diff --git a/resources/syncplayintf.lua b/resources/syncplayintf.lua
index 18736a5..2c3a880 100644
--- a/resources/syncplayintf.lua
+++ b/resources/syncplayintf.lua
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ function chat_update()
 		end
 	end
 
-    if use_alpha_rows_for_chat == false then
+    if use_alpha_rows_for_chat == false and opts['chatDirectInput'] == true then
         local alphawarning_ass = assdraw.ass_new()
         alphawarning_ass = "{\\a6}You can temporarily use old mpv bindings with a-z keys.\n{\\a6}Press [TAB] to return to Syncplay chat mode." -- TODO: Move message to messages.py
         ass:append(alphawarning_ass)
@@ -250,7 +250,8 @@ opts = {
     ['chatMaxLines'] = 7,
     ['chatTopMargin'] = 25,
     ['chatLeftMargin'] = 20,
-    ['chatBottomMargin'] = 30
+    ['chatBottomMargin'] = 30,
+    ['chatDirectInput'] = true
 }
 
 function detect_platform()
@@ -297,7 +298,7 @@ local repl_active = false
 local insert_mode = false
 local line = ''
 local cursor = 1
-local key_hints_enabled = true
+local key_hints_enabled = false
 
 function input_ass()
 	if not repl_active then
@@ -731,8 +732,6 @@ add_alpharowbinding('#','#')
 add_alpharowbinding('~','~')
 add_alpharowbinding('\'','\'')
 add_alpharowbinding('@','@')
-add_repl_alpharow_bindings(alpharowbindings)
-mp.add_forced_key_binding('tab', handle_tab)
 
 add_repl_bindings(bindings)
 
@@ -764,4 +763,10 @@ function set_syncplayintf_options(input)
     chat_format = get_output_style()
     local vertical_output_area = CANVAS_HEIGHT-(opts['chatTopMargin']+opts['chatBottomMargin'])
     max_scrolling_rows = math.floor(vertical_output_area/opts['chatOutputFontSize'])
+        if opts['chatDirectInput'] == true then
+        add_repl_alpharow_bindings(alpharowbindings)
+        mp.add_forced_key_binding('tab', handle_tab)
+        key_hints_enabled = true
+    else
+    end
 end
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/syncplay/constants.py b/syncplay/constants.py
index 69a5701..8805e3d 100644
--- a/syncplay/constants.py
+++ b/syncplay/constants.py
@@ -176,7 +176,7 @@ MPV_ARGS = ['--force-window', '--idle', '--hr-seek=always', '--keep-open']
 MPV_SLAVE_ARGS = ['--msg-level=all=error,cplayer=info,term-msg=info', '--input-terminal=no', '--input-file=/dev/stdin']
 MPV_SLAVE_ARGS_NEW = ['--term-playing-msg=<SyncplayUpdateFile>\nANS_filename=${filename}\nANS_length=${=length:${=duration:0}}\nANS_path=${path}\n</SyncplayUpdateFile>', '--terminal=yes']
 MPV_NEW_VERSION = False
-MPV_SYNCPLAYINTF_OPTIONS_TO_SEND = ["chatInputFontFamily", "chatInputFontSize", "chatInputFontWeight", "chatInputFontUnderline", "chatInputFontColor", "chatInputPosition"]
+MPV_SYNCPLAYINTF_OPTIONS_TO_SEND = ["chatInputFontFamily", "chatInputFontSize", "chatInputFontWeight", "chatInputFontUnderline", "chatInputFontColor", "chatInputPosition","chatDirectInput"]
 MPV_SYNCPLAYINTF_CONSTANTS_TO_SEND = ["MaxChatMessageLength={}".format(MAX_CHAT_MESSAGE_LENGTH)]
 VLC_SLAVE_ARGS = ['--extraintf=luaintf', '--lua-intf=syncplay', '--no-quiet', '--no-input-fast-seek',
                   '--play-and-pause', '--start-time=0']
diff --git a/syncplay/ui/ConfigurationGetter.py b/syncplay/ui/ConfigurationGetter.py
index 615e94a..cc2eff9 100755
--- a/syncplay/ui/ConfigurationGetter.py
+++ b/syncplay/ui/ConfigurationGetter.py
@@ -70,7 +70,8 @@ class ConfigurationGetter(object):
                         "chatInputFontWeight" : constants.DEFAULT_CHAT_INPUT_FONT_WEIGHT,
                         "chatInputFontUnderline": False,
                         "chatInputFontColor": constants.DEFAULT_CHAT_INPUT_FONT_COLOR,
-                        "chatInputPosition": constants.INPUT_POSITION_TOP
+                        "chatInputPosition": constants.INPUT_POSITION_TOP,
+                        "chatDirectInput": True,
                         }
 
         self._defaultConfig = self._config.copy()
@@ -115,6 +116,7 @@ class ConfigurationGetter(object):
                          "onlySwitchToTrustedDomains",
                          "chatInputEnabled",
                          "chatInputFontUnderline",
+                         "chatDirectInput"
                         ]
         self._tristate = [
             "checkForUpdatesAutomatically",
@@ -160,7 +162,7 @@ class ConfigurationGetter(object):
                             "chatInputEnabled","chatInputFontUnderline",
                             "chatInputFontFamily", "chatInputFontSize",
                             "chatInputFontWeight", "chatInputFontColor",
-                            "chatInputPosition"],
+                            "chatInputPosition","chatDirectInput"],
                         "general": ["language", "checkForUpdatesAutomatically",
                             "lastCheckedForUpdates"]
                         }