iTunes slow to import mp3s to library from NAS drive

Question

Level 1

4 points

iTunes slow to import mp3s to library from NAS drive

This is a known problem that has been discussed since iTunes 10 was introduced in September 2010. Others have discussed it, to varying degrees, here:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2646696

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2594233

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2601581

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2603684

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2564964

Considering the volume of posts on this subject, I have little faith it will be successfully addressed by anyone in these forums. That this has been an issue for nearly a year, without any fix, is an embarrassment to Apple. I have patiently waited since 2010 to have this addressed and only now have decided to add my voice to the chorus of discontent.

The facts are as follows:

I use a D-Link DNS-321 2-bay network attached storage enclosure, set to RAID 1. The NAS device formats the drives as an ext2 file system, using SMB to communicate over the network. The router is an Actiontec MI424-WR provided by Verizon. I am using the latest version of iTunes (10.3.1) on Windows 7.

The symptoms:

Purchased M4A files from the iTunes store or CD "ripped" M4A files created with iTunes import into the library quickly when stored on the NAS device. MP3 files DO NOT import quickly, taking anywhere from 5-15 minutes to import a standard album of 12 songs. During this time iTunes locks up and becomes unresponsive during "processing album artwork" and "determining gapless playback." After the aforementioned time, iTunes returns to normal and the newly imported files become accessible.

This occurs when importing to my current iTunes library or a new itunes library created from stratch. It seems suspicious, perhaps even deliberate, that the problem only occurs with MP3 files and not the M4A files favored by Apple. This distinction, M4A vs. MP3, has not been mentioned in any previous thread on this topic.

Will this ever be addressed? Does anyone have a solution for this that will work for Windows 7 users?

This is very disappointing and makes me hesitant to buy future Apple products. (I currently own an iPhone, iPad and Mac Mini.)

Windows 7

Posted on Jun 23, 2011 9:53 AM

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Answer 1

erikdc Author

Level 1

4 points

Aug 16, 2011 10:08 PM in response to erikdc

Nearly a year since the release of iTunes 10 and with iTunes 11 on the horizon, this still hasn't been fixed. Incredible...

I find it hard to believe that, by sheer coincidence, m4a files -- whether purchased from the iTunes store or created using iTunes -- import fine into my iTunes library from my NAS storage device, but mp3 files cause the program to lock up for 10 minutes or more to import an album of just 11 or 12 songs.

I think it's obviously a deliberate act of sabatoge by Apple, an attempt to get consumers to purchase more apple products (like an airport extreme) to fix the "problem" they themselves caused.

Well.... SCREW YOU, APPLE.

If this problem is not fixed, I will no longer buy Apple products. It was fine before iTunes 10. It was Apple that broke it.

My current iPhone? WILL BE MY LAST iPHONE.

My current iPad? WILL BE MY LAST iPAD.

My next laptop? Was going to be a MacBook Air, but will be another brand instead.

I will not purchase anymore Apple products if this is how they treat their customers.

As far as I'm concerned? Apple is over.

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Answer 2

aegez

Level 1

59 points

Oct 31, 2011 9:01 PM in response to erikdc

the fix for me was suggested in many threads: uncheck "keep iTunes media folder organized" - then recheck it. It will take some time to run through your library (I have 27,801 songs)

When it finishes you'll be set.

(Lion, iTunes 10.5)

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Answer 3

Apr 21, 2012 12:54 AM in response to erikdc

To erikdc

I have hade the same problem for weeks, trying to find out. I was one mm away from emtying my Apple gadgets before I tried to turn on Genious and let it do it thing. After that adding mp3s was as fast as adding m4a.

Hope it works for you as well,

Kind regards

Staale,

Norway.

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