Add wireless library to new iMac

Barry Shortt wrote:
Hi,

At home I have my iTunes library on an external harddrive connected to my time capsule to free up space on my MacBook. I recently bought a new iMac and want it to use the same iTunes library?

i would go to iTunes on the machine where it currently runs. click on file in the menu bar, go to library and choose to +export library+. you can import the resulting file into iTunes on the new machine. you may have to point iTunes on the new machine to the iTunes media folder on the TC via preferences > advanced > iTunes media folder location.

I'm not sure if I should use the "Import library" option or the "Consolidate library" option? Any help would be appreciated.

both options would copy all the content now residing on your TC to the new machine. unless you want all the media files also on your new machine's internal HD, i would not go for either.

Barry Shortt wrote:
Thanks for that

my pleasure

Got to the last step, importing the Library.xml and can't figure it out! How do I get the blank iTunes on the new machine to recognise the .xml file?

hmm, i see your point. i just tried and i can't find an option either. looks like i was a bit hasty typing my initial suggestion in the office. seems like this works for playlists only (:-((

so, i think your best bet will be the +import library+ route, however, you must consider first if you want to add your media files physically to your iMac. if not, go iTunes > preferences > advanced and uncheck +copy files to iTunes media folder when adding to library+. now iTunes on the iMac should simply reference the tunes/movies to the networked drive without actually adding them to your iMacs HD.

with this setup, when you add content to your library via your other machine, they will not automatically be added to your iMacs library. you would have to add them manually.

my main lib resides on an external FW drive hanging of my MBP. i copied the content to another external HD plugged into my TC which serves as a wireless lib for my PB. when i add content to the PBs lib, i import that later on to the MBPs lib via home sharing and vice versa.

the second external also serves as a backup in case the FW drive goes belly up. you should also consider some kind of backup strategy. drives will fail sooner or later ...

hope above will do what you desire. post back with results - i'd like to know ...

Barry Shortt wrote:
Hi Jolly,

I haven't had a chance to try what you suggested yet but I was wondering if that approach will maintain my meticulously rated library and play counts?

you can export your playlist with the steps i suggested earlier, only that this time you export your playlists:

click on file in the menu bar, go to library and choose to +export playlist+. you can import the resulting file into iTunes on the new machine. i know this works coz i did that myself. i'm a stickler for ratings and playcounts, too

I don't want to copy everything to the new iMac, I just want it to reference the files on the TC, therefore I would go with the "import library" option you recommended and just use home sharing to keep everything in sync.

home sharing will only keep purchased content in sync. everything else will have to be added manually.