dovetailer

Q: Keeping two iTunes Media Folders (and libraries) in sync

Hi all,

 

Here's my situation... I can't be the only person looking for an answer to this. (Can I?)

 

At home I have a Mac Mini with my music collection on it managed by iTunes. I have the same at work. I also have Chronosync set up to nightly syncronize my iTunes Media folders. Obviously, this is just step one.

 

What I'd ultimately like is to be able to change files or add media at either location (through iTunes) and not only have the files moved by Chronosync but also have the iTunes libraries updated. Is there a way to do this via AppleScript or some other solution? I looking to keep two iTunes Media folders mirrored and have iTunes' library be updated at the same time (or on a regular basis).

 

Thanks in advance!

 

A

Posted on Mar 9, 2014 6:45 AM

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Q: Keeping two iTunes Media Folders (and libraries) in sync

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  • by Limnos,

    Limnos Limnos Mar 9, 2014 10:17 AM in response to dovetailer
    Level 9 (54,621 points)
    Mac OS X
    Mar 9, 2014 10:17 AM in response to dovetailer

    It sounds like a question for whoever wrote Chronosync.  I have never heard of it and have no idea what it is or what it does.  Generally you ask questions related to third party software on the software's own support forum.  What you need it to do is synchronize the whole iTunes folder, not just media files.  The library.itl file contains most of the actual playlist and content data but things also get updated in the artwork folder, and some other files (mostly also in the iTunes folder).

     

    What are the iTunes library files? - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1660

     

    More on iTunes library files and what they do - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ITunes#Media_management

     

    What are all those iTunes files? - http://www.macworld.com/article/139974/2009/04/itunes_files.html

     

    Where are my iTunes files located? - http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1391

     

    Apple's solution is to have you buy all your music from Apple and use the automatically download new purchases set on both computers.  Of course it isn't a complete solution. For example, if you change the rating on one computer it won't change it on the other since all you're doing is downloading a file from a third place (the store) to both other places (computers).

  • by dovetailer,

    dovetailer dovetailer Mar 9, 2014 2:44 PM in response to Limnos
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 9, 2014 2:44 PM in response to Limnos

    Hi Limnos,

     

    Thanks for responding.

     

    This actually had nothing to do with Chronosync. I'm simply using Chronosync to sync the iTunes Media folders. Iscound be using any other app... I just chose this one. What I need to do is have iTunes "rescan" the iTunes media folder and recreate the library. It's. Bit heavy handed but I can't think of any way to do this on a case by case basis - meaning only update the parts of the library that have changed.

     

    Make sense?

     

    A

  • by Limnos,

    Limnos Limnos Mar 9, 2014 2:56 PM in response to dovetailer
    Level 9 (54,621 points)
    Mac OS X
    Mar 9, 2014 2:56 PM in response to dovetailer

    What does Chronosync do? Copy files to a hard drive?

     

    One computer at work, other at home.  How are you doing this?  I thought maybe Chronosync was something using the Internet.  If you're using a hard drive, why not put the entire library on the drive and run the library off that (copy the entire iTunes folder to the external, start iTunes with the option key held down and guide it to the library.itl file on the external)?  That would be the easiest.  Make sure the drive is on before starting iTunes or it will default back to the internal location (easily remedied by restarting with the option key method).

  • by dovetailer,

    dovetailer dovetailer Mar 9, 2014 3:08 PM in response to Limnos
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 9, 2014 3:08 PM in response to Limnos

    Check out Chronosync here: http://www.econtechnologies.com/pages/cs/chrono_overview.html

     

    All it does is watch two folders (or volumes) for any changes and then synchronizes the changes. The two computers each have their own external disk attached to them and each has an iTunes Media folder that is "monitored" by Chronosync for changes.

     

    If a file is added, deleted or changed on either side Chronosync duplicates the changes on the other side so my two iTunes Media folders are mirrored. Now, I'd like my iTunes Library to "recognize" those changes and get updated with the additions/deletions/changes. Maybe this can be done via AppleScript set to run on a schedule or some other means. That is basically what I am asking.

     

    Adam

  • by Limnos,

    Limnos Limnos Mar 9, 2014 9:54 PM in response to dovetailer
    Level 9 (54,621 points)
    Mac OS X
    Mar 9, 2014 9:54 PM in response to dovetailer

    iTunes does not actively monitor the media folder.  You could perhaps write an Applescript to have the media folder added to iTunes on a regular basis, but that's a separate topic.  Even then it isn't going to mirror the complete library.  If you add a new file to a playlist on computer 1 it won't show in that playlist on computer 2 because that information is stored in the library.itl file You have to get your Chronosync to update the whole iTunes folder so not only is all the media on the second computer but the identical library file to computer 1 (preferably support files too).

     

    Check the Dougscripts web site.  There's a script to list files not in the library and it may be possible to tell it to inventory the media folder.  It doesn't add the files though from what I recall.  You'd have to do some additional scripting.

     

    Yes, Chronosync is basically a backup application but I still don't know how you are actually getting the two computers in two different locations to sync.  Does Chronosync back up over the Internet?  How is the media collection for computer 2 getting the sync from computer 1?  Are you carrying two hard drives around with you?