Is it possible to play a playlist randomly from the web UI?

[Steven Kennard]

I see that it is possible to play a playlist in random mode from the browser on a computer, but cannot see a way to play it randomly from the web UI.

Also, in creating the playlist and adding tracks to it from the web UI, it (randomly) adds tracks that I have not selected. Why is that happening and how do I prevent it?

Thanks

Steven

[fred.w....@gmail.com]

before doing playlist stuff, it is important that you run a "Scan Disk" so that your playlists are created from up to date information.

[fred.w....@gmail.com]

The Web UI is what you see from within a browser (and you say this works) , thus I can not understand your question.

Fred

On Friday, 22 October 2021 at 17:00:39 UTC+1 steven...@gmail.com wrote:

[Daniel Taylor]

As Fred says, the WebUI runs in a browser.  That browser can be on a smart phone, tablet, or computer - it makes no difference.

When editing a playlist, I've found that it is better to not be playing music from the B2 at the same time.  That seems to cause strange behavior such as you've reported.  The general knowledge here is that the B2 should not be asked to do more than one thing at a time.

Oh, and to answer your original question:  Yes it is possible to play a playlist randomly from the WebUI.  The Random button looks like a pair of intertwined arrows which, when lit, indicates random is on.

[Steven Kennard]

Thanks all.

First of all, I know what you mean about the Web UI being a browser. However my browser view is so different from the Web UI on my smartphone that I find it hard to connect the two as being the same. You all know the browser view. I attach the playlist view on my web UI on my phone. Where is the random double arrow?

I also attach a screenshot of the Browser UI on my laptop. They are not the same, but I still don't see the random arrow here. I must be missing something as I was able to select random a short while ago on the laptop.

Next, I have done a scan in the last couple of days with no changes, so all should be in order. In the past I had the same issue with random artists being inserted into playlists and at the time I gave up, only deciding to try again today.

When editing the playlist I was not playing the B2 nor doing anything else at all.

So the mystery is still there. If you can cast some light on this I would appreciate it.

Thank you

Steven

[Daniel Taylor]

I seem to recall that there has been some discussion lately that there might be a software bug lurking somewhere.  If that is the case, I'm sure Brennan is working on it.  But I haven't seen any report on what the status is.

Any consideration of a software bug aside...  It occurs to me that a weak or fluctuating WiFi signal could conceivably cause problems.  Please run the WiFi Strength command (Maintenance menu).  It should be at better than -50 (-40 being better, -60 being worse), and should stay fairly steady.

[fred.w....@gmail.com]

The Web UI is the interface you see in your browser

The other one on your phone is as it says an "app"

[Steven Kennard]

My wifi status is -45. Would a weak one prevent the 'random icon' from displaying? In any case, this should be strong enough.... 

This one I shared above is the Web UI which is why the option is "Back to App" on the top left corner that you have highlighted.

The app screenshot is here (no access to playlists on here at all that I can find). It is confusing as the top left shows Web UI which means to go to the Web UI. The shuffle button is here. So you can only select a playlist on the Web UI, and only shuffle it from the app. Not exactly user friendly. 

Thanks for the information, I guess I see what I have to do. Clunky.

Steven

[fred.w....@gmail.com]

the highlighted button causes "random" play if the chosen "track" is from a playlist.

[Steven Kennard]

Thanks Fred.

I hope that the random button will cause the tracks only within the playlist to play randomly. To get there, first you have to go to the Web UI and then select your playlist and start playing it then go back to the app to find the shuffle button.

Cheers

Steven

[fred.w....@gmail.com]

While no an "app" user, I am pretty sure that selecting a playlist is possible from within the "app" version of the Brennan UI.

Go through the option in the "app" one by one and I am confident you will find it. 

My reasons for saying this are that many people use playlists and many people use the "app" interface and I believe people would have been shouting if you could not select a playlist from within the "app". I have not seen this come up in the forum!

Fred

[JFBUK]

Hi Fred,

Steven is correct. The app does not have all the functionality of the Web UI without crossing to the Web Ui from within the app. e.g. Settings is not in the main  App screen

I think this is deliberate in order to keep the main App UI uncluttered

Here are screenshots from the app and the web UI (via the app) on my Android phone

John

[PMB]

Hi Steven,

Try changing the 'zoom' setting for the laptop web UI page - mine's at 80% in order to fit all of the web UI controls onto the screen.

Also I noticed that some of your titles are quite long - there is a 170 characters limited for an Artist, Album or Track titles.

Paul

Brennan Support.

[Steven Kennard]

Thanks Paul,

I don't have any issues with the laptop zoom view. Everything fits in well. 

And I note what you say but I don't think any of my titles are shortened on the laptop view. Thank you for the information.

Steven

[PMB]

Hi Steven,

I suggested adjusting the zoom as you appear to have part of the display missing and I think it is caused by the long titles pushing the controls down in the 'Now Playing' panel (that's the top left hand panel on the web UI).

Mine looks like this -

Paul

Brennan Support.

[JFBUK]

Hi Paul,

I think the confusion is that Steven is referring to the Web UI view you get when you run the Brennan App on a smartphone or tablet and then branch to the the Web UI from within the app.

This does give a substantially different view from the full blown Web UI view on a laptop for example

John

[Steven Kennard]

Yes, as he suggested adjusting the zoom on my laptop, I did not realise that he was talking about mobile. So this is totally confusing.

On my web UI mobile none of the versions looks like Paul's screenshot. The whole thing is totally confusing. I'm afraid that I can't adjust zoom to less than it is on my mobile screen as I am at the smallest possible. 

These are my 3 possible mobile web UI views:

Original Web (above)

Mobile web (above)

New mobile (above).

Just so we understand that here we are talking about phone view. 

Original view on my laptop. (above)

Don't get me wrong, I love my Brennan. But really the app version(s) are the most confusing, unintuitive and frustrating experience. I won't go into all of the frustrations, as I have to get back to my life. But I hope these screen shots have cleared up at least a tiny part of the confusion caused by this thread.

Thanks all

Steven

[PMB]

Hi Steven,

Thanks for the clarification. It does appear we were talking about different things.

I think the idea behind the app and mobile UIs is to keep them clutter free so some functions were left off.

Are you now able to do what you wanted, which was to play a Playlist in randomised order?

Paul

Brennan Support.

[Steven Kennard]

Yes, thank you Paul.

I wonder. Would a drop down menu keep things uncluttered but still allow for full functionality? Just a thought.

Cheers

Steven