Share a large iTunes library with multiple computers

I have a very big itunes library that I share with several computers at my home from a mac mini and lion server. This solution works well in that all my home computers can access the itunes library on the server and play music through the "Shared" feature. The downside of this solution is that if I (or my wife, or my daughter, or my son) want to put some music on our iphones, we have to sync the iphone with the mac mini so that the itunes library is local.
I would like to figure out a way, where all of our music would be availble on all of our macbooks so we could create our own playlists, and sync our iphones.
I have considered iCloud, but I'm not sure how well (or how expensive) it might be to share 250 GB of music on iCloud. Does anyone have suggestions?
Thanks in advance.

I'm sort of in the same boat. We've got an iMac with separate User Accounts set up and are currently sharing the same iTunes and iPhoto libraries along with streaming them to our Apple TV.
Right now I'm the only one with an iPod, however she'll be getting one in a couple of weeks.
We also just picked up a MacBook yesterday and I'd like to be able to sync certain libraries like iTunes and iPhoto so that no content gets duplicated on either the iMac or MacBook and so that we both have access to the current libraries for each program on our iPods and AppleTV.
I have an external hard drive that I back up the iMac on and I assume I could manually keep things current with that but there's got to be an easier way...that's why these are Macs right?
Bill

Similar Messages

  • Can I share one iTunes Library with multiple computers on a network?

    Can I share one iTunes Library with multiple computers on a network?
    note: one library universally shared, not Home Sharing (one library each, shared to each.)
    I want to share one library stores on my server and access it through various local computers. When I buy a song from a computer (non-server), I want it to be added to the library (stored on server). I want it to auto copy to my server, for organization. I want to be able to sync my phone from any computer.
    Most of this I can do, if i figure out how to use one universal library for all my computers.
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    eyeinit,
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    However, purchased music is downloaded to the first machine to download it, but these articles have more information on moving your music between authorized computers:
    http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=93063
    This one is for moving all your music using an iPod as a storage drive
    http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=300173
    Hope this helps,
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  • How to share one iTunes library with multiple computers AND Apple TV? Help?

    It seems like my dilemma may not be easily solved. Hopefully it isn't as complicated as I think it will be. Here's the situation:
    My wife hates that, in order to see or do anything with the images she takes, I need to have iPhoto open on my computer (Mac Pro), and she then has to connect to it over sharing.
    By the same token, I don't like that she buys iTunes content on her MacBook, which is sometimes a duplicate of content I already have. Now that the App Store is out, that is going to start getting really expensive.
    So instead, I want us to be able to:
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    2) Both be able to access iTunes at the same time to listen to / watch content.
    3) Both be able to purchase iTunes content, and when it it purchased, it updates that single library. If I buy a song, the next time my wife fires up iTunes, that song is there for her to listen to.
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    Possible?!

    I'm sort of in the same boat. We've got an iMac with separate User Accounts set up and are currently sharing the same iTunes and iPhoto libraries along with streaming them to our Apple TV.
    Right now I'm the only one with an iPod, however she'll be getting one in a couple of weeks.
    We also just picked up a MacBook yesterday and I'd like to be able to sync certain libraries like iTunes and iPhoto so that no content gets duplicated on either the iMac or MacBook and so that we both have access to the current libraries for each program on our iPods and AppleTV.
    I have an external hard drive that I back up the iMac on and I assume I could manually keep things current with that but there's got to be an easier way...that's why these are Macs right?
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  • Same iTunes Library on Multiple Computers

    I was wondering whether someone could help me out a little here. I have 3 computers at home. A MacBook Pro, a Windows Vista Laptop and a Windows Vista desktop PC. Both my Wife and I have iPods (mine an iPhone and hers an 8Gb 2nd Generation Nano).
    What I want to be able to do is access my iTunes music collection (the music files are currently stored on the MacBook) through any computer in the house (I have wireless through Time Capsule). This I am told is easy through iTunes sharing, however this does not allow you to connect your iPod to any machine and update it, as sharing does allow this.
    Is there a way of storing the iTunes library and files on one machine, like a central server and then you can play music from any computer (perhaps using iTunes on that machine) and you can also plugin your iPod/iPhone into any machine in order to update it?
    Looking forward to hearing peoples suggestions on this one.
    Thanks.

    Hello
    Try this website:
    http://theappleblog.com/2008/10/13/one-itunes-library-on-multiple-computers/
    I have been using this solution with my Library and Music situated on a NAS for awhile now with great success.
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    Kevin

  • How do I share a common iTunes library with another family member

    How do I share a common iTunes library with another family member

    One of these articles might help (seeing that you didn't divulge any info on what sort of set up you have):
    http://support.apple.com/kb/ht2688
    https://www.apple.com/au/support/itunes/library/
    http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1203

  • How to share Itunes library with multiple users on same laptop

    I have a macbook pro and am the administrator. I have a profile for my daughter as well. How can I share my itunes library with her without manually loading all the songs on her profile which would take up more memory. Can someone please send me a step by step guide as I am struggling with this. Thanks. Jasu UK.

    Move the iTunes library to a location accessible by all accounts on the computer, such as /Users/Shared/ on a Mac, which can be done from the Advanced section of the iTunes preferences. Next, open her copy of iTunes, turn off the option to automatically copy songs to the iTunes Music folder from the same section of the preferences, and drag the folder into the open iTunes window.
    (33546)

  • How can I manage 1 iTunes library with 2 computers (not on same network)?

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  • Syncing the same iTunes library among multiple computers

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    sorry about the slight irrelevence of this post on this thread....i saw this much older post you had in my explorations and it is almost to a "T" my issue currently and i was wondering if you ever came to a conclusion or had any tips or resolution paths i could explore. your original message:
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         I set it all up but then the libraries never show up. Nothing happens.
         The computers are on the same network and I can successfully share files and a printer. Both computers are      authorized using the same account. Both are signed into that account.
         I don't know why it's not working. Can you please help?
              Thanks!!
    is EXACTLY my problem with the only variable being that both of my computers run 7. furthermore, you went on to say you were experiencing issues with the "remote" app. that was the initial objective for me in my system that got me here with a deeper problem with home share. i want to home share my itunes library and control it from my iPod touch 4g. is that such an unreasonable request?!?!? lol. i'm incredibly frustrated and was hoping that since you had such specifically similar circumstances....have you found a solution? PLEASE HELP!!! thank you so much for your time.

  • Sharing itunes library among multiple computers?

    Hey all,
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    I'm betting this has been talked about elsewhere but wasn't sure if there was a simple solution I'm missing.
    Thanks in advance.....
    jon

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  • How to share subset of iTunes library between two computers

    I've searched the forum for this information, and I've seen similar questions, but not exactly what I'm looking for.
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    From Using iPad or iPod with multiple computers, http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1202
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  • Using the same library with multiple computers over a network Use Aperture

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    I've setup my iMac to have multiple logins for everyone in my family. I'd like everyone to use the same iTunes library, though, so that all purchases and playlists can be seen and used by everyone. I have it so that everyone has the same files, but not the same library. That is, the playlists don't come through on the other logins, and purchases made from one login don't translate to another.
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  • Share iTunes library with multiple users of same computer

    I have a new Vista Ultimate 32 computer and copied my existing iTunes library to the administrator acct in Vista. Now I want the family to use the user accts rather than the admin acct when on the computer. How can I get iTunes in a user acct to default to the library that exists in the admin acct?
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  • How to share itunes library with multiple users, and keep organised

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