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iTunes idiot needs some help


Hi,

Although I've owned an iPod for quite a while now I'm in need of some help. Up until now I've stored approximately 400 WAV files on my iPod. I recently bought two Western Digital 160gb external hard drives and I'm copying 400 CD's on to the hard drives using iTunes, importing the songs as WAV files (I bought all these CD's BTW).

I'd like to rip all of my music on to my iPod. To fit all this music onto a 20gb iPod will require compression, any recommendations as to which compression format to use would be appreciated. Priority is sound quality (I really hate the sound of MP3's) but by the same token I'll need to fit a lot of music on it. I'm very interested in your opinion and will certainly appreciate any advice.

I want to keep the WAV files on the hard drive(s) as is, allowing me to make compilations or copies of my CD's as required. The thing I can't figure out for the life of me: I have the WAV files on my hard drive and want to use some sort of compression to load them on the iPod while I maintain the original WAV files on the hard drive. There must be a way to grab the WAV files off my hard drive and using iTunes compress the files, store the compressed music in a directory on the drive, and then load my iPod with the compressed files. All the while keeping the original WAV files in WAV format on the drive. I'm running XP with the latest iTunes software. Thanks in advance to any iTunes aficionados who can lend a helping hand. Best Regards, Jeff
jeffloistarca
cwlondon
1,210 posts
 
It seems the expertise on this subject has increased, because I had posted a few of the threads in the archive on iPods and WAV files. Before, there were seemingly unsolvable problems with all of these formats, so I now have 2 iPods collecting dust in my sock drawer.

I'm with Edesilva -- 20 CDs will probably get me through my commute or a short run on the treadmill?!?

But what about

1) battery life
2) "skipping" and
3) "tagging" with WAV files

re Apple lossless

I am suspicious of this format, especially if it is true that there are copying limitations for single users?

and MP3?

Sure, and microwaved food tastes just as good, too.
ckorody
643 posts
 
Cw - apple lossless is just that - lossless. Especially on an iPod. My understanding is that copying limitations are strictly associated with material purchased from the iTunes Store - which as far as I know does not sell either lossless or uncompressed music - which is why I prefer to buy CDs and compress them myself.

Jeff - one other point to consider is that the iPod navigation system is not particularly well suited to surfing through 400 CDs. Tedious at best. Would be very surprised if you actually accessed all the music. One way to make it all a bit more manageable would be to set up themed Playlists.
henryhk
648 posts
 
I am even more of an idiot than Jeff. I am rippping my CDs vis Apple Lossless and have a 60GB IPOD: but even that I am afraid will not be enough. Question 1: how do I use an external hard drive to back things up: once I do, how do I import into my IPOD player? Question 2: I agree I don't need everything all the time but I do go on extended trips due to work: how do I import just certain playlists? It must be possible and if so, all I have to do is import certain playlists I am more inclined to listen to at anytime, then re-sync to other playlists for other trips?
nikturner920
144 posts
 
When you rip the cds in I-tunes puts the files in a folder ('my music' or 'itunes library') Once you find where I-tunes is putting things you can move that folder to an external HD or wherever you want. After you move things you may have to reload them into itunes but that is a one time thing.

As for plyalists you just drag them to the ipod. I turn off the sync just use manual load and delete for both my ipod and itunes.
cheers
ckorody
643 posts
 
To amplify a bit on Nik's comments. iTunes keeps all the ripped music in a folder called Library. You can keep this on your boot drive inside your machine on an external drive. In iTunes Preferences/Advanced you then "point" the application at the Library. Also check "Keep Organized" and "Copy Files to Music Folder when adding". When you do a backup of your external drive, just back up the Library.

Be worth five minutes to review the documentation just to make sure you have the nomenclature.
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