Import folders to Itunes and convert bitrate.

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Level 1

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Import folders to Itunes and convert bitrate.

I have some 400+ folders relating to 400+ albums I have ripped to 320bps.

This is a Windows XP machine and the folder format is:-

C:\User\Mp3\Folder 1, C:\User\Mp3\Folder 2.....C:\User\Mp3\Folder 444

I need to retain the original folder format as they are played from my PC through my Hifi; they are backed up off this machine!

I want to convert all the files in these folders to 128bps so that I can put them on my 20GB Ipod.

Every suggestion I have seen seems to mean that I can only do this at file level; opening 400+ folders and selecting the, 4367, files is going to be some task.

Is there a way that Itunes can import these folders AND convert to 128bps?

Windows Xp, Windows XP

Posted on Nov 14, 2007 9:57 AM

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Answer 1

Chris CA

Level 10

82,434 points

Nov 14, 2007 10:12 AM in response to athegn

File -> Add folder to linrary.
Select the top level folder. All songs in lower level folders will be added to iTunes.
iTunes pref s-> Advanced - Importing. Set it to what you want to convert the songs to.
Select the songs, then menu Advanced -> Convert selection to {what iTunes prefs - Advanced - Importing is set to}
This will make a copy of the songs in the new format.

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Answer 2

ed2345

Level 9

62,486 points

Nov 14, 2007 1:29 PM in response to athegn

As Chris notes, the "Convert" function creates a new copy. It places that copy into an Album folder within an Artist folder, independent of where the original is. This may or may not fit with your stated objective of +"I need to retain the original folder format."+ Try it on a few files and make sure you are happy with the results before doing all 4300 songs.

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Answer 3

athegn Author

Level 1

0 points

Nov 15, 2007 3:06 AM in response to ed2345

Thank you for your advice.

I should explain what I want. I have spent the last month or so ripping my CD collection and storing the results in folders of my choice.

We mainly play the MP3s on our PC using Winamp with the Dynamic Library plugin that allows me to just select a folder which is normally just one album. This means that we don't have to setup play lists to listen to a symphony.

The Ipod is really my wife's. I use a Palm TX to listen to music on the move. I load MP3s onto SD cards and the Palm will again play a folders worth i.e an album from that.

So I need to retain the folder structure I have setup on my PC.

Using Advance > Convert Selection does create a folder structure but not in my way. I creates an Artist folder then a Album folder. I would have to select only the album folders for my Palm; 400 separate selections and I would have to amend every one because my chosen folder name has the Artist or the Composer as the first part of the folder name e.g Beethoven Symphony No 1, Elvis Presley The Collection Vol 1 etc This structure works very well in Dynamic Library and my Palm.

I have found some software that converts to 128 and keeps my folder structure but it loses some of the Tag information.

Before I start looking for other software I thought I would see if Itunes can do the conversion. I suppose I was hoping for a button that said keep users folder structure and names!

Any further advice would be appreciated

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Answer 4

ed2345

Level 9

62,486 points

Nov 15, 2007 4:22 AM in response to athegn

+Before I start looking for other software I thought I would see if Itunes can do the conversion. I suppose I was hoping for a button that said keep users folder structure and names!+

atgegn,
iTunes places the converted file as stated, with no option to do otherwise. You might try Switch, which lets you browse to the desired output folder before the conversion begins.

Note that conversion programs tend to single-thread, so converting 4000 files will take a while no matter what you use.
Ed

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