iTunes music lib to external HD

[raic36]

What is the best way to transfer an existing music library on my iMac to an external USB HD? The root problem is how I get iTunes to read the shifted library and when I copy my remaining CDs can they be ripped directly to the external drive?
As a side issue, I would like to get music from the iMac to my home stereo; other than running a long red and white tipped splitter from my headphone jack to the stereo, is there a FM transmitter or like piece of equipment that could do the job?
17" iMac w/Panther, 160GB USB LaCie

 

[sonofslim]

iTunes->Preferences->Advanced->Music Folder Location

change it to whatever you want. also check 'Keep Music Folder Organized' and it'll copy everything over for you, and put new imports in there as well.

edit: as for your second question: http://www.slimp3.com/ pricey, but WOOO sexy gadget!

 

[stoid]

Just change the library location in Advanced tab of the Preferences panel.

edit: sonofslim beats me to it, but what about the regular FM transmitter thing like iRock? you could use one of those as well I guess.

Note that an FM transmitter will not deliver the same sound quality

 

[OutThere]

When you move all your music to your external drive you might have some issues with iTunes for a bit, you might have to fiddle around with the library, adding your music folder back again etc. iTunes can be really finicky when you move your music. I wouldn't expect it to keep the iTunes specific tags like rating, play count and last played/date added. This has always been a problem as I have had to balance my hard drive space between my external and internal, and iTunes tends to get mad.