transportbar

A transport bar is a user interface element found in media players and other timeline-based software. It provides controls for moving through time and managing playback, allowing users to start, pause, stop, or navigate through a sequence of media or data items. The bar is typically positioned near the bottom or top of an application window and may be docked or floating.

A typical transport bar includes play and pause buttons, stop, rewind and fast-forward, and a scrubber or timeline slider to seek to a different position. Many implementations also offer skip-to-start and skip-to-end controls, looping, a record button, and indicators of current time and duration. Some bars show playback speed, volume, and mute controls as well. The exact composition varies by software and context, but the core function remains consistent: facilitating time-based navigation and control.

Transport bars are common in video players, audio editors, digital audio workstations, screen recording tools, and broadcasting software. They are sometimes integrated into a larger toolbar system or presented as a standalone panel that can be docked, floated, or customized to fit the workflow of the user.

Design and usability considerations for transport bars include ensuring clearly labeled icons or text, accessible keyboard shortcuts, and adequate target sizes for touch input. The interface should reflect state changes promptly (for example, showing play when playback starts) and be responsive across different screen sizes and platforms. In professional software, transport bars may be configurable to emphasize frequently used controls or to match specific user workflows.