Itunes changing genres by itself, What to do?

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ssagii Author

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Itunes changing genres by itself, What to do?

Hello,

Itunes changing genres by itself, and not in a logic way - for example genre: "17".

Few songs every short period.

Does Anyone know how to stop it?

Thank you for your help..

iPhone 5s, iOS 8.3

Posted on Apr 22, 2015 4:56 AM

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Answer 1

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turingtest2

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May 1, 2015 7:23 AM in response to ssagii

It would seem iTunes isn't translating default genres. These can be stored internally as a short numeric code which can be replaced with different text depending on the language setting for iTunes. 17 is the code for Rock. See http://id3.org/id3v2.3.0#Appendix_A_-_Genre_List_from_ID3v1 for more. Repairing iTunes ought to replace all of language support files. Should it be needed see the full tear down and rebuild advice in Troubleshooting issues with iTunes for Windows updates.

tt2

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Answer 2

ssagii Author

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May 1, 2015 7:22 AM in response to turingtest2

well ok that seem true, the thing with the coded genres.

but i didnt understand yet.. what "section" should I use in your link? i didn't figured how to replace that language files.

Thank you for your help anyway*

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Answer 3

turingtest2

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May 1, 2015 7:44 AM in response to ssagii

First try repairing iTunes from the programs and features control panel. If that doesn't fix it see the section Removing and reinstalling iTunes and other software components. Might also be worth checking that the correct language is selected under Edit > Preferences > General.

tt2

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Answer 4

ssagii Author

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May 28, 2015 8:43 AM in response to turingtest2

I tried repairing iTunes and it didn't helped.

The next step I guess is to remove iTunes and reinstall, right? Then I have a question about that, will it remove my library information? All my hearing count, general order, playlist, album artwork and more. Is it safe to do it and guarantee a save of this info?

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Answer 5

turingtest2

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May 28, 2015 9:16 AM in response to ssagii

Uninstalling and reinstalling iTunes should not affect your library. However you should backup your library on a routine basis regardless. See Backup your iTunes for Windows library with SyncToy for a suggested method.

tt2

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Answer 6

ssagii Author

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Jun 5, 2015 8:20 AM in response to ssagii

wow.. unfortunately.. still not working.

any other ideas? i did everything you suggested (including backup my library 🙂 )

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Answer 7

turingtest2

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Jun 5, 2015 8:48 AM in response to ssagii

What language is iTunes set to? See Edit > Preferences > General tab.

Are you using iTunes Match?

What happens if you take a song with this issue and try to assign a different genre, say TEST?

Does that change stick? Can you restore the correct genre, and then does that stick?

Is there any pattern to the songs affected, e.g. all mp3s or all iTunes purchases?

tt2

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Answer 8

ssagii Author

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Jun 6, 2015 5:55 AM in response to ssagii

- using US english

- not using iTunes Match

about the other questions.. i will have to check that.

I can tell u songs from all kinds of genres keep changing, I will try to look better for a pattern of changing. I'm pretty sure a song that has been changed and fixed can have the problem again.

And.. what did u mean with the "TEST" thing?

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Answer 9

turingtest2

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Jun 6, 2015 6:59 AM in response to ssagii

Say the current genre is 17 when it should be Rock. Change the genre to Test then play the track. iTunes always checks the tags when it plays songs. Check the genre again. Has it stayed as Test or changed back to 17? What happens if you set it to Rock now? There is a potential issue with mp3 files that have multiple embedded tags where iTunes can write to one tag, then later read back unchanged data from another. I'm trying to work out if that might be part of the problem in your case.

tt2

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Answer 10

ssagii Author

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Jun 6, 2015 9:49 AM in response to ssagii

Ok I think I undestand some more now..

it seems a song that I already changed won't continue to get changed in the future, and only some songs of what I played can get changed (randomly). So.. its like the iTunes will keep changing some of the songs I have until he "pass" over the all list.

It doesnt have any pattern I can find out right now but at least it maybe a good sign that someday it will stop changing - after all songs that iTunes dont "get along" will be changed once.

You have any idea how to stop it or do it have to just wait?

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Answer 11

turingtest2

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Jun 6, 2015 9:56 AM in response to ssagii

Hmm, I have a script called UpdateTagInfo which is normally used to reveal changes made by third party tagging software. Running this might expose all of the tracks that have been changed. See also Getting iTunes & Windows Media Player to play nicely, I hadn't thought about WMP because you'd mentioned numbers, but it has often been the cause of unexpected tag changes.

tt2

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