Kevin Cheng twittered recently "Cannot find any iTunes solution that lets me have an external master library, laptop w/ synced subset, and synced ratings/metadata."
Ahh.. the holy grail. I've been pursuing it for some time because I often orbit between 3 or 4 machines. I'd go further. I also want my iphones to share the synced data and to be able to sync on multiple computers. It can be done! Here's how.
Assumptions: I assume Macintosh. I assume normal locations for your Music folder and for the iTunes folder. I assume matching usernames on all the computers. I have 2 sets of instructions the first is for a fresh start (new library), the second set is for converting an existing library. Most importantly I assume a Dropbox account (they're free).
Continue reading "Syncing multiple computers to a single itunes library" →
Comments:
It worked! Couldn't be happier about this. Now if only my dropbox was bigger!
exactly what we need here!
except, my eyes just got glazed looking at the lengthy instructions and the possibly long evening of dealing with those files...
The post spells it out in detail but if you understand the basic idea (move your database and shared files to dropbox, keep local files local, it's not that bad). Took me about 10 minutes to get it all set up. I'm on day 3 in the new setup and really happy with the way it's working. Now it looks like I'll have to upgrade dropbox! Thanks Raul!
Does this work for apps, books, podcasts, etc?
Works w/ everything for me. You just need to make sure both computers are authorized and that the shared files are on the common folder.
I *wish* someone could explain how to do this with over a terabyte of music that I've digitized. I'm tired of experimenting and having 1-4 versions of every song duplicated (or just ghosted) in my iTunes library. Alas...
I have a terabyte and right now I don't think there is a way using this shared storage method.... one day though... one can hope.
Raul,
Somehow, I never saw this when you wrote it. I was looking up more advanced ways to take advantage of Dropbox and stumbled on this. Imagine my surprise when the first words were my name!
Anywho, I never did post my final solution. I ended up using Syncopation (http://www.sonzea.com/syncopation/). I've heard mixed reviews on just about every app but this one seems to work if you're ok with having one machine be always on and hosting the full library. I have my master library on a machine's iTunes and then my main laptop has a subset of music. Importantly, when I add new music or rate music, syncopation propagates it back to the master.
Maybe when Dropbox and others get cheaper storage, we can do it for real!
Here's my solution:
NAS drive with iTunes server. 3 macs that all can open iTunes at the same time and see the same library (through the iTunes share).
How to:
Have your library on the NAS, with the database there too... Allow the NAS drive to be shared across all 3. Point all your iTunes to the same library. Then all 3 iTunes can be master if need be (allowing iPhones/ipods to sync to all 3 too).
Then if you open iTunes on another mac and it says library is in use/locked, create a blank library to point to so you can open iTunes up, and in the side menu you have the nas share available. Repeat on all macs thus giving you play availability in each iTunes. All macs can play from the same library and all you have to do is choose a library on starting iTunes - really not a hassle, less of a hassle than closing down the other iTunes.