but, and requires much more work and effort than seen on the surface. Everyone wants their own features implemented, and everyone thinks it's a simple affair. The truth is far more involved.)

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#23

Like I said before having the support for m3u and even playon now it becomes an even bigger problem with this thumbnail view only because Channels doesn't even give you a thumbnail for any of my recording that are from them so I don't even get that much info trying to wade through the hundreds of TV shows I have recorded I get a blank thumbnail with an episode count only. I get many have requests for things they want but to me this would be something that needs to happen sooner for Channels DVR to be able to continue to grow. With these additional options to bring in more and more sources this current way is just kind of broken now with not even having a thumbnail for some of my shows. I'm just very frustrated because I feel it's something that is way over do yet doesn't even seem to be on the radar as such problem.

#24

While it becomes apparent in Channels' interface, this is because your guide source provides inadequate data.

But again, I understand your request. However, there are many requests in the queue. Ultimately, it comes down to this: if Channels isn't working for you, then find something that does. But don't pick your software based upon what you want it to do; choose your software based upon what it currently does.

#25

Yes I get it's because Channels isn't the guide source but it's also Channels providing the option. While I am happy they are allowing more providers the point is it also makes the issue even bigger. It would be one thing if I hacked Channels DVR and added these new options myself but these are options Channels themselves are adding is the point. And I paid for a year of Channels so just moving on isn't really an option and to my point again Channels didn't offer all of these outside providers 4 months ago when I bought it. They added them in after which is leading to my issue being magnified. I get you feel it's my issue but I feel that it's an issue that if it's not taken as a priority will only get worse as more people start using these new options Channels has added.

#26

There is nothing wrong with requesting new features, but your portrayal that the current library views of Channels make it unusable lead me to believe you still don't know how to use the views and are stuck in Tivo mode. I have explained how I quickly navigate 9.000 recordings, with some shows that have hundreds of episodes, and quickly find what I'm looking for in a few seconds. No "waldo" as you call it, and no endless scrolling. You seemed to think my description was about how to find something "to record", which it was not. Its very well organized, just different from Tivo. I used Tivo for years, so I fully understand the view you are asking for.

Your logic that it should be a priority for the developers because they have added more sources since you signed up for a one year subscription??? You don't have to add more sources if you want to stick with what was available when you subscribed.

#27

I think it would be nice to have a list of your shows without the picture as well. Maybe a toggle in the UI to change from tile view to list view.

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#28

I think you don't understand. I have it right in front of me and can see it only has an option to view with big thumbnails with no show titles unless you want to even scroll more and use the recordings option so you can go one by one and scroll for an hour at a time. So if you have this way that I am missing where you can not have big thumbnails that in turn requires a ton of scrolling if you have over a 100 difference shows recording let me know since you say I must be missing it. No matter how many times you say you don't have a problem with it changes nothing about how Channels tv and movie shows view is setup. Yes with big thumbnails and with hundreds of shows there is tons of scrolling to find the show you want to watch. You obviously like scrolling even though you don't realize you're doing it somehow and that's fine. I like to be able to quickly find what I'm looking for by showing title text and grouping which brings all of the scrolling down from 50 or 60 scrolls to closer to 3. I never said get rid of the big thumbnails so if you love it keep it and don't worry about me and other people wanting an easier option to get though large catalogs. And as far as being stuck in Tivo mode because I want a feature that almost all DVR'S have is a bit strange like it's a bad thing. TiVo's technology is the most widely licensed platform in this space for a reason. And as Channels DVR development adds more sources it does become more difficult to navigate. You say the solution is to just not use them? Why not instead evolve the software to better use them? Wouldn't that make more sense? You seem to have a chip on your shoulder for someone requesting a feature you don't need and for some reason want a fight but you will have to carry on with yourself because I'm done trying to explain why others want an opinion you don't.

#29

You think I have a chip on my shoulder? Do you understand how voting works? Everyone votes for what they'd like to see as the PRIORITIES for new features. We differ on our opinion about priorities.

You did a trial and apparently didn't notice how recordings are browsed, and now want them to add this functionality or you say you can't use the product. You are further blaming this partially on the fact that they have developed additional sources, which you don't have to use. I asked you nicely to explain what you were doing to find a show that was unbearable. I honestly want to know, because I currently have 9,304 recordings and don't find it unbearable to find a show I want to watch. I don't "obviously like scrolling". I just don't see what the big deal is. You go into the best filtered view (there are many... Kids, Recently Added, Recently Watched, Movies, Alphabetical) and then hold the arrow key down and get to where you want to go in a few seconds. No, I don't click the arrow "50 or 60" times. That would be kind of silly.

I never said that Channels should never add any other ways to find recordings. I just fail to see the current methods as an unbearable. What I find unbearable is trying to organize sources and favorites across multiple streaming boxes. So I voted for fixing that first. No chip here. I really don't care if you use Channels or not. I tried to ask nicely to better understand what the problem is and you apparently think that means I have a chip on my shoulder, so good luck with solving your problem.

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#31

I have explained myself over and over when I didn't even have to take any time on why I want a feature. Unfortunately you have missed most of what I have tried to express. You obviously are against the feature request but unfortunately for you you have no say. Also it looks like many others feel the same as me. I will continue to push and respond for a much needed feature but I won't be responding to you.

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#32

Thanks for the feedback, ya'll. We hear ya.

I'm closing this now as this has clearly been discussed to its maximum potential.

#33