iTunes will not access CDDB for Cds I have loaded before I got internet

Question

Level 1

8 points

iTunes will not access CDDB for Cds I have loaded before I got internet

I have been using iTunes for a couple of years but recently connected my computer to the internet for the first time. When I try to get CD info for the CDs I already have in my library from gracenote, I get a message saying 'CDDB information is not available for any of these items'. iTunes doesn't try to access the database, it just goes straight to this message, even for CDs I know are very popular.

If I put a CD into the drive, it accesses the database fine and loads up all the track names - its just the pre-loaded CDs that have the problem. (I can access iTunes store and radio fine too, and have checked my firewall and proxy settings, which are ok).

I had a good look at the discussions previously posted and couldn't find anyone else with this problem. Please help!!!

Intel PC, Windows XP Pro

Posted on Nov 16, 2006 2:43 AM

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Answer 1

Nov 16, 2006 3:38 PM in response to Nicolost

I get a message saying 'CDDB information is not available for any of these items'.

Are you getting this message after selecting (highlighting) the tracks and going to the iTunes Advanced menu > Get CD Track Names?

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Answer 2

tsgeisel

Level 1

20 points

Nov 16, 2006 3:47 PM in response to Nicolost

CDDB gets the information on album tracks from information encoded on the CD; it's not associated with the song at all. So once you've put the song on your system, there's no way to find the necessary information on CDDB.

In short, you'll either have to re-burn the CDs or enter the information by hand.

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Answer 3

Nov 16, 2006 4:42 PM in response to tsgeisel

Hi, tsgeisel,

iTunes can access CDDB for track information after a CD has been imported into iTunes by using the Advanced menu option I mentioned in my previous post.

If you want to check it out, import a CD when you're not connected to the internet - or with Automatically retrieve CD track names from internet unchecked in your iTunes Importing Preferences.

After the CD has been imported there will be no track information included. But if you then select the tracks - all together, one at a time or in any combination you desire - and select Get CD Track Names, you will be pleasantly surprised.

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Answer 4

Chris CA

Level 10

82,513 points

Nov 16, 2006 9:32 PM in response to Nicolost

Were these CDs RIPped using iTunes? If so, they iTunes should get the info.
If you RIPped them using something else and added to iTunes it will not.

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Answer 5

Nov 16, 2006 9:41 PM in response to Nicolost

Sorry if I'm a little late to the party. I'm still new with iTunes, but other ripping programs I've used over the years store the data locally once it has it (whether via download or you typing it in). The next time you go to retrieve it, it grabs it from a local database if it has it there, then checks online if it doesn't. Perhaps iTunes is the same, and it's using a cashed copy of the CD info. This was usually a configurable setting in my experience.

Just my two cents.

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Answer 6

Nathan C

Level 5

6,266 points

Nov 17, 2006 2:01 PM in response to Chris CA

Chris CA,

Correct, and this article contains more information on how iTunes remembers the information:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=93952

This article discusses getting the track info for "Offline imports":
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=304297

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Answer 7

Nicolost Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 1, 2006 8:36 PM in response to Nicolost

Yes! Thankyou, most of the music in my itunes library wasn't ripped using itunes, but the 'get CD track names' function works for the ones that were. That seems to be what the problem is.

Many thanks to all who posted, and my apologies for not replying sooner, I've been outta town and it's kinda slipped my mind since I got back...

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Answer 8

Dec 2, 2006 12:18 PM in response to Nicolost

I'm unable to obtain CD information from CDDB server when I try to import CD's to ITunes.

I keep getting the message:"Unable to connect to the CDDB server.The network connection could not be made.
Make sure your internet connection is active and your network settings are correct, then try again"

I'm connected to the internet, and my network settings as far as I know are correct.

Any suggestions as to what may be wrong?

Dell Inspiron Windows XP

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