Letter-less remote

[Paul Webster]

Is there anything new in 7.2 (LazySearch like?) to help with the reduced number of buttons on the remote control?

[seanadams]

Is there anything new in 7.2 (LazySearch like?) to help with the reduced number of buttons on the remote control?

Boom does have a scroll wheel. That's not as fast as lettered keys if you're good at texting, but it does (to some degree) obviate the need for letters on the remote. Of course it's compatible with the other Slim remotes, if you have an older one you'd prefer to use.

[JJZolx]

No, if you're using the remote, finding stuff in a long list can be a trial. The scroll wheel seems to work much better. But there's no ability to jump around by letter with either of them.

But you can always use a full sized SB remote and then you have the same remote functionality as with a Squeezebox.

[Phil Leigh]

I thought I was going to really struggle with this issue (2,500 albums, 30,000 tracks) but actually:

1) you can use the normal remote if you REALLY want to (eg for lazysearch)
2) The wheel really is fast enough for most of my usages when outdoors
3) I tend to use the boom outdoors a LOT... so I'm using MusicIP/Spicefly mixes nearly all the time.
4) I also use the radio a lot outside and the favourites buttons really get me to BBC 1-6 quickly!

I realise not everyone is going to use one outdoors...but again, when using around the house it's a general purpose listening device for me. I don't tend to spend a lot of time searching/selecting in that mode - usually it's "click and play".

Obviously YMMV!

[boom@lists.slimdevices.com]

boom (AT) lists (DOT) slimdevices.com wrote:
> I thought I was going to really struggle with this issue (2,500 albums,
> 30,000 tracks) but actually:
> 1) you can use the normal remote if you REALLY want to (eg for
> lazysearch)

All true, but I love using my Controller with it.

--
Pat Farrell
http://www.pfarrell.com/

[Phil Leigh]

boom (AT) lists (DOT) slimdevices.com wrote:
> I thought I was going to really struggle with this issue (2,500 albums,
> 30,000 tracks) but actually:
> 1) you can use the normal remote if you REALLY want to (eg for
> lazysearch)

All true, but I love using my Controller with it.

--
Pat Farrell
http://www.pfarrell.com/



Pat - you are too cool for words :o)

Memo to self: must buy controller...

[MeSue]

You could use the Custom Browse plugin to add another level to your lists, like jumping to a letter first. I think I did that, but I never remember to use it. I just walk up and use the knob, or grab the old SB remote or my Harmony which has the letter shortcuts. Out at the pool, I usually queue up mixes.

[Skunk]

I've become pretty fond of the little remote. In the kitchen you don't even need to remove it from the fridge to skip a track or change volume, if it's positioned right. It also fits great in a pocket, which I found really handy while painting a couple rooms the other day. No setting down the paint roller or stopping what I was doing just to skip tracks.

[peterw]

No, if you're using the remote, finding stuff in a long list can be a trial. The scroll wheel seems to work much better. But there's no ability to jump around by letter with either of them.

But you can always use a full sized SB remote and then you have the same remote functionality as with a Squeezebox.

My ContextMenu plugin provides "button emulation". Install it and configure it to offer any of the 0-9 buttons you like (or others from the standard remote, or the Mute button not on any remote) and you can access buttons not on the mini remote by holding the right arrow for a second, scrolling to the name of the button you want, and tapping the right arrow. If you only wanted to use ContextMenu for making it easier to jump in the middle of long lists, you could do something like enable the 4, 6, and 8 buttons, so you'd only be 2-4 button presses away from jumping to the G, M, or T letters.

I find myself kinda doing the opposite. I have a Boom bedside and mainly use it for Favorites, so the front panel, esp. the 1-6 buttons, are great, and I don't have a remote for it in the bedroom. My kitchen still has an SB2, and in the kitchen I have both the standard remote and the magnetic Boom mini. The mini remote stays in a small plastic snack bag (to protect it from grease, flour, etc.) stuck to the fridge, and I use it 75% of the time there. For long lists, I'll either use ContextMenu or the SB2 remote, depending on how close the SB2 remote is.