[FEATURE REQUEST - ACCEPTED] Old-style sliding info panel

[eQUIV]

I love this skin. However, just a few small things I'd like to comment on.

I admit that I am a huge fan of fanart, so the one thing that I've noticed viewing movies in showcase mode that had me a little disappointed is.. on showcase flat, almost half the fanart is covered. Flow is a little better.

I love the info pages, but there too the fanart is just a subtle background transparency. I wonder if DJH would consider adding a showcase view similar to one within "horizonz" where you're scrolling through in showcase and when you stop on a movie for a couple seconds, it "focuses" on it... the box art moves to the left of the screen, and the movie description is to the right of it. It allow you to see alot more of the fanart. Like in this screenshot:

http://www.bluebrain.net/equiv/screen.jpg

Perhaps I'm just a fanart fanboy. But even if it were to be even more minimal, it's just the cover art, movie description, and more visible fanart. If I'm not alone in my thinking I'd love to see it.

I won't comment on TV as I know it's not done.

Now I also have a question. I've noticed when I'm watching a tv show or movie and I hit info.. all that pops up is the movie boxart/episode image and movie title/episode title. There is no kind of frame or darkened transparency.. it's just simply floating art and title. Is this the intended look? I'm just wondering if there's any missing files or anything... because the text can be very illegible at times.

And other option I'd love (which maybe I'm alone in) is to be able to see the time (a clock, the current time) when either hitting info view, or bringing up the menu... I have no clock in my living room. So I have to stop the movie and go back to the main menu if I want to check the current time.

I think perhaps controls menu might be the best option, because if i'm watching a show sometimes I'm checking how far into the show I am because I want to know if I have enough time to finish it. So a clock on this same menu would also be nice.

Anyways, overall.. love the skin. Great work. And sorry if my post is long and rambling. :)

[Freddo]

Press down twice from showcase or panel view and the full fanart is unveiled.

[Choix]

Nvm

[krypt2nite]

One big thing I miss is when the cover art would move to the left and display the synopsis. Hopefully someone would be inclined to mod this into the skin somehow.

I also hate how the cover art is cut off so bad now. It was pretty much perfect before.

[eQUIV]

Press down twice from showcase or panel view and the full fanart is unveiled.

I did notice that feature. Which is cool.

[Gingernutter]

Hi, fantastic work with the new skin. Incredible.

I just wanted to second eQUIV's request to have the old slidy movie info panel selectable. Personally, I prefer it to the new full-screen version as it makes more of a feature of the fanart.

It's just a small thing in an otherwise fantastic piece of work.

Cheers

[djh_]

Let's just say the old sliding panel will return when the time is right. That means when I can ensure it's 100% reliable.

[eQUIV]

Awesome. Thanks DJH.

BTW, I intend to donate to you and the XBMC team. Your skin packaged with XBMC, it really is almost amazing that both are free. Keep up the good work.