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Post by Boomzilla on Feb 14, 2013 16:26:30 GMT -5
iTunes has messed up my music for the final time. Day before yesterday, I searched for "In The Midnight Hour" in songs and found the two tracks that I'm supposed to have: The version by The Wicked Pickett and the version on the original Commitments soundtrack. Today I do the same search: NO RESULTS FOUND The original Commitments soundtrack is no longer listed at all - The original Pickett version is no longer listed at all. This is NOT the first time that iTunes has lost my music. I told iFeces to "add to library" and pointed it to my external RAID - no change. Apple iTunes just plain SUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCKS! If you're the fool wanting to defend iTunes, just go away. Don't tell me how many terabytes of music you have in iTunes without a problem; I just don't want to hear it. There are FAR more people in my shoes than in yours. Your experience is the exception, mine is the average. Now that I've got the rant off my chest, here's what I want: Preference #1: - An external device not requiring a computer.
- The device should take a USB or external SATA connection directly from my external HDD.
- The device must be able to catalog my iTunes library in AIFF format WITHOUT me having to convert to another format.
- The device must be able to catalog my iTunes library, hopefully, without me having to change the (bizarre) iTunes folder structure.
- The device MUST be able to import track names from iFeces without losing data
- The device should be a "two-piece" arrangement with a 802.11n transmitter in the base and a remote that I can use to browse the library and initiate playback.
- Ideally, the device would have an optical or digital RCA output so that I could use a (better) external DAC.
Preference #2: - Mac or PC software (Mac preferred since I already have an old Macbook laying around).
- The software must be able to catalog my iTunes library in AIFF format WITHOUT me having to convert to another format.
- The software must be able to catalog my iTunes library, hopefully, without me having to change the (bizarre) iTunes folder structure.
- The software must be able to import track names (at a minimum) from iFeces without losing data.
- Should be able to use a remote device (phone or pad) to allow browsing and selection of tracks.
SOMEBODY has to have a better solution to music management than Apple. I've stuck with iFeces though three different versions (or more?) by now in hopes that Apple would get their act together. I'm through waiting. I've lost music to iFeces for the LAST time. Where do I go from here?
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DYohn
Emo VIPs
Posts: 18,352
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Post by DYohn on Feb 14, 2013 16:33:01 GMT -5
And you know what? I don't care if you don't want to hear it: iTunes works great for me. You must be doing something wrong, or you must have a system issue that is not a standard setup..
Continue your tirade if you must, and good luck finding something else that you like better, but don't condemn iTunes out of hand just because you can't get it to work.
This is really not the place for your comments, according to the forum rules...
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Post by garbulky on Feb 14, 2013 16:45:25 GMT -5
I use foobar. It's very customizable with all kinds of skins but I just use the default. It has never lost my files and handles nearly all major audio format. I just press ctrl+f and it seaches fast. It's only downside is that in default mode, the GUI is very simplistic - too simplistic almost.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 14, 2013 16:59:17 GMT -5
Hey Boom, I hear ya! Being a database guy, I'm betting they have problems with corrupted indices. Is it possible to re-build the indices?
Additionally, I know you said you didn't want to convert youe music from AIFF, but that mey not be the smartest way to go long-term. Keep in mind that dbPowerAmp - a *fabulous* piece of software - can do a batch convert of ALL of your toonz. Just set it running and go to bed. Wake up and the deed is done...
I'm just sayin'...
-RW-
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Post by guitarsteve on Feb 14, 2013 17:01:19 GMT -5
If you can find a Squeezebox Touch it will satisfy all of your Preferences for the hardware device.
I had similar frustration with itunes until I unticked "Keep Itunes media folder organised" in the advanced preferences and also untick the "copy files to media folder"
Now Itunes cannot move stuff around on me without my own doing. I can now organise my folders manually and I use dbpoweramp for ripping into my music folder.
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Post by Boomzilla on Feb 14, 2013 17:02:02 GMT -5
And you know what?...This is really not the place for your comments, according to the forum rules... Sorry if I violated forum rules. It wasn't intended. I also apologize for stepping on the toes of iTunes fans. What I know is that I've been to the Apple genius bar at least a dozen times (no exaggeration). They have been mystified that iTunes has done what it has. They agreed that my observations are correct and have been unable to diagnose the problem. I have now had repeated issues with iTunes data loss through: 3 different computers 5 different external hard drives 3 or more versions of iTunes both internal and external drive locations for the library So, no, I can't get it to work and neither can Apple. This is NOT a personal problem. It is a fundamental issue with iTunes. I'm glad that your copy hasn't caused you the same problems, David, but mine has. I resent your implication that just because you haven't shared the problems that I'm somehow at fault for these issues. There is absolutely nothing "non-standard" about my setups. The Apple store (two different stores, four or five different "geniuses") have all said that I'm using the software correctly, that nothing seems corrupted, and that they have no idea why this is happening. They also admit, sheepishly, that I'm not the only customer who has this problem. I'd think that the Apple store, having experiences with hundreds of customers, has a more realistic take on iTunes than a single customer whose software works fine. The bottom line is: If you're happy with iTunes, then I'm happy for you and I hope your positive experience continues. My experience has consistently been the opposite and since Apple can't help me, diagnose the problem, or provide the reliability that I need, I'm looking elsewhere. I do condemn iTunes and for good reasons.
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Post by GreenKiwi on Feb 14, 2013 17:04:04 GMT -5
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Post by Boomzilla on Feb 14, 2013 17:06:07 GMT -5
Hey Boom, I hear ya! Being a database guy, I'm betting they have problems with corrupted indices...piece of software - can do a batch convert of ALL of your toonz. Thanks, RW - I'm almost certain that database corruption IS the source of my problem. Unfortunately, Apple doesn't like users mucking about in their internals. As to converting my files, what format would you suggest? I'm willing to burn the storage space to maintain lossless and would prefer NOT to use a compressed format. Thanks - Boomzilla
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Post by Porscheguy on Feb 14, 2013 17:06:27 GMT -5
I'll bet worldwide there are ten's of millions of users (if not more) that use iTunes everyday without a lick of a problem.... You are truly one of the few I'm sure.
Whats the point of continually whining for two months about it? You hate iTunes, we know it, move on...
Really....... Its not like we can help you or even commiserate with you because for 99% of us it flawless.....
Don't be mad... :-)
I can't even believe you would take the time to type that long winded post.....
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Post by Boomzilla on Feb 14, 2013 17:09:12 GMT -5
If you can find a Squeezebox Touch it will satisfy all of your Preferences for the hardware device. Thanks guitarsteve - I'll definitely check it out! I had similar frustration with itunes until I unticked "Keep Itunes media folder organised" in the advanced preferences and also untick the "copy files to media folder" That's how I've got mine set too, but I'm still getting bit.
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Post by arthurz on Feb 14, 2013 17:15:57 GMT -5
Damn computers. Just a fad. It will blow over soon.
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Post by jhayman on Feb 14, 2013 17:16:38 GMT -5
I'm with you Boomzilla iFeces sucks ever since I tried to use it with the original first Gen ishuffle.. I hate it..
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Post by audiohead on Feb 14, 2013 17:23:45 GMT -5
Damn computers. Just a fad. It will blow over soon. Nice here Cold beer for ya!..Just buy the dam CD already!!..lolo..J/kin..
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Post by Boomzilla on Feb 14, 2013 17:30:50 GMT -5
If you can find a Squeezebox Touch it will satisfy all of your Preferences for the hardware device.. Hi again Steve - Have you personal experience with the Squeezebox (SB)? Looking at the specs, it seems that it should do all that I want. If I understand the reviews correctly, then once the initial SB database is built, that the external HDD can remain plugged directly into the SB without having to have a computer between. Is this correct? The reviews that I read also indicated that cover art should be stored as an independent .jpg file in the directory with the song? The fewer components I have in the chain, the happier I'll be. If the SB eliminates the computer, then setup becomes significantly easier (no monitor required on the equipment stand, etc.). Thanks for the tip!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 14, 2013 18:06:42 GMT -5
Use JRiver Media Center, I've never had a problem with it. I've had many problems with iTunes; Windows Media player is worse...
/b
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Feb 14, 2013 18:07:41 GMT -5
Boom, I would transcode to FLAC, it's the most universal and well-supported. Of course, it is lossless and taggable...
-RW-
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Post by guitarsteve on Feb 14, 2013 18:32:20 GMT -5
Hi again Steve - Have you personal experience with the Squeezebox (SB)? Looking at the specs, it seems that it should do all that I want. If I understand the reviews correctly, then once the initial SB database is built, that the external HDD can remain plugged directly into the SB without having to have a computer between. Is this correct? The reviews that I read also indicated that cover art should be stored as an independent .jpg file in the directory with the song? The fewer components I have in the chain, the happier I'll be. If the SB eliminates the computer, then setup becomes significantly easier (no monitor required on the equipment stand, etc.). Thanks for the tip! Yes I use it everyday. I have the server and data on my computer but many use it straight off a USB hard drive. I never go to my computer to use it. You basically just point the server software to the music folder and it does the rest. It can connect to your computer via wifi or ethernet. It has a touch screen and a remote and you can also control it via ipad software etc. It is a discontinued product but still seems to be stock around. It is a very flexible product and there are many add on modules etc. The slim devices forum has pages of info. I run the Squeezebox touch into xda-2 via coaxial.
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Post by drtrey3 on Feb 14, 2013 18:36:35 GMT -5
I too have a squeezebox touch and love it. So do my wife nad kids as they can find anything they want to hear quickly and easily. And let me also give some love to Jriver Media Player. It sounds great, is powerful, and will play my high res files.
I do keep iTunes, but only for my iPod classics.
Trey
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Post by GreenKiwi on Feb 14, 2013 18:36:56 GMT -5
One quick note about the SBT, I tried it connected to a USB drive and it really didn't like having reasonably large collections on it. I had approx 6k songs.
Connect it up to a server and its golden.
As RW said, convert to FLAC if your moving away from iTunes. Or apple lossless if you end up sticking with iTunes.
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Post by brubacca on Feb 14, 2013 18:46:02 GMT -5
I use a squeezebox sb3 and touch.i have had great success with my squeezebox touch with external ssd drive, but I use it in a powered dock. Flac is my choice, but I believe you can use apple formats.
I love the fact that I can just use a normal remote to select songs, or my iPad or my iPhone.
I have never had the problems you have had with iTunes, but I would be as frustrated as you with what you are going through.
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