Keeping iTunes library up to date on multiple computers?

Discussion in 'Mac Apps and Mac App Store' started by dylanbrown, Nov 26, 2008.

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  1. dylanbrown, Nov 26, 2008

    dylanbrown macrumors 6502

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    #1
    Hi all,

    I am going to be getting an iMac soon, already have a MacBook and also a PC.

    I use iTunes on all of them - but would like to keep my iTunes library up to date on multiple computers.

    Smith Micro's Tune Ranger is (In reality) crap. So does anyone know of any software or hardware that'll allow me to do this?

    Also, I know you can share you music over a network in iTunes, but I want to be able to have up-to-date content on my MacBook when traveling etc.
     
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  2. IdiddidI, Nov 30, 2008

    IdiddidI macrumors member

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    #2
    I am looking to do the exact same thing. I have been trying "Syncopation," but it isn't working properly for me.

    Can this be solved with folder synching software?
     
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  3. dylanbrown, Nov 30, 2008

    dylanbrown thread starter macrumors 6502

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    #3
    I was really wondering if there was a hardware solution available, as, I think that would be a lot easier than using an Application, as some of them are (ahem) crap.

    I do know the MediaSmart Server by HP can act as an iTunes Server, and I'm sure the Drobo can too with an Application, although these are quite expensive solutions.

    I was wondering about buying an old PowerMac from eBay for £50 and testing around, although I'm not too sure how this would work!

    OK, so I just found out something called Firefly that looks interesting. It's one of the Apps that allows the Drobo to become an iTunes server. A Mac version is coming soon they say.
     
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  4. SnowLeopard2008, Nov 30, 2008

    SnowLeopard2008 macrumors 604

    SnowLeopard2008

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    #4
    This might prove a little expensive, but maybe keep all of your iTunes media on an external HD? If you have an AirPort Extreme, hook up an external HDD via USB to it and keep the data there. Since this only works for local networks and not internet you could add this: another external HD that is a copy of the HD hooked up via USB to the AirPort. Re-clone the drives when you add new content.
     
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  5. dylanbrown, Nov 30, 2008

    dylanbrown thread starter macrumors 6502

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    #5
    The only problem with that is that you have to manually transfer all the newly downloaded content that has been added to your iTunes Library onto my Time Capsule.

    The HP MSS is really expensive, although if Firefly releases a Mac client, it could prove to be a solution!
     
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  6. appleguy, Dec 1, 2008

    appleguy macrumors 6502

    appleguy

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    #6
    Is there a cheap easy solution

    Got a G4 Mac Mini due for replacement
    I can get 1TB Drive and I want to have it so the 3 Computers in the house can all have the same iTunes Library
    Although I have 2 iTunes accounts (one on the NZ iTunes Store and one on the US store) and the other 2 computers have their own but we want to share our music too.
    I did look at the HP Media Server but since I said years ago I will never have a PC in my house I can not go down that road.
    I will also want to access all the content on the server from my AppleTV
     
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  7. ingenious, Dec 1, 2008

    ingenious macrumors 65832

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    #7
    I used to use SyncOTunes... I'm not sure if it's still available for download, but it did the trick.

    Now, I just use a portable Toshiba 320 GB drive... much, much simpler, and my internal drives don't get filled up with movies, music, and photos.

    An added benefit to using a portable drive is that I can sync my iPod wherever I am, as long as I'm using the iTunes library that's on the drive.
     
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  8. IdiddidI, Dec 2, 2008

    IdiddidI macrumors member

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    #8
    Here's my situation:
    -I have an iMac that is serving movies and music to my AppleTV. I have about 350GB of music, and another 300GB of movies.
    -I just got a MacBook Pro with a 500GB external HD. I have copied the music portion of the library from my iMac's iTunes library to this drive.
    -I am now going through the painstaking process of getting all my album art in order, normalizing artist names, genres, etc. I am doing this on my MB.

    When I'm finished with this process, what I want to do is copy all of this music back to the iMac, and then somehow keep the two libraries in synch, so that new songs/deleted songs, ratings and playcount are reflected in both libraries... but the libraries won't be identical because the iMac will have movies as well.

    Any suggestions on how to do this?
     
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  9. HiFiGuy528, Dec 2, 2008

    HiFiGuy528 macrumors 68000

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    #9
    DropBox may be your answer
     
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  10. IdiddidI, Dec 3, 2008

    IdiddidI macrumors member

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    #10
    Just checking this out now--really impressive service, and will be useful for a lot of other things (like keeping address book in sync). Unfortunately, it is limited to 20 GB right now.

    Windows Live Sync may be a possibility when it is released later this month...
     
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