I have MC17 (17.0.189 to be precise) and an iPod Classic (160Gb - the 2009 release) and the combination works fine. In fact, it works better than fine, it's fluffing ace; I can't envisage using any other software in inconjunction.
Cover art renders perfectly. I have had issues in the past and I'm sure that's been when iTunes has corrupted the iPod database. I NEVER run iTunes when the iPod is docked (I have the relevant service disabled that prevents iTunes launching when the iPod is connected to the PC); the times when I have done it, I've had to re-initialise the iPod and transfer my music back across; at a 160Gb, that's a process I want to avoid
. This could be the problem you have (I have assumed you have got relevant option ticked in the handheld dialogue - "Enable album artwork if possible"?).
Also , is there any way of pre selecting a set of songs to sync onto the iPod , I assume I can set up a PlayList and sync that specifically , is that the case ?
The approach I've taken is to create a custom library field called '::iPod Include?' - this is a list with one acceptable value - 'Yes' i.e. this is either populated or not (the tag is prefixed with '::' to force it to the top of the tags window so I can easily locate it).
I simply then decide which albums/tracks/podcasts etc. I want to have on my iPod and update the tag to a value of 'Yes'. I then have a smartlist (called iPod_Sync or similar) which is simply a rule that says ['::iPod Include?' = 'Yes'] i.e. this brings back all files that I have determined that I want on my iPod; I use this to sync with the iPod.
This gives some great flexibility i.e. you can create a view scheme that matches this rule so you can see all albums etc. that are (or going to be) on your iPod. Equally, you can create a view that shows the opposite; that is, all files that are not on the iPod. I have a medium-large music collection - circa 35,000 files and a full 160Gb iPod. With this approach I can simply review iPod content and, with a simple switching of a tag, swap albums in and out of the sync list.
Furthermore, I can use this tag to build some semi-intelligent smartlists off the back of this approach. For example, for the car, I have a smartlist with all 4 and 5 star-rated tracks, with duration less than 4 mins (my own personal radio station
) - I include the rule above as part of the smartlist so I never have to worry about including/removing tracks; this is handled automatically every time I sync.
This functionality is what makes MC key for me. I've seen how iTunes handles management and sync'ing and there's not a chance that I could use it without severe frustration. In fact, the only reason I have iTunes is for my iPhone - and that only gets sync'd when there's a new iOS version.
Let me know if any of the above helps or if you want more details etc. Happy to post some screenshots etc. if needed.
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Topic: Devices, music formats, synching, confusion (Read 4476 times)