New Compact Player Layout

[HHM]

IMHO, these menu options seem a little bit inconsistent. Imagine sth is "shown" and "hidden" simultaneously... 
Ticking these options I could have expected that Artist-Bio and Now Playing List is hidden unless you hover over the panel where it should be visible.
Now it these elements are just hidden, so the settings could be misleading.

agree with that.

[Bee-liever]

IMHO, these menu options seem a little bit inconsistent. Imagine sth is "shown" and "hidden" simultaneously... 
Ticking these options I could have expected that Artist-Bio and Now Playing List is hidden unless you hover over the panel where it should be visible.
Now it these elements are just hidden, so the settings could be misleading.

I disagree. I think the options are quite straightforward. You can only select the auto-hide option if you have already selected bio/now playing 'show' option.  IMHO that logically means that you want to use the bio and now playing panels but only see them when you hover over them.

Note i have not finalised the colouring details and havent forgotten about some of the earlier requests. Now I have the basic layout options done thats what i plan to do next. Also feel free to re-raise points you made before that you think are important as this topic is quite long now.

don't forget the coloured box around the wavebar when using the over-ride:
<element id="Player.Wavebar" bg="18,19,12" fg="193,188,150" fg2="184,174,71" />
as raised in replies #97,#99 and #100

'cause I agree, the box looks ugly

[SimonBRT]

As others have already said, some truly excellent improvements in the latest version.  The new options menu is great, very customisable and all the options in one place.  And thanks for adding the artist bio as requested. Love the new compact player!

[SimonBRT]

Also, and this is a very minor/trivial thing, but I really like the look of the circle around the play button as shown in this mock-up.  Somehow brings the controls to life a little.

[Steven]

don't forget the coloured box around the wavebar when using the over-ride:
<element id="Player.Wavebar" bg="18,19,12" fg="193,188,150" fg2="184,174,71" />
as raised in replies #97,#99 and #100

'cause I agree, the box looks ugly

what box? if there is one displayed then its a bug - can you let me know which skin is being used

[VX]

IMHO, these menu options seem a little bit inconsistent. Imagine sth is "shown" and "hidden" simultaneously... 
Ticking these options I could have expected that Artist-Bio and Now Playing List is hidden unless you hover over the panel where it should be visible.
Now it these elements are just hidden, so the settings could be misleading.

I disagree.(...) IMHO that logically means that you want to use the bio and now playing panels but only see them when you hover over them.

That is exactly the point. I wouldn't mind if it behaved the way you have described it as I also find it logical. However, the current development build (2.1.4824) doesn't behave logically when these settings are applied: only lyrics are shown in my case and I'm not able to unhide Artist-Bio nor Now playing list tabs after hovering over it. Perhaps I hover over a wrong place??? It might be a bug or just a minor oversight.

I think implementing SimonBRT's idea from Reply #153 would be a nice improvement.

[Steven]

Also, and this is a very minor/trivial thing, but I really like the look of the circle around the play button as shown in this mock-up.  Somehow brings the controls to life a little.

the reason it wasnt done was player controls bar would need to be widened. I agree though it does look better and i havent rejected doing it

[Bee-liever]

I disagree.(...) IMHO that logically means that you want to use the bio and now playing panels but only see them when you hover over them.

That is exactly the point. I wouldn't mind if it behaved the way you have described it as I also find it logical. However, the current development build (2.1.4824) doesn't behave logically when these settings are applied: only lyrics are shown in my case and I'm not able to unhide Artist-Bio nor Now playing list tabs after hovering over it. Perhaps I hover over a wrong place???

also using (2.1.4824) and the auto-hide is working fine. need to place cursor just inside RH or LH frame and hold. there seems to be a few seconds hold time needed for the panels to open.

[VX]

I disagree.(...) IMHO that logically means that you want to use the bio and now playing panels but only see them when you hover over them.

That is exactly the point. I wouldn't mind if it behaved the way you have described it as I also find it logical. However, the current development build (2.1.4824) doesn't behave logically when these settings are applied: only lyrics are shown in my case and I'm not able to unhide Artist-Bio nor Now playing list tabs after hovering over it. Perhaps I hover over a wrong place???

also using (2.1.4824) and the auto-hide is working fine. need to place cursor just inside RH or LH frame and hold. there seems to be a few seconds hold time needed for the panels to open.

Thanks for the tip, but it still doesn't work for me 

[Alexis]

I have to say that I have never given the wavebar the attention it deserves because I suppose I always saw it as  so unattractive.  Thing is, it offers so much more information than just a progressbar,  that it really ought to have priority over it.

My question/suggestion:  is there anyway to make it look more lively?   EG: the spectrum analyzer  looks like it is 3d or something of the sort.. crisp...  attractive, why can't the wavebar have similar appeal?   This compact player has me interested in a better looking wavebar.

[Alexis]

Maybe  things along these lines? (do not even know if they are applicable, just going by appearance)



http://graphicleftovers.com/graphic/music-equaliser-wave-red/

[Steven]

I have to say that I have never given the wavebar the attention it deserves because I suppose I always saw it as  so unattractive.  Thing is, it offers so much more information than just a progressbar,  that it really ought to have priority over it.

My question/suggestion:  is there anyway to make it look more lively?   EG: the spectrum analyzer  looks like it is 3d or something of the sort.. crisp...  attractive, why can't the wavebar have similar appeal?   This compact player has me interested in a better looking wavebar.

yes i agree, although i dont think i will do what your subsequent post suggests but it definitely can be improved

[Alexis]

Thank you Steven!

[Steven]

couple of questions:
- do you like that the spectrum visualiser is displayed in a different colour band (artist picture view only) ? I have tried it myself using the same colour as the rest of the fill area and the reason its done the way it is is to make the fill area seem less large
- how do you use the compact player around setting up and maintaining playlists - do you find yourself going back to the main player often to add tracks to the now playing list? Although there is a the "Now Playing Assistant" i am thinking that some sort of library navigation should be more integrated into the compact player (I have some ideas about how to do that when the artist picture is not displayed but i would be interested in comments about the need for it)

[redwing]

- how do you use the compact player around setting up and maintaining playlists - do you find yourself going back to the main player often to add tracks to the now playing list? Although there is a the "Now Playing Assistant" i am thinking that some sort of library navigation should be more integrated into the compact player (I have some ideas about how to do that when the artist picture is not displayed but i would be interested in comments about the need for it)

The biggest reason I'm constantly going back to main player mode is search box. Others include to change filters, to go to inbox, and to select playlists. Though NP assistant support some of them, it isn't as useful as main player.

My suggestion is to add auto-hide left navigator with search box on the top of it. Artist info panel may be moved to the right as an option with lyrics pane.