MP3 file comments not shown in iTunes, but are in Windows programs

Question

Level 1

24 points

MP3 file comments not shown in iTunes, but are in Windows programs

Ok, am orgaising my music collection. I use iTunes on Mac v7.6, Leopard

There is no comment shown in the itunes for the MP3 files, but if I goto Win XP (boot camp) and either do a list in explorer, or use a program like tag & rename or MonkeyMedia then I can see comments there.

1) why is this

2)how can I get iTunes to show them properly

3) how can I list them in Mac, so I can delete them

please help

thanks

Mac OS X (10.5.1),  iMac 20" 2Ghz (1st ever Mac Comp). 30Gb iPod Video, 4Gb Nano (3rd Gen)

Posted on Jan 28, 2008 3:20 PM

Reply

Answer 1

downinitjr

Level 4

1,435 points

Jan 28, 2008 8:11 PM in response to the loc-man

Have you tried converting the id3 tags for a few of the files in itunes to a different version such as id3v2.3 to see if they show up. You are doing a get info on the files in itunes right and bringing up the window which gives you the ability to change artist/song name/comments etc. Perhaps you can remove the information under windows and then reimport them into itunes afterwords.

Reply

Answer 2

the loc-man Author

Level 1

24 points

Jan 29, 2008 11:17 AM in response to downinitjr

it says the files are id v2.3 I thought this was the best type anyway?

I am doing a get info and also doing a show comment field in the music list.

I know I could go into windows and wipe them there, but that will take ages, to copy it all over twice between OSs, and I also want to know why it is doing this?

I want to stop with iTunes and be able to do everything from there

please anyone?

Reply

Answer 3

downinitjr

Level 4

1,435 points

Jan 29, 2008 2:12 PM in response to the loc-man

Are you sure these comments are actually stored in the id3 tags and not just comments being stored in the windows file system? If that is the case you may be able to find a program in windows that will automatically copy the file system comments over into the id3 tags.

Reply

Answer 4

the loc-man Author

Level 1

24 points

Jan 29, 2008 4:00 PM in response to downinitjr

Not sure but I dont think so, as I say i can see the comments when i open up tag and rename a MP3 tagger for windows, it displays the comments there.

Also displays them in windows explorer as I say.

It shows the comments up in other Windows taggers to, so I think they are in the ID tag I presume anyway.

Is there a program, Mac or Windows that can show the raw ID3 info? or isnt that waht these taggers are doing.

If so why on earth is iTunes not seeing them whereas Windows and Windows Taggers are?

cheers

Reply

Answer 5

downinitjr

Level 4

1,435 points

Jan 29, 2008 4:58 PM in response to the loc-man

From what I have ascertained from doing a little reading it seems multiple versions of id3 tags can be stored in any given mp3 file. So maybe the windows side is reading one particular version of tags or all versions of the tags whereas itunes is only reading one particular version. definitely have a look at [media rage|http://www.chaoticsoftware.com/ProductPages/MediaRage.html] for os x. In particular the data changer tool specifically mentions file system meta data.

Reply

Answer 6

the loc-man Author

Level 1

24 points

Jan 30, 2008 8:59 AM in response to downinitjr

Cheers

I downloaded media rage, and it also shows the comments in the files whereas iTunes doesn't

this is an alternative, but why oh why does iTunes not show up the comment?

Its so confusing and frustrating, it just means more money, more hassle, I wanted everything to be done in one program

cheers

Reply

Answer 7

downinitjr

Level 4

1,435 points

Jan 30, 2008 6:54 PM in response to the loc-man

I'm still thinking that the comments are actually something like windows file system comments, which one of the utilities in media rage looked like it should be able to take those comments and add them to the correct tag, where itunes can read them. You'll have to have a closer look, but not actually having the files here, I couldn't tell you for sure.

Reply

Answer 8

the loc-man Author

Level 1

24 points

Jan 31, 2008 1:53 PM in response to downinitjr

Ok so without the file you say you cant tell - how will I be able to check? ie if you had the file(s) how would you check and I will use your procedure.

But if they are windows comments how come Media rage and Musorg see them and not iTunes? In fact if they are "windows" comments how do they how in Media rage and Musorg and not iTunes - i just been thing about that. Surely if they were it wouldnt show up in these.

Also in Media Rage and Musorg, there is only 1 comment field as in iTues but Rage and Musorg show the comment whereas iTunes does not.

Is there an app that can show whats actually embedded into the MP3 file? ie the tag details or something? Windows or Mac to see what is going on?

I will send you a file, but would like to know how I check myself, its bugging me!!!

cheers

Reply

Answer 9

downinitjr

Level 4

1,435 points

Jan 31, 2008 3:51 PM in response to the loc-man

aol screen name downinitjr if you can catch me on some night.

Reply

Answer 10

the loc-man Author

Level 1

24 points

Jan 31, 2008 4:04 PM in response to downinitjr

sorry I only have MSM can I catch you with that?

any ideas what I can do till then? apps to try?

Reply

Answer 11

downinitjr

Level 4

1,435 points

Jan 31, 2008 4:51 PM in response to the loc-man

same username for msn

Reply

Answer 12

Feb 3, 2008 6:15 AM in response to the loc-man

Any success, yet?

I have the same trouble. Some files keep losing their cover art - not all. I am tired of redoing the cover image over and over and in windows it's still in the file.
Mind, I inserted the cover art into the file with iTunes. I ripped the song from an original CD and scanned the cover myself.

Very strange.

Reply

Answer 13

the loc-man Author

Level 1

24 points

Feb 3, 2008 4:34 PM in response to Gin Tonyx

Nope Im stil having trouble with comments, its not just showing in windows but also in Media rage, but not showing in iTunes

This is really daft, as I now have to use more than 1 program to do what I want, why on earth is iTunes not seeing what it should?

cheers

Reply