The real problem is how Roon handles lyrics that do NOT automatically stream.
Roon now shows the lyrics in huge block letters whether they stream or not, instead of in a box of text as previously. That means that if the lyrics fail to automatically stream, we must laboriously and manually scroll down, one line at a time. And laboriously scroll one line after another.
Since there appear to be a large number of songs from famous artists, ranging from Sinatra to Springstreen, that do not automatically stream, this is effectively kills the lyrics feature for many songs.
This is a case where version 1.6 is a step forward about half of the time when automatic streaming is available, and a significant step backwards for the rest of the time when we must manually scroll one line at a time.
Roon needs to distinguish between those two scenarios. Use the large line of text for automatic streaming of lyrics. In a home theater, when read across the room on a large TV, this new feature as implemented in version 1.6 is wonderful and works very well.
On the other hand, when streaming of lyrics is not available, Roon needs to use the box of text as in the previous version of Roon, and let users select the font size. Then a user only needs to manually scroll down once or twice to move the box of text down. This is particularly important in a home theater setting, when it is awkward and essentially impossible to scroll down one line at a time using a wireless keyboard while looking at a screen.
In the thread quoted above, Brian, the Roon CTO, said he recognizes the problem, and it is possible for Roon to distinguish between those two scenarios – and distinguish between songs that stream lyrics, versus those that do not. I greatly appreciate the quick response from Brian. That would mean that Roon can bring back the block of text for lyrics that do not automatically stream.
I am therefore hopeful that is something that Roon can fix in the short term, meaning within weeks rather than months. Roon first said that they were working on streaming lyrics well over one year ago. I am hoping it won’t take that long to fix the problem created by version 1.6.
Is that a realistic expectation?