where are files placed in iTunes library

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Level 1

4 points

where are files placed in iTunes library

I have my iTunes library files on an external Raid 0 device. I also have a 2nd Raid 0 device that I back up the main library to each day.

My question is where should the different files (Movies, TV Shows, Music, iTunes U and Audiobooks) be located in the iTunes Library.

I started out a long time ago with a folder called "iTunes Media" and inside that folder there were different folders for each media type.

After a long time I find that there are folders at the root level called Music, iTunes U, Audiobooks and a folder called iTunes Media. Inside the iTunes media folder there are folders for AudioBooks, Movies, TV Shows and Music inside.

After some research I found that the Movie Folder outside the iTunes Media folder and the Movie folder inside if the iTunes media folder each contain movies and they are not duplicates but all of my movies are stored in one of the two different folders. The same is true for TV shows and music.

This organization just blows my mind.

I use Apple TV to watch the movies and TV shows and it does not matter which folder they are stored in they do appear on the Apple TV menu correctly.

My question is "Is this organization the way iTunes stores media" or is my system slowly going in a direction that will become a problem in the future.

Just as an experiment I created a 3 Raid 0 device and made it the new iTunes library. I created a folder at the root level called iTunes Media. Next I changed the iTunes preference to point to the new Raid 0 device and the iTunes Media folder. Finally I open iTunes and dragged all of the media from the old iTunes Media folder into the new iTunes window to import everything into the new iTunes. Everything imported correctly except the organization of the new iTunes Raid 0 device was just as screwed up as it was before.

I just don't understand what is going on. Can anyone explain the organization of the iTunes library?

Mac Pro (Early 2008), OS X Mavericks (10.9.2)

Posted on May 26, 2015 1:40 PM

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Answer 1

Limnos

Level 10

411,193 points

May 27, 2015 6:29 AM in response to JohnCrane

What are the iTunes library files? - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1660

More on iTunes library files and what they do - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ITunes#Media_management

What are all those iTunes files? - http://www.macworld.com/article/139974/2009/04/itunes_files.html

Where are my iTunes files located? - http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1391

iTunes 9 [and later]: Understanding iTunes Media Organization - http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3847 - plus supplemental information about organizing to new structure https://discussions.apple.com/thread/6477809?answerId=26404702022#26404702022

Image of folder structure and explanation of different iTunes versions (turingtest2 post) - https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-7392 and making an iTunes library portable.

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Answer 2

JohnCrane Author

Level 1

4 points

May 27, 2015 7:08 AM in response to Limnos

None of these articles explain the structure of my iTunes library. They state the organization I would expect.

However my iTines library is as stated in my original post.

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Answer 3

Limnos

Level 10

411,193 points

May 27, 2015 7:51 AM in response to JohnCrane

Did you read all the links thoroughly? It appears (as per one of the links) you have residual pre-iTunes 9 structure to your files with those Music and Audiobooks folders residing outside your iTunes Media folder. You can consolidate to get those to the newer structure. Note that consolidating copies files, it does not move them so you can usually safely delete the originals after first making a precautionary backup.

It also appears you did not transfer your whole library to your external drive, you only transferred media and you did so by designating your iTunes Raid drive to be the location of your "Media folder". I am not seeing in your image several of the critical files that go to structuring an iTunes library. If you wish to correct this you can read the link on making an iTunes library portable.

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