What is best method for transferring iTunes library from PC to iMac?

I have a new iMac. I have authorized it with my iTunes account. My current iTunes library is on a Windows Vista PC, not on the same network. What is the best method for me to use to transfer the iTunes library from the PC to the iMac?

iTunes: How to move [or copy] your music to a new computer [or another drive] - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4527
Quick answer if you let iTunes manage your music: Copy the entire iTunes folder (and in doing so all its subfolders and files) intact to the other drive. Start iTunes with the option (shift on Windows) key held down and guide it to the new location of the library.
Macworld - How to transfer iTunes libraries between PC and Mac - http://www.macworld.com/article/46248/2005/08/shiftitunes.html
Move an iTunes library from a Windows PC to a Mac - http://www.macworld.com/article/1146958/move_itunes_windows_mac.html

Similar Messages

What is the best method for transferring iTunes library from PC to iMac?

I have a new iMac. I have authorized it with my iTunes account. My current iTunes library is on a Windows Vista PC, not on the same network. What is the best method for me to use to transfer the iTunes library from the PC to the iMac?
iMac, Mac OS X (10.7.4)

Did I just answer this in another post for you?
iTunes: How to move [or copy] your music to a new computer [or another drive] - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4527
Quick answer if you let iTunes manage your music: Copy the entire iTunes folder (and in doing so all its subfolders and files) intact to the other drive. Start iTunes with the option (shift on Windows) key held down and guide it to the new location of the library.
Macworld - How to transfer iTunes libraries between PC and Mac - http://www.macworld.com/article/46248/2005/08/shiftitunes.html
Move an iTunes library from a Windows PC to a Mac - http://www.macworld.com/article/1146958/move_itunes_windows_mac.html
iTunes for Windows: Moving your iTunes Media folder - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1364

Best Method for transfering iTunes library from Windows 7 to Mac OSX

I just bought a MacBook Air and am in the process of preparing my file transfer. The only data on my computer I really care about is my school/work files, (which are very easy to transfer), and my iTunes library. What is the best method for transfering music?
I was going to use an external drive and simply drag and drop everything. Last time I did this I needed a special file in order to keep my playlists, top rated, and playcount. Is there an easier and faster method now? I have about fifty gigabites of music so I think it might take longer over wifi.
I also have an iPhone and have already transfered all of the recent purchases. If I export my library, will all my iPhone backup data stay there as well?
If anybody has some insight or a link that outlines all of this that'd be great. Thanks in advance.

Here's a pretty comprehensive "how to"
http://myfirstmac.com/how-do-i-move-my-itunes-library-from-pc-to-mac-and-keep-my -settings-intact.html
Make sure the external drive is foratted so both the pc and the mac can read and write to it.
http://howto.cnet.com/8301-11310_39-57401784-285/the-best-ways-to-format-an-exte rnal-drive-for-windows-and-mac/
good luck.

What is the best method for moving iTune Libraries from Old to New Computer

Hello,
Thanks in advance for any assistance you may offer.
My Sony Vaio Desktop recently died and untimely death, so I just purchased an HP Notebook. I was trying to wait out the release of the possible update of the Macbook line. However the old computer didn't agree. This HP will tie me over till a new release.
I've been doing weekly backups for over 3 years with a backup drive from Western Digital. At this point I just want to transfer my music in iTunes and applications from the App store that are loaded on to my iPod Touch into the new computer and then reauthorize and sync.
My question is what's the best method. Oh another problem I'm having includes the latest iPhone & iPod Touch software problem of 3rd party apps not working along with the vanishing of my music on the Touch.
Any guidance would be much appreciated.

Open up a fresh copy of iTunes. Point iTunes in the direction of your Western Digital Harddrive. Import Folders.
1. New Copy
2. Edit -> Preferences -> Advanced -> General -> Change -> <the address of the iTunes library on WD>
3. File -> Add Folder to Library -> <Select iTunes folder on WD>
Always keep a backup of your iTunes Library file and the iTunes XML Document. If you have those, then it might be just as simple as copying those to your iTunes file folder. If you are not sure where they are, then do a search for iTunes.xml.

Whats the best way to transfer iTunes library from pc to macbook pro?

i have already used the migration assistant and my itunes library is missing alot of music

Several options.
Just use a portable device. Copy to drive and then copy to drive. Then disconnect and connect to the Mac. Just drag songs to library.
If on same network you can do the copy command from the Mac directly by going to your pc drive from the Mac.
You choice

Transferred itunes library from Windows XP PC to new Windows 7 PC. plugged in 3rd gen Ipod. Ipod icon appears along with playlists, music etc. Songs are grayed out and won't play. Please help!

I recently transferred itunes library from windows XP PC to new Windows 7 PC. The transfer was successful, however when I plug my 3rd gen Ipod Nano into the new PC, the Ipod icon appears along with the music, playlists, etc. The songs are shown but are 'grayed out' and wont play or sync.The 'Devices & Printers' window in new PC shows icon for Ipod driver & is OK. The icon for the Ipod appears but depicts a delta shaped warning icon that states that the Ipod is'not operating properly'. Tried troubleshooting. The troubleshooting message states the the Ipod is 'disconnecting'. Can you help me with this problem?

Then, I dropped the entire itunes file from the old PC (XP) into an empty external drive.
That "itunes file from the old PC"? Is that the iTunes folder, from the old PC, that was in the user home folder's Music folder?
All of the library, playlists, etc. from the ipod as they always have been are shown, by they are 'grayed out' and will not open or play.
That's on the iPod, correct? Are all of your old playlists in iTunes, from the old PC, still there in iTunes on the new PC? Are the songs in iTunes still playable?
This document provides the steps to transfer a complete iTunes library between two computers. See the section called External drive.
iTunes: How to move your music to a new computer - Apple Support
There are many steps, but this is a summary. (1) On the old PC, consolidate all of your iTunes data into the iTunes folder. (2) Copy this iTunes folder to the external drive. (3) On the new PC (that has iTunes installed but NOT running), replace its existing iTunes folder with the one from the old PC (on the external drive). When you run iTunes, it uses the iTunes folder from the old PC, and it should look like iTunes on the old PC (with all the playlists, ratings, play count, etc.), and your iPod will see the iTunes library as the same iTunes library (because it is the same library).
If you did something different, and the old PC is still accessible, you may want to try it using the method from the linked document.

Transferred iTunes library from pc to new mac, iTunes ; however, when opening iTunes on mac it reports the library was created with a newer version of iTunes and won't open.

Transferred Itunes library from pc to new mac; however, when opening itunes on the new mac it reported that the library was created with a newer version of itunes and could not be opened. It asked if I wanted to download updates and I did. However, the new mac is up to date. Itunes won't open. What to do now? Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks
Jim

Hello, Stephen.
Thank you for the question. You will need to rebuild your iTunes library file in order to open an older version of iTunes. Below, I have included the article that walks you through this process. Start with the section labeled Re-creating the iTunes Library file.
iTunes: How to re-create your iTunes library and playlists
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1451
Cheers,
Jason H.

What are best practices for managing my iphone from both work and home computers?

What are best practices for managing my iphone from both work and home computers?

Sync iPod/iPad/iPhone with two computers
Although it isn't possible to sync an Apple device with two different libraries it is possible to sync with the same logical library from multiple computers. Each library has an internal ID and when iTunes connects to your iPod/iPad/iPhone it compares the local ID with the one the device normally syncs with. If they are the same you can go ahead and sync...
I have my library cloned to a small 1Tb USB drive which I can take between home & work. At either location I use SyncToy 2.1 to update the local copy with the external drive. Mac users should be able to find similar tools. I can open either of the local libraries or the one on the external drive and update the media content of my iPhone. The slight exception is Photos which normally connects to a specific folder on a specific machine, although that can easily be remapped to the current library if you create a "Photos" folder inside the iTunes Media folder so that syncing the iTunes folders keeps this up to date as well. I periodically sweep my library for new files & orphans withiTunes Folder Watch just in case I make changes at one location but then overwrite the library with a newer copy from the other. Again Mac users should be able to find similar tools.
As long as your media is organised within an iTunes Music or Tunes Media folder, in turn held inside the main iTunes folder that has your library files (whether or not you let iTunes keep the media folder organised) each library can access items at the same relative path from the library folder so the library can be at different drives/paths on different machines. This solution ensures I always have adequate backups of my library and I can update my devices whenever I can connect to the same build of iTunes.
When working with an iPhone earlier builds of iTunes would remove any file not physically present in the local library, even if there was an entry for it, making manual management practically redundant on the iPhone. This behaviour has been changed but it will still only permit manual management with a library that has the correct internal ID. If you don't want to sync your library between machines on a regular basis just copy the iTunes Library.itl file from the current "home" machine to any other you want to use, then clean out the library entires and import the local content you have on that box.
tt2

I transferred itunes library from old PC to new PC. The content all shows when I launch iTunes on the new PC now. The previous content does not show in iTunes but folder still looks like it is on hard drive on new PC. Suggestions on how to properly merge?

I transferred itunes library from old PC to new PC. The content all shows when I launch iTunes on the new PC now. The previous content does not show in iTunes but folder still looks like it is on hard drive on new PC. Suggestions on how to properly merge?

Before you connect any device to a new library go to the Devices tab of the the preferences panel via Edit > Preferences (Windows) or iTunes > Preferences (Mac) and ensure the box next to Prevent iPods, iPhones, and iPads from syncing automatically is ticked. You can now safely connect the device to your computer without the danger of media being automatically deleted or overwritten.
To get all your content off your connect your iPad to your new computer.
Then use a 3rd party piece of software to transfer your content
I have found Senuti useful but there are others listed in the article I linked to in a previous post.
https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-3991
That will let you transfer your non purchased content
For Purchased content log in to iTunes on the new computer
In Itunes Store click on Purchased under the Quick Links section on the right.
Download any music by clicking on the cloud button

When bouncing- what's best method for smallest file size/highest quality?

I am in the process of embedding 3 mp3's into a PDF to submit as a portfolio. The PDF also has text, and two scores included, and with the 3 embedded mp3's it can't be more than 10mb.
So my question is: When bouncing a project out of Logic, what is the best method for getting the smallest file size, but retaining the best audio quality? And once it's out of Logic and it is an mp3 or other type of audio file, is there a best format for compressing it further, and still maintaining the relative quality?
I bounced out the three projects into wav's. Now I am using Switch for Mac to compress them down to smaller Mp3's. I basically need them to be about 3 mb each. Two of the recordings sound OK at that size, but they are just MIDI(one project is piano and string quartet, the other is just piano- all software instruments. The recording that combines MIDI and Audio and has more tracks (three audio tracks and 10 Midi/software instrument tracks)and sounds completely horrible if I get it under 5 mb as an mp3. The problem is that I need all three to equal around 9mb, but still sound good enough to submit as a portfolio for consideration into a Master's program.
If anyone can help I would really appreciate it. Please be detailed in your response, because I am new to logic and I really need the step by step.
Thank you...

MUYconfundido wrote:
I am in the process of embedding 3 mp3's into a PDF to submit as a portfolio. The PDF also has text, and two scores included, and with the 3 embedded mp3's it can't be more than 10mb.
So my question is: When bouncing a project out of Logic, what is the best method for getting the smallest file size, but retaining the best audio quality?
The highest bitrate that falls within your limits. You'll have to calculate how big your MP3's can be, then choose the bitrate that keeps the size within your limit. The formula is simple: bitrate is the number of kilobits per second, so a 46 second stereo file at 96 kbps would be 96 x 46 = 4416 kbits / 8* = 552 kBytes or 0.552 MB. (*8 bits = 1 Byte)
So if you know the length of your tracks you can calculate what bitrate you need to keep it within 10 MB total.
I consider 128 kbps the lowest bearable bitrate for popsongs and other modern drumkit based music. Deterioration of sound quality is often directly related to the quality of the initial mix and the type of instruments used in it. Piano(-like) tones tend to sound watery pretty quickly at lower bitrates, as do crash and ride cymbals. But don't take my word for it, try it out.
And once it's out of Logic and it is an mp3 or other type of audio file, is there a best format for compressing it further, and still maintaining the relative quality?
You can only ZIP the whole thing after that, but that is just for transport. You'll have to unzip it again to use it. And no, you cannot compress an MP3 any further and still play it.
I bounced out the three projects into wav's. Now I am using Switch for Mac to compress them down to smaller Mp3's.
That is silly, you could have done that in Logic, which has one of the best MP3 encoders built in. And how good encoders are will especially come out at bitrates around or below 128, which you might be looking at.
I basically need them to be about 3 mb each.
So, one more scrap of info we need here: how long are those three pieces, exactly? I'll calculate the bitrate for you - but please bounce 'm directly out of Logic as MP3's. They will very probably sound better than your WAV-conversions made with Switch.
!http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4084/4996323899_071398b89a.jpg!
Two of the recordings sound OK at that size, but they are just MIDI(one project is piano and string quartet, the other is just piano- all software instruments. The recording that combines MIDI and Audio and has more tracks (three audio tracks and 10 Midi/software instrument tracks)and sounds completely horrible if I get it under 5 mb as an mp3. The problem is that I need all three to equal around 9mb, but still sound good enough to submit as a portfolio for consideration into a Master's program.
Length of the piece? And does the .Wav bounce you have sound OK?

Best Method for transferring projects back and fourth

Hello. I will soon be purchasing an iMac for home use and would like to get some advice on project transfer. I will be doing a lot of video editing back and fourth between the office and home. What is the best method for doing this? Where can i locate the files to make sure that I have everything and wont be missing anything when I bring it home, etc. Thanks for any advice!
Brandon

Use a (Firewire 800 or faster) external HD to keep your media, events and projects on.
You can then take the drive to work with you and back home. Use FCP X to transfer (or create) the event and projects on this drive and both macs will recognise it.
The drive must be formatted Mac OS Extended (journaled is not important for video drives).
Andy

Correct method for deleting iTunes library?

I have a new Mac and have successfully transferred my iTunes library from my old Mac to my new Mac.
I have made a copy of the library on a portable hard drive, just in case there is a problem with the library in the future.
How do I now delete the library from the old Mac so that I can save the space on the hard drive?
Vast majority of my library is downloaded CDs (which I want to delete) and there are just a few purchased downloads via iTunes (which ideally I would keep but not essential). I'm presuming the latter can still be accessed via my iTunes log-on, once the library has been cleared.

Chris CA wrote:
Jerry Dammers wrote:
I have a new Mac and have successfully transferred my iTunes library from my old Mac to my new Mac.
I have made a copy of the library on a portable hard drive, just in case there is a problem with the library in the future.
You did copy the entire /Music/iTunes/ folder, correct?
I copied everything that was within the Music folder in Finder. The copied folder size was exactly the same as the original folder in Finder so I'm assuming it's copied fine.
How do I now delete the library from the old Mac so that I can save the space on the hard drive?
Delet the entire /Music/iTunes/ folder.
Do you mean delete everything within iTunes?
The folders within iTunes other than "iTunes Music" (by far the largest) are Album Artwork (quite big); Automatically Add to iTunes; iPod Games and a few others. I'm presuming they can all be deleted but will iTunes still be in tact (but empty)?

Need help transferring itunes library from old computer to new laptop

Hello,
I recently purchased a new laptop and am having trouble getting my library to transfer to my new laptop, i followed this step by step process http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1329?viewlocale=en_US and in the end ended up with no music on my ipod and no music in the itunes library on my new computer...
So then i went into Itunes on the new computer and clicked import library under File, so i found the Music folder that i had transferred over and it imported the music but all my playlist were not there, just songs. So i ended up syncing my ipod back to my old computer so i would get all the songs and playlist back on as it was originally before this whole process...
My desktop runs XP while my new laptop runs Vista Ultimate w/ SP1 home edition, dont know if this matters...
So not sure where i should go from here, i have already Authorized my laptop with the itunes store , i was thinking of uninstalling Itunes on my laptop and starting over from scratch, will this help?
BTW when i did the original transfer i used my Ipod as the hard drive as it had plenty of storage room left on it, i do have access to a 250GB external HD i was thinking of using that and trying that to transfer the library...
So if anyone can tell me how to transfer my Itunes library from old comp to new laptop it would be greatly appreciated...

The method you used should work if followed exactly.
The key points are - is your music all together? It must all be in the iTunes Music folder in the iTunes folder.
When you copy the iTunes folder to the iPod you get the library database with your playlists and the iTunes Music folder containing the music files.
Since you had trouble doing this with the iPod, why not try copying your iTunes folder to the external drive.
The method is identical the one for the iPod except you leave out the iPod specific stuff.
You install iTunes on the new PC, then you drag the newly created iTunes folder out the Music folder to the desktop, then you copy the iTunes folder from the EHD into Music, replacing the one you dragged out.
When you have done that, you need to check that your account has full control of your iTunes folder - Vista is fussy about that - you will not be able to edit track info if you don't have full control.
Vista file folder permissions help
http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/2464a180-e5dc-45d1-a2b8-3c8a 2b571e9d1033.mspx
http://www.mydigitallife.info/2007/05/25/how-to-take-ownership-and-grant-permiss ions-in-windows-vista/

Transfering itunes library from one computer to another

Can you transfer / copy itunes and all songs in library from one PC to another PC (only one IPOD in use

I am having problems trasferring my itunes library from my PC to my laptop. I transferred all the downloaded music, "MY MUSIC" from one computer to the other, and the laptop's itunes picked those songs up. When I connected my ipod to my lap top, when selecting "transfer purchased music", itunes only imports the music that I have purchased at the itunes store. ** What I can't get imported to my laptop are the 500 CDs (5000 songs) that I downloaded onto my PC's itunes.

Transferring iTunes Library from another PC

My wife and I have an iPhone each with our individual music collection on each. My music library is on my Macbook Air but my wife's is on an Acer laptop that has now broken so she is unable to add any new CD's she purchased to her library, I've tried logging into my Mac as a new user and using a different iTunes but it gives a message that all existing content will be wiped off the phone as it is a new library.
Please can someone help me with a solution as want to avoid having the Acer repaired?

Your i-device was not designed for unique storage of your media. It is not a backup device and media transfer was planned with you maintaining a master copy of your media on a computer which is itself independently backed up against loss. To use a device with a new computer you transfer the content from the old computer (or its backup) directly to the new computer, not the device to the new computer. Media syncing is one way, computer to device, updating the device content to the content on the computer, not updating or restoring content on a computer. The exception is iTunes Store purchases which can be transferred to a computer. Media ripped from a CD cannot be transferred this way.
iTunes Store: Transferring purchases from your iOS device or iPod to a computer - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1848 - only purchases from iTunes Store
For transferring other items from an i-device to a computer you will have to use third party commercial software. See this document by turingtest2: Recovering your iTunes library from your iPod or iOS device - https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-3991
Make sure you buy a backup drive. Some day it will be your Mac with both your accounts that will not start and then both of you will be unhappy.

What is best method for transferring iTunes library from PC to iMac?

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