Index: Plugins/DateTime/Plugin.pm
===================================================================
--- Plugins/DateTime/Plugin.pm	(revision 2702)
+++ Plugins/DateTime/Plugin.pm	(working copy)
@@ -63,6 +63,9 @@
 sub setMode {
 	my $client = shift;
 	$client->lines(\&lines);
+
+	# setting this param will call client->update() frequently
+	$client->param('modeUpdateInterval', 1); # seconds
 }
 
 our %functions = (
@@ -196,6 +199,9 @@
 sub setScreensaverDateTimeMode() {
 	my $client = shift;
 	$client->lines(\&screensaverDateTimelines);
+
+	# setting this param will call client->update() frequently
+	$client->param('modeUpdateInterval', 1); # seconds
 }
 
 sub screensaverDateTimelines {
Index: Slim/Player/Squeezebox2.pm
===================================================================
--- Slim/Player/Squeezebox2.pm	(revision 2702)
+++ Slim/Player/Squeezebox2.pm	(working copy)
@@ -162,15 +162,11 @@
 	return 'squeezebox2';
 };
 
-# only refresh if we're in a screen that needs it  (this knowledge needs to be moved to the mode...)
+# SB2 does not need an update here, so a noop is OK
 sub refresh {
-	my $client = shift;
-	if (Slim::Buttons::Playlist::showingNowPlaying($client) || !$client->power()) {
-		$client->update();
-	}
+	# my $client = shift;
 }
 
-
 # in order of preference based on whether we're connected via wired or wireless...
 sub formats {
 	my $client = shift;
Index: Slim/Buttons/Common.pm
===================================================================
--- Slim/Buttons/Common.pm	(revision 2702)
+++ Slim/Buttons/Common.pm	(working copy)
@@ -1046,6 +1046,9 @@
 	my $fun = $modes{$setmode};
 
 	&$fun($client,'push');
+
+	# some modes require periodic updates
+	startPeriodicUpdates($client);
 }
 
 sub popMode {
@@ -1124,6 +1127,34 @@
 	return @line;
 }
 
+# if and only if the mode has set the modeUpdateInterval parameter,
+# call $client->update every modeUpdateInterval seconds.
+sub startPeriodicUpdates {
+	my $client = shift;
+	# unset any previous timers
+	Slim::Utils::Timers::killTimers($client, \&_periodicUpdate);
+	my $interval = $client->param('modeUpdateInterval');
+	return unless $interval;
+	Slim::Utils::Timers::setTimer($client, Time::HiRes::time() + $interval,
+								  \&_periodicUpdate,
+								  $client);
+}
+
+sub _periodicUpdate {
+	my $client = shift;
+	my $interval = $client->param('modeUpdateInterval');
+	# if interval is not set, we have left the mode that needed the update
+	return unless $interval;
+	# do the update
+	$client->update();
+	# do it again at the next period
+	Slim::Utils::Timers::setTimer($client, Time::HiRes::time() + $interval,
+								  \&_periodicUpdate,
+								  $client);
+}
+
+
+
 1;
 
 __END__
Index: Slim/Buttons/Playlist.pm
===================================================================
--- Slim/Buttons/Playlist.pm	(revision 2702)
+++ Slim/Buttons/Playlist.pm	(working copy)
@@ -174,6 +174,9 @@
 	my $how = shift;
 	$client->lines(\&lines);
 	if ($how ne 'pop') { jump($client); }
+
+	# update client every second in this mode
+	$client->param('modeUpdateInterval', 1); # seconds
 }
 
 sub jump {