Switching iTunes from PC to Mac guidance needed

I'm new to the world of Apple computers with the exception of the iPhone. Just two weeks ago I purchased a new 27" iMac, and now I need to transfer my iTunes music and library from my old WinXP computer.
I plan to locate my music on an external 500GB drive connected via USB 2.0. The library I need to transfer from the WinXP computer currently contains 60,349 mp3 and podcast files in approximately 416GB of space. From what I have learned on my own so far has indicated that I need to format the external drive on the iMac since NTFS will not work properly. I can transfer the files via my LAN.
Almost 70% of my library is rare vinyl and tracks that I manually added the album artwork for. I need to know how to transfer this entire library from the PC to this iMAc so I maintain my album artwork, my playlists, my iPhone apps, and my podcast structure.
Any recommendations for this process, or should I call support to have them help me do this?
Thanks in advance,
Al

ChicagoBubba wrote:
I need to transfer my iTunes music and library from my old WinXP computer.
welcome to the forums !
these reads will be helpful: one, two, and three.
if you have a suitably sized iPod click here.
happy holidays !

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