Using Multiple External HDs for your iTunes content with one Library

Hello everyone so I have used this little trick a lot in the last few months and I thought I would share it.
I am using two 250 GB external HDs for all my iTunes files. Plus the Music on my internal HD
In order to have iTunes manage my content and store it in separate locations i.e. some on the internal HD in my MacBook and some on the external HDs at home. I had to convince iTunes that it really was all in one spot. How do you do this you ask well it is simple. Symbolic Links.
Linux has a great feature that allows you to link any two directories. Since Linux is the core of OS X a simple drag and drop of files and one Terminal command and you are on your way to separate locations for all your files and iTunes thinking it is all in the "iTunes Music" folder.
The command is as follows
ls -s "the directory where the files are" ./
this command must be run in terminal from the original location of the files after you have moved them to the trash. DO NOT EMPTY THE TRASH until you have verified that the link works or your files are safe on the external.
Below is the system that I use.
The original location of my TV Shows is my external HD labeled "iTunes Media"
The New location for my TV Shows is my second external HD labeled "iTunes TV Shows"
1. Drag and Drop the folders to the new location.
2. Move the files from the original location to the Trash.
In the Terminal window
3. cd /Volumes/iTunes\ Media/TV\ Shows/ (this is the original location for my TV Show directories)
4. ln -s /Volumes/iTunes\ TV\ Shows/"name of the show" ./
5. in iTunes I play one of the files just to make sure the link worked. It is really just a test on the first one I do not do this often but you should test a few just to make sure.
If someone needs help please email me. [email protected]
If this in not clear enough let me know and I will try and explain it better.

No answer needed Just information for the masses.

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DevonC wrote:
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rgraves wrote:
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then i have the very same set-up for video/movies. the whole shebang connected through Logitech USB powered hubs & i NEVER have any hiccups during music/video playback. then my iMac is connected via an external USB sound card - M-Audio.. - to my stereo & via mini-DVI to HDMI to my plasma display. how well does it work ? bloody amazing, i'm done with DVD players & CD players.
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wcarcass wrote:
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And yeah... I tried going to the iTunes list, get info and authorize myself, despite being already authorized... by the way I do not have the "apply to the contents within...or something like that, you know what I'm talking about option". My system is 10.5.8. PPC, and I do not see the relevance but the iTunes list is hosted in an external HD.
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JGG

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MacBook Pro
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https://discussions.apple.com/community/mac_os?view=discussions
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Using Multiple External HDs for your iTunes content with one Library

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