Does not recognize playlists

Question

Level 1

4 points

Does not recognize playlists

Just bought a new iPod Nano 4GB today, firmware version 1.1.3, iTunes 7.7.1 on a Mac Mini.

When I sync my selected playlists, it doesn't keep any files (tunes) that I recorded myself (non-downloaded or from commercial CD's) in the selected playlist; instead, it syncs them all together into one "unknown album", even if they are from different playlists. Same thing for compilations: if I mark any of these files as a compilation, it puts everything into one big compilation. Same thing if I try to use folders and playlists within them.

This makes the unit just about unusable, since I keep different types of tunes in playlists to separate music types, and make them easy to navigate to, just as in iTunes. I've tried using "manage files manually", and still doesn't list the playlists, and doesn't always transfer all the files to the iPod. I also can't seem to find a way to simply drag-and-drop the files to the unit.

The software and firmware versions are what I had to install in order to get the unit to work.

Any ideas?

Thanks,

Gary

Mac Mini, Mac OS X (10.4.11), 1.66 Intel Core Duo

Posted on Sep 7, 2008 9:05 PM

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Answer 1

PT

Level 7

20,888 points

Sep 8, 2008 8:07 AM in response to Bagpiper

When you sync playlists, everything from those playlists will still show up on the iPod's other catagories like artist, album, etc. Syncing a playlist doesn't keep them out of those other menu areas.
If all your stuff have NO album name associtated with them, then yes, they will be default all be called UNKNOWN ALBUM and listen under one big album called that. Likewise, if you mark them all as a compilation, they will all be lumped under the compilation called UNKNOWN ALBUM.
On your iPod, I assume your playlists still show up and when you go into them, they are still the way you expect them? If so, then ignore the other menu items like "Artist", etc. on the iPod. Or if you want, give your UNKNOWN ALBUM tracks unique album names to help break them up a little more.
Patrick

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Answer 2

Bagpiper Author

Level 1

4 points

Sep 8, 2008 8:36 AM in response to PT

Thanks Patrick for the explanation.

However, I should have said also that the playlists do not show up in the iPod; neither does the category show up in the music menu, even though I've checked "playlists" in the music menu settings.

Also, how do I give the unique albums names, and can I have more than one?

Thank you for your patience!

Gary

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Answer 3

PT

Level 7

20,888 points

Sep 8, 2008 8:46 AM in response to Bagpiper

Ok the second question first, since it is easy to answer. You can pick any track, or a number of tracks at the same time, do a Get Info (File -> Get Info or simply type Ctrl-I), then type in whatever album name you want in the album name field. So say you have 5 songs you made yourself and want to simply call the album for them "June 2008". Select those five tracks at the same time, Get Info, type in "June 2008" and hit OK.
As to your playlists, let's back up a bit. You plug in the iPod, it shows up in iTunes, then you configured it to Sync only the following Playlists, at which point there is a list below of all your playlists currently in your iTunes library. Then you pick one or more of those playlists. Right so far?
Then what happens. Does iTunes now appear to be putting those playlists onto the iPod?
Patrick

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Answer 4

Bagpiper Author

Level 1

4 points

Sep 8, 2008 8:59 AM in response to PT

Hi Patrick,

Thanks again for the explanation; same place I can check the "part of a compilation" box. Very cool.

As to playlists: No, iTunes does not put those playlists onto the iPod. After picking (checking) one or more playlists, the tunes are synced, but none of the playlists I checked show up in the iPod. There is also no playlist category in the music menu, even though I've checked it in the music menu part of settings.

Doesn't make any sense to me either!

Thanks,

Gary

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Answer 5

PT

Level 7

20,888 points

Sep 8, 2008 9:39 AM in response to Bagpiper

Ok next thing to try is a Restore on the ipod (done from iTunes when the iPod is plugged in). This re-formats the iPod and puts everything back to factory defaults, so if something is screwy inside the iPod, this should clear it out.
Patrick

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Answer 6

Bagpiper Author

Level 1

4 points

Sep 8, 2008 9:52 AM in response to PT

Thanks again Patrick,

I have to leave for the day, so I'll give that a try this evening and get back.

Gary

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Answer 7

Bagpiper Author

Level 1

4 points

Sep 8, 2008 9:06 PM in response to Bagpiper

Complete reset did the trick.

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Answer 8

Bagpiper Author

Level 1

4 points

Sep 8, 2008 9:10 PM in response to Bagpiper

As I noted in the "question answered" box, I did the complete reset, and, wow, all playlists show up, correctly titled etc. Still had an "unknown album", but it only had a few dups of stuff in other playlists. I can fix those in the "get info" window.

Thanks again Patrick, you the man. I really appreciate your time, efforts and concern.

Gary

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Answer 9

PT

Level 7

20,888 points

Sep 9, 2008 5:19 AM in response to Bagpiper

You are welcome.
Patrick

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