Suggestions for RiffTrax Player

[journ]

I watched Spider-Man with the Player today and it worked great.  Some problems with the sound, but I think it could be connected to the codec issue that's floating around.  Anyway, I have a couple of suggestions.

When I clicked on Play Riff Introduction (and I was kind of worried the opening banter between Mike, Dis, and the riffers would be lost with the Player), after Mike gives the pause order the track kept playing.  This should stop automatically if the actual movie hasn't started yet.

In fullscreen mode, the mouse pointer and playback controls should disappear after a certain amount of inactivity.  Also, during playback it should override and disable Windows' screen saver.  I know this is lazy, but I don't want to have to jiggle the mouse every few minutes to keep watching the movie.

And one other thing: I know this is pie-in-the-sky, distant future stuff, but maybe the .riff file format can be opened up to allow anybody to record their own tracks for other DVDs.  I'm not talking about making the Player itself open source, but this could make mockery making possible for other people, and even legit DVD commentary tracks.

And those are my admittedly minor thoughts at this point.

[RoninFox]

I'm behind you on a few things.  I was a little annoyed when I had to turn off my screen saver, just because I didn't think of it.  Normally when I watch a DVD on my computer Media Player keeps the screen saver off.  The mouse pointer didn't bug me too much because I just moved it to the top of the screen and it was out of sight.  Also I had a brief problem when I tried to pause and the player closed the movie, so I had to restart it.  Not sure if I clicked the wrong button or not.

Not for nothing, but it's not that hard to record your own MP3 with several different programs.  It might not be as easy as using player, but if you work at timing it right you can make your own commentary that works just like the "Rifftrax classic" method.

[Conor]

Disabling the screen saver and having the mouse cursor disappear automatically both seem like features that should be included in future builds. 

As RiffTrax.com expands to include fan riffs, I'm sure we will work out a way to allow you all to make your riffs available to play with the Rifftrax Player.

[RoninFox]

Disabling the screen saver and having the mouse cursor disappear automatically both seem like features that should be included in future builds. 

As RiffTrax.com expands to include fan riffs, I'm sure we will work out a way to allow you all to make your riffs available to play with the Rifftrax Player.

Sweet and sweet.  Good time to be a RT fan.

[tarkadal]

I have Vitrtual Machine capability to Windows but how about a MAC OS/X version of the player! 

[bratpop]

I think the ducking should have more options. In the settings for ducking, it should have a "ducking amount" slider to control how much it turns down the volume, but this should be in relation to the DVD volume setting in the player, not fixed.

The controls should be variable too, not just "instant, normal, long." I want something between instant and normal.

It would be nice if the ducking would stop sooner as well. It pauses a bit after Mike stops talking, even on "instant."

Also, would an amplifier be possible? Neither my rifftrak or the dvd volume is very loud at 100%. I have this problem with other players too, but an amp in the rifftrax player would be fantastic.

Also also, most players have some indication of the search speed, like x2 x4 x8. This seems to only be x2, and I'm just guessing. You need faster speeds for crappy DVDs that don't have enough chapters, especially for something like this where we're closing it and reopening it to load new codecs or work around bugs.

I forgot, mostly importantly: I thought Disembaudio was going to be disabled for this! Wasn't that the whole point? That he's too lazy to do cues all the time, so he created this player? Having the cues in the .riff files kind of defeats the purpose. It suggests that you have to keep checking whether the player is working or not. I know not everyone will use the player, but at least for the .riff files it seems like disembaudio should be turned off. I know re-re-downloading the files would be a nuisance, but could this be an option later on? Or how about if the player automagically turns down the riff volume at the cue points so we don't have to hear them, but they'd still be in the file for when you want to export it? Unlike synching the riff to the dvd, you'd already know exactly where the cue points were, so this information could be written into the riff file flawlessly, whether or not the thing is properly synched up. There could even be a "turn off cues" option for those who may want to "check" the synching.

[Grillslinger]

Also, would an amplifier be possible? Neither my rifftrak or the dvd volume is very loud at 100%. I have this problem with other players too, but an amp in the rifftrax player would be fantastic.

I had that trouble too. Otherwise, the player works great for me.

I et a real kick out of hearing Disembaudio, though....love it!

[MattTheRicker]

I would like to see a way to make the picture a little box in the corner of my screen, like in Media Player Classic or Winamp (i.e. an 'always on top' button). I like to enjoy my rifftrax while working on other things.

[Redclaire]

Hi

I'd like to second the request for an OS X compatible player (I have a PC without a DVD player and a Mac with one, so...). Also while I'm here, is it planned that the Rifftrax Player will only ever work with NTSC DVDs or is there a chance of PAL releases for the player in the future?

Player looks great btw. Every time I come to this site (which is often!) there seems to be some new feature. It's all good!

[bsandrew]

Hi

I'd like to second the request for an OS X compatible player (I have a PC without a DVD player and a Mac with one, so...). Also while I'm here, is it planned that the Rifftrax Player will only ever work with NTSC DVDs or is there a chance of PAL releases for the player in the future?

Player looks great btw. Every time I come to this site (which is often!) there seems to be some new feature. It's all good!

I'd appreciate it if someone with a PAL DVD title (that has the same content as the NTSC version) try the .riff with that PAL DVD.  It should work as is.   I'd like to get that feedback..

[kodiakthejuggler]

One suggestion I have may have been suggested already:

Can the Rifftrax player be enabled to include DVDs copied to your computer? I like to put the DVDs on my comp so I don't have to get out the DVD every time, and it would be convenient if the player alowed for file browsing, instead of just expecting a DVD to be loaded in your computer.

Now, I know that paves the way for pirates to use pirated DVDs, which I do NOT condone, but there are programs out there that allow you to store all your DVDs on your computer, and with 300GB and higher hard disks out there, it would be very convenient to allow the Rifftrax player to point to these files.

[Insert Coin(s) to Continue]

The ducking needs some work. Even set on instant, the sound drops waaaay before the riff begins. This makes it hard to hear the line of dialogue they were commenting on and it ruins the surprise of a riff coming (you're kind of expecting one in a second or two when the volume drops).

[RoninFox]

I used to notice the movie audio lower slightly before a riff back watching MST3K, so having it "duck" a second before a riff for me isn't a problem, actually it makes it seem more familiar.   

[bsandrew]

I used to notice the movie audio lower slightly before a riff back watching MST3K, so having it "duck" a second before a riff for me isn't a problem, actually it makes it seem more familiar.   

We made every effort to duplicate that experience but with the addition of user control.  If the DVD audio dips immediately before the Riff, people will find it a distraction.

[Insert Coin(s) to Continue]

Well, it'd be nice to at least have the option.