2011-12-08, 21:10
I know that version 1.5.1 is currently the latest version available on the App Store, but the next version is coming very soon, so I figured I'd post a few tips in a 'faux' Q&A style to give some of this threads faithful followers a jump start on how to do some of the things that have been asked about recently. Just a reminder, these comments are about a version that is not yet released but are intended to guide you to where the relevant settings/feature is.
Q.) Why is XBMC 'flaky' for about 15 seconds or so whenever Constellation starts?
A.) This is NOT due to the Sync, but is actually due to the way XBMC handles the notifications. If you experience this (or just hate the little pop-up in XBMC) go to Apple's Settings (not Constellations) and turn off "Notify on Connection".
--Edit Start--
It still stutters once in awhile on connect, but WAY less then it used to, especially if you turn off Notification as stated above
--Edit End--
Q.) I use custom transparent PNG's for my movie covers. Why is it they appear normal at first, but have a white background after restarting the app?
A.) Not many people use(d) custom PNG's, so Constellation saved the cache in a different way, it's fixed now. Go to Apple's Settings and turn on "Alpha Channel".
Q.) Does Constellation support PVR versions of XBMC?
A.) Yes, there's a section in the Apple's Settings for PVR (one to turn on the feature, another to set the guide cache, defaults to 4 hours)
Q.) The new TVTunes feature seems cool, but it's annoying having the iPad play it when XBMC does, can that change?
A.) If you want TVTunes to play while browsing around on the iPad, but not play when XBMC does it, go to Apple's Settings and under "TV Tunes" turn on "Enabled" and "Auto Play" and turn off "Play TVTunes while XBMC is playing".
Q.) Have they address the iPad going to sleep when Constellation is running, it's annoying to have to keep playing with it so it doesn't shut off.
A.) In Constellation, go to Settings (the Cog icon) and turn on "Disable Idle Timer".
Q.) The app would always crash if I scrolled too fast up or down one of my lists (TV, Movies, Albums, etc.)...
A.) I managed to scroll a list of about 1000 movies and about 300 tv shows with absolutely no problems, in fact, it feels like the images appear even quicker now.
Q.) Why is XBMC 'flaky' for about 15 seconds or so whenever Constellation starts?
A.) This is NOT due to the Sync, but is actually due to the way XBMC handles the notifications. If you experience this (or just hate the little pop-up in XBMC) go to Apple's Settings (not Constellations) and turn off "Notify on Connection".
--Edit Start--
It still stutters once in awhile on connect, but WAY less then it used to, especially if you turn off Notification as stated above
--Edit End--
Q.) I use custom transparent PNG's for my movie covers. Why is it they appear normal at first, but have a white background after restarting the app?
A.) Not many people use(d) custom PNG's, so Constellation saved the cache in a different way, it's fixed now. Go to Apple's Settings and turn on "Alpha Channel".
Q.) Does Constellation support PVR versions of XBMC?
A.) Yes, there's a section in the Apple's Settings for PVR (one to turn on the feature, another to set the guide cache, defaults to 4 hours)
Q.) The new TVTunes feature seems cool, but it's annoying having the iPad play it when XBMC does, can that change?
A.) If you want TVTunes to play while browsing around on the iPad, but not play when XBMC does it, go to Apple's Settings and under "TV Tunes" turn on "Enabled" and "Auto Play" and turn off "Play TVTunes while XBMC is playing".
Q.) Have they address the iPad going to sleep when Constellation is running, it's annoying to have to keep playing with it so it doesn't shut off.
A.) In Constellation, go to Settings (the Cog icon) and turn on "Disable Idle Timer".
Q.) The app would always crash if I scrolled too fast up or down one of my lists (TV, Movies, Albums, etc.)...
A.) I managed to scroll a list of about 1000 movies and about 300 tv shows with absolutely no problems, in fact, it feels like the images appear even quicker now.