New Users: Give The Optional "Diamond" Interface A Try

[PeteCress]

Speaking as the compulsive nit-picking, fault-finding, PITA malcontent that I perceive myself to be....

I like Diamond.

I find it tb a visually and functionally cleaner implementation than the stock interface.

This is posted under SageTV Software and not under Plug-Ins bc I would urge any new owners (who might not even be aware of the various UI options) to give Diamond a try.

YYMV - and you might hate it - but that's why they make chocolate and vanilla.... I say "give it a try".... the price is definitely right and you can always back it out with a couple of mouse clicks.

Setup | SageTV Plugins | All Available Plugins | UI Mod | Diamond for Default SageTV7 STV

In fact, if I were calling the shots at Sage, I'd want to hear arguments why Diamond shouldn't be the default UI.

[Biggen]

Originally Posted by PeteCress

Speaking as the compulsive nit-picking, fault-finding, PITA malcontent that I perceive myself to be....

I like Diamond.

I find it tb a visually and functionally cleaner implementation than the stock interface.

This is posted under SageTV Software and not under Plug-Ins bc I would urge any new owners (who might not even be aware of the various UI options) to give Diamond a try.

YYMV - and you might hate it - but that's why they make chocolate and vanilla.... I say "give it a try".... the price is definitely right and you can always back it out with a couple of mouse clicks.

Setup | SageTV Plugins | All Available Plugins | UI Mod | Diamond for Default SageTV7 STV

In fact, if I were calling the shots at Sage, I'd want to hear arguments why Diamond shouldn't be the default UI.

^^^^^

Sage needs to hire the Diamond guys (or pay them handsomely for the UI). The stock Sage UI is a step backwards if you ask me compared to Diamond. It is a shame that a plugin trumps the original...

[PeteCress]

Originally Posted by Biggen

It is a shame that a plugin trumps the original...

Thanks. I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one.

The volume icon as a case in point: stock UI moves it to the upper right corner of the screen - so one's eye has to look in two places to see status info that used tb all at the bottom of the screen....

[Skirge01]

Originally Posted by PeteCress

This is posted under SageTV Software and not under Plug-Ins ...

Well, it WAS...

[PeteCress]

Originally Posted by Skirge01

Well, it WAS...

Oh well...

[barney B.A.]

Originally Posted by Biggen

^^^^^
It is a shame that a plugin trumps the original...

Well, if it didn't what would be the point of the plugin?

[PeteCress]

Originally Posted by barney B.A.

Well, if it didn't what would be the point of the plugin?

I'd say different functionality for different people's wishes would be one.

i.e. Not "better/worse"... just "diffrn't strokes for diffrn't folks".

[alton987]

The issue though for new users to Diamond is that I didn't get at first was that your metedata has be setup and maintained. With out proper metedata Diamond is not that impressive. You should add that to the post.

[Biggen]

Originally Posted by barney B.A.

Well, if it didn't what would be the point of the plugin?

A difference in functionality is what plugins are all about. Diamond has done that in then some. Not only does it gives SageTV more abilities but it looks damn cool as well. This is what I am talking about. The "cool factor".

[evilpenguin]

Originally Posted by alton987

The issue though for new users to Diamond is that I didn't get at first was that your metedata has be setup and maintained. With out proper metedata Diamond is not that impressive. You should add that to the post.

That's not entirely true, Diamond adds a lot of non-fanart related tweaks like clutter reduction, layout changes, and simple enhancements that users really seem to enjoy which could easily be integrated into the default STV.

[PeteCress]

Originally Posted by alton987

The issue though for new users to Diamond is that I didn't get at first was that your metedata has be setup and maintained. With out proper metedata Diamond is not that impressive. You should add that to the post.

By "Metadata", you mean the album icons and other MyMovies stuff, right?

If so, that begs a question: how to add metadata for new movies without letting MyMovies go at my directory structure.

I installed MyMovies Collection Manager, let it do it's thing, and wasn't happy with what it did to my folders. Can't recall the specifics, but it was a deal breaker for me and I excommunicated MyMovies from my DVD folder structure.

So now I have metadata for most of my movies - but not all, and would like to flesh it out by hand.

[PeteCress]

Originally Posted by evilpenguin

...Diamond adds a lot of non-fanart related tweaks like clutter reduction, layout changes, and simple enhancements that users really seem to enjoy which could easily be integrated into the default STV.

+1

The placement of the volume slider is a case in point.

Easy access to "Import Media" is another - and there are lots more. That kind of stuff adds up fast for me.

I could use Diamond without any fanart or other metadata and still see it as a significant improvement over the stock UI.

[ToxMox]

Originally Posted by PeteCress

This is posted under SageTV Software and not under Plug-Ins bc I would urge any new owners (who might not even be aware of the various UI options) to give Diamond a try.

Is there a reason this was moved out of the general forum?

[evilpenguin]

Sage Community is probably a more appropriate place for this post.

[jusjoken]

Originally Posted by alton987

The issue though for new users to Diamond is that I didn't get at first was that your metedata has be setup and maintained. With out proper metedata Diamond is not that impressive. You should add that to the post.

If you look at the Wiki in the Getting Started section it talks about metadata/fanart.

The Wiki has alot of information that should help a new or current user discover how to get the most from Diamond.

k