how to migrate itunes library on pc to itunes on a mac?

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how to migrate itunes library on pc to itunes on a mac?

Hi,
I am helping a friend switch from a Dell pc to a new iMac.

Can someone please tell me how to move his iTunes library from the pc into the iMac so it will function on the Mac? Probably an external hard drive? But I don't know the compatibility issues between the pc iTunes library and iTunes on the Mac.

His iTunes library is presently duplicated on his iPod, but it is formatted for a pc.

Many thanks,
Neil

2.16 Intel Imac, black and white MacBooks and iPod Touch, Mac OS X (10.5.6), would not own/use other than an Apple computer

Posted on Oct 12, 2009 6:15 AM

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Answer 1

Limnos

Level 10

411,187 points

Oct 12, 2009 6:52 AM in response to neil97232

[Macworld - How to transfer iTunes libraries between PC and Mac|http://www.macworld.com/article/46248/2005/08/shiftitunes.html]

[Geek to Live- How to move an iTunes library from a PC to Mac (and back)|http://lifehacker.com/software/itunes/geek-to-live--how-to-move-an-itunes -library-from-a-pc-to-mac-and-back-242468.php]

http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/articles/comments/moving-your-itunes-library-to -a-new-hard-drive

[iTunes for Mac: Moving your iTunes Music folder|http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1449]

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Answer 2

Oct 13, 2009 5:27 AM in response to neil97232

Here is another link - http://www.myfirstmac.com/index.php/mac/articles/how-do-i-move-my-itunes-library -from-pc-to-mac-and-keep-my-settings-intact

An iPod formatted to Windows can be read by a Mac. If you want to transfer all the tunes into iTunes from an iPod you will need a program such as PodWorks or Senuti. That is one way to transfer from an iPod the other is using the iPod as a ext HD and then adding the tunes to iTunes as you would from any ext HD. These are 2 very different methods.

MJ

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Answer 3

neil97232 Author

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Oct 13, 2009 5:53 AM in response to Mike Johnson12

MJ,
Thanks. I will study the article you linked.

In this instance, keeping the contents of the Windows-formatted iPod is my goal, along with being able to add content to the iPod from a new Mac. The original iTunes library on the pc is not paramount, because the pc is being given away, and the music will still reside on the iPod.

When you say a Windows-formatted iPod can be read by a Mac, I am assuming I cannot add music to the iPod from the Mac unless I re-format the iPod, thus losing its contents.

Also, Senuti, etc. would have to be able to convert Windows-formatted files to Mac-formatted files?

I appreciate your help.

Neil

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Answer 4

Oct 13, 2009 7:08 AM in response to neil97232

As far as I know a Windows formatted iPod will play well with a Mac.

Any .wma files will need to be converted in iTunes Windows as there is no capability to do so in iTunes Mac. You can also use EasyWMA. Senuti is a transfer program and will not convert.

Don't forget to de-authorize your Windows PC if you have any content purchased from the iTunes Store.

MJ

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Answer 5

Limnos

Level 10

411,187 points

Oct 13, 2009 3:22 PM in response to Mike Johnson12

[Switch (free)|http://www.nch.com.au/switch/plus.html]
[http://www.easywma.com] - payware

[http://www.easywma.com/wmv> - "EasyWMV can be used to convert or resize wmv, asf, avi, mp4, mpg, mpeg, mov, m4v, flv, nsv, swf, real media, and vob video files so that they can be used with QuickTime Player, Apple TV, iPod and iPhone." - payware

Never tried it but VLC may also be able to recode as part of transfer/streaming feature.

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