Topic: Larry's iPod Notes for MC10 (Read 11200 times)

JimH · « **on:** July 27, 2004, 12:35:41 pm »

A big thanks to Larry Little for taking the trouble to put this together!

http://www.jrmediacenter.com/Larry_Little_iPod_Management_MC.html

sirshambling · « **Reply #1 on:** July 27, 2004, 02:33:47 pm »

"Big thanks" to Larry - seconded here! Really excellent!

John

SteveG · « **Reply #2 on:** July 27, 2004, 04:57:50 pm »

Larry,

Thanks for taking the time to put this together. Your help is greatly appreciated.

Steve

lalittle · « **Reply #3 on:** July 27, 2004, 07:06:21 pm »

Your quite welcome. I didn't realize how complex it would be to clearly explain how to set this up, but at least now I won't have to remember the process -- I can just check the FAQ and follow my own instructions next time.

Thanks for giving MC the flexibility to do this type of custom configuration. The setup I outlined really does make iPod management a lot easier in my opinion.

I already caught a few typos and cleaned up a couple spots in the document. I'll send Jim the updated version -- hopefully it won't be too difficult on your end to swap the updated document in for the current one.

Larry

SteveG · « **Reply #4 on:** July 28, 2004, 09:49:11 am »

Larry,

Your MC status has gone from Gold to Platinum

Steve

lalittle · « **Reply #5 on:** July 28, 2004, 03:05:27 pm »

Thanks -- I'm not sure what that means, but it sounds like a good thing so I'll take it.

I made a few changes to the document -- a few minor typo fixes, a couple clarifications, and one change in the procedure -- so I'll send it to Jim shortly. The end result is the same, but the setup is slightly "cleaner."

Larry

JimH · « **Reply #6 on:** July 28, 2004, 03:08:03 pm »

It means that Steve has decided to donate 10% of what he makes to you.

lalittle · « **Reply #7 on:** July 28, 2004, 03:29:00 pm »

Only 10???!!!

Larry

SteveG · « **Reply #8 on:** July 28, 2004, 03:54:07 pm »

For a document that good, 10 is a bargain..

lalittle · « **Reply #9 on:** July 29, 2004, 03:51:32 am »

An error in the third paragraph of Step 4 has been corrected. The point is to "Exclude" the tracks that are tagged as "Exclude." The document is now correct, so this is no longer a concern.

Larry

dremo · « **Reply #10 on:** July 31, 2004, 07:37:13 am »

Thanks, Larry. My wife and I just received Ipod minis for our wedding. I was trying trying to figure out how to sync the two of them when I came across your post. The only thing I changed was I use Include rather than Exclude. The library of music we have is around 16 gig but our minis only fit 4 each. Thanks again for the help.

Drew

lalittle · « **Reply #11 on:** July 31, 2004, 03:06:14 pm »

Thanks Drew -- I'm glad you found it helpful.

Quote from: dremo on July 31, 2004, 07:37:13 am

The only thing I changed was I use Include rather than Exclude.

Regarding using "Include" rather than "Exclude," there are specific advantages to using "Exclude" for typical iPod management. Your workflow may of course be different, but I think most people would probably benefit from using the "Exclude" method for the following reasons.

When you rip new songs, this field is blank by default. This means that these songs will AUTOMATICALLY be "included" in your iPod syncs without having to specifically tag them to be included. My assumption is that when you rip new songs, you'll want to include them on your iPod by default, in which case using "Exclude" saves you the extra step of having to tag them as "Included." This is nice because ripping a new CD is as easy as it's always been -- you rip it and you're done. You don't have to remember to go into BOTH user's View Scheme and tag these songs as "Include" since they're already included by default.

If you typically DON'T want to include new rips on your iPod, then using an "Include" tag would be a better choice. If you DO like to include new rips on your iPod, however, then using "Exclude" is more elegant since it saves you the extra step. When you use "Exclude," the only time you have to edit the iPod tag is if you want to STOP including these songs on your iPod. I would think that in most circumstances, most songs will ALWAYS be included on people's iPods. This means that by using "Exclude," you'll NEVER have to edit the iPod field of most songs -- not even once.

I just though this might be helpful given that I considered using "Include" at first as well, but I quickly changed to using "Exclude" for the above reasons. I wanted to be able to rip new CD's and have them included on our iPods wihtout ANY further action. Using an "Exclude" tag rather than an "Include" tag makes this possible.

Larry

kaiynne · « **Reply #12 on:** October 11, 2004, 01:35:05 pm »

That is pure genius Larry, such a great setup.

I am using a slight variation on your setup. I realized that you can drag and drop whole albums from one pane onto another, when you do this it will automagically update the tag that you drop it onto. So i setup my ipod field as yes/no, and I just went through and dragged all the files i wanted onto the yes field and bam they are tagged to be included. There is a reason for the no field in this case because you cannot drag an album onto unassigned, it wont delete the tag so you have to drop it onto no to exclude it again.

I have found that this significantly sped up my ipod management. Thanks again Larry!

lalittle · « **Reply #13 on:** October 19, 2004, 06:21:32 pm »

kaiynne,

I'm glad it works well for you.

Regarding the "yes/no" vs the "[empty field]/exclude" setup: The advantage of using the [empty filed] as the "include" field is that all songs will be AUTOMATICALLY "included" the moment you rip them. This means you don't have to remember to tag them as "yes" after ripping. The ONLY tagging you need to do is if you want to exclude them from the iPod list. I wanted to set this up to be as simple as possible, and eliminating the extra step when ripping was preferable to us (we prefer to tag in the AW anyway.)

Each user, however, should defintely feel free to modify the setup to work with their particular needs and preferences.

Larry

PS. I have a new version of the instructions that is slightly more streamlined than the current one -- it's the same end result, but just a bit more elegant since the rule setup is just a bit simpler. I'll post it as soon as I finish proofing it.

deizel · « **Reply #14 on:** November 01, 2004, 10:42:39 pm »

honestly man, nice one.

i've adapted mine similarly to kaiynne's (as you can't drag to Unassigned), with a few more options also, so i can have categories for included, excluded, to be included, NEVER to be included.

i do understand your points about ripping but since everything goes into Unassigned by default, i get an extra level of control. plus, with 55gb of music, my iPod usually full anyway. $:-\$

thanks for everything. d.

lalittle · « **Reply #15 on:** November 03, 2004, 05:15:24 am »

Thanks -- I'm really glad that people are using this (since it took a while to write it all down.)

Regarding dragging and dropping to "unassigned" -- in what way can you not do this? I am able to drag and drop selections to the "Unassigned" tag in the first window, so I'm unclear what you aren't able to do.

Thanks,

Larry

deizel · « **Reply #16 on:** November 03, 2004, 10:48:44 am »

well maybe its an issue with v11, but when i drag a file that has been assigned an 'iPod' value over 'Unassigned' in the 'iPod' column, the mouse cursor changes to one with a '+' notifying it can be dropped, but after letting go it keeps the same value.

also, if i highlight a song that has been assigned in the list and press F4 to enter tagging mode, when i click on the checkmarks in the iPod column, they all work, apart from the one that says Unassigned, no matter how many time i click the checkbox. (but i found out double-clicking plays unassigned songs!

)

it's as if to say you can only give it a declared value, and not an empty one, as it was never specified. i investigated further and tried to see if MC woud recognize that a blank value *was* actually an option by editing the library field 'iPod' to accept the values ';;Include;To Be Included;Exclude;Never Include;Unassigned;;' and the result was exactly the same as my initial 'Include;To Be Included;Exclude;Never Include'... MC ignores 'Unassigned' and '' (blank values), meaning it still just does not allow dropping onto 'Unassigned'

but i must point out I can easily clear the 'iPod' value from the 'Tag Info' panel on the left.

thanks for your concern.

lalittle · « **Reply #17 on:** November 03, 2004, 03:12:57 pm »

You should report this to the "version 11 issues" thread since I AM able to drop onto the "unassigned" value in version 10, and the change DOES take effect. If it gives you the little "plus" as you say and then does not work, something is obviously wrong.

Larry

runemail · « **Reply #18 on:** January 08, 2005, 04:52:12 pm »

I am using a slight variation of Larry's iPod notes. I use a yes/no iPod smartlist and drag and drop albums there. I also have a recently imported List that i synch every time as well.
This way all my new music transfer to my iPod, but it only stays for about one month. Then i can include it in my iPod smartlist if i really like it.
I can adjust how long new music stays in the recently imported list, but i prefer 4 weeks, so i have time to check if it is worthy of a place in my iPod smartlist:)

This is the best setup for me until they start selling 200Gb iPods

Penfold · « **Reply #19 on:** February 15, 2005, 04:36:35 pm »

Getting a 404 error...

JimH · « **Reply #20 on:** February 15, 2005, 04:44:42 pm »

Quote from: Penfold on February 15, 2005, 04:36:35 pm

Getting a 404 error...

Fixed. Thanks.

rldoose · « **Reply #21 on:** February 25, 2005, 10:30:28 pm »

This is great, thanks so much! However, I ran into a problem...... I got this all setup and working, and my views and playlists just disappeared. When I went in to try to recreate it all, it old me that the "name is already in use". My stuff is still there in some way shape or form but I can not see it.

Any ideas?

mark_h · « **Reply #22 on:** March 16, 2005, 07:38:32 am »

Larry, wanted to add my thanks for your wonderful notes.

After following your notes to do the initital setup, I amended my setup as follows:

Fields = Include;Exclude

This results in three tag options: Include/Exclude/Unassigned

I prefer to specify which tracks to add rather than have all tracks added by default. The above allows me to specify which to include and which to exclude.

The unspecified entries are useful because, say I import 10 albums before I next go to set up my iPod, well now all the imported albums are filtered as 'unassigned' and I don't need to go searching through the entire collection looking for albums imported since last setting up the iPod. I can then assign them exlcude/include at my leisure at any future time.

Cheers,

Mark

risingdamp · « **Reply #23 on:** March 16, 2005, 08:06:22 am »

Quote from: mark_h on March 16, 2005, 07:38:32 am

Larry, wanted to add my thanks for your wonderful notes.

After following your notes to do the initital setup, I amended my setup as follows:

Fields = Include;Exlcude

This results in three tag options: Include/Exclude/Unassigned

I prefer to specify which tracks to add rather than have all tracks added by default. The above allows me to specify which to include and which to exclude.

The unspecified entries are useful because, say I import 10 albums before I next go to set up my iPod, well now all the imported albums are filtered as 'unassigned' and I don't need to go searching through the entire collection looking for albums imported since last setting up the iPod. I can then assign them exlcude/include at my leisure at any future time.

Cheers,

Mark

That's exactly how I managed my 'Favourite Albums' custom field. I have values for Yes & No so unassigned means it's a new album or I haven't decided yet. I intend to go the same way with the iPOD field.

Teerlink · « **Reply #24 on:** July 03, 2005, 10:01:25 am »

I want to join the praise of Larry's notes but I am having some trouble. At the first step when I click on "Options" and the "Tree and View" there is no option to add in the lower left of the window or anywhere else.

Has anyone else had this problem? I downloaded MC this week, could it be something new in the version?

JT

matshif · « **Reply #25 on:** July 03, 2005, 12:40:25 pm »

I have the same problem as you Teerlink.
I found other things that not seems to be exactly as Larry says.

lalittle · « **Reply #26 on:** July 04, 2005, 04:07:06 am »

Teerlink and matshif,

I have not yet tested this with version 11, so I'm sure you're correct that this is a version issue. I was waiting for the new version to come out and for the updates to "settle" before I got back into this. Now that version 11 is complete and stable, I'm planning to update the instructions. Hopefully I'll have it finished within the next week or two -- perhaps sooner if my other projects go smoothly.

Sorry for the delay, and please stay posted for updates.

Larry

matshif · « **Reply #27 on:** July 04, 2005, 04:14:47 am »

Nice to here its a version issue.

Fast answer too.
Thanks Larry.

Mats

lalittle · « **Reply #28 on:** July 04, 2005, 04:48:04 am »

Quote

Nice to here its a version issue.

I'm pretty sure that this is all it is given that at it's core, this "iPod Management" setup is basically just a complex way of using fairly straightforward organizational features of Media Center. I won't know for sure until I get into the details, but I don't think that any of capabilities necessary for this setup were "removed" from version 11. My guess at this point is that the menu options structure was changed between versions 10 and 11, and that the document therefore needs to be updated to reflect these changes. I should know more soon.

Quote

Fast answer too.
Thanks Larry.

You're quite welcome.

PS. I'll also take a quick look tomorrow and see if I can give you guys an answer to your specific question above. Note that there may be other changes to the setup structure as well, so I'm not sure if this will get you up and running right away, but I'll try to get the new full document available as soon as possible.

matshif · « **Reply #29 on:** July 04, 2005, 06:26:44 am »

I can wait until a new full document is available.
As far as I can see the menu options structure was changed between versions 10 and 11, but as I said I´ll wait.
Thanks
Mats

lalittle · « **Reply #30 on:** July 04, 2005, 05:28:25 pm »

Quote from: Teerlink on July 03, 2005, 10:01:25 am

I want to join the praise of Larry's notes but I am having some trouble. At the first step when I click on "Options" and the "Tree and View" there is no option to add in the lower left of the window or anywhere else.

With MC11, the new location for adding a new library field is "Tools/Options/Library" (i.e. it's no longer located on the "Tree and View" page as it was with version 10.) The "Add" button is now in the upper right corner of this window rather than in the lower left.

At first glance, the other options of THIS STEP look the same -- i.e. once you hit the "Add" button and open the "Configure Library Field" window, the instructions for this particular step appear to be the same as they were in MC10. Note that OTHER changes in MC11 "may" effect other steps of the setup procedure -- I won't know for sure until I go over the whole procedure. I just wanted to give a quick, direct answer to the specific question asked above in the hopes that it might get people back on track. As I mentioned, I'll be going over ALL the instructions and updating the "iPod Management" document soon.

Larry

dcrabtree · « **Reply #31 on:** August 06, 2005, 03:47:43 pm »

Larry,

Excellent work! What a great way to manage my iPod. I’m new to MC and I am amazed how supportive the community is. Thanks Larry.

-don

SteveG · « **Reply #32 on:** August 08, 2005, 09:43:43 am »

Larry is awesome.

Thanks Larry.

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Author Topic: Larry's iPod Notes for MC10 (Read 11200 times)