Disklavier

Thanks all, the replies have been helpful and I'll be eager to get the
update.

 

It's just disappointing that Yamaha didn't really invest in a remote control
that met their needs, they simply adapted what was available and just lived
with the consequences and limitations.

 

As for all the errors in the metadata on the Internet Download Service,
that's pretty inexcusable for a company like Yamaha and on a product like
this.  Typos, errors, artists filed under first names, empty categories, no
accurate genres... it's really atrocious and disappointing.

 

The fact that the remote has a range of maybe 20 feet from the piano
(because of another compromise the designers made - choosing an ad-hoc
low-power wifi card in the piano's controller rather than a real access
point) is also disappointing.  Doesn't even work from the next room.  So I
guess the virtual PRC will be helpful.

 

I guess I had unrealistic expectations for this, feeling that as a high-end
product and service, that it would be well designed into a great user
experience (see Kaleidescape).  So far, my experience is that the piano may
be excellent, the electronics are excellent, but the overall user
experience, remote, and data service are all poor.   So many little
decisions that contribute to this overall bad impression.. things like: no
search (coming, I hear), can't even rename a track while music is playing,
much less move it, copy it, etc.  Should be doable.  It won't even let you
edit a different track than is playing.  Why?  And does it tell you this
ahead? no, it lets you go ahead and painstakingly type out a new name and
only THEN does it tell you to stop playback first.  Argh.  And even then,
once you stop playback, does it remember what you just typed? nope, start
all over bud.  That's bad UI design.  I'm sorry, but it is.  So many more
examples...  when I have more time I'll write them up, in a constructive
way, not a complaining way, I promise!

 

I'm sorry if I come off as being negative... I do love our piano and am sure
it will give us many years of enjoyment.  Just trying to give a very honest
opinion and some feedback to Yamaha in case they ever see these forums.

 

--josh

 

 

 

From: disklavier@yahoogroups.com [mailto:disklavier@yahoogroups.com] On
Behalf Of George F. Litterst
Sent: Tuesday, June 10, 2008 7:20 AM
To: disklavier@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [disklavier] What's coming in v3.0?

 

Good morning, everyone.

 

Josh, the Mark IV UI is heavily influenced by the type of remote controller
that comes with it and the size of its screen.

 

With version 3.0, you get a virtual remote for use on your computer.
Although the virtual remote is an emulation of the PRC and does not offer a
larger screen or additional features, I think that you will be pleasantly
surprised by how fast it is. And, as Kevin mentioned, the ability to use
your computer keyboard simplifies a number of issues.

 

In my case, I feel as though my Disklavier has had a significant speed boost
with version 3.0.

 

Regards,

PianoBench

 

 

On Jun 10, 2008, at 7:58 AM, Kevin Goroway wrote:





 

Josh,

If you search the archives here you should see a post from Bill about what
is coming in version 3.0.  Based on the list of things you don't like
currently, I can't give you much hope for improvement in version 3.0 (as it
has already been described, maybe it will change before release).

The only things that come close to your current issues are that you can now
search for titles in your collection from the remote (nothing to do with the
internet features), and the virtual PRC which effectively moves the
interface from the handheld remote to the desktop of your PC/Mac (It is nice
using a real keyboard instead of your thumbs, and mouse clicks are faster
that touch screens, it would seem).

Here's hoping for the future!  ;-)

-Kevin

----- Original Message ----
From: Josh Goldman <josh@...>
To: disklavier@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Monday, June 9, 2008 9:08:01 PM
Subject: [disklavier] What's coming in v3.0?

I'm a brand new Disklavier owner (DC2M4) and hope to soon find time to
post something here on "Impressions from a new owner" or something...
that may be helpful to people considering purchasing a disklavier.

My impressions of the instrument itself are excellent, and the basic
functions of the recording and playback are good also. But my
impressions of the internet functions, the "on-piano" internet
searching, the UI of the remote, the metadata of the service... all
are pretty terrible, especially for something in this price tier.

Can anyone say what some of the improvements and features are that are
coming in the 3.0 software? I'm hoping it changes my impression for
the better...

Thanks,
--josh

 

 

 

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