It is just a little thing...

[Gilgamesh_48 1240]

I have been using the standard Android app for the last few days as I was advised it might fix the random pausing problem I was having with the Emby Android TV app, and it does seem to fix that. However it does have one little issue.
At the end of shows in the TV app I simply pressed the right arrow key once or more to reach the actual end of the video and the app detected that I was at the end and it detected that and exited right away and the Next up legacy row updated correctly. However, with the standard app the exit is MUCH slower and sometimes the Next up row does not update at all or it updates and the description at the top (I use the setting where info appears at the top) is totally blank until I move the cursor to the right or the left and back at which point the screen updates and everything is fine. Sometimes I have even had to exit and reenter the app to get things back to normal.

One other thing is that on my home screen with the enhanced display enabled when I am browsing to select a library a description appears of some apparently random show at the top of the screen just like I was in the library and was browsing a show. The selection of what show's info is displayed appears random and changes if I highlight another library and return. That is on the return a different show's info appears. 

Another display issue is that if I am using the enhanced display and browsing the next up row the title seems to be inside the poster instead of below it. 

These things are simply little irritations but they do make using the standard app feel clumsy and much less polished. 

I do find the standard app's playback much better but it just feels clumsy and less polished and it makes me want to use the "for TV" app rather than the standard app. 

I wonder if these issues are being addressed and if they are to be fixed. 

Thanks

 

[GrimReaper 4739]

18 minutes ago, Gilgamesh_48 said:

One other thing is that on my home screen with the enhanced display enabled when I am browsing to select a library a description appears of some apparently random show at the top of the screen just like I was in the library and was browsing a show. The selection of what show's info is displayed appears random and changes if I highlight another library and return. That is on the return a different show's info appears. 

That is by design, it shows random item from whatever library in My Media row is in focus (think of it as a library spotlight/recommendation); what it lacks is method of interaction, asked for several times in the past, and currently under discussion as a part of this topic. 

The other two issues I haven't encountered so can't comment, though with Enhanced Home Screen enabled you shouldn't be seeing any titles under (or on, in your case) Next Up row (or any other row, for that matter, Continue Watching or any Latest rows) thumbs/posters, as EHS displays that particular focused item details. 

Edited May 31, 2025 by GrimReaper

[Gilgamesh_48 1240]

12 minutes ago, GrimReaper said:

That is by design, it shows random item from whatever library in My Media row is in focus (think of it as a library spotlight/recommendation); what it lacks is method of interaction, asked for several times in the past, and currently under/latest discussion here. 

The other two issues I haven't encountered so can't comment, though with Enhanced Home Screen enabled you shouldn't be seeing any titles under (or on, in your case) Next Up row (or any other row, for that matter, Continue Watching or any Latest rows) thumbs/posters, as EHS displays that particular focused item details. 

Do you know if the "Exoplayer," I think that is its name, will be included in the TV app in the future? That is the primary reason I moved to the regular app but I am finding that the rest of the TV app is superior so i am wondering about the player so i can enjoy my TV watching more. The highlight color issue is VERY minor compared with the apps other issues. I think I may go back to the TV app as using it is more pleasant for me.

But thanks again. You and Emby are not responsible for my happiness or comfort.

[pwhodges 2012]

50 minutes ago, GrimReaper said:

That is by design, it shows random item from whatever library in My Media row is in focus (think of it as a library spotlight/recommendation)

I suppose someone must think this is a good idea, to have implemented it - but I think it's confusing and annoying.  An option to turn it off would be most welcome.

Paul

[GrimReaper 4739]

38 minutes ago, Gilgamesh_48 said:

Do you know if the "Exoplayer," I think that is its name, will be included in the TV app in the future?

ExoPlayer is the underlying player used in both apps, standard app is just more actively developed hence using updated ExoPlayer builds, as ATV app is basically in maintenance-mode only:

On 1/1/2025 at 9:36 PM, Luke said:

The standard app is ahead with video player updates and we recommend using it going forward on all android devices.

 

On 1/10/2025 at 1:50 PM, Luke said:

I would try again with the latest build because it has an updated Exoplayer build.

But you never know if the updated libraries might have added workarounds.

since the intention is to unify both apps/standard app to supersede ATV app, much to the chagrin of number of users (myself included), which has been an ongoing/repeating theme/pattern in feature-parity topic:

There's obviously (and still) a big divide in the userbase (as it so often happens) about current (somewhat of a) status-quo. 

Wheher ATV app will get updated ExoPlayer build(s) is a question for the Devs, I have no insight in development cycle/circle. 

Edited May 31, 2025 by GrimReaper

[GrimReaper 4739]

1 minute ago, pwhodges said:

I suppose someone must think this is a good idea, to have implemented it

Personally, I find it a great idea (as I often catch something there that I'd be very willing to watch, either as it brings some memories or I skipped it at its time of popularity for one reason or another), but the lack of interaction is a killer (as it's simply too much of a chore to actually search for that spotlighted item on a TV, not worth the hassle) - tbh, I find it really hard to believe it was not thought out/implemented to begin with. 

[Gilgamesh_48 1240]

5 minutes ago, GrimReaper said:

ExoPlayer is the underlying player used in both apps, standard app is just more actively developed hence using updated ExoPlayer builds, as ATV up is basically in maintenance-mode only:

 

since the intention is to unify both apps/standard app to supersede ATV app, much to the chagrin of number of users (myself included), which has been an ongoing/repeating theme/pattern in feature-parity topic:

There's obviously (and still) a big divide in the userbase (as it so often happens) about current (somewhat of a) status-quo. 

Wheher ATV up will get updated ExoPlayer build(s) is a question for the Devs, I have no insight in development cycle/circle. 

You can count me as preferring the TV app as the standard app is just clumsy to use and has a number of what i think is really stupid unnecessary changes from the Tv app. I guess i will, eventually, have to use that clumsy and, for me, poorer app if I want to use Android but I will have to be dragged kicking and screaming to it. 
For now I will go back to the superior app and just use the force transcoding method when I run into the pausing issue.
I REALLY hope Emby will rethink downgrading the user experience and simply fix the little problems in the TV app. There is nothing really wrong with it except the player and that seems like it should be an easy thing to add.

I think the new app is a huge step backward for usability in Emby apps.  

Thank you for all your help  

[Gilgamesh_48 1240]

1 hour ago, GrimReaper said:

Personally, I find it a great idea (as I often catch something there that I'd be very willing to watch, either as it brings some memories or I skipped it at its time of popularity for one reason or another), but the lack of interaction is a killer (as it's simply too much of a chore to actually search for that spotlighted item on a TV, not worth the hassle) - tbh, I find it really hard to believe it was not thought out/implemented to begin with. 

For me I find it to be a horrible decision as i do NOT want "suggestions" from a machine and the display is so random that it is virtually useless for me.  It seems that Emby just has to fill up blank areas with garbage and displaying unasked for content descriptions is intrusive. I like the way the TV app handles it MICH better and, if it is changed to the way the Standard app does it it will be a step backward in usability. Emby sometimes does just stupid things and this is one place where stupidity wins again if it is not at least allowed to be turned off. 

I keep wanting to go back to using my Roku but Roku's decisions make that problematic as they are making the whole Roku experience unpleasant. 

To me everything that gets in the way of simply locating and playing content should be user choice or not implemented at all.

[GrimReaper 4739]

1 hour ago, Gilgamesh_48 said:

For me I find it to be a horrible decision as i do NOT want "suggestions" from a machine and the display is so random that it is virtually useless for me.

Hence I've previously linked latest topic where the discussion is currently developing, so you can add your voice/comments and keep the discussion focused rather than scattered/fragmented around multiple topics (more than it already is), which is actually a great topic for anyone to add their thoughts/experiences about why do they prefer one app over the other, as we all have our own preferences. 

3 hours ago, GrimReaper said:

currently under discussion as a part of this topic

 

Edited May 31, 2025 by GrimReaper

[Gilgamesh_48 1240]

2 minutes ago, GrimReaper said:

Hence I've previously linked latest topic where the discussion is currently developing, so you can add your voice/comments and keep the discussion focused rather than scattered/fractured around multiple topics (more than it already is), which is actually a great topic for anyone to add their thoughts/experiences about why do they prefer one app over the other, as we all have our own preferences. 

 

I have somewhat mitigated my desire to influence Emby as they seem to not really act on suggestions unless there is already some support within Emby for the suggestion. I have lobbied hard for several things over the years and, while i understand that not all my ideas are good, Emby just seems to ignore what I say unless i get rapid support from many people and, in this case, i think Emby has already made up their collectives minds and are very unlikely to change their direction forward. The main debate is for the young as, at my age, it has become hard to type because of all the typos I make and then correcting them and i still miss many. It is discouraging to have typing problems and I am now limiting my time at the keyboard.
Just to give you a basic idea: This little post has taken me nearly 20 minutes to type. 
But that is not your problem or Emby's, it is mine. I will stick to reporting problems and just hope that Emby regains some common sense and does not totally ruin the viewing experience for me. But I cannot really help much debate wise. 

But again thanks for your help and understanding and I hope I can continue to communicate issues in the future. 
I know it seems I post a lot but this is the only board I still post on and my time is all spent in my viewing room with both my TV and computer set up to easily use from my chair and I have nothing but time. I can use my TV and my Computer from my chair with relative ease but it still takes a long time to produce anything.

I try VERY hard to make my posts as understandable as possible but that mean that my typing often takes a very very long time. 

Now to sit back and watch some soccer on TV. 

I wish that Emby would master "time viewing" so I could skip ahead in real time and skip all the drivel that accompanies sports events.