Yanay Zohar

Miro Player has a huge potential. Based on the (sad) realization that high quality video streaming is not here yet, Miro lets you pick your favorite “channels”, and automatically downloads new programs for you.
Problem solved, right? Not so fast.

Miro’s content is impressive: documentaries, news editions, cartoons, drama, music videos, you name it… Some of it is in HD format. Fantastic!

I installed it on my Media PC (”Media Center”), all excited with the idea of overwhelming content I’m about to get. Woohoo!

First impression is great. Navigation is clear: the main panel hosts a familiar browser-like behavior (a generally blessed concept), and a side bar for channels and program selection. You simply pick a topic, browse channels and add the ones you like. To keep it simple, we’ll focus only at the two main typical user-scenarios:
1. Subscribing to a channel (”adding content”)
2. Watching downloaded content (”consuming content”)

1. Subscribing to a channel:
Clicks path:  1.”Miro Guide” > 2.”Popular” > 3.”add” on a channel you like (say “National Geographic”). Miro instantly start downloading episodes. 3 mouse clicks.  I’m happy.

2. Watching downloaded content:
Clicks path: 1. “new” > 2.”play” on any of your downloaded content. 2 mouse clicks. I’m very happy.

Now here comes the twist in the plot:
All this wonderful interface is impossible from a video-consumer’s natural environment, a.k.a. “The Couch!”

User Experience 101: observe the typical user’s environment.

Watching a casual Youtube, or some 5 minutes video tutorial is fine in front of a computer. Anything more than that is just a pain in the butt.

Slide into your “entertain me!” couch-mode, and it’s all useless.
you can’t do zip:

• Texts are so tiny, they look like dead ants on the TV.
• Navigation attempts with a typical PC/Media remote, or even a keyboard leads to frustration, agony, and alcoholism (entirely different story), and all this before I even dared to try and do something wild, like get to the “Settings” section. I am dying here!

Nicely sized LCD screen are sold today in supermarkets (just between toilet paper, and orange juice), so you can bet any media-junkie (especially HD fans), already have them.
Media Center PCs are common, in a wide combinations and flavors, from just plugging your LCD TV to your PC, to specifically designed cases and software.

I actually liked the idea so much, I wasn’t going to give up so soon, so being resourceful as I am, I quickly fired up Windows’ Control Panel, and increased the font size. Just to see what happens. Disaster! that’s what happened: you can’t even open Miro properly. Not good.

Unfortunately, Miro is not alone: Joost (who insist to stream content) have their own interface issues (but they deserve an even longer post. note to myself).

Bottom line: We’re going to watch TV. Miro Player – are you coming?