Using an external hard drive for some media while leaving the rest on the desktop

How can I access ripped DVDs on an external hard drive through iTunes while leaving our music and downloaded media on the desktop hard drive?
I'm in the process of ripping all of our DVDs so we can watch them using our Apple TV. I can't figure out how to access the DVDs on an external hard drive while leaving all of our downloaded media on the desktop. We have way too much media to store it all on the desktop so that isn't an option.
Thanks for any help,
Natalie

Hi,
How about creating two libraries - one on your main computer and the other on your external hard drive.
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1589
Once you've done this you can use the library on your computer but when you want to access stuff on your ext HD, you hold down option key whilst launching itunes > select library on ext drive.
jim

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