iTunes library options

[jaseman]

I have recently bought a new MacBook Pro. I currently have a Mac Mini with an external HDD that contains my iTunes music library to use with my iPod. On the Mac Mini I keep my library on the external HDD so as not to fill up its own HD.

Now I have a laptop I now need to transfer my iTunes library to that. I would like to continue using my external HDD for my library so I do not have to worry about filling up my laptops HD. But because I now have a laptop I would like to have some music on that for when I am out and about without my external HDD.

So my question is, is it possible to have 2 libraries in iTunes, 1 for when I am at home and connected to my external HDD and another for when I am away? If not, is the next easiest thing to create another user account so I can have a different iTunes library on each?

Any tips would be appreciated.

Cheers

Jason

 

[Eraserhead]

Not really, this would be a good feature though.

The best bet is to use your iPod on manual sync mode when travelling and listen to music off that.

 

[TheAnswer]

Yes you can have more than one library. If you hold down option when you launch iTunes, you can choose your library at that time.

Here is a little more info.

 

[Eraserhead]

Yes you can have more than one library. If you hold down option when you launch iTunes, you can choose your library at that time.

Here is a little more info.

Nice find, though it doesn't keep your ratings between the files and you have to add them to each library manually.

 

[TheAnswer]

Nice find, though it doesn't keep your ratings between the files and you have to add them to each library manually.

Yeah...it's not going to sync any differences between the two libraries. But for having one "one the move" library and one "at home" library, it should work ok.

 

[jaseman]

Excellent, thanks for your replies.

If you do create 2 libraries, what happens to the media browser in iLife, say when looking at adding music to iMovie in the media window? Does it use the last library selected in iTunes?

 

[TheAnswer]

Excellent, thanks for your replies.

If you do create 2 libraries, what happens to the media browser in iLife, say when looking at adding music to iMovie in the media window? Does it use the last library selected in iTunes?

Not sure, it probably just looks for the expected library at Home/Music/iTunes.

 

[gauchogolfer]

Not sure, it probably just looks for the expected library at Home/Music/iTunes.

I know that for iMovie, when importing photos, it looks for your last used library in iPhoto (I have 3 different iPhoto Libraries). I don't know if it's the same for iTunes, but I imagine so.

 

[TheAnswer]

I know that for iMovie, when importing photos, it looks for your last used library in iPhoto (I have 3 different iPhoto Libraries). I don't know if it's the same for iTunes, but I imagine so.

Good to know...I assumed the media browser wouldn't be that smart...but I'm glad it is.

 

[jaseman]

That will be good if it does, I will try it out tonight.