Centralized iTunes Library question

I need some with help with my configuration. This is what I have:
1. Drive containing iTunes Library connected to Airport Extreme Base Station (7.3.2) via USB
2. This iTunes Library is linked to my AppleTV; I see it linked in my ATV settings
3. AppleTV (2.0.2) connected to 802.11n network
4. I am using manual addressing for the three network devices: ATV, MacBook and iMac
Using my MacBook (10.5.4) and my 802.11n network, I start iTunes (7.7) and connect to the iTunes Library on the network drive. The iTunes Library detects my AppleTV. I can stream, sync, manage the AppleTV. I have "Allow all incoming connections" set to true. Everything is cool.
Now, I try to do the same with my iMac (10.5.4) after quitting iTunes on the MacBook. I have the same iTunes version (7.7), I'm on the same 802.11n network, and have the same firewall settings. Using a Bonjour browser, I see the same characteristics on both machines. And, I can ping the ATV. However, I cannot get this iMac to detect the ATV (i.e., no ATV in device list).
Can someone tell me if this configuration should work? If it should then, suggestions are welcome.
Thanks in advance.

I don't think that this can work because only one computer can work as the main iTunes library for syncing. Other computers can connect as Shared (streaming only), but they will have different music or video libraries. In iTunes, you will have to turn on "Shared" in the Preferences library. In iTunes -> Edit ->Preferences -> Sharing -> <check> Look for Shared Libraries <check> Share My Library on My Network
Once this is activated, on the primary computer that displays the ATV, you will see a new catergory above the playlists section of iTunes that says "Shared"; these should be the files that are on the subsidiary computer that will stream.

Similar Messages

Best storage solution for central itunes library?

I'd like to create a 4 Gb central library, running itunes permantenly on a headless Mac Mini. The library will contain all music and videos and should be available to an Apple TV, PC and Iphones (remote).
I am not sure about what kind of storage solution to buy. I want a second disk for backups, ideally also for storage of system backups of my PC and iphones. Should I buy and install a NAS and connect via Ethernet or are two firewire or usb 3.0 external hdds connected to the Mac Mini a better solution? I want to avoid issues with corrupt itunes libraries, missing files, connection issues with home sharing, etc. And are external hdds built to run 24//24 in terms of life span, energy consumption and heating?
Thank you.

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.

Two separate iPhones syncing and backing up to one centralized iTunes library?

Hi all,
My wife and I have two iPhone 5s' and am wondering if we can sync and back these two separte iPhones to one iTunes library? The library is located on a NAS drive on a share just labeled Music.
Ideally I would like to keep the two backups and syncs separately but have the ability to load playlists and albums from the centralized iTunes and iPhoto library.
Can this be done?
Thanks in advance,
Ed

This article covers what you want to do: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1495
As long as the phones have different names you can set different sync settings for them in iTunes. However, if they have the same Apple ID for iCloud any iCloud content (mail, calendar, contacts, notes, reminders) will be duplicated. The way to deal with this is to have different iCloud accounts on each device, but use the same Apple ID for the iTunes & App Stores. This way you can share music and apps.

Size of iTunes library question

When I am in iTunes and select library, it give me the total number of songs and the gigabytes (in my case assume around 9500 tracks and 43G). However, when I get info on the iTunes folder in my music folder and get info it shows 100G. Is this right? I am trying to back up my music and it appears it is taking up 100G on my LaCie drive.

What is shown in iTunes is the total for what has actually been added to the iTunes library. What is shown in the folder is what is actually in the folder and not everything in the folder has to also be in the iTunes library.
For example, you can delete songs from the iTunes library but answer NO when it asks you if you want to move the files to the trash/recycle also. If you say no, then the files stay on the hard drive in the folder but are no longer in the iTunes library.
So to answer your question, yes, it is completely possible to have the iTunes library be one size and the iTunes folder to be a completely different size. They are not synchronized together.
Patrick

HT204053 iTunes Library question

Organizing my iTunes Library I somehow deleted my 1500+ songs, it's empty! They're still on my iPhone though.
So my question is:
How do I transfer my music FROM my iPhone TO my MacBook Pro so I can restore my Library the way it was? Only 10% of these songs was purchased on the iTunes store so I already transfer those but... that didn't help too much.
I thought my music would be in the cloud but I don't even know where to find it. Not sure if it's because my iTunes Apple ID is different from my iCloud Apple ID which HAS to be a @me.com account in order to sync emails, etc.
Thanks in advance!

You can't just delete tunes like that, they would at least go into the trash, however if you have since emptied the trash, you will need to restore from your computer backup.

Using a central itunes library

I operate a Macpro with the itunes library resident on its local harddrive.
I also use an apple tv and a airport connection to a stereo.
I use a timecapsule wireless router with a WD network drive hanging off the time capsule.
Is there a way to have the itunes library resident on the network drive so that it is available to all my devices if the macpro is turned off or if I am using windows on that machine at the time through bootcamp?
Any assistance or guidance would be appreciated.

Hi Tim,
I had this set up before. My iTunes library resided on a SERVER. On my local machine, I made sure that what usually is the iTunes map, instead was a link to the iTunes library on the server.
This does not work very good though. A couple of problems:
1) Two computers can't access the same library at the same time
2) If two users start to change thing in the same library, even though not at the same time, access rights may become "corrupt", i e one file owned by one user and another by another user. This can be solved, but will occur from time to time and be a pain when it happens.
3) If the computer is disconnected from the network, you will not have any music available.
Today I use Home Sharing. Works almost all the way. The server machine is configured to always import all new things on all "clients". In this way I aim to make the server a kind of Master copy. (it has the iTunes library on a external RAID disc!) Then I copy what I daily use to my machine. The same goes for my Wife. In this way we can share all things in the iTunes library.
I have a couple of issues, one just posted here:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2423104
Another issue is that Home Sharing is (as far as I know) based on that you from one coputer can IMPORT files from another computer. But I haven't managed to PUT things from my computer onto the server. Thus, since I have a server without screen and it's placed in my basement, I need to run Remote Desktop. Works and I'm lucky to use the program when running my company. Otherwise that's something you need to have.
Also, the server runs Mac OS X Leopard Server! Not the regular client software.
Hope it helps!
Edit: spelling

Backing up iTunes Library question...

So years ago when I got my laptop, I decided to keep my iTunes library on an external hard drive so those 30 GB of files weren't eating up realestate on my main hard drive. At the time, I also backed everything up to DVD's just in case anything ever happened to the drive.
Over the last three years I've downloaded more files and so on. I would like to update my DVD backups to reflect this. Is there any way for me to see what files were added to the library after the last back-up date (somewhere in November of 2007)? As far as I can tell, the files only list when they were last updated, which is usually when they were last played. That date is useless to me.
I may have to just back up EVERYTHING all over again, but it would be nice to just have to back up the latest files.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I'm sure it's simple and I'm just overlooking something...

Hello. Since I'm normally the person in need of the technical help and not doing the helping, there's a chance that what I'm about to tell you will be wrong. But, I figured there's a possibility it could be useful anyway, so here we go:
When you pop in a DVD and click "backup to disk," there's an option to select only files added since the last backup. Since you said you do in fact backup to DVDs as well as your hard drive, I believe this should work. Itunes should be able to tell which files have been backed up yet.
Hope it helped.

Previous itunes library question/ erased itunes library

i accidentally erased my i tunes library. now i have a previous itunes library icon in my...my music folder with all my old file names, and when i try to import the old files off a cd my library still recognized the songs i chose off that cd. is there any way to get those files back onto my library with the contents of that icon or any other way? please help!

*Adding new items/removing orphans*
Try iTunes Folder Watch or iTunes Library Updater. Folder Watch is much faster on the adding files front, can be set to run in the background and includes a useful exclusion feature, however it’s really slow at removing orphans. iTLU is better for this although doing it manually after looking at a list of proposed removals generated by Folder Watch is probably faster still. iTLU can also be set to update iTunes when you've used 3rd party tools to change tag info.
tt2

How to create a central iTunes library for several Macs/PCs?

Hi!
I have 2 PCs, one MacBook and hopefully soon an AppleTV. I want them all to use the same Data. On PC and Mac the songs should be available with Coverflow... same for Apple TVs BackRow.
The Audio-Files should be stored on a Synology DS207 (NAS, small Linux-Server with FTP, AFP and SMB support, as well as DAAP).
DAAP would be great, but AFAIK it cannot handle things like cover art...
What about storing the local iTunes library on a mounted smb device? It is not so important to add files from every iTunes client to the library, but I every iTunes should have
a library like a local library (covers...)
Any ideas? Or does someone know a nice tutorial?
best regards
Andreas

Let me get this straight, you have an external drive of some description that all computers can access and this is where your music files will be located.
If so, one way to use the same music files on all computers would be to link the shared music folder to each iTunes library on the seperate computers - this can be done by dragging and dropping files or folders (make sure that you've gone to preferences - general and deselected "copy to iTunes library when adding.") However - this method would mean that each computer has a different library!
(You could always get one library linked and create all your playlists and then see if you can copy that library file and place it in the iTunes folders on the other computers - but this may not work if the file path is different - but worth a shot)

ITunes library question...

before I got myiPod, I had already imported my entire cd collection in mp3 format via media player...when I got my iPod, I imported these files to the library...my question is, can I re-import these files via itunes in AAC format with itunes automatically replacing these mp3 files with the new AAC file, or do I need to manually delete the mp3 files from the library for this to work..please advise.

Hey JoeViv,
You can conert files inside of iTunesthrough the advanced menu. This article: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=93123 gives more detailed information on the process.
You will have a second copy but can always delete the MP3 when you are done converting. Changing the view options will make it easiier to grop the file types.
Jason
MBP 2.0, 2GB ram Mac OS X (10.4.7)

HT202213 multiple admin users on one iMac using central iTunes library & Merging iTunes accts

Hi guys.
Instead of just trying to share itunes across several devices. i'm also trying to share itunes and one library across multiple users of one iMac without having to ask for permission everytime somebody wants to listen to music.
Also, since starting a family, we'd like to combine our separate itunes accounts into one master account for the household. is there any way to merge itunes accounts and permissions for songs and apps?
Any help is greatly appreciated!
Thnx

You can't merge iTunes accounts, purchases are tied to their respective Apple ID.
Not sure about the other, you'd be better off posting to the iMac or iTunes section.

The ipod is synced with another itunes library

"the ipod is synced with another itunes library" and they gave me two choices...
1. to delete all my ipod data.
2. cancel..
Guys before you reply please please read why i have turned to the support/community as this is my last resort before you reply with the most general answers which i would have already tried and did not work.
Ok, so my old computer died on me a month ago and i had not backed up my ipod touch for a few months already.. so when my com died on me i was with quite an outdated OS. when i got my com back a few days ago, i straight away told myself to backup my ipod touch, so i did. when i synced with this new itunes and clicked cancel for "the ipod is synced with another itunes library" question. it loaded like a normal syncing would do. i left it alone..
a few mins later i checked my itunes and noticed the word "DELETING ------" and i'm like WTH!?! and straight away unplugged the cable. nearly 80% of my games were deleted! all save data and stuffs gone.. i dont know what happened so i searched online.
to cut it short i found out about authorizing accounts so i deauthorized "all itunes" things and authorized this current one..
it still shows me "the ipod is synced with another itunes library" and it tried to delete my games despite that.
someone help me please. i have like 3 games left that still has my high scores from my 50+ games i had previously.
oh and one more this. i have never jailbroked my itouch before and all games are legit-ly downloaded so thats about it. anything else you need to know please feel free to ask!
I sincerely thank you for helping me.

I would move the backups to a safe place and let iTunes erase and restore the iPods. Then move the other backup to the correct location and then restore from the old backups. It may not work but you are no worse off. The backups are located here:
iTunes places the backup files in the following places:
Mac: ~/Library/Application Support/MobileSync/Backup/
Windows XP: \Documents and Settings\(username)\Application Data\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup\
Windows Vista and Windows 7: \Users\(username)\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup\
Note: If you do not see the AppData or Application Data folders, you may need to show hidden files (Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7), or iTunes may not be installed in the default location. Show hidden files and then search the hard drive for the Backup directory.

Condensed ITunes Library usable by two profiles

I am planning on buying a new IMac that will be a shared computer. My lady and I are going to be combining our existing data from our separate powerbooks and putting them on the IMac in separate profiles, but there are things that we will want to share and things that we won't want to share, i.e. we want a centralized ITunes library, but we want to keep pictures separate, etc. Can this be done, and do you have any recommendations on how to do this. I am planning on networking in a time capsule so we have a centralized wireless backup location, and a Apple TV to stream music to our HD TV. Thanks

This is one article about it (a bit lengthy but it seems detailed and exact) :
http://www.digital501.com/20061019156/merge-itunes-libraries-rsync/
There is also a discussion in here :
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=8708535&#8708535

Help with Accessing iTunes Library from both Mac and PC

Hi All
I'm new to this community and new(ish) to the world of Mac.
At home we share a single iTunes Library stored on a NAS Drive across 4 different Windows PC's (Mine, My Wifes and the 2 kids). I have recetly got myself a MacBook Pro and hoped to hook it up to our central iTunes library.
I was pleased to see that the Library opened but sadly none of the songs can be located and I get the dreaded grey symbol against tracks if I try and play them.
On further investigation it would appear to be a naming convention issue. The iTunes Library is expecting to see each song in the following location:
file://localhost/Volumes/Music/iTunes Library/iTunes Media/Music/Artist/Album/song.mp3
The problem is the localhost element as the mac sees the same location as:
file://Volumes/Music/iTunes Library/iTunes Media/Music/Artist/Album/song.mp3
Is there anyway of harmonising between the 2 systems? or am I asking the impossible.
Many Thanks .... Blue

Thanks Jim
That does make sense.
BUT ... have been doing some more investigation and it appears that my Windows iTunes is displaying the same symptoms and the tracks have lost connection with the iTunes Library.
I'm now very confused ....
I take it what I am trying to do IS possible?
Any other suggestions.
Many Thanks .... Blue

ITunes match question (manual sync and iTunes library)

Hi all
Just noticed that iTunes match is now avaliable in Denmark, and therefore I have a few questions that I can't seem to find answers for elsewhere.
My situation is that I have all my music on a NAS (and on at USB backup drive). Some of the music is in 128 AAC and is 320 mp3.
On my macbook pro I have all of my music converted til 128 AAC so I can fit all of my music on my iPhone (10000 songs). All my music on my iPhone is manage manually through iTunes. I normally 1) add it to itunes, 2) transfer it to iphone and 3) remove the music again from my iTunes library. I mostly just have an empty iTunes library (since i play music from my iPhone and my Sonos system) and just use iTunes for ripping CDs and editing of tags.
Since my iPhone is running out of space, I thought it would be a good idea to have some of my music i iCloud (iTunes match). From what I've read it is not possible to have both music transfered manually from iTunes to my iPhone and at the same time accessing music from Itunes match? What I really would like is to have 20 GB on my iPhone with the rest avaliable through iTunes match (20 GB) for when I need it. Is this possible?
My second and most important question is about the itunes library. What happens if I connect to iTunes macth and afterwards remove all my music from my itunes library? As I just explained I prefer my itunes library to be empty unless i want to transfer music to my iPhone.
Hope you can help me with some answers?
Thánk You.

That info has not been released yet but to venture a guess, I doubt any extraneous info such as comments will be used.
Also, iTunes Match will not use your tags to identify songs. Some algorithm will analyze the audio file to match.

Centralized iTunes Library question

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