iTunes metadata and artwork

I had archived a number of things you helped me out with. (turingtest2). One was "exportimport" script. I tried clicking the link in an old posting and it comes up with a 404 error. Is there a way that could be reposted here?

Also had help in trying to maintain the metadata and album art when replacing files in itunes. I got a few different scripts ( Create Folder Art, Update Tag Info, Sort Date Added and then a few different Date Arranger scripts). I had instructions on the order of how to make sure the album art stays on the file but my notes appear to be incomplete as I don't recall the order/steps necessary for that. I believe it was the create folder art script but the sequence of that is what I've forgotten.

I know itunes is not viable much these days but what I am trying to do is replace all the existing titles in my library that are mp3 160 baud with either 320, or even wav, AIFF or FLAC (perhaps AAC).

It seems no matter what I do, I cannot get it to work properly despite all the wonderful guidance you provided. So here's the gist of what I'm attempting.

Use the newer, high quality versions of the same song for all the songs in the library.
Keep all the same information already on the file. This includes the rating, genre, album art, comments, composer, etc. All the metadata that's on the original file.

So each song will just be the newer, better quality version. My plan is to use AIFF or FLAC files as technology seems to be improved to handle these. But if AAC Apple Lossless is the better option, I can do that. But I do want the best possible quality as space is no issue these days (hard-drives).

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Posted on Aug 27, 2020 1:15 PM

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turingtest2

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278,179 points

Posted on Sep 1, 2020 3:49 PM

Hi,

I've updated ExportImport to capture artwork. This is the easier tweak. When running in export mode an image is created for each unique album and saved in same folder as the script in the form <Artist> - <Album>.jpg and another line is added to the exported information for that track. In the import phase the current file is checked to see it it has art, and if not, and if there is an image at the saved path, then it is inserted. As a test I used the script to export data for 27 tracks from three albums. I then removed the artwork and used the import mode to restore the artwork.

So step by step:

Select some tracks that you want to upgrade in iTunes.
Run the ExportImport script.
Replace the low resolution files with your higher rate conversions, in the same file format, and at the same paths.
Drag and drop the Export Import [<Date> <Time>].txt file that was created onto the ExportImport script.
Review the updated files in the library and Explorer to check that all the properties have been restored, artwork embedded, etc.

After reviewing the code for the script I've seen how you can use it to upgrade, for example, mp3 to Apple Lossless. Step 3.1 would be to edit the exported data file in a text editor and perform a search and replace operation to change .mp3 to .m4a before saving the file. As long as you've removed the .mp3 files the script will attempt to relink iTunes to the path specified in the text file.

I should be able to add in something more elegant during the import phase that checks for the existence of a file at the location noted during export of <path>.ext and, if it isn't there, looks to see if there is a file with another valid extension from the list <path>.aif, <path>.mp3, <path>.m4a, <path>.wav, etc. If a potential match is found the script can then relink iTunes to that file before restoring the other properties.

tt2

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turingtest2

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Oct 2, 2020 11:12 AM in response to William Richards3

The Get Info dialog in iTunes 12 is, if I recall correctly, quite different from the one on iTunes 10 when it comes to video content, so probably not worth sharing what I see. For organizing movies the only property I really use in iTunes is the name but I will set album to the same value for consistency. Looks like I've actually configured the various series like Aliens by hand crafting the folder so the series is listed in order when browsing in Explorer.

For TV shows here are the details of my Heroes shows:

Which looks like this in Explorer:

You can see that I've embedded each season's artwork (and that I also have VLC installed).

tt2

turingtest2

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Oct 2, 2020 11:21 AM in response to William Richards3

There is a built-in list of standard genres that populate the autocomplete list even if you don't have any items using that genre. There was a hack to remove them in older builds but it probably isn't worth the effort. Here is an older thread where it is discussed.

Type everything, then go back and correct the capitalization of the H by clicking the cursor where you want to make the edit. It should stick.

tt2

turingtest2

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Oct 2, 2020 11:27 AM in response to William Richards3

William Richards3 wrote:

YOU SAID: I don't think that is needed. The account you actually use and SYSTEM need full control, whether other user accounts have access shouldn't affect what happens in iTunes when it tries to make changes.

ME: So I should change these two to Full Control?

https://discussions.apple.com/content/attachment/4df6c41c-b5dd-4c49-89eb-b8d8b5641473

As for the file location for Cheech & Chong files, they are here:

https://discussions.apple.com/content/attachment/15134ab2-24ab-4231-9650-a1ba68643b33

What I noticed on the Cheech files in iTunes was the it had either no composer, or it had either "Cheech/Tommy Chong" or "Cheech Marin/Tommy Chong" or "Cheech Martin/Tommy Chong" (spelling of "Marin vs Martin"). Either way, I cleared all those out. I re-ran the Embed iTunes script and now the album covers are showing in Windows. :)

I'm not sure if there was something else I did, but if this permeates into other files as I do the EmbedArtwork script, it would be good to know. I'll keep an eye on that for sure.

Let me know your thoughts. THANKS!

Changing the composer shouldn't have any impact on the behaviour of EmbediTunesArt as that isn't a property that the script looks at, but making a change might have caused iTunes to correct its knowledge of whether there was an existing embedded image. EmbediTunesArt assumes iTunes has the right information here when it asks, something that might not be true if these were files that you'd previously updated with earlier versions ExportImport for example.

tt2

Oct 2, 2020 12:36 PM in response to turingtest2

I typed CHR (which became ChR). I then went to the "h" and changed it to capital H. Then saved it. Then I edited another song to apply CHR to and it changed to the Children's again.

Frankly, I've done all the edits I need to for CHR pretty much so it's not that big of a deal. I was hoping it could be solved. Thanks so much!

Oct 2, 2020 12:53 PM in response to turingtest2

YOU SAID: Precisely so. You pick a top level folder and run the script. It recursively scans all the subfolders of that folder, going deepest first so that if it cleans out all unwanted art from a given folder leaving nothing useful behind it can remove the folder too. As it goes back up the tree it can clean up any other folders that become empty so that at the end you only have those folders that contain media, or something other than artwork, all empty folders are removed, as are all WMP style images, Thumbs.db, .DS_Store or ._* files.

ME: Boy, I wish I'd known that yesterday. Oh well, haha!

YOU SAID: Yes, should you find that you or SYSTEM don't have full access then grant that, and make sure they're not marked as read only. Might be worth checking iTunes > Get Info > Options tab and seeing what the id3 tag is declared as.

ME: Do you mean I should do this if - after running EmbedArtwork and the image doesn't show up - I should see what id3 tag it is? Or do you mean something else. Most I'm seeing are V2.3. I see some v2.2, but just in skipping around randomly, most seem to be v2.3. Is there a way to view this, much like turning on the description column? And is there anything I need to do with this?

Thanks!

Oct 2, 2020 4:03 PM in response to turingtest2

Related to Plex and the naming structure for folders/files - as I believe I mentioned, I still haven't done that DateArranger script you provided during our last time together back in early 2000. With Plex or any of these things I'm doing, would you advise changing that up still? Currently I have all "comments" where I've input chart peak position as

mm-dd-yyyy

Let me know. Have a terrific weekend and thank you again so much!!

Oct 3, 2020 7:08 AM in response to turingtest2

Wow, was in 2011? Ages ago.

When iTunes downgrades audio when it hooks up to an iPad (if there’s no enough storage), do you know how it chooses the files? When I’m done upgrading and fine-tuning my library I’ll have probably 80% of the new library in lossless ALAC with the rest being anywhere from 128-320 files (mp3/AAC). Do you know how iTunes approaches that when it decides to downgrade to make room for the files?

On another question, I see Plex says iTunes version 12.2 and later don’t have an xml file and they have a link for instructions to enable it in iTunes advanced preferences (I’ve not checked).

Does the XML file need to be on the MUSIC Drive itself with Plex do you know? I thought I’d read something about that. Or I can just leave it in the C: Drive Music folder where iTunes defaults to? And that’s where you link to?

Once more, thank you as always. You’ve been awesome.

turingtest2

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Oct 3, 2020 9:18 AM in response to William Richards3

William Richards3 wrote:

Wow, was in 2011? Ages ago.

When iTunes downgrades audio when it hooks up to an iPad (if there’s no enough storage), do you know how it chooses the files? When I’m done upgrading and fine-tuning my library I’ll have probably 80% of the new library in lossless ALAC with the rest being anywhere from 128-320 files (mp3/AAC). Do you know how iTunes approaches that when it decides to downgrade to make room for the files?

Say you have a mix of 128k, 256k, 320k and Apple Lossless files in the selection going to the device and you have the option Convert higher bitrate songs to 256k AAC selected then only the 320k and Apple Lossless tracks should get converted.

On another question, I see Plex says iTunes version 12.2 and later don’t have an xml file and they have a link for instructions to enable it in iTunes advanced preferences (I’ve not checked).

The share XML option might have been missing from 12.2 but it is there in the current build. It stopped being on by default a few builds ago. If not supported you can manually export the library as an XML file using File > Library > Export Library if required.

Does the XML file need to be on the MUSIC Drive itself with Plex do you know? I thought I’d read something about that. Or I can just leave it in the C: Drive Music folder where iTunes defaults to? And that’s where you link to?

Many third party apps will attempt to locate the XML in <User's Music>\iTunes but can usually be told where the XML actually is if you've moved the library files to a new location and it is being generated there.

tt2

Oct 3, 2020 9:38 AM in response to turingtest2

YOU SAID: Say you have a mix of 128k, 256k, 320k and Apple Lossless files in the selection going to the device and you have the option Convert higher bitrate songs to 256k AAC selected then only the 320k and Apple Lossless tracks should get converted.

ME: Great. That answers my question. And if songs don't fit at that point, then I just have to figure out which ones to check. I'm hoping I'll be okay. Worst case, I can redo and use AAC or MP3 320 and have two libraries as you said was possible (I'd have to go back to that exchange).

YOU SAID: The share XML option might have been missing from 12.2 but it is there in the current build. It stopped being on by default a few builds ago. If not supported you can manually export the library as an XML file using File > Library > Export Library if required.

ME: I've accidentally used the XML export (instead of exporting the Music to get a .txt file). I wouldn't know what to do with that XML file at that point. Is that related also to Plex? If you have any insights there, great. If not, that's okay too.

I have a couple of other questions if it's okay. I'm still on 10.7 but, once I upgrade (if I do), under preferences I see "show apple music." Also "Share iTunes Library XML file with other applications". Does the latter one have to do with something such as Plex? As for the "show apple music", what is that used for? And neither of those is available in 10.7.

I'm sure they're related, but when I use apple TV/iTunes, I don't see any songs other than those purchased through iTunes? I seem to recall reading about a verification code that you give your Apple TV from iTunes? I don't use two-form factor security. With this code, is that something that can work with 10.7?

If you have any links for tips and suggestions on the latest version of iTunes, that would be great.

Oct 3, 2020 9:51 AM in response to turingtest2

I have another question before I embark on the TV Shows and movies. I'm getting confused by the tabs and what you mean.

YOU SAID:

Show = Album = <Show Name> e.g. "Heroes"

Artist = Album

Artist = <Show Name> or <Show Name> Cast (or something like that)

e.g.

"Heroes Cast"

Season No. = <Season No.> or <Blank> (Separate seasons or all listed together) e.g. 1-2

Episode ID = s##e## (This field, sorted alphabetically, controls order)

e.g. s01e01 - s02e34 (use s##e### when >99 episodes)

Episode No. = Track No. = <Absolute Episode No.>

(Can also be per season, but abs. is better) e.g. 1 - 34

Disc No. = <Season No.>

e.g. 1-2

It seems there are two tabs you're working with? With Movies there are similar elements. I guess my question is this: Do you use both tabs together? Here's the regular Info tab like for songs:

So Album would be Seinfeld. Artist would be Seinfeld as well. Is there anything else here in the Info tab that I do? What you see above is what I had done up until your suggest yesterday.

I don't have Album Artist filled in or any disc number (is that for movies?) And then there's this tab:

So for episode ID, I would put s01e01 for example, correct? Episode number would be 01? So I think that's pretty clear but do I do anything else?

My question is are both interrelated? I just want to try my best to make sure the naming structure is proper.

Oct 3, 2020 9:54 AM in response to turingtest2

So for movies, this is all I have for those right now under the Info tab:

I'm not as clear on the movies as the TV shows. Would you mind helping me out with an example of what I'd do in 10.7 with the tab above and this one?

There is no "Season" or Episode ID or Episode number. Do I leave this tab blank for a movie?

Thanks!!

Oct 3, 2020 10:15 AM in response to turingtest2

You said something about having the folder.jpg for each movie so the folder in windows will show it. So in that case I wouldn't want to remove those folders such as I did for songs with all those artwork files the I used CleanDeadArtwork script for, right?

So for a movie, did you capture the movie poster so to speak and apply it to the movie then? I don't have any artwork on any of my movies or TV shows - but then I've only got ones I burned, not purchased. I do have a few where, when you buy the movie they give you the download code to save a copy. I only have a few of those but those that I do of this ilk, do have artwork. I never remembered to download those movies. So several that I've gone back to say the link is expired. Seems ridiculous as I have the movie, same as before. Oh well. My fault I didn't.

Thanks!

turingtest2

Level 10

278,179 points

Oct 3, 2020 1:25 PM in response to William Richards3

William Richards3 wrote:

I've accidentally used the XML export (instead of exporting the Music to get a .txt file). I wouldn't know what to do with that XML file at that point. Is that related also to Plex? If you have any insights there, great. If not, that's okay too.

The XML file you've generated is the same one that is created when using the Share iTunes XML option, although that one is normally called iTunes Music Library.xml or shares the same name as the .itl file. If you don't need the file you've made throw it away. There is an article here on allowing Plex access to the XML file so it can keep up to date with changes in your iTunes library: https://support.plex.tv/articles/200289536-plugins/.

I have a couple of other questions if it's okay. I'm still on 10.7 but, once I upgrade (if I do), under preferences I see "show apple music." Also "Share iTunes Library XML file with other applications". Does the latter one have to do with something such as Plex? As for the "show apple music", what is that used for? And neither of those is available in 10.7.

The optional Apple Music and iTunes Match services both make use of iCloud Music Library. I'm not sure exactly when each was introduced, but presumably Apple Music is post 10.7.

I'm sure they're related, but when I use apple TV/iTunes, I don't see any songs other than those purchased through iTunes? I seem to recall reading about a verification code that you give your Apple TV from iTunes? I don't use two-form factor security. With this code, is that something that can work with 10.7?

Apple TV can access your purchase history or your iCloud Music Library if you have Apple Music or iTunes Match. The computers app can also be used to access a Home Sharing library running on a computer.

If you have any links for tips and suggestions on the latest version of iTunes, that would be great.

I think that is too broad a topic. Much easier for me to come up with ideas when there is a problem at hand.

tt2

turingtest2

Level 10

278,179 points

Oct 3, 2020 1:44 PM in response to William Richards3

You're showing the multiple item dialog so some fields aren't shown. You should not fill in Track Number, Episode ID, or Episode Number in this mode.

Personally on the Info tab I would set Album as Seinfeld rather than Season 1 (and Album Artist too). If I was going all in, which I might not do if I only have a few episodes or a single season, then I probably refer to a Wikipedia episode guide like this one: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Seinfeld_episodes to make sure I have all of the details correct. With that in mind for the first episode I'd enter the name on the Info tab as The Seinfeld Chronicles and also enter the track number as 1 of 180 and the disc number as 1 of 9. On the Video tab the Episode ID would be s01e001 and the Episode Number would be 1.

tt2

Oct 3, 2020 1:54 PM in response to turingtest2

YOU SAID: The XML file you've generated is the same one that is created when using the Share iTunes XML option, although that one is normally called iTunes Music Library.xml or shares the same name as the .itl file. If you don't need the file you've made throw it away. There is an article here on allowing Plex access to the XML file so it can keep up to date with changes in your iTunes library: https://support.plex.tv/articles/200289536-plugins/.

ME: Great. I'll look that over.

YOU SAID: The optional Apple Music and iTunes Match services both make use of iCloud Music Library. I'm not sure exactly when each was introduced, but presumably Apple Music is post 10.7.

ME: The iTunes Match thing is another $25 (not a big deal). The concern I have there is I read (I thought) that, much like Google and Amazon did - if you have a song, they just use their version, and then down-sample the quality (not sure I'm right of course). When I burned all my CDs, I used software where I eliminated trailing silence. Nothing bothers me more than having a song end and having a few seconds before the actual file ends. Trimming the trailing silence using the software I used, allows the song to end and the next one plays, like you'd hear on a radio station. So that's another concern of mine. Am I right about that? I want MY music, period. :)

YOU SAID: Apple TV can access your purchase history or your iCloud Music Library if you have Apple Music or iTunes Match. The computers app can also be used to access a Home Sharing library running on a computer.

ME: On my Apple TV, I can see my purchased music and nothing more as I said. I haven't found a way to access a home share - which is how I have my itunes set up (share my library on my local network). But I don't know how to get that to show on Apple TV/iTunes Music. Again, I think it comes back to that code I mentioned?

I agree on it being too broad a topic.

Thanks as always!!

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iTunes metadata and artwork