External Hard Drive media in Front Row

I know this has been answered before, but I'm still new to OSX and the answer was too technical. Anyway, I just installed a 250GB External HD, and I'm planning on saving a lot of movies and possibly music on it. How can I access these files using Front Row?
P.S. A similar post answered... type "ln -s /Users/your_user/Movies/ /Volumes/MassiveMedia/Media/" (sans quotes) in Terminal. I found Terminal on my comp but I don't know how to use it.

You could also place all your movies on the external drive into a folder, create an alias of that folder and put the alias in your Movies folder in your 'home'. Front Row will play the movies on your external through the alias folder placed in your movies folder!
Hope this helps!

Similar Messages

  • External hard drives, media folders and iTunes Library folder

    Hello All,
    I have an external hard drive with all of my iTunes media files and am wondering if I should also have the iTunes Library folder and related iTunes files on this same drive. Is this the preferred arrangement? It seems that backups would be greatly simplified.
    If it is a preferred solution that all these files reside on one drive location, how do I set these files to the external drive?
    Thanks in advance for any assistance?
    Warren

    Warren Willows wrote:
    you specifically back up the "iTunes Library" to your thumb drive on an hourly basis
    no, i back up my iTunes folder (which is devoid of media content as my music files etc. are on the external).
    the +apple of my eye+ is the +*iTunes library file+*
    which is the heart (database) of the iTunes library (which is the whole thing: media files, support files, artwork folder)
    while your media files are on an external drive which you mirror to a second drive.
    exactly.
    Do you use Chronosync to mirror your externals?
    yes.
    Have you consider a NAS?
    well, i have a test library on an external USB drive hanging off my TC. it's not a NAS exactly but pretty similar.
    i found that a firewire 800 external HD @ 7200 rpm provides superior speed to any networked library which is important (to me) if you e.g. stream HD movies to an TV and don't want to experience a lot of buffering.
    JGG

  • APPLE TV (GEN 2): How to view the movies on my external hard drive?

    Hello,
    I have a Macbook Pro, with Itunes. I already know how to set-up HOME SHARING with the APPLE TV that allows me to view my Itunes library from my TV.
    But on my laptop, with the FRONT ROW feature, I set-up a ALIAS in the movie folder on my computer so that the files from my external hard drive were viewable from the movies folder in FRONT ROW. This great feature now allows me to view my content on my laptop (on Itunes) and the movies on my external hard drive, all on FRONT ROW on the Macbook Pro.
    When I opened and set-up the Apple TV (Gen 2), I was surprised that it isn't like FRONT ROW. Instead, it only allows the content on my Itunes to be viewed.
    This is a downside because I have only 35 GB free on my internal hard-drive, and all of 350+ GB of movies are on my EXTERNAL HARD DRIVE (Western Digital MY BOOK). Also, the movies files on my external hard drive are .AVI, .M4V, and .MP4
    Another question I have is what is the USB port on the back of the APPLE TV for? Can it be used for the external hard drive or no?
    Basically, I want to watch all the movies from my external hard drive on my TV.
    Can I set this up to happen and how?
    If not, what should I do to be able to watch the movies from my computer/external hard drive on my TV?
    *Please share as much information as you all can because I need to view all my options (if any) in this situation and I value all the advice....THANK YOU SOOO MUCH!*
    EQUIPMENT:
    Laptop: MACBOOK PRO 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo 4GB 1067 MHZ DDR3 MAC OS X 10.6.6
    Apple TV: Gen 2
    TV: Vizio 37" HDTV HMDI LCD
    External Hard Drive: Western Digital MY BOOK (USB 2.0 + Firewire)

    I followed exactly what you advised, and it all worked. I did convert the files first that were .AVI ---> .MP4 (the audio and video came out beautifully when viewed). I organized my files around a bit, and then I went into Itunes---> Preferences---> Advanced---> Changed where I want to grab my movies from. It keep all my previous music, tv, movies, podcasts files that I had in ITunes, and just "added" the new content without disrupting anything in my Itunes at all. I LOVED IT...so simple in the end.
    The files did take a while to convert, but I only had to do the ones that I had that were labeled ".AVI". The program, HAND BRAKE, allowed me to set up a "batch" and I had them converting during the afternoon and into the evening.
    All in all....THANK YOU/___sbsstatic___/migration-images/migration-img-not-avail.png/___sbsstatic__ _/migration-images/migration-img-not-avail.png/___sbsstatic___/migration-images/ migration-img-not-avail.png/___sbsstatic___/migration-images/migration-img-not-a vail.png/___sbsstatic___/migration-images/migration-img-not-avail.png/___sbsstat ic___/migration-images/migration-img-not-avail.png/___sbsstatic___/migration-ima ges/migration-img-not-avail.png
    Since whenever I open my Itunes, all the movies display well, and so my APPLE TV can now view all my "content" in Itunes. I thought I was going to have to return that APPLE TV since I couldn't figure a way around it, and all in all, it wasn't all that bad of a process to convert and then change file location in preferences.
    MANY THANKS and HAVE A GREAT WEEK

  • Front Row and an external hard drive?

    I would like to be able to access files--pictures and movies--using Front Row and the remote, but would like to access these files from an external hard drive. Is this possible to set up/do? Thanks for the help!

    Jack,
    Create an alias to any folder on your MBP and you can then modify it to point at a folder on your read-only drive. Just open the Get Info window on the alias and Select New Original from the General section. It might not refresh to look as if it's changed the path, but it has. Close the Get Info window and re-open it to see that it's changed. Rename the alias to something more appropriate and move it to the Movies folder of your MBP. Front Row will display the folder in the Movies section of Videos.
    MacBook Pro 15", 1.83GHz, 2GB, 100GB 7200rpm   Mac OS X (10.4.7)  

  • ITunes won't recognize media on external hard drive

    Hello Everyone....
    So I have a 17" Macbook Pro, that was recently repaired under Future Shop's PSP that I purchased. They wiped it completely clean, so I essentially have a brand new computer again.
    Luckily, I put almost all of my data and media onto my external hard drive before it went in. I have been operating with my iTunes media stored on an external drive for some time now with success.
    Now that my computer is completely new, I did all the available updates, and then went to link my library to my iTunes, as it's "new again". It doesn't have my library attached anymore. I think I forgot to save the actual library files that I'm now reading about, and instead just saved the actual mp4 files. To be honest I didn't know there were library files and actual media files, seems weird...
    I've changed my preferences back to the external drive folder where my media is located, and I've clicked "consolidate files" and nothing happens.
    I've tried to hit the "scan for media" button that pops up when you have a wiped or new computer and nothing has happened.
    I tried to physically click and drag everything from my external drive into my iTunes, and the little "processing xyz..." popped up with the blue and white striped progress bar, however when I woke up this morning nothing had happened. I'm not sure how that developed.
    I can't seem to find anything on the internet to assist with this particular issue. I have all my media stored properly in the iTunes media folder but no actual "library" file. I guess I didn't realize they existed!
    Any ideas? I am losing my mind. This mac is my second and has been in for repairs twice, and has given me nothing but problems. I am aware this "problem" is my own dumb fault but I feel like it should be much easier to recognize your existing media when it's right there in front of you.

    Preferences does not scan for media, it only changes the storage location for new additions.  The files have to be added to the library.  It sounds like you tried this in one of your attempts but it did not work (I don't know why it didn't unless there is some detail I missed).
    Where do you want your library?  On the external or internal?
    If the internal, start iTunes.  Drag your media files to the "Automatically Add To iTunes folder.  iTunes 9: Understanding the "Automatically Add to iTunes" folder. - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3832  Or use the "Add" menu item to add files to iTunes, or drag them to the iTuens library in the sidepanel.
    If somewhere else, start iTunes while holding down the option/alt key, select a library location.  Add as above.
    What are the iTunes library files? - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1660
    More on iTunes library files and what they do - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ITunes#Media_management
    What are all those iTunes files? - http://www.macworld.com/article/139974/2009/04/itunes_files.html
    Where are my iTunes files located? - http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1391

  • ITunes Music Folder Missing on external hard drive after changing iTunes Media Folder Location from MacBook Hard Drive.  Not deleted...just missing?

    I store my iTunes media folder on my external hard drive and can no longer find it there.  It seemed to becomd lost after I re-designated the default iTunes media location.  I had downloaded some things from iTunes without my external hard drive plugged in and when they downloaded they downloaded to the default location on my Macbook Pro.  In recognizing that, I wanted to move those files from the hard drive on my MacBook Pro to the external hard drive.  When I re-selected the location as the external hard drive a copy process began.  I cancelled the copy process fearing the small number of files from my Macbook Pro would over-write all of the files on my external hard drive so I quit the copy process.  Now I do not see my "iTunes Music" folder on my external hard drive.  I fear that I have somehow lost the path but I believe the content is still on my external hard drive although I no longer see the "iTunes Music" folder on my external hard drive.  I know I didn't delete it, but it isn't there.  Is there a way to make it re-appear?  I would really appreciate any guideance anyone has.
    Thank you.
    Best,
    Matt

    When you change the location in preferences it tells iTunes to start, from this point on, storing new media files in the new location.  It then presents you with the option to move any old files in their current locations to the new location.  It doesn't move the library files which are not media files.  Read the links below to understand how iTunes works because you are the one with the computer in front of you and are in the better position to understand how it stands as regards to iTunes files.
    What are the iTunes library files? - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1660
    More on iTunes library files and what they do - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ITunes#Media_management
    What are all those iTunes files? - http://www.macworld.com/article/139974/2009/04/itunes_files.html
    Where are my iTunes files located? - http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1391
    Now, did you keep the whole library on the external drive, or did you keep just media?  From your description of the situation it sounds as if you kept the whole library there and when the external was not attached it returned to default location on the internal drive.  What you should have done then was plug in the external drive, hold down the option key, and guide iTunes to the library file on the external.  At this stage you could have dealt with the mislocated new files on an individual basis. 
    I guess the key question is, did your trying to move the couple of new media files to the external drive overwrite the iTunes folder there, which because you then canceled may have also just resulted in it being deleted.  I am not going to test the theory on my system.
    How big was your library on the external?  If it was 40GB do you now suddenly have 40 GB free?
    Look for any iTunes folders on the external drive.  In view options turn on "calculate all folders sizes" and see if there are any big ones.

  • Media on new external hard drive causing problems with FCP 4.1

    Hi gang
    I bought a new 160 gig external hard drive due to my internal media drives becoming fairly full of media (20 gigs left on each). The external is being used only for media. I removed ownership permissions on all the media drives but now when I boot up the computer, the external won't show on the desktop (am using the encryption keys that came with the drive). If this is the case I can open any FCP project. If I can get the external drive up on the desktop (usually by switching the firewire port from back to front), then none of my FCP projects will open up (have to force quit due to "not responding"). This is drivng me nuts!!
    Any ideas ??
    thanks . . . .

    Thanks for the replies. I bought the drive from an Apple reseller, told him it was for media storage and he sold me the drive with a Macally hardware encrypted "enclosure". I guess I could (or should have) increased the size of my three internal drives but will return this sucker as the replies I have received all indicate the encryption "feature" is one I don't need. Taking it back and thanks for the advice . . . as always this forum is extremely helpful !!
    Craig

  • I have a new Windows tablet computer with limited hard drive space, and cannot transfer my itunes library to the hard drive. Can I run t media from an external hard drive? If so, how do I transfer my files?

    I have a new Windows tablet computer with limited hard drive space (32 GB), and cannot transfer my itunes library to the hard drive. Can I run itunes from an external hard drive? I have tried to follow some of the directions on this site, but am having no success. Thanks.

    iTunes will run fine with the media on an external drive.
    However, I suggest that a tablet computer with a tiny hard drive is not ideal as the primary computer for managing an iTunes library, even a small one. If you have another machine, perhaps a big, boxy, inexpensive old desktop with a decent amount of storage, that might be a better choice.
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1364

  • Is it possible to keep all iTunes media on an external hard drive and not on my Mac Book and have ITunes still function?

    Let me begin by saying I'm new to the Mac world as well as to the realm of online forums so I apologize if this is a question that was already asked and/or if it is a very noobish question...
    But anyway, I just recently got the new Macbook Pro 15" with RD and I am curious if I can keep all of my Itunes media on an external hard drive without keeping any of it on the Macbook itself and have Itunes still function (when the HD is connected of course). I am trying to keep the computer memory clutter free and not fill it up with music and stuff so I want to keep all of my media on a 1T Buffalo external hard drive so the computer stays like brand new for a long time..Right now I have about 5G worth of music on my hard drive and I thought it was only on the hard drive and I just recently found out that it is also within the music folder on the computer itself. Any thoughts? Sorry if it is an odd question, I can try to rephrase the question if need be. Any tips or advice is greatly appreciated, Thanks!

    Quick answer if you use iTunes' default preferences settings:  Copy the entire iTunes folder (and in doing so all its subfolders and files) intact to the other drive.  Open iTunes and immediately hold down the Option (alt) key (shift on Windows), then guide it to the iTunes Library.itl file in the moved iTunes folder.
    If you put the copied iTunes folder in the default location of Macintosh HD > Users > *User Name* > Music  then you don't even need to start with the option key held down, iTunes will automatically look for it there.  (Make sure there isn't anything already in the iTunes folder there that you want to keep since you will be replacing it with the one you are moving.)
    Longer answers if for any reason you do not think all library files are inside your iTunes folder (changed preferences settings at some point):
    iTunes: How to move [or copy] your music [library] to a new computer [or another drive] - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4527 - a somewhat bewildering and not always easily understandable set of options.
    For the record there's this reference for iTunes 11 but it really doesn't strike me as having the specifics you need. iTunes 11 for Mac: Move your library to another computer - http://support.apple.com/kb/PH12168
    2011 ilounge article: Transferring your iTunes library - http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/articles/comments/moving-your-itunes-library-to -a-new-hard-drive/  - An article with good background information (similar to the links above), particularly if you are not sure your media files are all grouped for quick answer above. Unfortunately under the single term "transferring library" it describes two very different moves; relocating just your media (not  really transferring your library and not recommended unless you really need this configuration), and relocating media+database (really your whole "library").  Make sure you understand the difference before electing to move only media.

  • HT2518 How do I transfer music from an external hard drive to my itunes on my mac? I have put the files into the itunes media, but they are not showing up in iTunes!

    How do I transfer music from an external hard drive to my itunes on my mac? I have put the files into the itunes media, but they are not showing up in iTunes!

    Hi, did you try iTunes>File>Import?

  • HT1364 I have moved my library to an external hard drive and changed the location of the iTunes media folder in Preferences, but every time I close and re-open iTunes, I have to do it all over again.  How can I make the iTunes media folder change permanen

    I have moved my library to an external hard drive and changed the location of the iTunes media folder in Preferences, but every time I close and re-open iTunes, I have to do it all over again.  How can I make the iTunes media folder change permanent?  I have an older machine with Windows XP.

    I don't believe mounting the hard drive should be necessary, unless you have several external drives and want your computer to recognise them as folders, rather than drives. I've never had to mount a hard drive, ever. If you don't know how to do it, then it shouldn't be necessary now.
    Try this:
    Prepare iTunes so that it can see the external drive.
    Make a note of which drive-letter the external drive has been allocated. (Look in Windows Exploer)
    Look at the file location for a song. Make sure it plays (and therefore that iTunes has found it). Highlight it and select File/Get Info/Summary>Where: and make a note of the drive letter for that song.
    Close and shut down the computer.
    The next time you turn the computer on again, connect the external drive
    Before you start iTunes - check the external drive in Windows Explorer. Is it ready, does it have the same drive-letter that it had last time? Can you go into the drive and see the files on it?
    Once you can, start iTunes. (If the drive lettter has changed, you need to work out why before going any further.)
    If iTunes fails to find your external drive, you need to check where iTunes is looking for your Library.
    Select the same song you checked before (presumably iTunes can no longer find it). Follow the procedure for locating it. You should be able to see where iTunes thinks the file is. It's the drive that counts. Which drive letter is iTunes looking at? Is it the same one that it was previously (which should also be the same one that the drive has now).
    What happens, which step do you have problems with?
    Message was edited by: the fiend

  • How to set up iTunes with an external hard drive so that there is not a double location for the iTunes Media folder

    Hi,
    A very helpful postee got to the end of his knowledge level, so I am posting this for you tech guys to sort out. Bit long because I've tried to set it out step by step. Briefly I'm new to iTunes and my laptop has a very small hard drive and is virtually full and due to be replaced. So I want to use an external hard drive.
    Now I know that iTunes installs itself to two locations: 1. Programs Files 2. Music. And its the Music location that bothers me.
    I asked about using an external hard disk to store the actual AAC files. I was advised that in order to change the loaction of the iTunes media folder I was should employ preferences/advanced/ and this is what i saw (as you would expect):
    Then I hooked up my hard drive, hit 'change', and this is what I saw:
    I was a bit worried by the lack of pathway details, but assumed it must have done something on the external drive, so I looked on  it and this is what i saw (highlighted):
    But compare this with what was in the directory I attempted to reproduce, viz in the iTunes folder in /laptop/Music/iTunes:
    A ton of stuff. The only stuff that corresponded with what iTunes had created on my external hard drive was in Music/iTunes/iTunes Media folder:
    Now this suggests that there are TWO locations for my preferences. The advanced tab only allowed me to ADD an extra location, not REPLACE the original.
    So:
    1. Which of the two locations will iTunes choose when I add music? Surely it will go with the original pathway laid down in the directory when iTunes was installed, and ignore my external Hard Drive? I mean, how can there be two automatic locations?!!!
    2.. I don't mind itunes library being on my laptop as this is just a list, but it obvoiusly has to have a pathway to the site where the actual AAC files are stored.
         so surely it won't work unless the whole lot is on the external hard drive: library, extras, genius, the lot?
    4. How then do I get it all on the external since merely changing "preferences" doesn't do the job?
    5. Is this perhaps the reason why so many people report that iTunes does not recognize their external hard disk:
    http://www.ehow.com/info_12199596_external-hard-drive-not-recognized-itun es.html
    I just don't want this to happen to me. Any answers?
    Philip Joy
    UNITED KINGDOM

    As I've replied to your other threads...
    Easy method 1:
    Move or Copy entire working library from current location to the root of your external drive. Press & hold down shift (option on a Mac) as you click the icon to start iTunes. Click Choose when prompted, then browse to ..\iTunes\iTunes Library.itl on the external. If you copied the library across then test your new library works properly after renaming the original folder, before deleting the original folder to recover space.
    Easy method 2:
    If you haven't really started to build your library. Press & hold down shift as you click the icon to start iTunes. Click Create. Browse to the root of the external drive. Create the library as ITunes. Drag your media into ..\iTunes\iTunes Media\Automatically Add to iTunes.
    Complex method:
    Required if you've already tried other things and now have media & library scattered around. See the post make a split library portable.
    in addition...
    In all cases the idea is to get a library folder called iTunes containing a media folder called iTunes Media with all media inside this media folder. Once you have the library in this shape it is easy to reconnect to the library with the shift-start-iTunes method if the drive letter changes, move the library to another computer, and backup the library by cloning the folder to another drive.
    tt2

  • I have my itunes media stored on my external hard drive.  On this external drive I have a folder called "TV shows".  How do I incorporate this folder back into the itunes library?

    I have my itunes media stored on my external hard drive.  On this external drive I have a folder called "TV shows".  I previously cut and pasted itunes TV shows to this folder to free up some space.  How do I incorporate this folder (TV shows) back into the itunes library?

    assuming the copy files ... when adding option is checkmarked in preferences > advanced, drag the folder into an open iTunes window while holding option (⌥).

  • How do I capture tape-based media to my external hard drive?  There is only one firewire 800 port on the back of my I mac.  The manual says to import tape footage directly into fcpx, but then I lose my external hard drive.   thanks for your help.

    In FCP X How do I capture tape-based media (hdv clips)- which I want to import-to my external hard drive?  There is only one firewire 800 port on the back of my I mac.  The FCPX manual says to import tape footage directly into final cut, which works, but then I lose  my external hard drive    Do I  have to import it into an event, then copy it over to an external hard drive?  On Larry Jordan's tutorial, he has 3 external hard drives that show up on his monitor WHILE he imports his tape based media.  How is that done?  I can only get either the camera to appear OR my external hard drive.   thanks for your help.

    Thanks for your response, but that doesn't solve the problem.  Yes, the LaCie hard drive has 2 firewire ports-
    I have always done what you suggest (works fine in FCP7), but in FCPX when I do that the camcorder icon
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  • Time capsule, external hard drive, iTunes media library

    Hi,
    i want to setup my time capsule, at the same time I want to export my iTunes library to an external harddrive. following questions:
    - I setup my time capsule currently only as wifi, not yet as a backup medium
    - how do I set this whole thing up and in what sequence?
    - I want to use movies purchased on iTunes from the library and not from the store, possible? Not via Apple TV I assume but via iTunes?
    - I want to access movies located on the external hard drive from anywhere in my home network, possible?
    I need to do this as I moved from usa to Europe and have To change my apple store. Before I change the store I need to download all movies to an external harddrive otherwise I cannot use them anymore due to license issues. Apple cannot help me here unfortunately.
    the change is also necessary as staying in the US store causes more and more complications.
    ideas are welcome!
    thanks!

    You can relocate your iTunes to an external hard disk .. plugged into the computer that is fine.. using it on a hard drive plugged into the TC is not so OK.. it can work but it will be slow.
    - I want to use movies purchased on iTunes from the library and not from the store, possible? Not via Apple TV I assume but via iTunes?
    Yes, you can use the iTunes library to store and play the movie. it has to run from iTunes on the computer. I am not sure I understand the last bit about apple TV.. it is simply a streamer.. (unless you have Gen1 which can store movies on the hard disk). The Apple TV connects to your iTunes running on a computer. The TC has nothing to do with this, other than being part of the network.
    Note the TC has no media extensions nor is it media aware.. it is a dumb wireless router.. that is all.
    - I want to access movies located on the external hard drive from anywhere in my home network, possible?
    Access movies is fine.. read Apple prescribed method.
    iTunes: How to share music and video
    There is a lot of links to home sharing.
    Again the TC is irrelevant to this, other than it ties the network.. but a switch or any other router could be doing that.. so the TC is of no particular use here.
    For backups just setup TM in the computer to backup to the TC.. that is standard part of the setup.. and there is nothing particular in the TC required for that.. other than it plugs into the main router.. so exists as part of the network.

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