How Can I play iTunes Library from Remote Disc without importing?

I have my iTunes library copied to an external HD. I want to play it through my iTunes account on my MacBook Air, but don't have the room to import it all. Is there a setting to have iTunes play from a remote disc without importing the tunes to the computer itself?

By the way, the alternative (esp if you don't have a library file on the external disk) is to add the external drive's media files to your laptop's iTunes library on your local hard disk. The downside is that (a) if the external disk is unavailable when you start iTunes, you'll see next to the music in iTunes (telling you that the files are unavailable); and (b) as you manage music on that external disk, you'll have to manually update iTunes on the other computer.
Probably better to keep the library file on the external disk if that external disk ever is going to be disconnected from the the machine or connected to another machine. But if you'd like guidance for keeping the library file on your laptop and media files on the external disk, let us know.

Similar Messages

  • How do I remove itunes library from remote app

    This question really could be in several forums due to includeing Apple TV, Apple Remote App, iPad, iTunes and so on, but I think this is the best site, sorry if wrong!
    Here's the problem: I am using Apple's Remote App on my iPad to control the Apple TV.  Works great!
    But, I mistakenly also added my computer's iTunes Library (via a 4 digit pin, not Home Sharing) to the devices the Remote App can manage.
    How do I remove the Library from the Remote devices??

    Yup, I finally stumbled across an edit button that let me delete the iTunes library.  Thanks!
    BTW: I think Apple has to clean up some of their evolutionary kruft.  AirPlay vs Home Sharing.  ATV direct use of Library. iCloud and iTunes match. It takes a lot of thought figuring out how to use Apple's media ecology.  I realize its all historic but I bet there are a LOT of confused folks out there.
    Just for the record: I decided to use Match .. only $25 or so a year and my phone, pod, pad, tv etc all have access to my complete digital collection.  I also love AirPlay.  I've started avoiding Home Shairing like the plague!  As far as I can tell, it mainly is still around due to the Media Industry placing restrictions on Apple.
    Thanks again.

  • How can I transfer itunes library from old pc to new imac?

    I just got a new iMac and am trying to transfer iTunes library from old PC (barely running) to new iMac.  I tried through Home Sharing but couldn't find how to sync.  Is it necessary to get Firewire?  Or should I sync it from my iPad?  I'd like to avoid the middleman.  Thanks!

    Try this article too - http://www.myfirstmac.com/index.php/mac/articles/how-do-i-move-my-itunes-library -from-pc-to-mac-and-keep-my-settings-intact
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  • How/can I update itunes library from ipod

    I had a previous version of iTunes on a work PC, which I had copied my entire CD collection onto. I have since moved companies and hence lost the laptop. I(maybe stupidly) assumed that I could update the iTunes library from the iPod.
    Having searched the support pages, the only way that I can tell to do this was to export the library in the first place, which I did not do. Also iTunes seems to want to delete everything from my iPod everytime I try to do anything?!?
    I really want to avoid spending every evening for another week downloading all the albums again, so any help on this would be greatly appreciated!!!
    Thanks
    Mark

    If you are using iTunes version 7 or later, then you can transfer purchased iTunes store music from the iPod to an authorized computer by using the "file/transfer purchases from iPod" menu. Note that the maximum of 5 authorized computers applies here.
    For all other non purchased music (your own CDs etc) try this method which works on some Windows PCs.
    Enable your iPod for disk use.
    See: iPod Disk Use.
    Open iTunes and select edit/preferences/advanced/general. Put a check mark in the box marked "copy files to iTunes music folder when adding to library" and also "keep iTunes music folder organized", then click 'ok'.
    Connect the iPod whilst holding down the shift/ctrl keys to prevent any auto sync, and if you see the dialogue window asking if you want to sync to this itunes library, click 'no'.
    Then go to file/add folder, open 'my computer', select your iPod and click 'ok'.
    The music files should transfer to your iTunes.
    If this doesn't work (and it may not because officially it's not supposed to), check out the instructions/suggestions here.
    Music from iPod to computer (using option 2). This a manual method using "hidden folders" and although it works, it can be messy.
    Much easier ways are to use one of the many 3rd party programs that copy music from the iPod to the computer.
    One of the most recommended (as previously mentioned) is Yamipod. This is a free program that transfers music and playlists etc from iPod back to the computer. However, it does not transfer playcounts/ratings etc.
    Another free program is Pod Player.

  • How can i transfer itunes library from a mac to a pc?

    do you have to use an external drive or are there other ways of accomplishing this?

    iTunes: Back up your iTunes library by copying to an external hard drive
    Also see:
    iTunes: How to move your music to a new computer

  • How can i play iTunes on apple tv from my mac?  i used to have an icon that synced the two but i can't find that icon anymore

    how can i play iTunes on apple tv from my mac?  i used to have an icon that synced the two but i can't find that icon anymore

    If you are using the 2nd or 3rd gen Apple TV (little black box) then it would have no syncing or storage capability.
    iTunes content would be accessed using home sharing.
    Setting up Home Sharing for Apple TV (2nd generation and 3rd generation) - Apple Support
    If you are referring to the 1st gen (bigger aluminum box with hard drive)
    iTunes 11 for Mac: Play items in your iTunes library using Apple TV (1st generation)

  • Can Play iTunes Library from PC on MacBook Air but cannot import, problem with access rights?

    I can play Itunes library from Windows Vista PC on my MacBook Air using homeshare but cannot import the library . Error message is problem with access rights. Latest OS and Itunes installed. Both computers registered with Apple on same Apple ID. Wifi Router turned on and off. Still does not allow importing. Any suggestions please?

    Might be an alternative for you here > iTunes: How to move your music to a new computer

  • HT4527 My old PC was destroyed.  Not all of my library was purchased through iTunes.  How can I copy my library from my iPhone 4S to my new of?

    My old of was destroyed.  How can I copy my library from my iPhone 4S to my new PC?  Not all my music was purchased through iTunes.

    The following user tip is worth checking through:
    Recovering your iTunes library from your iPod or iOS device

  • How can I get iTUNES library to display renamed files and folders (renamed with Windows Explorer)?

    How can I get iTunes library to display the new names and organisation of tracks and albums (ie files and folders) that I have renamed and reorganised (using Windows Explorer) having previously imported them using iTunes?
    (Even when I relocate "lost" tracks in iTunes (using the drop down menu facility to view in Windows explorer), although iTunes will then play the track, and knows where to find it, it refuses to display the track with its correct (new) name, or show it the correct (new) album.  That means I have lots of things called "Untitled" and "Track 01" etc, all of which have actually been renamed, but iTunes does not seem to have the capability to recognise the changes and update its library listing.  Another example - a Tchaikovsky CD with 3 major works in 13 tracks insists on displaying in iTunes as 13 tracks in one album, despite the fact that I have reorganised the tracks into 3 albums - two being Swan Lake and The Nutcracker - and renamed the individual tracks to a more useable format.)

    Thanks for your replies ckuan
    I agree with Tgod that your first solution does not work.  It appears unpredictable whether the old or new file names are listed when you drag the folders into iTunes from Windows Explorer.  The folder structure is completely missing.  I reckon if you have to muck around spending days/weeks/months finding out how to fix links to a secret meta-file (obviously designed by some deep-cover microsoft worm working in the Apple!), then it's pretty obvious that almost any alternate way of doing this would be better.   Bye bye iTunes!!
    Incidentally, I tried several other things that (if the software was designed intuitively) should work, but give disastrous results:
    1) when deleting the library listing in iTunes, it gives you two options - one is to remove the listings to the Recycler.  Be aware that IF you select that option, it removes not only your library listing, but also your ACTUAL MUSIC FILES to the Recycler.  Moreover, it does NOT remove the insidious secret meta-file that is what apparently keeps rewriting old names over your carefully renamed file names, and keeps totally ignoring your carefully designed folder (album) structure.  OK - not a complete disaster, as I realised and went hunting through the chaos in the Recycler to recover all my files.  No thanks to the genius who designed this brilliant feature!
    2) after deleting the library listing in iTunes, I attempted to import just the folders that I wanted.  iTunes refused to allow me to do that, and proceeded to try to import every frigging music file it could find on my whole hard drive, in apparently random fashion into the library.  Whoever thought up that doozy either never ever tried to use or market test it, or has modified their mind rather too many times with artificial substances so their brain is like muesli chop suey.
    3) oh why go on, it's too depressing ...

  • How do I move itunes library from my ipad back to my itunes library in my windows computer ?

    How do I move itunes library from my ipad back to my itunes library in my windows computer ? All the songs got transfered by mistake from my windows itunes library to my ipad. All i had wanted to do was to move a select # of songs newly purchased from my ipad to my ipod but I got mixed up. Before i knew it all teh library had been moved to my ipad?  HELP!

    You don't have to move the songs back into iTunes if you don't want to, the songs are still in iTunes on your computer - you just copied a version of the songs onto the iPad from iTunes.
    If you want to remove them from the device itself, just swipe across the song while you are in song list mode in the music app and a red delete button will pop up. You can also tap and hold down on a playlist or a album icon and the X to delete will pop up. It will not work for Genius playlists.
    You can also connect the iPad to the computer, launch iTunes, select the iPad on the left side, click on the Music Tab on the right, uncheck all of the music that you want to remove, click on Apply in the lower right corner of iTunes, and that will remove the songs from the iPad.

  • How can I access iTunes media from my iPad to my time capsule

    How can I access iTunes media from my iPad to my time capsule with out a computer

    Really not suitable.. The TC is a dumb hard disk in a router.. it is not a media server..
    You can move your itunes library to the TC.. but if you do that.. one day the TC will die and take your library with it.. as well as giving slow response to every network device.. this is really not suitable.

  • Can i transfer iTunes library from my pc to old iBook which has firewire connection?

    can i transfer iTunes library from my pc to old iBook which has firewire connectivity? thanks

    Yes.  See here: iTunes: How to move your music to a new computer
    B-rock

  • I just got a new pc running windows 7 and don't know how to transfer my itunes library from my old computer using windows xp

    i just got a new pc running windows 7 and cannot get my i tunes library from my old windows xp i have an ipad,ipod nano .ipod touch ,will any of these do it? My library is one i downloaded from cds not purchased thanks'

    Iv just got a macbook pro today, and I don't know how to transfer my itunes library from my imac..
    the simplest way, assuming all your media files are in the default location, would be to connect the two Macs with a firewire cable, boot the source Mac in Target Disk Mode, and copy the entire iTunes folder (not just the iTunes music folder) from <MacintoshHD>/users/yourname/music on the source to <MacintoshHD>/users/yourname/music on the target (overwriting the iTunes folder in place there).
    My sister is having my old imac, so I also need to then clear the itunes on the imac for her.
    just a create a new admin user account for her on the iMac.

  • How do I restore iTunes library from Backup files on External Hard Drive?

    How do I restore iTunes library from Backup files on External Hard Drive and keep the new iTunes library on the External Hard Drive. I have all the media and playlist and .xml .itl files, just want the iTunes to recognise the content.
    I backedup my iTunes content by dragging to External Hard Drive. Formatted and reinstalled OS. My iTunes content is so large, that I wish for the Library and content to remain on the External Hard Drive. I have all the music files and playlists, I just cannot get the iTunes application to display all the content. Hoping to Not have to drag and drop all the content to be recopied into new iTunes organised files.
    Troubleshooting this by researching other conversations on the web, I have come stuck for a solution. One Troubleshoot told me to hold down the Command key and then lauch iTunes and a dialogue box will appear to Choose a new library, however when I try this, no Dialogue box appear to give me the option!?

    It sometimes has that funny switch symbol on it too.  
    tt2

  • I would like to play music from my iPhone 5 on the speakers attached to my computer at work. I don't have the authority to download itunes onto the computer. Can I play the music from the phone without having itunes on the computer?

    I would like to play music from my iPhone 5 on the speakers attached to my computer at work. I don't have the authority to download itunes onto the computer. Can I play the music from the phone without having itunes on the computer?

    KiltedTim wrote:
    The cable would be much cheaper than the Scotch!
    But much less fun or satisfying.
    Signed,
    An IT guy 

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