A few suggestions

[klimekt]

I've been using Xlobby and Heavy Metal skin for a while now to control my home theater. Over time I've added extra functionality that I needed but which wasn't included with the skin. A few days ago my setup became corrupted and I was forced to download the newest version of the skin and re-create all the changes. While I was doing that it occoured to me that most of them are generic enough that they could be included with the skins by default. So in no particular order, here they are:

1) When a movie is started, XLobby should automatically go to the player controls screen.

2) The player control screen (at least, maybe others too?) should include a button for blanking the screen. If pressed, Xlobby should go to a black page. A second press anywhere on the screen returns to the previous screen. This is very useful if you watch movies in the dark and find monitor glare to be annoying.

3) Light control page from the main menu. This could include several generic "scenes". I have "On", "Half", "Movie" and "Off" scenes. "Movie" setting is barely visible, maybe 5% brightness. Since everyone has different ways of controlling their lights (or none at all) and different preferences for brightness, a generic set of event placeholders could be setup for each scene that each user could fill with their particular light control commands or leave blank.

4) Once light control events are standard, starting a movie should trigger the "movie" light event. Likewise, pausing a movie should trigger a "half" event. Pressing play again should return the lights to the "movie" mode. Stopping a movie, closing the player, or closing Xlobby should trigger the "On" event. This is very useful (and may I add quite impressive to the visitors ) to have the lights automatically come on when the movie is paused and dim when the movie is resumed.

5) Functionality to not only add all new movies, but also to perform a batch information and cover search. It's such a pain to have to do each movie separately. I know there are 3rd party solutions for this but so far I haven't found one I'm confortable with. It would be simpler to have this built into Xlobby.

I hope these make sense. I'd be happy to answer any questions.
Tomasz

[m_masta]

1) When a movie is started, XLobby should automatically go to the player controls screen.

2) The player control screen (at least, maybe others too?) should include a button for blanking the screen. If pressed, Xlobby should go to a black page. A second press anywhere on the screen returns to the previous screen. This is very useful if you watch movies in the dark and find monitor glare to be annoying.

Tomasz

1) I'm assuming you are using some form of a 2nd monitor? projector?
because for me, when the movie starts I don't want the control screen..... I want the movie

2) Ditto

masta

[klimekt]

Yes, it's a dual screen arrangement, one a touchscreen for Xlobby and one a projector.
I've never tried Xlobby on a single screen machine, but I'd assume that once the movie stars the DVD player is placed over the top of Xlobby?Even in that case I could see some benefit of Xlobby switching to the controls screen. That way if you wanted to use Xlobby control interface all you'd have to do is switch (ALT+TAB) back and forth between the two applications.

[m_masta]

Yes, it's a dual screen arrangement, one a touchscreen for Xlobby and one a projector.
I've never tried Xlobby on a single screen machine, but I'd assume that once the movie stars the DVD player is placed over the top of Xlobby?Even in that case I could see some benefit of Xlobby switching to the controls screen. That way if you wanted to use Xlobby control interface all you'd have to do is switch (ALT+TAB) back and forth between the two applications.

That's correct, once you launch a movie, the screen is taken up by the movie player (assuming you went fullscreen). If you're using Zoomplayer, you can just move your mouse and the control bar comes up.
I understand what you're trying to do, I just don't know if it should be "standard" (I'm assuming there are a few people like me who only use a single monitor) Perhaps someone should develop a skin catering to dual-monitor/projector users, because I agree with your suggestions.

masta