Sansa Clip+ Repeat current track but allow manual track progression with button

[NukesGoBoom]

I have a feature idea for the Sansa Clip+ using Rockbox. The current repeat mode called Repeat One will repeat a track forever if it ends naturally on it's own or if the next track or previous track buttons are pressed.

The problem here is that both the next track and previous track buttons perform the exact same function under this mode. It is impossible to navigate away from the current track while Repeat One is active.

I am thinking it would be better to allow the next track button to progress to the next track while keeping the repeat mode active for when the current track ends naturally on it's own. Even the original firmware had this ability, as well as every other mp3 player I've ever had.

I think this would be a great feature because sometimes when you get to one of your favorite tracks in your playlist, you might want to listen to it once or twice before moving onto the next track. However if you press the next track button after listening to the track 2 or 3 times while Repeat One is active, it will force you to stay on the same track and you have to manually turn Repeat One to a different mode before progressing to the next track. I think this should be changed for a more meaningful functionality - having both the previous track and next track buttons do the exact same thing seems counter-intuitive.

[Llorean]

Just as a note, it's not impossible to navigate away. Bring up the playlist through any of the shortcuts or regular means, and you should be able to quickly pick any song in it.

Also, for the case of repeating a favorite track 2 or 3 times before you move on, wouldn't you just turn off repeat after you're done repeating?

[[Saint]]

The problem here is that both the next track and previous track buttons perform the exact same function under this mode.

What would you expect them to do, really?

I mean, I know the answer to that question as you've posted your thoughts on the subject, but if you think about what the setting is as opposed to what you want it to be or expect it to be it makes perfect sense.

You're using the "Repeat One" setting, which is theoretically the same as a playlist consisting of one file and one file only, your currently selected track. This has the effect of Next/Previous performing the same function but it isn't quite.



[St.]

[NukesGoBoom]

Because it's very difficult and extremely tedious to try and memorize how many button presses it takes to keep switching between Repeat One and Repeat All. I have to press and hold the home button, press the next track button a different amount of times depending on if I'm switching from Repeat One to Repeat All or vice versa, and then press the home button again just to change modes. And when I'm done, listening to my track a few times over, I have to go through all of that work again.

With the original firmware, this is possible by default. Even on other mp3 players by other companies, it's all still possible by default with the original firmware. Why does it seem to far fetched? Why not give the next track button the ability to progress to the next track when it's currently doing the exact same thing as the previous track button under the Repeat One mode. THAT makes perfect sense. And is my only complaint about rockbox.

Is there a super generous coder lurking around that could whip up a quick patch for me and anyone else interested in having this functionality for the Repeat One mode while using rockbox? I would be infinitely grateful to you and my desire to see this come into reality is equivalent to the white hot passion of a thousand burning suns. I am a complete moron in terms of computer coding but it seems plausible that this feature wouldn't be that hard to implement. I'm on my knees here!

[gevaerts]

Because it's very difficult and extremely tedious to try and memorize how many button presses it takes to keep switching between Repeat One and Repeat All.

Really? One long button press to go to the quickscreen, and one press to select the option I'd expect. Of course, if you don't use the quickscreen for this it's longer, but that's not really the fault of Rockbox.

[AlexP]

I agree that manual track skipping should be possible under repeat one.  How difficult or easy that is to implement depends on how repeat one is implemented.

[Strife89]

Seconded, AlexP.

[saratoga]

I always assumed it worked like this because of how buffering actually buffers the same tracks over and over when set to repeat.  So when you seek it actually does advance to the next song, which happens to be the currently buffered one.  This is probably something that could be improved.

[NukesGoBoom]

I was wondering if anyone could ask this question for me or make this request for a feature change on the mailing list, I am having difficulty understanding which mailing list I should actually post on and who the right people are to contact for this sort of question. Looks like posting on the forum isn't enough unfortunately for me. Is there a programmer that you think might be the most helpful or most likely to respond?

[AlexP]

We don't accept feature requests, please don't send any to any mailing list or the bug tracker.  This forum is to discuss ideas, and then if you want help implementing something you should post on the development mailing list, or ask in IRC.  For patches, see flyspray.