iTunes library on external for PC and Mac

[Nemean]

Ok my issue is that i have a windows desktop which i use primarily for my gaming and things like that. I then also have a MBA for general web browsing and portability.

I recently bought an Apple TV and converted all my movie files to MP4 Now what i want to do is store all of these files on my external and have iTunes access them from either the desktop or the MBA, this is so when i have my desktop on i do not have to also put my MBA on, and when i cant be bothered to hear the hum of my desktop or just cant be bothered to boot it up i can put my MBA on and connect my external drive to whichever is on.

This will allow me to use Home Sharing and view all my media. Is this possible and if so how?

As far as i can tell the only way would be to make a duplicate of my content one for OSX and one for Windows but that means double file size which i do not like the sound of.

Thanks in advance

 

[hafr]

Ok my issue is that i have a windows desktop which i use primarily for my gaming and things like that. I then also have a MBA for general web browsing and portability.

I recently bought an Apple TV and converted all my movie files to MP4 Now what i want to do is store all of these files on my external and have iTunes access them from either the desktop or the MBA, this is so when i have my desktop on i do not have to also put my MBA on, and when i cant be bothered to hear the hum of my desktop or just cant be bothered to boot it up i can put my MBA on and connect my external drive to whichever is on.

This will allow me to use Home Sharing and view all my media. Is this possible and if so how?

As far as i can tell the only way would be to make a duplicate of my content one for OSX and one for Windows but that means double file size which i do not like the sound of.

Thanks in advance

Yes, it's possible. Have iTunes on either computer pointing towards the external drive for the iTunes media folder. For the rest, I would need to know how you [would like to] add your files to iTunes in order to give you a step by step guide.

 

[Nemean]

Yes, it's possible. Have iTunes on either computer pointing towards the external drive for the iTunes media folder. For the rest, I would need to know how you [would like to] add your files to iTunes in order to give you a step by step guide.

Cool im glad its possible but what do you mean by how i add my files to itunes music is not an issue as i have itunes match so the only issue for me are the films with regards to how i add them i just click file add to library and then locate the folder. Though im assuming that is not what you meant?

 

[hafr]

Cool im glad its possible but what do you mean by how i add my files to itunes music is not an issue as i have itunes match so the only issue for me are the films with regards to how i add them i just click file add to library and then locate the folder. Though im assuming that is not what you meant?

Okay. It's 2:20 am here so I'm a bit tired. Go to: iTunes > Preferences > Advanced.

If you want iTunes to fix everything for you, make sure that you point both computers towards the same folder on the external hard drive here, and that the two check boxes (copy files to... and keep library organised) are checked.

If you want to move the files to the external hard drive yourself, just make sure those two boxes are NOT checked. The location is irrelevant if you choose this way.

No matter if you choose way 1 or way 2, what you will have to do every time you've added a file to one of the computers, you will have to go to the folder containing the file(s) that you added, drag them to iTunes HOLDING THE ALT-KEY, hold them over your library (top right corner, it will be highlighted to indicate you can drop them there) and just let go. This will tell iTunes to just add the files and not do anything else. It's quick and painless, and that way you'll have the same files on both libraries.

Have the same Apple ID entered for home sharing in the two iTunes and your ATV, and you're good to go.

Sorry if it's not clear, as I said it's late. Let me know if you have any more questions and I'll answer them tomorrow if no one else has beaten me to it. Good luck!

 

[mmomega]

All you have to do is have the external, have a folder called "music"

Open iTunes go to Preferences advanced and uncheck copy files to iTunes when adding to library.

Then click File, add to library... and point to your music folder.


All of the music will stay on the external regardless of OSX or Windows and iTunes will create a music library and download the album art.

Only thing is when you add more music you have to remember to "add to library..." again to import/add the newer music to your library in iTunes.