How to extract select iTunes metadata? play count, date added, etc.

[Spotless]

I've just set up my new uMBP (I know, I should have waited for the new chips, but hey - I got impatient!)

I have moved my itunes media to the new machine but it is lacking all ratings, the original 'date added' as well as play counts. In fact, I have left all the old metadata behind, but these are the only three parts I'd like back.

What I'd like to know is if there is a utility or mini app that can extract this kind of data from my old library file and add it to my new one.

I would have just moved the original library file but I have done that since iTunes 1 and the library file has become a bit messed up. I am rather enjoying my shiny new library file - I just want my ratings, 'date added' and play count metadata injected back in!

I love the playlist trick for the ratings but this is no good for 'date added' or play count obviously.

Any ideas? Thanks guys.

 

[richard.mac]

all the metadata is inside the iTunes folder which is inside the iTunes Music folder. just move that whole iTunes Music folder and you should be sweet.

 

[Spotless]

Thanks mate, but:

I would have just moved the original library file but I have done that since iTunes 1 and the library file has become a bit messed up. I am rather enjoying my shiny new library file - I just want my ratings, 'date added' and play count metadata injected back in!

I was hoping for a 'metadata extractor / editor' type utility.
I have had no luck finding one so was hoping that someone might know of a groovy homebrew / open source effort.

 

[Spotless]

I'm still looking for a utility like this. I'm not sure that one exists.

I'm amazed. I wonder why no one has written one.

Praps juggling multiple library files is more niche than I thought it would be.

 

[Mumford]

All that data appears to be stored in ~/Music/iTunes/iTunes Music Library.xml. It's a text file, so parsing it with any scripting language should be trivial.

 

[mysterytramp]

AppleScript might help. You might try checking Doug's Applescripts for iTunes.

If he doesn't have what you want/need, it would be pretty easy to roll your own script. iTunes AppleScript dictionary says the date added property is r/o, so AS won't help here, but it appears you can edit ratings and the play count.

mt

 

[Spotless]

Mumford: Yeah. The file you mention is almost certainly where that data is kept. However, as soon as you mention 'parsing' and 'scripting language', my heart sinks! That all sounds like a bit too much heavy lifting! These things are not my field so I would need to start from scratch. Interesting to note that it may be trivial, though. If I wanted to learn these things, any idea where I'd start?

Mysterytramp: Thanks for the link. I had had a look through his site and I have found a couple of scripts that MAY do the trick with a bit of fiddling. They are designed to work with the metadata from a single library though, so I'm not sure if I can load one library, copy the metadata, open the new library and copy the data back in. I'll have to have a look.

This iTunes AppleScript dictionary sounds like a good resource. I'll have a look for that, cheers.

I think I need to take the hint and learn how to hack some AppleScripts together!
And yeah, if its any good (read: if it works!), I'll post it on Doug's site.

Thanks for your thoughts guys.