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[bspachman]

Currently, I use MC9 to maintain 2 separate libraries. One is full of all my APE/APL files from the CDs I've ripped for use in my home theater. The other is full of MP3 files I've transcoded from my APEs for use on my iPod. This method (while cumbersome) works fine as long as the two libraries duplicate each other exactly.

Now, I've started to acquire additional MP3s--ones that I want available in both my home theater/APE library and my MP3/iPod library. I'm also getting tired of maintaining 2 separate libraries, with their attendant sets of playlists, etc.

I understand from previous threads a bout iPod workflows that I can use view filters to show a particular media type--ie. either MP3 or APE. However, how do I keep the MP3 files that aren't transcoded duplicates available in my home theater views?

Will it be best to create a custom field (something like "Duplicate") and set it's value to "1" for all my transcoded files? Can I then use that field in a view filter? Will this custom field be carried over into my tagging data for all my files?

Anyone have any better ideas?

Thanks!
Brad

[loraan]

Try this: right-click the view scheme and in the "files" field, put the rule

[file type]="ape"

This will cause only APEs to show up in your view schemes. You could then have a playlist or view scheme with only MP3s for your player. Only problem is that this assumes that you don't have ANY mp3s in your library, which isn't true.

Another thing you could do is transcode on-the-fly while you transfer. The issue here is that this slows down the transfer process significantly since every file has to be encoded before transfer. On the other hand, since you're working with APEs, you won't have any quality loss.

[bspachman]

loraan,

Thanks for the suggestion. I think view filters are more the way to go. I've played around a bit and have found something that works for me. As I mentioned above, I created a new custom field called "Duplicate". Any APE files I have transcoded to MP3 (for portable use) have a "y" in this field.

I then created 2 smartlists, where "Duplicates" (my custom field)="y" and one where [filetype]="mp3". I can now turn on a view filter to either SHOW or HIDE files based on those smartlists. When working with my portable, I SHOW only mp3 files. When just playing through the stereo at home I HIDE my duplicates, so most of my files default to their APE versions.

Best,
Brad