Topic: NEW: iTunes Library Import (Read 14616 times)

Matt · « **on:** August 07, 2019, 12:29:31 pm »

With the latest Media Center, you can choose File > Import From iTunes Database.

The process will look for the XML file* saved by iTunes and pull in all the files.

And this was added in 25.0.90.
1. NEW: Made the import from iTunes library import the playlists as well (to an iTunes playlist group).

This is slick because it works on Windows and Mac (unlike the previous COM based import).

* You must tell iTunes to save the library as XML in options. There is more information here:
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201610

Thanks to John Thompson for this good idea.

aileronguy · « **Reply #1 on:** August 16, 2019, 03:25:08 pm »

But how does it handle DRM (Apple Music) files?

JimH · « **Reply #2 on:** August 16, 2019, 03:27:48 pm »

Apple hasn't used DRM for many years. When did you buy the files?

Awesome Donkey · « **Reply #3 on:** August 16, 2019, 03:31:32 pm »

I believe Apple still uses DRM for "offline" Apple Music downloads, which of course MC can't decrypt so it can't handle those.

ethomp · « **Reply #4 on:** August 16, 2019, 10:04:08 pm »

From a brief perusal of my library, audiobooks purchased from the iTMS are protected AAC files (m4p). Even after iTMS ditched DRM for most tracks, some exceptions included the "free track of the week," discovery download, and freebies from Starbucks, I think. I know the "free track of the week" and "discovery download" were. Unless you intentionally delete and then re-download the track, I think it stays in the protected version.

As for Apple Music tracks, it's a little more difficult for me to say. I keep most of those online, and those were skipped. I had 74 out of 100,714 that were reported as "protected." That's the best I've been able to track down.

My MC25 library now shows 90019 files.

I know MC imported Podcasts still listed in the iTunes XML file, even when the "location" is an URL and not a file on the local file system.

It did import all the Music playlists, which is decidedly unhelpful (most of them have 1-2 tracks).

The import also took freakin' forever, and there was no indication what was happening or how long it might take. The CPU usage for MC25 shot up and stayed that way for a number of hours. I eventually gave up on it and went to bed, so I'm not sure how long exactly it took.

andy88488 · « **Reply #5 on:** August 21, 2019, 07:40:28 am »

This is good news, but how about just importing star ratings from iTunes? Is that possible?

I use my iPhone to rate music, I'd like to be able to transfer those ratings to MC, which is where I do my desktop listening.

aileronguy · « **Reply #6 on:** September 13, 2019, 12:43:09 pm »

And if you make changes to the iTunes library, like adding music, do you have to re-export the file, re-import to JR? Will that create duplicate information?

farreln · « **Reply #7 on:** September 16, 2019, 09:54:20 am »

Hi,
Can you describe a bit about the import process because: We run Media Center on a standalone Mac mini. My legacy iTunes installation is on my laptop and has been forever. So far, never the twain shall meet. Most of the iTunes content is CDs that have been loaded of the decades (wow, I guess it has been a long time). Can I "point" Media Center to iTunes on another computer (Macbook Pro) for the import? BTW, I am running MC25.

Thanks.

DJKutKreata · « **Reply #8 on:** September 17, 2019, 12:41:03 am »

Quote from: andy88488 on August 21, 2019, 07:40:28 am

This is good news, but how about just importing star ratings from iTunes? Is that possible?

I use my iPhone to rate music, I'd like to be able to transfer those ratings to MC, which is where I do my desktop listening.

Quote from: aileronguy on September 13, 2019, 12:43:09 pm

And if you make changes to the iTunes library, like adding music, do you have to re-export the file, re-import to JR? Will that create duplicate information?

Could we please get an answer to these questions?

okvaal · « **Reply #9 on:** September 18, 2019, 10:54:02 am »

1) I've used JRiver for some years, but some two or three years ago I copied part of my collection to iTunes (of a couple of reasons), including what I could grab of metadata
2) I regret this
3) So I want to import my music back to JRiver, but I'm afraid of getting lots of duplicates. Will that happen?
4) Also, I don't necessarily want to import the metadata changes I made in iTunes, as JRiver is SO much better at this. Can that be avoided?

So, are there any answers to 3) and 4)?

Cheers.

JimH · « **Reply #10 on:** September 18, 2019, 11:15:19 am »

If you start with a fresh (blank) library and use our new import method, there shouldn't be any duplicates.

You'll need to try it to know about metadata. Some may be stored in the files. You can always do it a second time if needed.

Welcome back.

okvaal · « **Reply #11 on:** September 18, 2019, 11:21:19 am »

Thanks, I'll do that.
This thread was getting pretty long, so I couldn't find an answer to whether music bought from Apple Music also will be imported to JRiver?
And btw, I never left you, for my home use I've kept JRiver all along. But thanks all the same. :-)

Awesome Donkey · « **Reply #12 on:** September 18, 2019, 11:23:33 am »

Well, unless the music is m4p (which is DRM-protected AAC music files) and is m4a files it *should* import. If it's m4p files, nope.

okvaal · « **Reply #13 on:** September 18, 2019, 11:35:58 am »

Good point. I checked an Apple forum for this (the converting process within iTunes), and it ends with saying: "Note: There is no guarantee that all protected AAC songs can be upgraded successfully."
Guess that means it will not work then, but I'll give it a try. Thanks.

bjurry · « **Reply #14 on:** October 14, 2019, 04:14:03 pm »

Does MC25 also offer the option to Export to iTunes playlist format ?
I am still using the (great) iPod Classic 160MB. I use it in the car primarily. Syncing still works fine, except that the iPod does not recognize the Playlists that are synced from MC ((I still have MC24 on my Mac; I run MC25 on Id; I sync from the Mac).
I notice that m3u files are exported to the ROOT folder on my iPod (I can see them in Finder, when connected to my Mac), but the iPod just doesn't see these (it does list the standard Playlists that come by default I think, like "on the go", "Purchased", "Recently Added").
I am wondering if possibly I'm not exporting playlists in correct format using MC's Sync Handheld..? (I already experimented with some settings in the Handheld Sync Options, but no luck to date.
I don't have iTunes anymore, and never really used it much, as I prefer MC...
Suggestions? Tips?
Thanks in advance

telf · « **Reply #15 on:** November 11, 2019, 01:51:54 am »

I'm trying to work out what I've done wrong here, trying to import the iTunes XML. The second I hit open, I get the spinning beachball of death and have to Force Quit MC 25.0.116. Using OSX 10.13.6 on a 2011 Mac Mini.

Any Ideas Guys?

JimH · « **Reply #16 on:** November 11, 2019, 06:33:24 am »

Let it run.

Did you create it?

bjurry · « **Reply #17 on:** November 11, 2019, 06:43:12 am »

Quote from: bjurry on October 14, 2019, 04:14:03 pm

Does MC25 also offer the option to Export to iTunes playlist format ?
I am still using the (great) iPod Classic 160MB. I use it in the car primarily. Syncing still works fine, except that the iPod does not recognize the Playlists that are synced from MC ((I still have MC24 on my Mac; I run MC25 on Id; I sync from the Mac).
I notice that m3u files are exported to the ROOT folder on my iPod (I can see them in Finder, when connected to my Mac), but the iPod just doesn't see these.

Anyone any suggestions, tips..? Or am I only one still using iPod?
Thanks

jack wallstreet · « **Reply #18 on:** November 11, 2019, 07:42:51 am »

I am using Ipods with MC25 with almost 400 playlists and have no issues syncing.

Maui Jim · « **Reply #19 on:** November 21, 2019, 01:38:44 pm »

I used iTunes as my music library for many years and have a number of very long playlists (e.g. Party Playlist with 400+ tracs), but have decided to move away from iTunes. I now have all tracks in a database with primarily FLAC files. I am now using JRiver MC, and have the database built. I would like to import the iTunes playlists, but found that when I imported them to JRiver MC on my laptap with a smaller database, the playlist files reference the original iTunes database. As I want to use these playlists on the larger FLAC music library which is on a NAS, is there a way to convert the iTunes playlists to JRiver Playlists?

bjurry · « **Reply #20 on:** November 27, 2019, 01:48:59 pm »

Quote from: jack wallstreet on November 11, 2019, 07:42:51 am

I am using Ipods with MC25 with almost 400 playlists and have no issues syncing.

I can't get it (back) to work using 'standard' approach to use MC to sync directly with iPod. I tried resetting iPod: no change. and in the end erased it: the sync is now no longer working at all: the Sync view gives strange mix of loaded and "to be deleted' files, but nothing is visible on iPod.

But I have found a work around: I now sync MC to a 'virtual iPod' (just a folder on my desktop); then use the Finder of MacOS to sync to iPod: all files now synced, and playlists perfectly visible.:-)
This approach is however not optimal in terms of storage usage, so if there is a way to avoid the intermediate step of the 'virtual iPod', that would be much better of course.

I am running MacOS Catalina and MC24.0.75; on the Id I run MC25; my iPod is an iPod Classic.

RonH · « **Reply #21 on:** September 10, 2020, 08:40:23 am »

After 11 hours, my iTunes library imported. Out of over 1,500 albums it displays about 50. It shows over 24,000 songs, which is correct, but most sit in unclassified. Most Genres are incomplete and none of the playlist or Smart Playlist's imported properly. Any guidance would be appreciated. Thanks, Ron

JimH · « **Reply #22 on:** September 10, 2020, 09:14:58 am »

Did you just import the files? Or did you use the iTunes xml output file of the iTunes library?

RonH · « **Reply #23 on:** September 10, 2020, 09:22:41 am »

This is where I may have made a mistake. I did a library media import. I see now I should do a XML import. I will try it again. Should I delete what I have done or just now do the XML import? Thanks!

JimH · « **Reply #24 on:** September 10, 2020, 09:24:42 am »

Under the File Menu, you'll find the Library Manager. You can use it to clear your library.

RonH · « **Reply #25 on:** September 10, 2020, 10:47:58 am »

I deleted the library and then imported the XML file as suggested. A couple of hours later it imported 3 albums, and the playlists which are empty. I have read the instructions several times. Not sure what I am doing wrong. Any suggestions? Thanks!

JimH · « **Reply #26 on:** September 10, 2020, 10:52:16 am »

Dpid you export from iTunes to xml first? Check the file size.

Instructions should be good. It's working for others.

RonH · « **Reply #27 on:** September 10, 2020, 11:05:54 am »

I did, yes. the xml is 51.6 mb. I'm trying it one more time.

JimH · « **Reply #28 on:** September 10, 2020, 11:21:25 am »

What version of MC are you using?

RonH · « **Reply #29 on:** September 10, 2020, 11:41:46 am »

26.0.107. tried this again with a fresh xml export with the same results

Matt · « **Reply #30 on:** September 10, 2020, 12:22:17 pm »

Could you make the file available to matt at jriver and I'll take a look? Thanks.

JimH · « **Reply #31 on:** September 10, 2020, 12:28:29 pm »

What is the version of iTunes?

RonH · « **Reply #32 on:** September 10, 2020, 12:50:48 pm »

iTunes version is 12.9.0.164. I will be glad to provide the XML, do you have an email address to send it to, as I do not want it made public. Thanks

RonH · « **Reply #33 on:** September 10, 2020, 01:18:55 pm »

Just sent it.

Randy Alexander · « **Reply #34 on:** September 13, 2020, 11:01:31 am »

Hi, This may be off base but i have MC25 and had my laptop crash and restart. I seem to have lost all my music files on JRiver. it sees my player but not library. I do import all from ITunes and wonder if related. I am a guy that struggles with anything too technical. Happy for any suggestions.

JimH · « **Reply #35 on:** September 13, 2020, 11:03:48 am »

I'll move this to a new thread.

Try restoring a backup in MC. MC makes them automatically. File > Library ...

AllanM · « **Reply #36 on:** September 04, 2021, 12:56:20 pm »

This is a very nice feature. Is there anyway to execute the Import from iTunes database from the command line or from the API? I would love to be able to automate this.

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Author Topic: NEW: iTunes Library Import (Read 14616 times)