Saving iPod play counts when reformatting

I have a windows formated 60 GB 5G iPod that I want to reformat to Mac. Problem is I have been accumulating play counts for well over a year and I don't want to reset them. I've been managing my music manually, so the play counts don't update in my library. If I created a playlist in my library that's the same as my iPod and synced my iPod with that playlist, would the play counts transfer from the iPod to the playlist or from the playlist to the iPod? Is there any other possible way to save play counts?

Not a very elegant solution, but for Macs you can use Apple Scripts and there are a couple that allow you to change the playcounts of iTunes stuff either by entering the play count directly or adding/subtracting a number from the current playcount. You can find these at Doug's Apple Scripts for iTunes (do a web search).
So what you would need to do is on the Windows machine, select all and do a copy, then past into a spreadsheet. Everything should line up nicely in columns. Make sure Play count is there. Save it.
When you get to the Mac, you can use this list (printed out if you like) and those Apple scripts to set the playcounts back to where they were. Ya, tedious manual method, but I don't know of another way.
Patrick

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Ipod play count is incorrect - solution?

Hey everyone,
I've been noticing EXTREMELY high play counts for my songs and it has to do with ipod syncs. Every time I plug in my ipod it adds all my computer library play counts to the ipod play counts and it doesn't just add the new ones that occured since my last sync, but all computer play counts EVER! so it double, triple, quadruple counts the computer play counts b/c of each sync.
Does anyone know if there is a way to fix this so it stops messing up the play count? Or does anyone know how to stop it from syncing computer and ipod plays in general?
thanks! =D

I have the same issue with my touch and it's really annoying. What I've noticed is that the play count is added to itself and then incremented. For instance I just played a song that had a play count of 7 once and then it became 15. The songs I've listened to twice will have a play count of 3, songs that Iv'e listened to 3 times will become 7 and so on.

Sync manually managed iPod played count etc with multiple iTunes libraries

I have my music and podcasts spread out in different iTunes libraries. So if I sync items, tracks from another library are deleted from my iPod therefore I manually manage my tracks. The downside is when you connect a manual iPod to iTunes your ratings, played date, count don't get synced with the iTunes Library. So I created a simple applescript that syncs tracks on specified playlists on your iPod with matching ones in iTunes. I realise applescripts exist to do this already but I wanted something which required no user input and simply did what would happen if the iPod was in sync mode.
The applescript:
tell application "iTunes"
    set iPodName to ""
    set syncPlaylists to {"Music", "Podcasts"}
    repeat with syncPlaylist in syncPlaylists
        repeat with i from 1 to count of sources
            if the kind of source i is iPod then
                set iPodName to name of source i as string
                set ipodPlaylistId to (first playlist of source iPodName whose name is syncPlaylist)
            end if
        end repeat
        set musicLibraryId to (first playlist whose name is syncPlaylist)
        --update every track itunes syncPlaylist with data from ipod syncPlaylist
        repeat with ipodPlaylistTracksCounter from 1 to count of tracks of ipodPlaylistId
            set ipodTrack to track ipodPlaylistTracksCounter of ipodPlaylistId
            set ipodTrackData to {name, artist, album, played date, played count, rating} of ipodTrack
            set foundTracksInPlaylist to (every track of musicLibraryId whose ((name is item 1 of ipodTrackData) and (artist is item 2 of ipodTrackData) and (album is item 3 of ipodTrackData)))
            repeat with eachFoundTrackInPlaylist in foundTracksInPlaylist
                --use try blocks in case of missing data
                try
                    set played date of eachFoundTrackInPlaylist to item 4 of ipodTrackData
                end try
                try
                    set played count of eachFoundTrackInPlaylist to item 5 of ipodTrackData
                end try
                try
                    set rating of eachFoundTrackInPlaylist to item 6 of ipodTrackData
                end try
            end repeat
        end repeat
    end repeat
end tell
Mac Mini G4 Mac OS X (10.4.8) 1 GB RAM, ATI 9200 32MB, Samsung 940BW 19" Widescreen TFT LCD monitor

btw if you don't know how to use applescripts. Open script editor, you'll find it in Applications/Applescript/. Open a new window and copy the code in it and press compile. Save as a script and place in your home folder at ~/Library/iTunes/Scripts, create a Scripts folder if it doesn't exist. Alternatively, save as an application, on opening it will do its magic! Make sure an iPod is mounted in iTunes otherwise an error message will pop up.

IPhone loses play counts when syncing with iTunes

I would like to repeat the question from this thread, which has mistakenly been marked "answered".
When syncing with iTunes, not all play counts are transferred into iTunes. When I turn the iPhone off, it even forgets the complete list of played songs (it is even deleted from iTunes itself).

I have similar problem. Played podcasts becomes UNPLAYED after synch with iTune.

IPod and car stereo. Will it keep track of the play count?

I'm currently shopping around for a head unit for my car. I was just hoping someone could tell me whether or not the iPod still keeps track of play count when connected through a USB cable to the car stereo. I'm only wondering because I wasn't sure if this situation is similar to hooking and iPod to an XBOX 360 through the USB cable (which doesn't keep track of play count). If someone could please tell me what models do and don't keep track of play count, I'd really like to know. I'm particularly interested in the Alpine iDA-X305 so if someone could let me know about that one specifically, I'd really appreciate it.
Thank you for reading my post, and I appreciate any and all help given.

Kenichi Watanabe wrote:
I don't think an car audio device would be smart enough to set up a connection that is like a computer's connection to an iPod. When I use my dumb docking speaker, the play count is kept for the next sync with my Mac.
So do you think it just has to do with the fact that an Xbox 360 is pretty much a computer, therefore the iPod reads the connection as though it was a connection to a computer?

IPod song play count

How come playing a song on my iPhone doesn't seem to increase the song's play count when I look on iTunes? Is there any way to fix this?

It should, but you need to listen to the entire song all the way through until the iPod begins playing a new song for this to register.
As a test, I checked the play count and last played date and time for a song in a playlist in iTunes that I have selected to be transferred to my iPhone. I played the song on my iPhone all the way though until another song began to play.
I synced my iPhone with iTunes and the play count and the last played data and time was updated.

Ipod plays when docked but no sound from headset or when not docked

My Ipod plays only when docked. No sound through headset or when not on docking station

Try the following to eliminate a software problem:
- Reset. Nothing is lost
Reset iPod touch: Hold down the On/Off button and the Home button at the same time for at
least ten seconds, until the Apple logo appears.
- Restore from backup
- Restore to factory settings/new iPod.
If still a problem that indicates a hardware problem with the iPod. An appointment at the genius Bar of an Apple store is in order.

Play counts aren't updating anymore

hi,
i have 2 ipods - a shuffle and a full size one (60). I use the same itunes for both. My play counts were updating from both ipods. Now for some reason, my ipod shuffle play counts aren't registering on itunes.
Does anyone know why and how I can remedy it?
thanks in advance.

hi hudgie,
when i go to edit/prefs/ipod - auto update isn't there as an option.
basically all i want to happen is for when i play a song on my shuffle, for that play to be addedto my play count when i plug the ipod into itunes. that is not currently happening, it used to, but now it has stopped. to the best of my knowledge i haven't changed anything. i followed the link you suggested. it is only the play lists that i want to update (as it used to) not the music itself (i.e. i don't want it to auto fill i want it to auto update).
i've looked throught the different options but kind find out how to do it!!!!
thanks

Play count still doesn't work with 3.1.3. APPLE PLEASE FIX THIS!

APPLE! PLEASE FIX THIS PROBLEM!
I am getting tired of having to try an remember what episode of my shows I was on! I'm an avid anime watcher who queues up whole series' on my iPod Touch 3g 32GB and go to watch 12 episodes or so, connect the iPod, disconnect, go back to series, pow! they all report they are unwatched! Btw, I use Manually Manage Music settings, not auto sync.
Same thing with my music. I know I have listened to one song at least 40 times, and still the play count is at 2. Because iTunes remembers to count it but can't remember to count the iPod's count when it counts.
This is probably a REALLY EASY FIX, you guys are just so lazy to not fix this problem and say that Apple products have the best customer support?! If you want to boast that please fix the simple problems! I have a 70 episode series I'm starting soon and I don't want to have to right down where I left off.
Message was edited by: chieftain20

You are not addressing Apple here.
You can leave feedback for Apple at:
http://www.apple.com/feedback

IPod greyed out when in iTunes

Hello,
I have been searching forums for the past two days and I can't find any information on this matter, or maybe I have and I just don't understand.
I currently have an iPod Classic 80GB that I have music on (obviously). I have it synced to my iMac, which I use at home. It's great because it loads new music I put in and makes my life one concept less stressful, sort of. I used to do manual all the time because I didn't like the idea of having something "automatically" do something for me. But, with the new idea to start utilizing iTunes and rating every single song and desiring to keep a recorded play count, I read that syncing made this easy, especially listening on another computer.
From what I understand, my iPod is the processing unit that actually keeps record of the play count and ratings, etc... iTunes is just the application that makes all that technical jargon simplified for the human. So in theory I should be able to do what I want in iTunes.
To cut to the chase, I have my iPod Classic synced to my computer. When I take my iPod to work and listen to music all day, I am able to come back home and sync it again and the iPod Play Count that was raised listening to music all day in the office is synced to my iMac iTunes at home and it's great. Earlier this week I was able to view my iPod on the MAC at my work in iTunes and view by Artist, Genre, Song, Play Count, etc... at my pleasure, whatever I decided. The past few days I haven't been able to do this and it's stuck on Play Count, which is quite frustrating. I can't view by artist, song, genre, etc... and the only thing I can do is add a rating. No playlist creating on the laptop or anything. Of course when I come home it's perfect because it's synced to this computer.
Do I have to manually manage the iPod on the laptop that isn't synced?
Any help would be great.

Solved the problem. I came into work this morning and plugged in the iPod to my laptop that the iPod isn't "synced" to. I went to the iPod and checked the box "manually manage music and videos". This allowed me to sort the iPod anyway I wish and I am able to drag songs into playlists. Hopefully this functions when I go home to the computer it is synced to.

New Innovation for Play Count

The current play count setup only counts a play if you listen to the end
of a song.
It will count if you listen to just the last 5 seconds.
I listen to a lot of different songs and sometimes skip to the next after listening to most of a song. But because I don't let it end completely,
iTunes does not count the track as played.
It would be awesome if if counted after listening to most of a song.
Like, if you listened to any given sixty to ninety seconds or more of a song, it would count and thus, show truly when songs are organized by play count, or a smart playlist set to compile the most played songs

Yes I agree. I think it should do a Play Count when the song is half played at least. I guess it'll count a partial song as a Skip Count.
My highest Play Count is 1232 (Song added 10/10/2008). Next Play Count is 900's.
The actual playing of the song is tracked on my iPod and I guess when I sync, it transfers that data to iTunes.
Cya
Garth

No play count?

i bought a refurbished 1st gen ipod touch off the apple site and since i updated it to the new iphone software none of my songs get a play count when i listen to them. i sit my ipod on shuffle all day but it doesnt change. the only time it goes up is when i listen to it threw my laptop. its really annoying me cause i like knowing what song is my fav on an ipod.
Any ideas on how to fix it???

I had not heard about this earlier, but now it seems to be a problem!
I had not purchased any music from iPod itself so I never knew about this problem but yes, it does not sync the playcount back, maybe thats the way Apple wants it, because this is the first iPod through which you can buy music directly.
Just send Apple an enhancement request-
www.apple.com/feedback/ipodtouch

IPad not syncing play counts

Hi,
My iPad isn't syncing play counts when I connect it to my PC.
I use the 'manually manage music' feature to put music on my iPad, usually about 10-15 albums to listen to at a time.
But after I've played them, the play counts don't update when I sync my iPad with my PC when I want to change my music.
They do update on the iPad itself, but won't update on iTunes on my PC.
This means I have to manually update my play counts in iTunes, which is very frustrating and time-consuming.
Has anyone had this issue before and did they find a solution?
Thanks for your help.

Hello,
I might be able to help you with this. I do not have an iPad but I can tell you that I also use PowerBooks and PowerMacs that are running Mac OS 10.5.8 (Leopard with updates). I have the same problem with my iPhone 5 and what it comes down to is the version of iTunes that is supported on the older Macs that use the PowerPC processor instead of the newer Intel based systems. The last version of ITunes to run on the PPC based Macs including iMacs and iBooks is not capable of syncing with the newer iPhones and I am fairly certain that will apply to your iPad as well. You also will not be able to use ICLOUD on you iMac as well. I hope this helps you snd if you have any further questions please let me know.
Cheers,
Dr. Matt

Itunes 11 change play counts numbers

Is there any way to change play counts or merge two songs play counts when you find out you have the same song twice in your librairie? By the way I subscribed to iTunes match... if this may change something...

I don't know any way to merge play counts automatically, but you can increase the play count of a song pretty easily. Play it, jump to the last few seconds of the song, then let it end. This will update your play count. Repeat as many times as necessary until the count equals the total number of plays between the two copies. Then delete one of the copies. A little laborious, but it'll get the job done.

When I sync my IPod it remembers the plays and doesn't count them from 1 even though I reset the play count, any fix?

     The problem is I like to track my play counts and like it to be correct, and it was having some errors so I reset my plays on all my songs however when I sync my iPod it will remember the amount of plays for example, if I play a song once on my iPod and then sync it it will have 1 play, then if I reset the play count back to 0 and play it on my iPod again when I sync it again it will give it a play count of 2 and so forth as many times as it gets played.
     I have an iPod touch 5, the most recent iTunes update and the most recent iPod software (iOS 8.1) and am using windows 7, but I think the problem comes from the iPod because if i reset the plays and play a song through iTunes it will go to 1, but if i listened to it 3 times on my iPod when i sync it, it will then go to 4.
     I have tried restoring the iPod and syncing it so there is no music on it and then putting it all back on but the problem persists. The only other thing i can think to do is uninstall/re-install iTunes but I'm worried if I do that it will delete my music. That is not a big deal as I have back up files elsewhere on my computer but I also have album art, lyrics etc. for all my 1077 songs and id rather avoid having to get it all back.
     Anyone know how to correct this or is perhaps having a similar problem?
Thanks, Sean.

If you haven't done so install iTunes on your computer. http://www.apple.com/itunes/
Follow the instructions here: iPhone and iPod touch: Unable to update or restore

Saving iPod play counts when reformatting

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