New Plex Remote for the iPhone

[Aargh-a-Knot]

Check out the full details of the remote HERE, on my blog.

Some of you may have already read my previous posts about using the iPhone app 'Snatch' as a remote control for Plex. I've been communicating with Snatch's developer, Dan over the last few months, offering suggestions on ways to make the app better and more customizable as a remote for use with Plex. Dan has been extremely receptive, and added many of the features that I requested. I have had the opportunity to Beta test the new improvements for the last few weeks, and am really enjoying the the new improved app. I was able to stretch the intended limits for the new features to create a completely custom Plex remote control, and thanks to another new feature, the ability to save your remote screens to your computer, I am able to share my creation with any Plex users who have an iTouch device with the app 'Snatch' installed. I know I sound like a commercial, but I just really like this app, and think it has really helped make my Plex experience what it is, so I want to share.

I actually created two different remote screens (Snatch lets you have four).

Here is the main remote:



The second remote screen requires adding a custom keyboard.xml file to accommodate the advanced features. There's not a lot of space on the keyboard for adding shortcuts, so I replaced the global shortcuts for the numbers 0-9, which I wasn't using anyway. This screen lets you go instantly to the majority of Plex's main screens, settings, etc. I also left the two red buttons non-descript, so that each user could customize them to their own needs. I have mine set to wake and sleep my media server. For the download-able screen, I set them to default to launch dvd player and itunes, but as I said, you can set them to do whatever you'd like within Snatch. Really, all the buttons can be changed, but I designed them to be connected to specific functions.

Here's the shortcut screen:




Here's the link to the main remote: click here to download

Here's the link to the shortcut remote: click here to download

Here's the link to the custom XML file: click here to download(right click and choose 'save link as')

The XML file needs to be placed in in ~/Library/Application Support/Plex/, in a folder called 'keymaps'. If you haven't previously made any additions, you'll need to create the 'keymaps' folder yourself.

You can download the custom XML file above, or if you have already made some customizations and you want to add to your current file,
here are the changes that need to be added for the second remote to work:

[Wedge]

It looks very interesting. I'll have to consider if I want to drop the $6 on Snatch.

However, one minor point is that you shouldn't go mucking about inside the Plex app to adjust your keymap. It will prevent you from easily upgrading Plex whenever a new version is out.

The good news, however, is that Plex has built in support for precisely what you want to do, but you can do it without editing the Plex app at all.

All you have to do is make a keymaps folder at ~/Library/Application Support/Plex/keymaps

Then make a keyboard.xml file with your favorite text editor (anything other than TextEdit, please), and insert just these codes:

[Aargh-a-Knot]

Hey, that's a great tip for people.

I'm so used to messin' with the innards of the Plex app, I forgot about that way of editing the preferences. That's a much better way for people to go about it.

Thanks!

I edited the above post.

[curt]

Nice job Aargh-a-Knot! I like the overall design, button layout and color scheme. I'll have to get this going over the weekend. I already have me some Snatch, but to be honest, I haven't been using it that much lately. I may even need a little refresher.
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[YesHD]

That looks really awesome. First things first, though. I need to get Plex set up for Movies and TV shows tonight.

[Ben Tex]

A giant step up from your old remote Aargh-a-Knot. Those yellow buttons really pop off the screen. I would say that you have the best looking and working iPhone remote out there for Plex. Nice work!

Now, if we could just get Dan to lower the price of Snatch some. I think more people like Wedge would be jumping onboard.

[Zuma]

That looks like a cool new feature for Snatch 3.0. You definitely have the best looking remote on their website. I just wish you could test them with the lite version of Snatch.

[Wedge]

[Aargh-a-Knot]

One more thing...

Apparently Dan changed the name of the saved remote file extension at the last minute... I have replaced the files and updated the links. The new files have an .remote extension.

[Zuma]

Mine downloaded as plex.remote from the Snatch website, so I didn't have any trouble. That's probably a better extension anyways.

[Aargh-a-Knot]

[Zuma]

[Grover Time]

That looks really nice, but I wish someone would make a Plex remote like the one for Boxee. I like that Gesture Mode they have. It's just simple and free flowing. I find most of these other iPhone remotes to be so cramped. I'm always hitting the wrong button or having to look down at it. That being said, more buttons usually equals more functionality. That definitely looks to be the case with Aargh's creation.

[Aargh-a-Knot]

[Huff]