Jump to content

Better Keyboard Media Control for Emby Theater in Windows 7


larsonDigital

Recommended Posts

larsonDigital

Hi there,

 

This might seem like a little thing, but it's huge for people like me who use media controls on their desktop keyboard (Play/Pause, Stop, Next, Previous, Volume Up, Volume Down, Mute, etc) all day long while they work to pause music playback when the phone rings, resume playback, quickly increase or decrease volume, skip tracks, etc.  I do these all day long probably a hundred times a day.

 

My keyboard media controls sort of work with Emby Theater in Windows 7, but not completely.  Here's what I've observed:

  1. The volume control (up, down, mute) seems to work flawlessly.
  2. Play/Pause button works, but only when Emby Theater is Windows currently "focused" window (meaning on top).  The is the biggest thing as it defeats the purpose of quick-access media buttons on your keyboard if you have to find the Emby Theater window first and bring it to the foreground before you can then pause or play or stop.
  3. Stop works, but only when Emby Theater is the focus window, like the Play/Pause.
  4. Next Track does the same thing as Stop, kicking me out of the playlist or whatever I'm currently listening to back to the previous screen instead of playing the next track.
  5. Previous Track does nothing!  Ever!  :)  I'm laughing here.

I know my keyboard controls work, because I can use all of them flawlessly with iTunes, Windows Media Player, CyberLink PowerDVD, etc, whether those windows are at the forefront, background, minimized, etc.

 

Thanks so much!

James

 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

 

  1. Next Track does the same thing as Stop, kicking me out of the playlist or whatever I'm currently listening to back to the previous screen instead of playing the next track.

 

I have never seen this before.

 

 

 

Previous Track does nothing!  Ever!

 

Works fine for me in my testing. Do you actually have a previous track in your current now playing queue? And if not, then what is the expected result?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

larsonDigital

Hi Luke,

 

As I'm testing it right now, I've noticed that if I'm playing a music album (My Media > Music > Albums > Select an album > Play All), I can click the previous and/or next track buttons with the mouse to go back or forward in the tracks of the album, as I would expect.  While that is working, if I switch and try to use my keyboard media buttons to go back or forward in the tracks of the album in the same way, pressing either Previous or Next take me back to the album screen (previous screen where I see the full list of album tracks) and the music stops, effectively doing the same thing if I click on Stop button with the mouse or press the Stop button on my keyboard.

 

On another note, at this point, if I try to click on Play All to start playing the album again, it spins and spins and I have to close the program and start over (relaunch Emby Theater).

 

Hope that helps,

James

Link to comment
Share on other sites

larsonDigital

Are you testing with Emby Theater in Windows 7?  Am I the only having these issues?  Maybe I need to uninstall and reinstall Emby Theater.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yes I tested these on Windows 7.  These are really basic functions. I think there would be a mass outcry if they weren't actually working.

 

Except for the app out of focus thing because you are right about that. The app does need focus in order to receive commands.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...