Converting an entire library to aac

You might look at the site for Doug's Scripts and see if he has anything that will do this.

[Dougscripts|http://dougscripts.com/itunes/scripts/scriptcount.php?sortBy=Name&o p=y] - Many itunes scripts

I've got a problem with this conversion too, but in a different way.

I would like to make a new library with AAC files (for my iPod) from my original library (aiff/apple lossless). As I remember this was quite simple: Just create a new library, set the import option to AAC and then just import to library from the file menue. Strangely enough iTunes now just imports the files, but without converting them into AAC. They show up as the same format they had in the library they were imported from.

Using iTunes 8.1 and OSX 10.5.6. Have anything been changed in the last version of iTunes?

I find it quite strange that iTunes isn't able to convert the songs on the fly when putting them on the iPod.

Geir, are you quite quite sure that your Importing option is still set to AAC? It sounds as if it may have been set back to AIFF.

Also, remember that Add to Library doesn't convert, only copies : the only way to convert is by 1. ripping from CD or 2. using the Advanced menu > Convert Selection to ... option.

As I remember this was quite simple: Just create a new library, set the import option to AAC and then just import to library from the file menue. Strangely enough iTunes now just imports the files, but without converting them into AAC. They show up as the same format they had in the library they were imported from.

This is how iTunes has always worked. When adding songs (not from an audio CD), iTunes simply adds them to the library in th esame format they are.

If you want to convert them while adding them, create the new library and set your *Import settings* to AAC.
Hold Option and go to menu Advanced -> Convert select to AAC, then select the iTunes music folder where you AIFF files are.
This will convert the files and add them as AAC to your new library.

@ christopher: Yes, the import options are still set to AAC.

Now, if what you say, and which is what I'm experiencing, that "Add to Library doesn't convert, only copies", then there i not much to do, rather then shake once head and wonder why Apple has left out such a critical function for those of us who use iTunes in our home stereo (and like to use lossless there), and at the same time have an iPod for the road (where lossless isn't such a must). One thing is the need for two libraries, the other is the complexity of generating the extra one. I have tried Max, but Max doesn't read all the tags made with iTunes. So using Max to make an extra library with only AAC files gives you en extra job getting the tags right once more.

Edit: Part of the problem is solved, thanks to Chris. (See below). Now, all we need is the on the fly conversion when putting files from iTunes to the iPod.

Ahhh, thanks, that made it. I had forgotten the "Hold Option and go to menu Advanced -> Convert select to AAC" part.

Now, all we need is the on the fly conversion when putting files from iTunes to the iPod.

I so agree. The day that Apple introduced iTunes Plus (a Good Thing, generally) is also the day that they should have added an extra item to the iPod Settings : "Convert iTunes Plus tracks to 128 (half-size) when copying to iPod?" They should have realised that Shuffles and Nanoes only have limited capacities, becoming ever-less-useful with every movie and TV series that can be bought from the Store...

Aj,

Do you want to keep the .aiff files? because if you don't this is what I do. I go into list view, also all the while making sure that in (view)/(view options)/(kind) is checked. then I sort by kind. Convert the files and then delete all the .aiff files after I'm done. Kinda a batch idea.

Hope that helps.

The day that Apple introduced iTunes Plus (a Good Thing, generally) is also the day that they should have added an extra item to the iPod Settings : "Convert iTunes Plus tracks to 128 (half-size) when copying to iPod?"

This option already exists for the iPod shuffle.

This option already exists for the iPod shuffle.

I feel it should exist for everything except the Classic, which is the only iPod left that will hold the average iTunes Library these days - Plus tracks just make the situation worse, doubling the size of the music.

-> http://www.apple.com/feedback/itunesapp.html