SageTV evolution is dead

[stanger89]

Originally Posted by sainswor99

Are we looking at the same thing? The k-scape allows you to select a movie (by hovering over a title) and other movies rearrange themselves dynamically to fit your grid. That's a little different than the static grid of video covers from Sage.

Functionally yes, aesthetically, not so much.

[sainswor99]

Originally Posted by stanger89

Functionally yes, aesthetically, not so much.

No wonder no one can agree on UI arrangements; we can't even agree on definitions like aesthetics.

To me, aesthetics include not only static layouts, but dynamic motion as well. The grid view in SageTV is similar to Kscape in that it's a grid of images, but Kscape adds dynamic motion to the mix. To me, that's aesthetically pleasing (as opposed to the simple scrolling of a grid).

[samgreco]

Originally Posted by MeInMaui

Well, I think I'll chime in here. In general, I don't have any real problems with the default UI organization. My main concern/problem with the default UI is that they try to cram just a bit too much in each screen. By this I mean that there are:

1. Too many functions/options/choices on each screen.

Only the basic functions required to do the primary task should be presented to the user on the default screen. Everything else should be available in a separate advanced options or configuration menu. Basically, if a function isn't used at least once in every few visits to the screen, then it shouldn't be there.

2. Too much either unclearly presented or unnecessary information displayed at once.

I'm not against having lots of information available, but but it needs to be presented in a way that is clear and obvious at first glance.

Icons (such as first run, HD, etc.) should be different enough in design that they can be clearly differentiated instantly. Further, the design should be such that the meaning of the icon is also easily understood by a first time observer without having to consult the manual.

Key media information should be available on the screen, however secondary information should be out of the way.

3. The number of borders and lines throughout the UI has greatly improved since v2, but there are still some places where this turns up, such as in the video OSD.

Extra lines and the such just add to the feeling of clutter. Again this area has improved greatly.




The core animations have gone a long way to making the UI easer to follow and use (plus they add that slickness factor). Add to that a little more polish on the default graphics to make them a bit 'shinier' with a bit more contrast and maybe some icons to give a bit more splash to the main menu and there you have it.

My impression of the default UI is that it is cluttered and it always seems a bit harder than it should be to do the basics, mostly because I have to sort through so much to find the function I want. I might be a bit off base here since I hardly use the default UI at all, but I think the principles I mentioned should be valid anyway.

That's really about it. Basically, less is more. Each screen should be kept clean, simple and on purpose. Anything that doesn't need to be there shouldn't be.

Well, that's all I've got. Thanks for reading.

Aloha,
Mike

Nailed it....

Now I really can't wait to see what you have up your sleeve.

[stanger89]

Originally Posted by sainswor99

No wonder no one can agree on UI arrangements; we can't even agree on definitions like aesthetics.

To me, aesthetics include not only static layouts, but dynamic motion as well. The grid view in SageTV is similar to Kscape in that it's a grid of images, but Kscape adds dynamic motion to the mix. To me, that's aesthetically pleasing (as opposed to the simple scrolling of a grid).

Well the motion sure, but that's a small thing IMO (personally, scrolling/motion can get old really fast depending on it's implementation), the most important part of that page is the fact that it displays "related" movies, which is a function. But really, the point was that largely, the K-scape UI is very "DOS-like" in it's aesthetics (solid colors, simple fonts), it's basically the anti-AppleTV UI, despite that it's probably the benchmark of good UI design, at least for a media app.

[Lucas]

Originally Posted by stanger89

I'd take a K-scape over an AppleTV any day, despite the AppleTV UI being a 1000x more flashy.

+1 on that!
When SageMC came out, I loaded it on one of the clients to get feedback from the wife.....

She wasn't impressed.

We are running the stock UI, albeit changed with the Dynamic menus of nielm since then.

Simplicity and functionality are key for the average user.

[stevech]

Originally Posted by Lucas

+1 on that!
When SageMC came out, I loaded it on one of the clients to get feedback from the wife.....

She wasn't impressed.

We are running the stock UI, albeit changed with the Dynamic menus of nielm since then.

Simplicity and functionality are key for the average user.

same wife reaction here... too much clutter. Too hard to use. Too many button pushes for common use.

And, much of the UI is illegible via a std def MVP (small raster, lower bandwidth).

[PhillJones]

I haven't updated from sage 5 yet and use sagemc 6.13a so I may not be bang up to date on sageMC but it was very easy to install when I did it and I much prefer it to the standard installation. I don't even have any extra stuff installed. I just prefer the layout and look.

If the introduction of new features has slowed. I might now invest in an upgrade. For me, I like stability and consistency, not loads of new and potentially buggy features. I just want something that records TV, plays DVDs, music and my own videos, and does internet radio. The weather is a nice extra but other than that, I'd rather the developers spend their time making the code as solid and smooth as possible.