Using MacPro and PC Laptop -- sharing same itunes library on External Drive

Hi guys, my main computer is a Early 2008 MacPro with Lion installed on it. I have iTunes 10.5 and all my music is classified witht that version of iTunes. But all my music is actually stored in an external 1GB WD Passeport HD.
Thing is I have a dj gig and have to bring my pc laptop to play music. This laptop has Windows 7 installed on it with iTunes 10.5.
What I want to achieve here is to be able to connect the external HD (with all my music on it and run iTunes and see the same thing I would see if I was on my mac : my playlist, comments, id3 tags, etc…
I actually did this :
On the PC --> in itunes, went to Preferences/Advanced, set the itunes library to the folder itunes on my external HD (my itunes library and my itunes music folder is setted there).
I exported my library from itunes MAC (Files-->Library-->Export Library) (it's a XML file) and imported it in my itunes windows installation (Import Playlist).
Thing is I see some files like my podcasts and audiobooks, but I dont see any of my other songs or apps, even if they are in my external HD. I see the playlist but they are empty.
Any ideas?

thanks for the help tt2, really usefull!
Just to be sure i'm doing things right, let me explain more in detail what is my actual setup to know how your explainations applies to it.
Ok. First, my main goal here is to consolidated all my music in one place on one external HD. Let's call it ExHD1.
Actually, my setup involved that all my dj music (1600 tracks in wav format) and my iTunes music are on another external HD, we will call it ExHD2.
Thing is, if I move the wav tracks to another computer, all the tag informations (covert art, title, artist, comments, album, etc) are lost. It's because WAV format do not keep that info. I've recently knew that AIFF format can keep all that info. So I manage to convert (with iTunes built-in utility) all my wav files to AIFF. I've tested it and yes, it keeps everything so far.
But I tried before to make the cross-plateform to work so I have copied all the converted AIFF to my ExHD1 in a specific Beatport folder. Like this.
I had an intense way of manage them in itunes where I made 150+ playlists. I have, before reading your comments, replace all the wav files, to their equivalent in aiff. I just replace the files in the playlist. If you go in the main music window, you can see that for each songs, there is a wav, a aiff, and mp3 format of the song.
Sometimes I have 2x mp3 versions of the song, i don't remember why. I've created these versions long ago. So the thing here is that I have the wav + mp3 version of my tunes on my ExHD2, the aiff version in ExHD1 (the main HD i want to use) and a duplicate mp3s of these tunes ALSO on my internal MAC HD.
++ note that I don't have music on my PC internal HD and not planning to keep ones. ++
So, this is my actual setting of my iTunes, where I have copied my iTunes folder on my new ExHD1 and set iTunes to point his library to there.
Also, this is my settings in Preferences/Advanced
Note that before yesterday, the Keep itunes Media... and Copy files were unchecked.
I prefer that way because I like to manually manage my songs. But I think for what i want to achieve, we need to check this again?
So the main goal here is I want to keep the wav format in the ExHD2 for backup, get rid of the mp3s that I've done before (the mp3 copys of the wav), consolidate everything at one place only: ExHD1.
Also, will my Windows installation (on my pc), when i will set the itunes library to be on the ExHD1, recognize all the playlist I did, and recognize the path of the songs?
Thanks for the help tt2, i know there's a lot, hope I have well explained it. Hope you can answer shorly because my gig is tommorow
regards

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Can I stream and sync from the same itunes library to one AppleTV?

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Hi,
I am having trouble in setting up sync AND stream from the same iTunes library.
Config :
Mac OS - Latest update 5/6/09
iTunes - Latest update 5/6/09
Apple TV - Latest update 5/6/09
I am able to either sync OR Stream from my iTunes library but not sync AND stream from the same iTunes library
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Enter passcode in iTunes and select the items to sync
After sync is complete
You can see photo, music & video in My Photos, My Music & My Videos.
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To get that you have to right click the apple tv from the devices and select don't sync.
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Any idea?

macanandapple wrote:
1. The checkbox for "show only synced content" should be unchecked
yes
2. No need to Add Shared Library
correct
3. After syncing is complete as per the steps said before, if i have to see a synced content i go to My Movies for streamed content i have to go to Shared Movies?
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See Here > http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1751
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https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4083591?tstart=0

Using same iTunes library with external hard drive (EHD) on different PCs

I know some of the issues related to this question have been touched on in different discussions but I don't think I have seen a clear yes/no and if yes, here's how, answer to my queries, so here goes.
Like another member, I would like to take my iTunes library with me when I'm away on holiday so that I can (for example) use an Apple TV with Home Sharing to watch movies in my library or pay albums in my music library while on holiday, in the same way as I am able to at home. I have a Samsung NC 10 notebook running Windows XP (which I would take with me with a Samsing Story EHD) and a Dell desktop. My iTunes media folders are now on the EHD and I think I have iTunes library files on the Dell and on the Samsung. Of course, if iTunes Match covered movies as well as music, I would use that and just take my Apple TV with me ... but it doesn't and seems not likely to.
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I have obviously messed something up trying to replicate my Dell desktop iTunes library on the Samsung. So:
can/should I start again (if that is the best thing to do) with getting my iTunes library properly on to my Samsung notebook? And, if yes, how do I do that?
is it really possible to have all that you need to run and use iTunes on an EHD (i.e. both media folders and the various iTunes library files (.itl, .itdb, .xml etc.)) so that whenever I plug the EHD into my Dell or Samsung I can access my iTunes library in the same way and via the same files? Or, do you always have to have the library files (at least) located on the PC you are connecting your EHD to (showing my ignorance here! )?
if you can have all the library files as well as media on the EHD (i.e. all of your iTunes library), I assume there is more to moving these from the C drive in my Dell to the EHD, than just cutting and pasting them into the EHD and then deleting similarly named files in C drive in the Samsung?
if all of my iTunes library can be located in the EHD, would I just access that (i.e. open my iTunes library) - whether on my Dell or the Samsung - by pressing the Shift key when clicking on iTunes as a programme on my Dell or Samsung, or - and I appreciate this is more basic computer knowledge than iTunes query - does the fact that I would need to access iTunes via some form of link on the relevant PC indicate why some iTunes library files would always have to reside on the PC rather than the EHD?
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Apologies for this long list of questions. Any pointers to where the answers lie or even better specific answers themselves would be very much appreciated.
Many thanks.

I think that's yes, yes, yes, yes, and not necessary...
Make a split library portable
Here are the typical layouts for the iTunes folders:
In the layout above right, with the media folder (everything in the red box) inside the library folder, the library is considered to be portable. A portable library can be moved from one path to another without breaking the links from the library to the media, and being self-contained it is much easier to backup and restore. (You do backup, don't you?).
You can rearrange things to make a split library portable by taking a number of small steps which don't break the library.
Before you start any media files that are outside of the media folder will need to be consolidated. If the library is in the old style layout then it should be upgraded to iTunes Media Organization (Library > Organize Library > Rearrange files in the folder <Media Folder>) to ensure that iPod Games, Mobile Applications etc. are brought inside the media folder, otherwise the links to these won't survive changes in the path of the library.
The basic non-fatal manipulations are:
You can create or connect to an alternate set of library files by holding down Shift (Win) or Option (Mac) when starting iTunes. (Note iTunes will continue to use this library until you use the same method again.)
You can move the library files to a new location and connect to it there as long as the media stays put.
You can move the library files and the media together if the media folder is a direct subfolder of the library folder.
If you have already moved/copied the media content from a subfolder of the library folder to a different location then you only need to copy the library files for it to appear as if you have moved the entire library in the way allowed above. I.e. just copy the library files into the parent folder of the media folder.
You can rename the media folder to iTunes Media (if it isn't already) if the media folder is inside the library folder.
iTunes uses the name of the folder holding the library files as the window title. Having made a library "portable" you may need to take a final step of renaming the library folder to iTunes or, if the library files have ended up at the root of a drive, moving all of the library files and content folders into a new folder called iTunes.
IMPORTANT: After each change you need to open, test and close the relevant library before attempting another change. If a change broke the library, undo it or revert to using the previous set of library files.
In essence all you need to do to join up a split library and make it portable is copy the library files into the parent folder of the media folder on the external/secondary drive and use the hold-down-shift/option-when-starting-iTunes method to connect to it. Other manipulations may be required to normalize the library so that the library and media folders have standard names.
tt2

Is it possible to synch and stream from the same iTunes library?

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Message was edited by: Nic C.

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How to transfer itunes library to external drive and keep playlists and ratings

I don't have much space on my laptop. I have attached an external drive. I want to access my Itunes library from
the external drive. All attempts to move the library now result in me losing my "playlists" and even more importantly
my ratings and genre information.
How can I move the library with all my associated data intact such as the playlists, ratings, genres?
I want this external drive to be the main location where I access my Itunes library.
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Start by consolidating your library. When you consolidate, any songs in the iTunes Library that are not in the iTunes Music Folder are copied to the Music Folder and the Library is updated to point to those new files. Files already in the iTunes Music Folder have no changes made to them: Consolidating your library - Windows
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Once you have copied everything over hold down the Shift key in Windows when opening iTunes. In the resulting dialogue you will get the option to create a new library or navigate to an existing one. Navigate to where you placed the copy of the library file and open it up: How to open an alternate iTunes Library file
If you have any iTunes purchases in your library don't forget that you'll need to authorise your new computer to play them. Also if you are disposing of the old one remember to deauthorise it so you don't use up one of your allowances: About iTunes Music Store Authorisation and Deauthorisation

Vista and iTunes Library on External Drive

I just moved from an XP Pro laptop to a Vista laptop. My iTunes library has been happily existing on an external drive. I used the user transfer utility in Vista, moved over to the new machine, and installed iTunes 7.6. For whatever reason, I cannot figure the right way to point iTunes at the library on the new machine. (Dell puts a restore partition on the hard drive, so the only thing that has changed is that the external drive was drive E: on the old machine, and drive F: on the new machine.) Setting the location to F:\myfiles\iTunes\iTunes Music does not work. I've tried f:\myfiles\iTunes as well, but no joy. All entries in the library show the missing file exclamation mark. I just need to know the right way to set the music folder location, and anything else I would need to do afterward. Thanks.
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See Make a split library portable and Repair security permissions for iTunes for Windows. If the library is in the correct structure and the permissions are correct you can swap back and forth. iTunes takes a little while processing the library after each switch, which it doesn't need for a path change of a portable library on the same OS.
tt2

I have my iTunes library on external drive and can access from any PC. However I cannot access from new MacBokk Air.

My iTunes library is on an external drive and been using it on two PCs with no problem.
Now that I got a new MacBook Air I want to access the same iTunes library from the external drive and keep all the library and media on that external drive.
When I try to change to another iTunes library by hitting "option" with iTunes and select the library on the external hard drive I get the following message:
"The iTunes library file is locked, on a locked disk, or you do noy have write permission for this file."
I have read many posts in which many suggest to go to the library or media file on the PC and right click to make sure the read only tab is not checked.
I uncheked the read only tab and gave full permission to all the iTunes files and folders.
The unusual part is that I can use this external drive on many PCs that I have tried with no problem at all.
I just select a different library, which is on my external hard drive and everything works, play lists and everything.
However, when I try it on a MAC i get the message stated above:
What can I do to be able to access my External iTunes library from new MacBook Air while keeping everything on the external drive like I can on PCs?
I am running latest version of iTunes and Mavericks.
Please advise.

Here are the official Apple Support instructions:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4527
Ciao.

One Itunes Library, 2 external drives in different locations...

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How to use multiple iPods with one computer , describes two methods.
If you both use the same account (and one iTunes library), the easiest way is to create separate (Smart) Playlists for each iPod.
Hope this helps.
M
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How to get itunes library from external drive to new computer

i recently purchased a new computer w/the windows vista platform. there were posts regarding how to transfer the library w/playlists on this board, which i followed to the point of hitting shift while opening itunes, and choosing a library. however, when selecting such from my external drive, which has the itl and xml on it as well as the itunes music folder, it gives me an error noting it is locked or that i dont have write permission to use it. my external drive on my old computer was the G drive, now it is the F drive on new one. can anyone please advise what to do other than copy all music over and have to completely recreate all playlists?

polydorus, this was the response/post that i found and it was posted by sweepea on 9/4/2007. and all my music is now from the external drive to the itunes music folder on my laptop and it let me keep all my playlists. thank you again for your help!
I had that problem too. I tried to remove iTunes from my computer and then download it again, but that did not make any difference. Then I tried polydorus' answer ("starting iTunes with the shift key held down, when asked to choose a library, navigate to your iTunes folder and choose iTunes Library.itl"), but that did not work either and that same message about the library being locked appeared again.
Then I had a brainwave. I deleted that iTunes library.itl file. (To find it, go to My documents, then My Music, then iTunes, and there is the itunes library file). I now tried to open iTunes by clicking on the iTunes icon on my desktop, nothing happened, as if I had not clicked on it at all. I restored the file from the recycling bin to where it was before. But that also returned me to where I had been before, i.e. I got that locked-library message again. So I deleted that file again. Then I tried right-clicking on the iTunes icon. On the little menu that appeared, I clicked 'Open' and hey presto, suddenly the iTunes set-up assistant appeared and everything went smooth from then on. When I checked, there was a file called iTunes library.itl again and this one worked OK.
By the way, I did not lose any of my music downloads or podcasts when I deleted that file, so it's definitely worth a try.
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ITunes Library on External Drive - NO .xml file

i recently had some serious hard drive corruption on my old computer, and figuring it was time for an upgrade anyway I decided to buy a new MacBook.
i had been storing all of my iTunes music on an external hard drive. i'm trying to figure out how to get my new MacBook to be able to access the music. I've changed the location of my library to the external drive in iTunes preferences, but no luck.
I know that iTunes has an .xml file where it stores things like song titles, data, etc etc -- unfortunately, that .xml file is on my old, ruined hard drive -- all i have is my external drive with my MP3s.
what do i do at this point? how can i access all of these songs using iTunes on my new MacBook without that .xml file?

There are 2 files that give iTunes and other apps the info the need to perform. The files are iTunes Library and iTunes Music Library.xml.
The default location of the 2 files is HD>Users>User Account>Music>iTunes - do not move regardless where your actual tunes are located. If the files are not present in the default location then iTunes will create new files with no info in them until you add the tunes back to the library.
This is from the iTunes Help Menu with a search for "files":
What are the iTunes library files?
The iTunes library is a database iTunes uses to organize your music. Two iTunes library files are created and maintained by iTunes for different purposes. They're both in the iTunes folder.
Mac OS X
/Users/username/Music/iTunes/iTunes Library
/Users/username/Music/iTunes/iTunes Music Library.xml
Microsoft Windows
\Documents and Settings\username\My Documents\My Music\iTunes\iTunes Library.itl
\Documents and Settings\username\My Documents\My Music\iTunes\iTunes Music Library.xml
The two different iTunes library files serve different purposes.
iTunes Library (iTunes Library.itl in Windows)
This file is a database of the songs in your library and the playlists you've created. Some song-specific data is saved in this file. If you delete the file, iTunes creates a new, empty copy when you open the application, but any playlists, song ratings, comments, or other information you created is lost. The iTunes Library file is only used by iTunes.
Note: The library file name for versions of iTunes prior to 4.9 was "iTunes 4 Music Library" for Mac OS X and "iTunes 4 Music Library.itl" for Windows. After upgrading to iTunes 4.9 or later, the older library files are moved to a "Previous iTunes Libraries" folder.
Tip: New versions of iTunes sometimes include enhancements to the iTunes library. When you open the new version of iTunes, iTunes upgrades your existing library to the new format and places a copy of the old library in the Previous Libraries folder. If everything goes fine during your upgrade to the latest version of iTunes, you can delete the older iTunes Library files.
iTunes Music Library.xml
This file contains some (but not all) of the same information stored in the iTunes 4 Music Library file. The purpose of the iTunes Music Library.xml file is to make your music and playlists available to other applications on your computer. In Mac OS X other iLife applications (like iPhoto, iDVD, and iMovie) use this file to make it easier for you to add music from your iTunes library to your projects.
MJ

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Choose Home from the Finder's Go menu, double-click the Music item, and drag it there.
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Be careful you don't make the mistake I did, if your operating system is changing (e.g. XP to Vista) this will only partially work as the paths will be different, you will end up losing your playlists at the very least.
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Using MacPro and PC Laptop -- sharing same itunes library on External Drive

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