Shared itunes library on network drive

[Woolythoughts]

Hi


I have the following scenario that I sort of have working but not properly:


1. Two imacs with separate apple ID’s but the same itunes account

2. Media files stored on external network drive

3. Common library file stored on network drive

4. Default location for ripped and downloaded files etc set at the media directory on the network drive


Effectively the set up is so that regardless of which machine in the house I use, I have the full functionality of my itunes library – i.e. be able to edit media titles and sync ipad etc.


The problem is when set up like this, periodically the machine(s) will (a) lose the location of the library or (b) change where it wants to default ripped and downloaded files to back onto the hard drive.


I can deal with this as I make sure I check before I do anything but my husband is technically inept and what we end up with is media files here there and everywhere that I then have to spend time moving all the files to the common location and rebuilding libraries.


I know we could have sepeate libraries and share them under home sharing but this means that I can’t edit the file info from my machine and I can’t stand a disordered file library so would have to use his machine to edit music he’s ripped etc etc.


Is what I’m looking to do impossible?

 

[malm123]

have you tried changing the default location of the library in itunes settings? if so, another thing to do would be to make sure you do not allow itunes to move your files. Since you already have the download location set from your browser / torrent client, there should be no need to move them around further. i think the option is called "keep itunes folder organzed"

it may not be "loosing the location" but more so just "ejecting" the network drive. An easy fix is to have a shortcut to any folder on that network drive on your desktop and make sure you open that network folder before you load up itunes.

 

[flashy-cat]

It seems iTunes automatically uses the default library location when the mapped network location isn't mounted. I have contacted Apple about this suggesting a warning comes up before the change happens.

 

[malm123]

It seems iTunes automatically uses the default library location when the mapped network location isn't mounted. I have contacted Apple about this suggesting a warning comes up before the change happens.

thanks for this, very good point. I found this thread because i had made my own post earlier. What I am now planning to do is use a program like syncfolders pro to keep my computer's music directory + itunes library xml file in sync with my secondary (DJ)"rig". The only problem is that the paths are written in the library file. example: EXTERNAL/music/artist name/album name.

For now i am planning to try simply renaming my system hard drive to match that of the drive the main rig uses. so there should be no need to load different XML files, all the file's paths will be the same on both computers and syncfolders takes care of making sure they are up to date.

do you see any problems with this line of thinking? its a very different process but should yield a very similar result no?