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iTunes Match Questions

ericg301

ericg301

macrumors 68020
Original poster
Jun 15, 2010
2,334
2,653
I know iTunes match isn't live yet, but I have some questions about it that I'm hope any of the beta testers can answer.

Assuming my library gets matched, I understand all my original files get erased and replaced by 256kbs tracks from iTunes. So...

1. What happens if I cancel the service? The "cloud" feature isn't as important to me as the "upgrade all of lower bit rate song" features. I'd gladly pay a one-time fee of $24.99 to upgrade my library. But if I don't renew next year, I still get to keep those files right? Or what if I have my library on a couple different devices and cancel...do those files remain (but will no longer sync?) or do they magically erase?

2. Having said that, I do convert all my tracks to 128KBS to fit on my iPhone. I assume tracks downloaded via the cloud to my phone will be in the higher quality though, right? That could create some storage space issues.

3. Do playcounts and other meta data sync across all devices?
 
I was wondering the same thing as your first question. Thanks for asking OP
 
I believe that the re-downloaded 256kbs tracks are locally stored on your computer, just as the original files were. I don't see any other way for this to work (especially if you are offline).

With that said, I don't see how Apple could then take back those files if you do not renew the service.

I am sure we will get more insight on this from someone that has toyed with it in the dev stage.
 
Patriot24 said:
I believe that the re-downloaded 256kbs tracks are locally stored on your computer, just as the original files were. I don't see any other way for this to work (especially if you are offline).

With that said, I don't see how Apple could then take back those files if you do not renew the service.

I am sure we will get more insight on this from someone that has toyed with it in the dev stage.
Click to expand...

I don't see how that can possibly be right since people would upgrade their files and then cancel. I thought your local files stayed the same but the files you stream from the cloud would be at the higher quality. And those Apple can take away. Guess we'll have to wait and see specifics.
 
ericg301 said:
2. Having said that, I do convert all my tracks to 128KBS to fit on my iPhone. I assume tracks downloaded via the cloud to my phone will be in the higher quality though, right? That could create some storage space issues.
Click to expand...

Do you know that you can have iTunes do this automatically for you on-the-fly while the files are being copied onto your iOS device? Just use the checkbox "Convert to 128 kpbs" on the summary screen when the device is plugged in. THis option will NOT change the file residing on your computer, which can be at a higher kbps, but will convert them just on your device while initially transfering them. This works great, although it's SLOW......

Tony
 
kilcher said:
I don't see how that can possibly be right since people would upgrade their files and then cancel. Guess we'll have to wait and see specifics.
Click to expand...

I just don't see how Apple is going to say, "OK, give us back all of our files. Oh by the way, we deleted all of your originals. Bye."

You certainly aren't storing all of your original files in addition to Match files - that would defeat the whole purpose of the service. And it isn't like Apple is uploading all of your original files to their servers for storage.
 
Tones2 said:
Do you know that you can have iTunes do this automatically for you on-the-fly while the files are being copied onto your iOS device? Just use the checkbox "Convert to 128 kpbs" on the summary screen when the device is plugged in. THis option will NOT change the file residing on your computer, which can be at a higher kbps, but will convert them just on your device while initially transfering them. This works great, although it's SLOW......

Tony
Click to expand...

Oh I know - that's exactly what I do. It get my 30GB library down to 16...which fits perfectly on my 32GB phone.

But I'm wondering about songs downloaded via the cloud directly to my phone. I assume they'll be at 256, while the rest of my songs will be 128. Not a huge deal...

And yes, it takes a while. It's usually an overnight operation.
 
Patriot24 said:
I just don't see how Apple is going to say, "OK, give us back all of our files. Oh by the way, we deleted all of your originals. Bye."

You certainly aren't storing all of your original files in addition to Match files - that would defeat the whole purpose of the service. And it isn't like Apple is uploading all of your original files to their servers for storage.
Click to expand...

I've asked this question several times and never received an answer from anyone, but what the heck happens to any metadata stored in your old files, such as lyrics? Does it just get wiped out when the file is replaced? I don't think people would be too happy about that, including me.

Tony

----------
ericg301 said:
Oh I know - that's exactly what I do. It get my 30GB library down to 16...which fits perfectly on my 32GB phone.

But I'm wondering about songs downloaded via the cloud directly to my phone. I assume they'll be at 256, while the rest of my songs will be 128. Not a huge deal...

And yes, it takes a while. It's usually an overnight operation.
Click to expand...

Yes, it'd be 256 kbps if you download directly from your phone. But you can always delete them from your phone after listening and reload at 128 kbps from iTunes if you want them on your phone more permanently.

Tony
 
the files you your computer will be untouched...al Itunes Match will do is scan what you have and compare to whats on the Itunes Store Database and match it if available.

This means that if you are away from your computer and on your ipad/iphone or another computer you are able to stream these files off the internet or redownload them if you are missing them.
 
I don't have the link handy. Matched songs you download are yours to keep forever.

I plan to download many of my matched songs as I used to rip my CDs at a lower bitrate.
 
PNutts said:
I don't have the link handy. Matched songs you download are yours to keep forever.

I plan to download many of my matched songs as I used to rip my CDs at a lower bitrate.
Click to expand...

I'd would safely assume this as well. They're probably store in our iTunes folder on our machines.
 
barnetty said:
the files you your computer will be untouched...al Itunes Match will do is scan what you have and compare to whats on the Itunes Store Database and match it if available.

This means that if you are away from your computer and on your ipad/iphone or another computer you are able to stream these files off the internet or redownload them if you are missing them.
Click to expand...

sorry that's not right. iTunes Match does not allow streaming. You can listen to a song while it downloads, but you can't stream the way you would Spotify.
 
barnetty said:
the files you your computer will be untouched...al Itunes Match will do is scan what you have and compare to whats on the Itunes Store Database and match it if available.

This means that if you are away from your computer and on your ipad/iphone or another computer you are able to stream these files off the internet or redownload them if you are missing them.
Click to expand...

I've been looking all over the internet and I'm amazed that I can't yet find how this is going to actually work, but if what you are saying is true, then if you have a 128 kbps file on your computer, then the 256 kbps matched copy will NOT be loaded to your computer library EVER - the file on the computer will stay at 128 kbps. The 256 kbps version resides only in iCloud and will be loaded onto a mobile device upon request, but would not update the computer version even if syncing that device. The only way to get the 256 kbps version then would be to delete the 128 kbps version from your computer (after the initial Matching process) and redownload, I assume.

Can someone verify that this is in fact correct?

Tony
 
You would only lose the ability to download those songs again.

I see a trend happening on BitTorrent soon, called the "iTunes Match Version", where the files are super low bitrate, and for users of iTunes Match.
 
From what I understand, the higher bit rate versions of the songs are only available to download on iOS devices; the local copy on your Mac or PC doesn't change at all. Meaning better quality on the smaller device. If you cancel the subscription to iTunes Match, you can't download any of them to your iOS device, and it doesn't alter any files on your laptop or desktop.
 
Tones2 said:
I've been looking all over the internet and I'm amazed that I can't yet find how this is going to actually work, but if what you are saying is true, then if you have a 128 kbps file on your computer, then the 256 kbps matched copy will NOT be loaded to your computer library EVER - the file on the computer will stay at 128 kbps. The 256 kbps version resides only in iCloud and will be loaded onto a mobile device upon request, but would not update the computer version even if syncing that device. The only way to get the 256 kbps version then would be to delete the 128 kbps version from your computer (after the initial Matching process) and redownload, I assume.

Can someone verify that this is in fact correct?

Tony
Click to expand...

but i thought that as part of the matching process, your desktop iTunes removes all previous songs and replaces them?


I guess the bigger point is that despite there being beta testers, there's still a lot of questions.
 
Zcott said:
From what I understand, the higher bit rate versions of the songs are only available to download on iOS devices; the local copy on your Mac or PC doesn't change at all. Meaning better quality on the smaller device. If you cancel the subscription to iTunes Match, you can't download any of them to your iOS device, and it doesn't alter any files on your laptop or desktop.
Click to expand...

what about another computer though?
 
ericg301 said:
but i thought that as part of the matching process, your desktop iTunes removes all previous songs and replaces them?


I guess the bigger point is that despite there being beta testers, there's still a lot of questions.
Click to expand...

I don't KNOW, that's why I'm asking. I was hoping it would NOT automatically replace songs on my computer and iDevice automatically as that would wipe out my metadata and probably mess up the organization that I've spent so hard to maintain. I still can't believe no one can describe how this works yet.

Tony
 
kilcher said:
I don't see how that can possibly be right since people would upgrade their files and then cancel. I thought your local files stayed the same but the files you stream from the cloud would be at the higher quality. And those Apple can take away. Guess we'll have to wait and see specifics.
Click to expand...

Beta testers have already confirmed that the higher quality files do download to the local machine. And they have no DRM as Apple announced, so there doesn't seem to be any way for Apple to delete them if you quit the service.

I assume Apple is aware of the possibility but thinks that enough people will find enough value in the service that they'll want to keep it. And I think they're right.

The lyrics, metadata, and ratings question is a good one, can anyone beta testing confirm what happens with those when the higher quality files are downloaded? And what about remote download to other machines (phones), are at least ratings transferred?
 
IIRC the new files are AAC, is that correct?

What if I want to keep my MP3s? I don't want AAC files.
 
Geckotek said:
IIRC the new files are AAC, is that correct?

What if I want to keep my MP3s? I don't want AAC files.
Click to expand...

Apple has always used AAC. If you want MP3, keep those files. And you probably won't be interested in the feature.
 
milo said:
Apple has always used AAC. If you want MP3, keep those files. And you probably won't be interested in the feature.
Click to expand...

I am interested in the feature, but I guess that means I have to backup all my MP3s to another location (which I should be doing anyway).

Kind of annoying since AAC isn't so versatile.
 
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