MediaMonkey iTunes plugin (d_itunes4.dll)

[ronswanson]

So is there anyway to sync the Date Added field from MM to iTunes? I'd like to use this plugin but not if all my iTunes music is going to have the same Date Added value. I use a lot of auto playlists that depend on the Date Added field with dates in tact since 2006.

Any suggestions?

[markstuartwalker]

Not really. The Date Added seems to be internally used within iTunes and is read-only to my application.

I actually don't think that you have a concern. When AutoPlaylists are sync'd MM->iTunes they become static playlists in iTunes with the same order as they were in MM. So, the MM AutoPlaylist in MM will order the tracks according to the DateAdded field and so with iTunes.

[ronswanson]

Thats true, I will definitely give it a whirl. I've been really disappointed with MMs iPod support. Thanks for the script, you did an awesome job on it.

[markstuartwalker]

New version submitted for approval 4.0.3.1995

For the Mac users this contains a script which allows the exported cache files and playlists to be imported into Mac iTunes. The script has to be manually launched and there is no sync function yet.

[fizzjob]

Is it possible for MM to launch iTunes when a sync starts and then (optionally) close it when the sync is done? The auto start checkbox seems to launch iTunes when MM starts, but I don't want iTunes to be running all the time.

[Everton]

Hi

Is there anyway to change the plugin under MM4 to sync the files to a different directory to C:/User/my music? I need it to go to D:/iTunes as my C drive is a SSD with no space available for a music library.

Thanks

EB

[MikeCerm]

Seems to be working OK with iTunes 10.5 (though play counts seem hit-or-miss). However, I use auto-conversion, and each time I sync, even though the files are already in the cache, all of my files get re-converted, which takes a really long time. Any way to correct that?

[Everton]

Hi

Is there anyway to change the plugin under MM4 to sync the files to a different directory to C:/User/my music? I need it to go to D:/iTunes as my C drive is a SSD with no space available for a music library.

Thanks

EB

never mind, found the setting in the device options!

[Everton]

Seems to be working OK with iTunes 10.5 (though play counts seem hit-or-miss). However, I use auto-conversion, and each time I sync, even though the files are already in the cache, all of my files get re-converted, which takes a really long time. Any way to correct that?

I'm having the same problem.

[markstuartwalker]

Seems to be working OK with iTunes 10.5 (though play counts seem hit-or-miss). However, I use auto-conversion, and each time I sync, even though the files are already in the cache, all of my files get re-converted, which takes a really long time. Any way to correct that?

I'm having the same problem.

I'm not expecting 10.5 to make any difference but I've not had chance to prove it yet. Are you still using MM3?

I always use conversion (for the larger kbps tracks) and the files don't get re-converted.

Are your files on a NAS? If so, check that the time-sync between the machines is all correct.

EDIT1: The plugin appears to work fine on Windows XP with MM3, iTunes 10.5 and iOS5. Even the wireless sync triggers correctly

EDIT2: Isn't it cool the way that you can still use the iPhone while its sync'ing these days

[markstuartwalker]

Is it possible for MM to launch iTunes when a sync starts and then (optionally) close it when the sync is done? The auto start checkbox seems to launch iTunes when MM starts, but I don't want iTunes to be running all the time.

No, not for MM3 because the plugin links with iTunes all of the time. With the MM4 plugin (and MM4 has only just gone to release candidate) the coupling is slacker and I think that I can add a few more options. I shall add it to my todo list.

[adrianmarsh]

I've the plugin working against MM4.0.0.1442, iTunes 10.5.0.142, win7 64bit.

One question, why does it need to 'convert' each and every file and put it in a MM___ folder ? Can't you just link to the original files ?
I know for FLAC, none-MP3 etc that conversion would be needed, but it seems a waste of time and disk space. I'm guessing theres a reason for it though..

[Musa]

thank you it works perfect for me on Win7 64bits/Itunes 10.5.0.142/MM 4.0.0.1445 !!

[markstuartwalker]

I've the plugin working against MM4.0.0.1442, iTunes 10.5.0.142, win7 64bit.

One question, why does it need to 'convert' each and every file and put it in a MM___ folder ? Can't you just link to the original files ?
I know for FLAC, none-MP3 etc that conversion would be needed, but it seems a waste of time and disk space. I'm guessing theres a reason for it though..

Yes this has been asked many times. You can simply use the original files by setting the cache folder name to nothing (see the hover text when you position the mouse over it).

BUT be aware that in this mode MM and iTunes might both try to update the files. Each of the applications maintains a database of the track attributes but when (say) a title is changed the application's database is updated and the underlying file is updated. Clearly when 2 application have the same underlying files there can be some unexpected behaviour (and the timestamp on the files changing more than it needs to). Generally this behaviour is fairly mild and quite acceptable but for proper isolation the best way is to duplicate the files.

Having said all of that there are reasons that MM might duplicate the files. For example
* Conversion (as you mentioned)
* Volume levelling
* Remove images if > 300k
* Usage of "Use only first genre" or "use only first artist"

So if you use any of these the (affected) files will be duplicated. MM will put these duplications into the TEMP folder is a very uncontrolled manner.

Mark

[tonkhero]

So, if I sync my entire 90 GB library, will I end up with a complete 90GB copy in my MM folder? Seems like I could quickly run out of space using this. I'm guessing this is a total noob question, so free feel free to send me to a link if it's already answered somewhere. Thanks!

I've the plugin working against MM4.0.0.1442, iTunes 10.5.0.142, win7 64bit.

One question, why does it need to 'convert' each and every file and put it in a MM___ folder ? Can't you just link to the original files ?
I know for FLAC, none-MP3 etc that conversion would be needed, but it seems a waste of time and disk space. I'm guessing theres a reason for it though..

Yes this has been asked many times. You can simply use the original files by setting the cache folder name to nothing (see the hover text when you position the mouse over it).

BUT be aware that in this mode MM and iTunes might both try to update the files. Each of the applications maintains a database of the track attributes but when (say) a title is changed the application's database is updated and the underlying file is updated. Clearly when 2 application have the same underlying files there can be some unexpected behaviour (and the timestamp on the files changing more than it needs to). Generally this behaviour is fairly mild and quite acceptable but for proper isolation the best way is to duplicate the files.

Having said all of that there are reasons that MM might duplicate the files. For example
* Conversion (as you mentioned)
* Volume levelling
* Remove images if > 300k
* Usage of "Use only first genre" or "use only first artist"

So if you use any of these the (affected) files will be duplicated. MM will put these duplications into the TEMP folder is a very uncontrolled manner.

Mark