Is Emby Roku team going to update client look/feel?

[butch79 25]

Wanting to know if the Emby Roku team is ever going to update the Roku interface to match the Android or Emby Tv app?

 

I love the functionality of using the Roku as my watching endpoint, but I would really like to know if it is going to get a facelift anytime soon?

[Luke 42077]

Hi, yes we are currently planning and beginning to look at that.

[speechles 2055]

@@butch79

 

http://emby.media/community/index.php?/topic/24151-theme-blue-neon-night/

 

Have you seen this themed roku app for emby? It is 100% Free, full version, no ads, no in-app payments required. It is fully community driven, and feature-filled. Both emby roku apps can be on your home screen together. This is an exclusive app for forum members.

 

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

[butch79 25]

Yes, I have seen Blue Neon Light. I am not interested in this. Thank you speechless.

 

I am looking for something more modern. Something that looks similar to the Emby Theatre for Windows. The interfaces need to be similar so that when users go between interfaces they get a similar experience.

[speechles 2055]

You are looking for better live-tv, its okay to be honest. A real grid interface for roku. This is what you mean by modern interface. I gotcha.

 

The interface being the same on all devices limits the extra things each unique device can do. I am not a fan of the "one look fits all" design philosophy. I would rather each UI takes advantage of features unique to each device. This makes each device keep its charms, rather than forcing a "school uniforms" policy on all apps.

 

@@Luke the live-tv section of the app should become scene graph first. The focus and time should be spent on this area first. This is the one real area where the roku leaves alot to be desired. Especially compared to other apps such as androidTV and theater. This is the sore spot people keep picking at. It scabs over, and its picked at again. Please put the main focus of your efforts on live-tv first with a grid. This will also encourage premiere adoption, since a full grid would require premiere. Some food for thought.

Edited July 20, 2016 by speechles

[farside847 39]

[watching this thread hopefully]

[Andy29485 0]

Maybe not a one look fits all but something like what the Netflix app for Roku looks like. Rather than having to slowly click through the categories, {"Jump In", "Resume", "Favorites", etc...}, each category could be a separate row.

[dcook 299]

I find that the stock Emby app for Roku works very similar to the Roku Netflix app.  The navigation is pretty much the same, and appearance wise its very similar to Netflix, especially if you have all the background images and metadata for your media.

 

I disagree that live-tv should be the priority for Roku support, I would suspect that a large percent of Emby users are watching media they have stored, not watching live-tv.

[Koleckai Silvestri 1154]

I disagree that live-tv should be the priority for Roku support, I would suspect that a large percent of Emby users are watching media they have stored, not watching live-tv.

 

Live TV is the priority for everything. I suspect we'll have Live TV on the Apple Watch and Samsung Gear before the Roku app gets updated.

[Luke 42077]

Live TV is the priority for everything. I suspect we'll have Live TV on the Apple Watch and Samsung Gear before the Roku app gets updated.

 

Now that's not true 

[mediacowboy 438]

Now that's not true 

I feel like a "yet" is missing.

[speechles 2055]

I only said liveTV needs updating as it is the red-headed step-child of the roku app. Compared to other devices this is where the roku is clunky. The rest is pretty much feature complete and in line with other apps. I would attempt to make a liveTV grid like other apps have, but I dont have liveTV. This is my one weakness, my kryptonite.

 

I do agree that there does need to be backgrounds, some fancy icons, some sounds/speech, multi language and then some pretty graphical methods to overlay windows and animate things. It will get there, but the talent pool in the roku department is lacking. There are a few users as of late, like myself, showing interest in bettering the roku app, collaborating on things. We are just individual users though. We arent part of internal developer discussions, or part of the "inner circle" of members with special perks.

 

This is where if luke is serious, he is missing an opportunity not reaching out to these people and helping round up the talent pool. Plex took on outside developers for their new roku app. The one running lead developed rarflix. If there was incentive to create something amazing I am sure people would line up to provide help.

 

There is a way to monetize in-app payments through the roku app. The same way the appleTV and androidTV require subscription or one time payment unlock. This would aggravate users initially, but encourage premiere adoption. Those wanting entirely free, can use the old app, or the blue neon app.

 

A free version, of the premium scene graph app can be made available after a short time. Perhaps 3 months. This free app would also require an in-app payment unlock or a premiere subscription for liveTV features. The free app would lockout liveTV until then. The only downside is nowTV and sideloading. These users cannot contact the roku store methods to pay in-app. For sideloading on nowTV would require a different way to make payments.

 

This is just me mumbling to myself so it may not evolve this way. But without some way to motivate development and encourage competition the app cannot be as great as it couldve been. So dont expect a free ride forever. Be grateful for what you have right now.

Edited August 4, 2016 by speechles

[Guest Grace1313]

I'd happily pay for an updated version.  I've tried just about every device emby is available on and roku outperforms them all.  It's just a shame that roku put such a limitation on development of apps.

[Grillen 0]

Im also following this thread. Bought a Roku4 and i was a bit dissapointed in Emby app. Ok all works. But I also want the design more like emby apps.

I have faith in developers and pressing update in channel store every 3 hour

I would gladly pay for a different design more like other emby apps that looks and works so great!

[mlongpre 0]

+1!

 

Updated Roku app with better LiveTV abilities would be welcome!

 

I'm sure a lot would pay to have polished client apps. I know I would.

[tman 47]

Yeah, I think the Roku app needs some TLC too. It hasn't been updated for AGES. It still works, but it's way out of step with other Emby apps now, and the LiveTV side is way clunky.

[nagetech 69]

I would love to see this upgrade! I know I read somewhere that it was already in the works.

[skidmarks 199]

I keep watching for a new Roku upgrade for EMBY!  Would love to come home...

[ebr 16169]

I keep watching for a new Roku upgrade for EMBY!  Would love to come home...

 

We can't say when it will be ready but I wouldn't be checking for it every day right now.

[skidmarks 199]

Hey EBR!  Thanks for the reply.  I check about once a month.  Community is so much better over here!

[Allan Cameron 40]

I am using the shield client. It's an amazing client. Very modern and offers a fresh emby experience. If the out dated current Roku client is ever modernized I will be sure to check it out. I will be picking up the new Roku Ultra on Oct,10th so I have the latest. I love the Roku but emby is just to dated with many modernized options available now on other Hardware.

[Lyfesaver 133]

Shield client?

[Allan Cameron 40]

Shield client?

 

NVIDIA Shield (Android TV)

[butch79 25]

Is there any status update on this Emby Development? When is this going to get updated? Your main competitor Plex has already updated their Roku interface so that it matches all their other interfaces. When is Emby going to do the same thing? Why has this been so low on the list of priorities? Do you all need a Roku developer?

[ebr 16169]

We are working on it.