Best solution for massive iTunes library for streaming

I have a large iTunes library, about 1.2 TB and I have it all on my laptop thanks to an OWC HD. My wife and I love to rewatch a lot of our favorite t.v. shows which are on itunes, and as long as itunes is running we can easily stream to our apple tvs in the house.
The issue is I have to go get my laptop and turn it on and waste the battery, so I see the solution as getting an iMac that can hold all of this but the biggest size apple offers is 1TB, I could build one on gainsaver with 2 TB but I don't feel that is enough future proofing for space.
I believe there is a way to have my itunes library on an external, but can the iMac read the external and stream to Apple TV with quality?
I am stuck for how to future proof my massive itunes & iphoto library to be able to be streamed <<< that's the key part. I have no issue just storing it, but I need it to be accesible whenever I feel like having my Apple TV stream that library.
Any help would be appreciated! Thank you forums!

Derekeys wrote:
I believe there is a way to have my itunes library on an external, but can the iMac read the external and stream to Apple TV with quality?
No problems at all.
Get an external USB drive.
Copy the entire /Music/iTunes/ folder to the external drive.
Hold Option, launch iTunes, select Choose library... and select the iTunes folder on the external.
That is all you need to do.
You can do this with on the laptop and and later use the same iTunes library on another computer just by connecting the external, holding Option, selecintg Choose library... and selecting the iTunes folder on the external.

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What is the Best External HD for Massive iTunes Library?

Hello,
I recently lost my entire 140 GB iTunes library (along with hours of raw and edited video and audio recordings) when my cheap Iomega 500GB decided to start making a ticking noise and crap out on me. I had my library backed up through iTunes on 9 DVDs a year ago, but i still lost everything I had accumulated over the past year and a half.
I am looking for the best external HD with the fastest transfer rate (USB/Firewire 400). My top priority is reliability and I need my data to be secure and safe, not necessarily disaster proof like ioSafe drives, although I would like it to be able to take a simple fall in case something were to happen while moving it. I just don't want to have to go through this again.
I have also heard about making my own external HD but am clueless about the process. Might this be a better option?
I am also entertaining the thought of buying an Acer One 160GB to use strictly for my iTunes Music (no video) since I would like to make my library more portable. I read an article about moding one to run Leopard, but the directions were a bit over my head. I guess I could put up with Windows (EEEK!) just for iTUnes Music purposes. Help!!!
I have a Macbook 2GHz Intel Core Duo and 2 GB DDR2 SDRAM and use an 8GB iPod Touch. (if this makes a difference)

i know this isn't exactly what you are looking for but it REALLY works for me & covers a few ( if not all..) of your requisites.
i have 2 WD 2Tb My Book external drives for my iTunes library : one is the library , the other is the back up & is usually disconnected just in case....
then i have the very same set-up for video/movies. the whole shebang connected through Logitech USB powered hubs & i NEVER have any hiccups during music/video playback. then my iMac is connected via an external USB sound card - M-Audio.. - to my stereo & via mini-DVI to HDMI to my plasma display. how well does it work ? bloody amazing, i'm done with DVD players & CD players.
although it has faster data transfer rates, i think you don't REALLY need to go FW- a lot more expensive drives... - & if 2Tb drives are a little too much , check out WD range, they do have smaller drives although i have found that the 1Tb drives have the best capacity/price/performance ratio, at least here in Portugal
maybe you could set up something static at home with a beefier ( capacity wise..) drive & then have a smaller , both capacity & size wise to go on the move ?
best wishes

Time Capsule for AirPlay, iTunes Library for Device Syncing and Drive

I am thinking about buying a Time Capsule.
I want to move my iTunes library to the Time Capsule but it has to be able to access the media so it can sync to my iDevices. The TC also has to be able to stream media over the network with AirPlay as I am thinking about getting Apple TV too, so I can watch videos on the TV downstairs. And would I be able to use the TC as just a normal drive to use for my PC and Mac?
So, can I store my iTunes collection and sync to iDevces?
Can I stream media from TC with AirPlay?
Can I use TC as a Network Drive?
Can I also connect the TC to my Netgear DGN2000 wirelessly and us the TC as an access point as I already have a decent router I don't want to waste it. This kind of also has to be kept in secret because I don't want my dad to know I have one, so I can'y switch the TC and router. The TC wil be in my room while the Router which is connected to the internet will be downstairs.
I would prefer if the TC is usable without the router to be on.
I think that's it, would appreciate any help.
Thanks
Joe

Jaap74 wrote:
Two things that are not clear
- I think it is not possible to have iTunes running at the same time on two Macs in the discribed setting.
- I think over a wireless connection, it will reduce speed.
Anyone with experience?
I think what you mean is that it's not possible for two Macs to access the same iTunes library (ie. the same collection of media files) at the same time. From my research, this seems to be the case, and that's not my issue.
In my particular situation -- one that i'm sure is shared by many others -- my partner and i have separate user accounts on the same Mac, +entirely sharing a single iTunes Library+ (ie. same media files, same playlists, etc., as if we were a single user) and as long as we remember to quit iTunes whenever we walk away from the Mac (allowing the other to log in and launch iTunes and access our common library), this is not a problem.
And that is when my particular problem arises: when we launch iTunes, we are often asked to choose a Library (a series of navigations that my partner isn't entirely comfortable with), and occasionally the Data folder on the TimeCapsule is unavailable.
As for the wireless connection to our library, this has not so far proven to be an issue. Depending on what other activities are going on at the time (ie. TimeMachine backups or background Internet activity, i presume), i have only rarely experienced brief interruptions in music streaming from the TimeCapsule (<1 second). In fact, last night, we watched a movie on the laptop, with the file streaming from the TimeCapsule, and it only hesitated a few times, and again for less than a second.
Message was edited by: William Mclaughlin

I have three iPhone 4 models purchased in late 2010 that all share the same iTunes account (apps, music, etc), but I can only update the software on one of the three iPhones. What is the best solution to manage these devices for software updates, apps?

I have three iPhone 4 models purchased in late 2010 (for my family) that all share the same iTunes account for access to apps and music, but each phone/user still has his/her custom contact list, email accts, and select lists of apps and music from the one iTunes acct library. The problem is I can only update the software on one of the three iPhones – the primary phone I used to setup the iTunes acct. What is the best solution to manage these devices for software updates, apps? This is probably a common problem with families wanting to share apps and music without realizing the issues created by this approach. As it stands today... the first (primary) iPhone associated with the iTune acct has been updated with the latest software version 5.1.1 and sync'd up with all the apps, music, etc from the one iTune acct, while the other two iPhones are still running on the original software version 4.0.2 and are experiencing problems now. I was advised by AT&T back in January that it would be necessary to setup separate iTunes accts for the second and third iPhones in order to receive system updates. The problem would be how to keep all the apps, etc from being deleted off the second and third phones that were originally loaded from the one iTunes acct. Since this AT&T advice was prior to iCloud coming out, would iCloud be a better solution or at least part of the solution? I really don't yet understand how iCloud works. Hopefully, someone out there can help me?? Please?

I have three iPhone 4 models purchased in late 2010 (for my family) that all share the same iTunes account for access to apps and music, but each phone/user still has his/her custom contact list, email accts, and select lists of apps and music from the one iTunes acct library. The problem is I can only update the software on one of the three iPhones – the primary phone I used to setup the iTunes acct. What is the best solution to manage these devices for software updates, apps? This is probably a common problem with families wanting to share apps and music without realizing the issues created by this approach. As it stands today... the first (primary) iPhone associated with the iTune acct has been updated with the latest software version 5.1.1 and sync'd up with all the apps, music, etc from the one iTune acct, while the other two iPhones are still running on the original software version 4.0.2 and are experiencing problems now. I was advised by AT&T back in January that it would be necessary to setup separate iTunes accts for the second and third iPhones in order to receive system updates. The problem would be how to keep all the apps, etc from being deleted off the second and third phones that were originally loaded from the one iTunes acct. Since this AT&T advice was prior to iCloud coming out, would iCloud be a better solution or at least part of the solution? I really don't yet understand how iCloud works. Hopefully, someone out there can help me?? Please?

External HD as iTunes library for 2+ Macs

Hello,
I am looking for the best way for my external hard drive to serve as the iTunes library for both my work iMac and my personal MacBook.
If possible I want to be able to add music (from CD - yes I still like to support my local record shop - and from iTunes Store) to the library while using one computer, and have that automatically show up in iTunes when I open it on the other computer. Can this be done without having to select the new files and click "Add to library" every single time I open my other computer's iTunes? I sometimes go long periods without using one of my computers and add lots of music to my library, so it's tough to remember exactly what is new. If that can't be automatic, is there an easy way to search for the new files that aren't yet visible on the iTunes screen?
So basically I want to know if my all of the content and brains of my iTunes can be on an external HD that can be used with multiple computers, and each computer I use simply serves as a controller for that iTunes library and scans for updates each time it opens. I'm not interested in options that involve using a cloud/match/sharing service, as I am often without internet service.
Thanks so much!

Quit iTunes.
Drag the iTunes folder in the home folder to the trash but do NOT empty it yet.
Start iTunes and see if the songs play. No need to hold the Option key.
If everything works (play a song), you can empty the trash.
I rather not have to hit option everytime i load itunes
No need. iTunes will use the last library opened.
In order to access the music and library, you need to have the external connected and ready BEFORE you launch iTunes, else it will go back to the default location (Users/username/music) and create a new iTunes folder.
If this happens, simply hold the Option key again and choose the external drive.
You can use this drive on the other computer.
Simply plug it in and start iTunes while holding the Option key. This only needs to be done the first time unless you start iTunes with the external drive not attached then do as above.

Itunes 10.5.2 Issues! Been "Updating iTunes Library" for over 8 hrs now. Not even halfway finished on about 275 GB

Itunes 10.5.2 Issues! Been "Updating iTunes Library" for over 8 hrs now. Not even halfway finished on about 275 GB
Anyone else having issues with this update?!?!?!
Can't access anything in my library while it's doing this.

I moved into a clean install last night and when I fired up iTunes 10.5.1. I held down "option" key, selected my original library and everything was perfect. That was until I quit. It started to "update" the library. I was slightly concerned, but since I had just moved into a new install I let it go and hoped for the best. For 85GB it took quite a while, close to an hour. This made me a little more concerned, but in the light of Apple, I resigned myself to the fact that "stuff" happens. And again hoped for the best. So I would imagine for 275GB would be a lot more. THEN after that was done it asked if I wanted it do something to match my settings? ***? My settings were the same as they were in the previous install. Or did something not go right with 10.5.1 in the other install and this was overlooked? I OK'd it and hoped for the best again.
But now I am getting an error as I startup iTunes:
"A required iTunes component is not installed. Please reinstall iTunes. (-42404)"
iTunes comes up just fine behind this error and after dismissing it all is just fine. Or so I think or am led to believe. I'm thinking it's a "phone home" component, so I'm not real concerned. That's why I came here today to look up this error and stumbled on this post that somewhat happened to me last night.
Looks like the process takes a while. And what it's updating I'm not sure, but I run nightly updates and all the "important" iTunes files in many iterations are safely backed up for reversion. Apple, never a dull moment . . .

How do I... Set up an entirely seperate iTunes library for my kids?

I would like to set up an entirely separate iTunes library for my kids on the pc which currently has one iTunes library and everything we own collectively in it.
There are some items not suitable for children (explicit music lyrics, "MA" or "R' movies, etc) that I do not want them to have access to. Disregarding the whole "parental control" settings, I would simply like to be able to open iTunes to a library which has only the content I deem acceptable for them so they can arrange their own play lists, sync their devices, etc, with minimal input by me.
Is there any way to do this? If so, How?
PS: I would only be using one iTunes account but would like to be able to drag content from one library to the other. For example, download a purchased movie into the "Master" account but be able to put it in the kid's library also.
i would like an entirely seperate libray, not just a playlist for them.
Thanks!

Hmmm.... Of course I ignored the "causes problems" line and went ahead and set up a 2nd library anyway!
I experimented with a movie (Forbidden Planet).
1st I simply copied it from my original iTunes libray (it was in the "Movies" folder) on my hard drive into the new Library "Itunes1". Of course when I opened iTunes that movie did not appear in the new library (it was totally without any content). So I realized that the movie actually has to be loaded into iTunes. So I dragged it from my old library and dropped it into "Movies" tab with iTunes open with the new library. Success! Just like any other time I import anything.
So then I went into my hard drive and looked at the iTunes1 (the new) folder and the movie is not there! But it plays!. So I realized that the movie stays in my orignal library but is now there twice (). Once as Forbidden Planet and once as Forbidden Planet1 (there is a number "one" after the title).
I also have the one sitting in the iTunes1 library where I dragged it first.
Now, I can't delete any of them as the message "access denied" pops up!
So, the movies are duplicated when they are loaded into a 2nd library?
And they stay in the original library's folder system?
Or did I just do everything wrong from the start? (but the movie plays in both library's!)
Help!

How can I use my itunes library for iphoto slideshow?

how can I use my itunes library for iphoto slideshow?

Here's a possible workaround:
Create the slideshow in Iphoto and add a theme and music.
Install Picasa and it will include the slideshow on it's indexed list.
Upload the slideshow to PicasaWebAlbums and send the link to anyone you wish.
The music and theme is preserved.
Caveat: My playback pictures appear darker than usual but that could be just lousy photography...:)
Example:https://picasaweb.google.com/mb2180/Kona2011?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCPGWz_qPrM XKZA&feat=directlink

Using single iTunes library for multiple computers

With the new Airport Disk utility, can I attach an external hard drive with my iTunes library and have multiple computers point to that library as the library for each?

BKRonline wrote:
neptune2000 wrote:
A BIG WARNING (...) If you are a good guy and use ONLY one computer to read/write (i.e., to copy music to it) and all the others are read only (which cannot be enforced in software), then you're OK. Consider yourself warned.
just to clarify...
Use ONE computer and ONE COMPUTER ONLY for purchasing / adding new content to the 'master' iTunes library area. Use ANY OTHER COMPUTER that's looking at that 'master' iTunes library for reading (playing back).
Yes. If you can enforce it by "persuasion", not software
Would there be a conflict if someone rates songs from other computers etc?
Yes. If they both rate at the same time.

One Itunes library for Ipod and touch

I have a 5th generation Ipod and plan on upgrading to the Ipod touch. Can I keep my one itunes library for both devices or does each device have to have its own itunes account/library?

You can't do that.
And before you decide to store any music that you own on a computer at work, talk to your IT department. Many organizations do not permit it for legal reasons. Standard policies are that anything stored on company owned computers is the property of the company. It could not be legally stored on their machines unless you transfer the licenses and all copies, physical and digital, to the company, meaning you no longer own the music. If they were to be audited and could not prove that they own the music, they would be subject to copyright violation penalties. Just use your iPod when you're at the office if you want to listen to music.

How do I maintain a single iTunes library for two separate iMac user accounts?

How do I maintain a single iTunes library for two separate iMac user accounts?...without having to manually do something every download?

Pardon me, I am brand new at using an iMac. I understand the concept but I don't know exactly how to "move" the library. I found a shared folder under users on the hard drive. If I move it, won't I have to redirect each iTunes user to the new shared location?
If I point iTunes to anything other than the music folder under that user name, it shows as a "shared library". Preferences still shows it as that users library, regardless of where the advanced gear button says it is pointing to.
Am I asking for too much to have each user control the exact same music files, apps and playlists? I just want the two different itunes sessions to mirror each other without any frequent updating or copying.
We use the same id for itunes music and apps so we could just sync all devices under one iMac user id and not use it under hers.

I created an extra iTunes library for my wife and now i can't find either of them

I created an extra iTunes library for my wife by following the instructions on Apples website and everything was working perfect. So when I opened iTunes i could select whether i was using her phone or mine.
Everything was perfect then today I have turned my Macbook on as I wanted to transfer a CD onto my phone. I plugged my phone in and selected iTunes then selected "choose iTunes library" I can not find either iTunes folders anywhere. I have been searching my Macbook for the last two hours and can't find anything anywhere.
Can anybody help???

Hi,
Try this...
Quit the Mac App Store if it's open. From the menu bar App Store/ Quit App Store. Or Command + Q on your keyboard.
Launch iTunes. From the iTunes menu bar click iTunes / Preferences then select the Advanced tab.
Click: *Reset warnings and Reset cache*. Now go back to the menu bar and click Store / Sign Out.
Try the MAS. If you still have problems, follow the paths here. ~ (Tilde) represents your Home folder.
~/Library/Caches.com.apple.appsstore./Cache.db. Move the Cache.db file to the Trash.
~/Library/Preferences. Move the com.apple.appstore.plist and com.apple.storeagent.plist files to the Trash.
~/Library/Cookies. Move the com.apple.appstore.plist and the Cookies.plist files to the Trash.
Restart your Mac. Relaunch the MAS. Try again.
Carolyn

I'm all Mac across the board: iPhone 5, Macbook Pro, Apple TV etc. I can't get the movies I've purchased on my Apple TV to appear in my iTunes library for viewing- Any suggestions? I have iTunes Match turned on and everything.

I'm all Mac across the board: iPhone 5, Macbook Pro, Apple TV etc. I can't get the movies I've purchased on my Apple TV to appear in my iTunes library for viewing… Any suggestions? I have iTunes Match turned on and everything.

Thanks Terence! I can see iTunes library from neither iPhoto or iMovie . I'll check on iTunes forum.

Updated iPhoto could no longer use the music from iTunes library for slideshow

Anybody checked if you can still use your music from iTunes library for slideshows?
After updating both iPhoto and iTunes to the latest version in Mavericks, all music links in the iPhoto's slideshows became invalid. Tried even to re-establish the music links, but it seems like the iPhoto would not play any music from the iTunes library. Only the sample music from iPhoto is usable. The iTunes works fine by the way.
Thanks a lot!

I think I found a workaround that seemed to correct the problem. In iTunes, go to the File menu and choose Library. Then select Organize Library. Next choose Reorganize files in the folder "iTunes Media". Click OK.

I lost all of my artist names and album names for my iTunes library. They are all now on one album. How can I get the album and artist names back?

I lost all of my artist names and album names for my iTunes library. They are all now on one album. How can I get the album and artist names back?

I have a script called ExportImport for this task, but it only runs in Windows.
In principle something similar should be possible in AppleScript, but I don't currently have access to a Mac to write it myself.
tt2

Best solution for massive iTunes library for streaming

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