Browse list NOT alphabetically

[rubberduck]

Currently the browse list is automatically sorted alphabetically, which may be a good thing... sometimes. But in my experience it is disturbing in most cases, especially for full albums, classical music, soundtracks.

Strangely enough when pressing a track then the tracks of the browse list are added to the playlist in the correct order. This helps a little bit. However, it is often difficult to find the first track to start with (as track numbers are also not shown, which would be another wish of mine).

Could you add a button to switch between alphabetical sorting and unsorting in the browse list (last mode should be remembered)? This would be great.

[csimon]

+1

There may be a case for sorting alphabetically at container-level, e.g. a list of artists so that you get the A-Z index down the side and automatic A-Z headings, but when down to the track listing then it should definitely be in the order it was returned from the server. Ideally, there would be an option to switch between automatic sorting and leaving it in the order returned from the server (even container-level items which I might have sorted non-alphabetically at the server (e.g. albums by year, multiple CDs within a boxed set sorted by CD number rather than the "name" of the CD), but would like to have my cake and eat it by having the A-Z index down the side when it is alphabetic! I'm not sure that it would be possible for PlugPlayer to recognise when the server-returned order is actually alphabetic.

Is there any way to remember the current mode depending on the current level, as suggested in the OP? Is PlugPlayer able to identify each unique level that the server returns and store the sort order for each one?

[abramsh]

Remembering based on the current level seems problematic.

Right now, the decision is based on the number of items in the folder - I think it's currently set to 30. The thought is that we can make this configurable so if you set it to 10000 it will never sort, and if set it to 100 it will only sort large folders. I think this will solve most of the concerns I've heard so far.

After we have that in place, if there are still problems, we can look at a button to toggle the mode while you're looking at a list, or some other heuristics on when to sort or not.

[rubberduck]

After some thinking I would say, that this would be a short-term solution, which would help of course, and I'd happy to have it rather than to stick with the current system. But I do not think that it works reliable enough and doubt it makes us happy in the long run

For me the following logic would be perfect: Sort everything except the lowest level. I suppose PP knows if the browse list currently showing has subfolders or not. If not, then this is either an album, compilation, or a playlist, where sorting is not desired normally. This could still be combined with a number limit, i.e. if more than n tracks on the lowet level, then sort.

If you want to avoid a button, then you could add two config settings:
* Sort browse list if more than n tracks: 30 (default)
* Sort on lowest level if more than n tracks: 30 (so, by default PP behaves like now)

I think with these settings a button to toggle sort would be the cream on top, but I could live without it.

[Zhen]

First of all, thank you guys for creating this (by far the best!) app where Im able to use my iPad as a DMC properly!!

My only stumbling is the tracks order like mentioned in the previous posts. Any sollutions to order the songs by track# instead the alphabetical order? The 10000 setting doesn't do the trick.

Cheers

[abramsh]

Thanks.

If the folder isn't indexed, then the order you see the tracks in is the order sent by your server.

What server are you using? Perhaps someone on the forum and help you configure it or suggest another server.

[Zhen]

Thanks for your prompt reply!

I use iOmega Home Network system, which is not the most advanced nas, but does what I expect It to do.
Any idea how I can change the settings to make it work. Btw, I also use a ps3 as a DMP and it works fine there.

Thanks

Edit: by using ps3, I mean using it direct, without PP being involved. However, ps3 support from PP would be a great feature too.

[Zhen]

Update: in the meanwhile I found out that it works fine when I select albums in 'browse -> music -> album' order, but not from 'browse -> music -> by folder -> music -> etc.'
Is there a solution to make both works, since I prefer to select from folders instead?

At least I hope to give you some usefull information with this

Cheers