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[audioriver]

Hi everyone, I want to transfer and convert to MP3 a big part of my FLAC collection (I'll manually select which files) to an external HD (and subsequently to a laptop). I'm looking for the easiest way to do this, while retaining the folder structure but got a bit overwhelmed by MC's options (new library? playlist export?). Any suggestions? Thanks a lot.

[MrC]

The conversion tools will only support two levels of directories under a base level (like the typical Artist\Album hierarchy typically used).  If this is fine with you, you can use either Convert or Handheld Sync to a virtual handheld (a directory).

Will that work?

[audioriver]

Thanks MrC, 2 levels is ok. I'm only familiar with Convert. Do I just drag all wanted files to Playing Now, select all and Covert Format?

[MrC]

If this is a oneshot, just select the files you want converted, right-click and Library Tools > Convert Format.

If you want to have a more automated approach, use Tools > Options > Handheld and create a new Handheld.  Specify a folder as the device location.  This will be the base of the conversion.  Setup the options you want, and select all your audio from the right side, or use a playlist or smartlist as the basis for your sync list.  This will allow you to re-sync and update when necessary.  I list my process here:

   http://yabb.jriver.com/interact/index.php?topic=75397.0

[audioriver]

Perfect, thanks a lot.

[audioriver]

To override the 2-directory level limit, the best way would be to copy all desired flac files/folders, and convert to same directory? Is there another way to allow for future maintenance/syncing?

[MrC]

That seems excessive since FLAC is so large.  If you have the disc space to burn, I'd instead copy the converted files using a syncing tool to whatever location you need.  You want to leave the MC converted files alone, since the sync process relies on those files.

I use rsync to migrate the files very quickly to other systems.

[glynor]

I use rsync to migrate the files very quickly to other systems.

If you're not a nerd, Goodsync can do all the cool stuff rsync can do (and more).  I'm quite happy with it, except that the UI is clumsy.

(I'd be willing to bet they're using rsync under the covers to some degree.)

[MrC]

And it costs $30+.

[glynor]

And it costs $30+.

True, and it is licensed per machine too (though subsequent copies are at a steep discount).

I use it for some things that wouldn't work on just rsync, so I enjoy it.  Also, easier to configure and maintain than a bunch of vbscripts and whatnot, and easily cross-platform* (and handles SFTP and Google Drive and other stuff too).

The file monitoring options are nice, too.  You can set it up to work like your "private Dropbox" using your own storage (where the syncs happen within seconds of the files changing).  I'm now syncing my media drive backups from home to the office automatically, in the background (and that's now around 6TB all things told).  I just "started it off" by syncing locally, and now it keeps changes up to date easily via the Internet.

So... Works for me.

* Not that rsync isn't.  Windows would be the "hardest", if you wanna call it that.  But your scripts might have to be written in different environments, so there's that.