Running itunes library on a NAS

I want to clean up my hard drive on my Macbook and key to this is putting music on my NAS.
The problem with doing the simple thing of setting up a NAS share in itunes is that no artwork can be copied over, and you also then can't synch your ipod or iphone to music in the shared library as it doesn't exist locally - Apple as far as i can see won't let that happen. The next option i have spent 48 hours doing is creating a new library volume in iTunes - and making that library volume exist on the NAS.
This effectively worked, i copied across everything from my mac - but it unfortunately it also copies and over writes everything else, i.e your iphone apps and places these all on the NAS. I don't want this to happen in case i am away for proologned periods of time and need to synch the iphone etc.
SO - my question is, how do you do it so everything works seamlessly. I really hope people will answer as i am slowly losing faith with my Synology DS110j and iTunes. Ade
adelarks
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I have been doing that for years. I have a library of more than 400 GB with music, videos and movies. All that on a server and I can even listen to music from my house or anywhere in the world if I am connected to internet, without changing anything in my setup. I can sync my iPhone and iPad.
1. In iTunes's prerefence, in advance, choose your NAS.
2. Be sure the two items below are checked (Keep itunes forder organize, AND copy files to media folder)
3. In the File Menu -> Library -> Organize Library -> Check Consolidates files and OK That's it
.... If you want them back to the original location, just change do the same thing in reverse. All file aleready at the right place will not be copied again. For a while I was doing this to make a backup.
You have still have the iTunes folder on your mac, and Yes artwork downloaded by iTunes will stay on your mac. You can use some software to embed the artwork into your MP3/MP4 but the icon preview will stay on your mac.
Warning.
I have done that on a LaCie NAS and it was a pain. File system was not HFS+ and I lost the é,è,à, etc
some will work.
I finally opted to use another mac as a server, create a share via AFP, and with domain name and a DNS installed, I can use it from anywhere, the drive beeing map with a full dns name, it can be resolved by the system either locally or away from home, great !!!! (you have to put the "Automount" option in your share.
Hope this help.

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Can the aTV read files from an iTunes library on my nas drive without my computer being on

I have my itunes library on a My Book Live nas drive that contains all of my digital movies and TV shows. I want to be able to watch my movies from the library without a computer running. I understand that Apple has chosen to chain you to the computer and your itunes account through Home Sharing but I can not see why they couldn't allow you to access a nas drive without a computer running because your aTV is tied to your itunes account also so why do they force you to run a computer 24/7 365 in order to access the files you have bought and paid for.
I have a love/hate for Apple because I love the quality of the products they make but I hate how they make all of the digital files you purchase only accessible through a computer running Home Sharing even though the files are not stored on the computer.
I have tried several things to get this to work without a computer but no luck. The only way I have found to be able to do this is to Jailbreak your aTV and install 3rd party software (which I don't want to do) that will allow you to by pass the computer and Home Sharing (which is dumber than ****) because that is all I want to do is eliminate the need of a computer running wasting electricity (I thought Apple was supposed to be an enviro friendly company, guess not). I am not trying to steal or give someone else my purchased movies and using the aTV and an internet connection they could still be able to tie your media to your itunes account so I just don't get there thinking, or lack of thinking I should say.
Is their a way to do this without Jailbreaking or modifying your aTV?
If not is Apple ever going to wake up and allow there customers to actually USE the media they purchase from them without Home Sharing and a computer running?

_Skull wrote:
Can the aTV read files from an iTunes library on my nas drive without my computer being on
no it can't. you need itunes open and running

Storing Itunes Library on a NAS Drive

Is it possible to transfer my entire iTunes Library to a NAS Drive and the stream the content from the NAS Drive to the Apple TV?
or
Would an 1GB USB drive connected to the Apple TV be a more realistic option?

yes, files don't have to be in the iTunes Folder to be in the iTunes Library ( a text file that holds the location of all the files that you see when you open iTunes)
the trick is that you *press option as you drag the files into iTunes*. the files will stay where they are and not get copied into the iTunes folder and their locations will be noted in the iTunes Library file and you'll see them when you open iTunes and be able to stream and/or sync to your appleTV. computer needs to be on with iTunes running to stream to appleTV though. you don't even need to have all the files in one place... i have my music on an internal drive and my movies on a large external.
so you could buy a large external, move all your content, or some portion of it there, delete everything from iTunes ( *make sure you choose "do not move to trash"* ) then drag the stuff back in from their new location while pressing option and you are done.. just set up your sync/streaming options (if you choose custom sync be sure to uncheck "show only synced content on appleTV".. this will show unsynced content along side the synced stuff but will stream the content when clicked on.. no degradation of performance... ffwd, rwd, time to start playing no dif with synced content).
but first poster is right you cannot stream directly from drive to appleTV.. you must go through iTunes first.
Message was edited by: tmartine

Cover Art Problems with iTunes Library on a NAS

I have my iTunes library stored on a Synology NAS. I use a networked Mac Mini as a dedicated iTunes player, I set it up so the Mac Mini finds my iTunes library on the NAS. The cover art for all of my movies that I ripped from my home DVD collection shows up fine in iTunes. But the cover art for movies that I downloaded from iTunes does not show up, either in iTunes on my Mac Mini, or on my AppleTV (2nd Gen). I suspect the problem comes from the fact that I keep the iTunes library in a separate place (on the NAS) rather than on the computer that runs iTunes. Is there a fix to this?

I'm having troubles with my Itunes in combination with the synology server as well...
I'm getting audio from the server, all of this is working great.... But I'm not getting any cover art! I'm also not getting the optn to view the info of tracks. This is all working when I'm listing to track placed on my Mac in stead of the server.
Could you help me setting up de synology? Is there any structure neccesary on the server? Could you send me a screen grab of yours?

How can I store my iTunes library on an NAS (Fritz Box)?

How can I store my iTunes library on an NAS (Fritz Box)?

1. Drag the library to the external drive, launch iTunes with the Option key held down, click on Choose Library, and point it there.
2. Get a second. Having the backups on the same drive as the original data won't help when that drive fails.
(66929)

ITunes library on a NAS

Hi, I have a windows 7 PC on a gigabit network. I have a D-link Nas 323 with 2x 2tb drives in. I created a new library on my PC with files on my c drive but all my music and films on the NAS. opened it up for the first time and all wored ok. i then added about 800gb worth of music and films and now itunes doesnt open. Is this due to the files not being read qwuick enough on the NAS? Could someone maybe point me in the direction. This worked ok with a USB drive atatched to my computer but went to a NAS for larger storage and for it to be on a raid. i also wanted it on the NAS so my apple TV and iphone and airplay would be slightly quicker.

i'm in the process of moving my iTunes library to a NAS. you might find this discussion helpful.
basically, once the NAS is set up, i will consolidate my library to the RAID volume i created for it on the NAS via file (or, i keep forgetting for windows, edit) > library > organize library > consolidate files.
point iTunes media folder location (preferences > advanced) to the volume on the NAS before you start and make sure the copy to ... and keep ... organized options are checkmarked.

I want to relocate my iTunes library on a NAS drive and stream to apple tv2 and DLNA tbs around the house is this possible and if so which is the best NAS drive to buy???

I want to relocate my iTunes library on a NAS drive and stream to apple tv2 and DLNA tbs around the house is this possible and if so which is the best NAS drive to buy???

ged2001 wrote:
I want to relocate my iTunes library on a NAS drive and stream to apple tv2 and DLNA TV's around the house is this possible and if so which is the best NAS drive to buy???
i don't have any experience with DLNA TV's but i recently moved my iTunes library to a NAS. streaming content to airport express remote speakers and TV2 works great. however, i have all my gear hardwired to my time capsule (except the airport express) so i'm not sure how well streaming e.g. HD movies to TV over wifi works.
i have a Synology DiskStation 411j and am very happy with it.

Thinking of moving my iTunes library to a NAS (Buffalo Linkstation Live)...

Hi
My iTunes library is growing, with movies and tunes etc its getting too big for my iMac HDD (320Gb). At the moment I have all my music on my iMac HDD iTunes library, and my movies on my NAS.
However I was wondering if I can put my whole iTunes library on my NAS. I have a Buffalo Linkstation Live which says in documentation
"iTunes automatically makes the LinkStation available as a content source in your iTunes software"
Not exactly sure what this means though? Also if it is possible, what is it like performance/managing wise? The Linkstation is wired Ethernet to my iMac by the way. Also if the iTunes library is on my NAS, can my PS3 access it to? I have a PS3 which accesses my NAS fine at moment, will the PS3 be able to "see" inside the iTunes library on the NAS?
cheers

Anyone in similar situation or has a Buffalo NAS Live please?
cheers

How to run iTunes library off an external pen drive?

How can we run iTunes library off an external pen drive?
i have tried everything just doesn't seem to work, just want to free some space up on my Air.

Let's say the name of the stick is "PenDrive"...
1. copy the the itunes media folder to the pen drive. The iTunes media folder is the one that contains the sub-folders of Music, mobile Applications etc. let's say your iTunes media folder is called "iTunes Media"
2. open iTunes. On the menu, click "iTunes", "Preferences...". Click the "Advanced" tab. Change the iTunes library location in the field at the top (I think you can browse for it). When you have it set, it should read "/Volumes/PenDrive/iTunes Media".
3. The other iTunes files, like the database, should stay on your Macintosh HD.
4. Once you do this, ALWAYS make sure the pen drive is mounted BEFORE you start iTunes, otherwise it will revert to the media folder on Macintosh HD and you will have to do step 2 again.

I have downloaded the tv shows Homeland and Dexter. They have ended up in different places. Dexter is where is "belongs" in my itunes library on my NAS drive. Homeland ended up on my hard drive in the itunes/music/tvshows directory. Anyone know why?

Several months ago I bought and downloaded Homeland. Earlier this month I bought
Dexter Season 7. They have ended up in different directories. My iTunes library is
on a NAS drive and Dexter was stored there (where it belongs). For some reason,
Homeland got saved to my Mac hard drive in the itunes/music/tvshows directory.
This seems odd everything else I have downloaded, music, other tv shows, movies
have been saved to the proper place. I haven't changed the path to my iTunes
library in years.
Now, iTunes has kept track of these two tv shows and I synced them both
to my iPad. The only reason I know they are in different places
is because my wife couldn't find them on the NAS drive.
Mostly out of curiosity, I'd like to know why this happened and how to keep it from
happening again.
Oh, it's iTunes 11.0.3 running on a MacBook Pro with OS X 10.6.8.
Thanks
Bob

I don't think it is easy to move part of a collection unless you don't care about the metadata such as date added, etc. You can copy the files to the other drive, delete in iTunes the references to the copies still on your computer, then hold down the option key while dragging the files on the external to iTunes so it doesn't copy them back to your internal but just references them where they are. You have to remember to do this each time. Either that, or set preferences so iTunes does not automatically copy any file to your media folder when added but leaves them all where they land on your computer. You can move them by hand around the computer, but not between drives.
You could try Dougscript "Move Files To Folder" but I don't know if this enables iTunes to track items moved to a different drive. iTunes doesn't really like using multiple drives.
As for using Time Capsule, I have seen various takes on this. I recall reading somebody saying it isn't a good idea to have a backup drive competing for dual purposes. My take on it is, TC is a backup, period. If you keep your movies on it and the TC drive dies, you lose your only copy of the movies.
How often do you really watch these movies? Yes, it is nice having them appear in iTunes, but unless you are watching them every day then it isn't a huge burden to have them on another drive. Frankly, if I had iTunes movies I would probably make a whole different library for them and start from it with the external drive turned on when I was in a movie mood.

Transferring my iTunes library to a NAS drive

Hello All,
I currently have my iTunes media files on an attached USB hard drive off the back of my Mac but would like to move it to a NAS off my Airport Extreme so a second Mac and the upcoming iTV can all access the media.
Can I simply copy the files to the NAS and make a copy of the /User/username/Music/iTunes/iTunes Library file, reboot and point Itunes to the new location then overwrite the new iTunes Library file with my older, copied version?
Is this the correct procedure? My thanks in advance for your help.
Warren

I have my iTunes library running on an external hard drive attached to my airport extreme via USB. You should be able to just plug the drive in, go into iTunes prefs, and go to the advanced tab. Point iTunes to the new location of your library, and let it consolidate. It doesn't really copy anything, so it moves very quick.
This worked for me. Just be careful that you remain connected to the drive before you start iTunes. Otherwise iTunes has this TERRIBLE habit of reverting the iTunes library location to the default home folder location. Its easy enough to change back, but it is a pain.

Anyone have experience running iTunes off of a NAS instead of their machine?

I recently installed a 4T NAS and would like to actually run iTunes off of it since the music takes up too much space on my MacBook Pro hard drive. I moved the folder to the NAS successfully and pointed iTunes to it. I also Organized the Library, but I am unable to make playlists or any edits.

hi,
thanks for your reply, i am going in on the guest account but i can access all the files, the buffalo is set up on a new folder for all the itunes/images and a seperate folder for time machine .
we have 4 terrastations at work and i have learnt intranet type scenarios through using these,
if apple/buffalo cant sort this issue soon ,i will need to buy a time capsule to back up my time machine , spending money where it should not be needed is a right pain but i need to back up,
i will contact buffalo and try to get some sense out of them on the afp issue but , they are only helpfull up to a point and always deflect the issue back to apple as the "fixer".
I have never taken out one 2 one or apple care on any of our systems and have learnt as i go along,
Is the hack going to effect my gaurentee on the buff NAS ?

Itunes Library on a Nas shared on multiple PC's

Hi, I am wondering if someone can help?
I have just brought an iPhone and want to primarily use it for work. For now ignore email setup.
I have a readynas where my itunes library sits and currently syncronise an ipod 160gb with this on my main home PC.
I have installed itunes on my work PC and want to access the same library which is on the readynas and sync my iphone and selected playlists on that machine. The reason being is that my iphone is to be my work phone and my work pc has all my contacts, calendar etc... on it.
Can anyone advise?
Ross

Yes, you can split the library but it isn't a good idea. Files would continue to go to the NAS but iTunes does not play well with NAS. The problems you are having now might be magnified if you continue to have problems after moving your library file to your internal drive. I have seen several very long topics where people were trying to repair broken links resulting from having a split library and iTunes using the locally stored .itl but then it couldn't see the media files on the NAS.
You need to find out what works for you to ensure the NAS is mounted and active before starting iTunes.

How do I point my new Macbook at my iTunes Library on my NAS

Hi
I've recently bought a Macbook Air and switched from a Windows 7 laptop. I have my iTunes library (and my wife's library) located on my NAS.
I now need to configure my Mac user accounts to use the libraries on the NAS (QNAP). I no longer have access to the Windows laptop (it's broken).
Please could you advise.
Thanks
Mike

Completely quit iTunes if you have it open. Then Holding down the Option key while you re-open iTunes should prompt you to select the iTunes Library you wish to use.
Just Navigate to the folder on your NAS where your iTunes library resides.
iTunes: How to open an alternate iTunes Library file or create a new one - Apple Support

I already have my itunes library on a nas, i currently sync with one computer, can i change to another computer on the same network and sync with that one instead?

changing the synch computer when the itunes library is on a nas device

I don't know if this is me adding files to iTunes when the external wasn't connected
it is.
is it OK to just keep deleting that library on the Air?
i wouldn't - at least not until i
mount the external
point iTunes media folder location back to the external via preferences > advanced
consolidate my library via file > library > organize library
The ntfs hasn't seem to be causing any problems, but I've always wanted to know.
in order for your Mac to write to NTFS drives, it needs some help by installing e.g. the NTFS 3G driver. apparently that or something similar is installed on your Mac already. preferably, it would be formatted for Mac but then windows machines would need to have e.g. MacDrive installed to recognize the drive.

Running itunes library on a NAS

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