Another annoying Xmas question!!

[impish1962]

Hi everyone. Hope this isn't too basic but PLEASE help!! We've had a 2nd Gen nano for a while and we now have a 3rd Gen which we got up and running fine on Xmas Day! However my query is about syncing. The old nano has obviously built up it's own library on iTUNES which it syncs to when connected. When the new iPOD is put onto the pc it too tries to sync with the old library but as my daughter has different music tastes to my son, this is not good news!! So what I'm a little stuck on is why iTUNES can recognise the 2 different iPODS but still try and sync the new iPOD to the old library and if there's a way of getting round this so that effectively they have their own library? I hope I've made sense and look forward to you experts putting me out of my misery. Many thanks guys

[electrozoid]

There are some posts already in the forums about how to manage more than one iPod on the same computer. I'd suggest you search around and take a look because there are different aspects to doing that. But a straightforward approach is to manage your synch manually.

[simplykristi]

There are some posts already in the forums about how to manage more than one iPod on the same computer. I'd suggest you search around and take a look because there are different aspects to doing that. But a straightforward approach is to manage your synch manually.

It would probably be more helpful to point the OP to some threads by posting some links instead of just saying to search. I find search features on forums pretty bad.

Kristi

[electrozoid]

Maybe I wasn't clear enough when I mentioned there were different aspects to synching more than one iPod.

Do you want the two to have separate Apple Store accounts so you can manage costs separately?
Do you want the library to be shared between them so rating songs is done only once?
Do you have a second computer to manage files?
How much separation do you want and how much do you want to share?
And there are other aspects that I myself haven't even considered.

All these aspects are not immediately obvious but when you search you start getting ideas. It allows the OP to consider scenarios and design a better solution. Specifically in regards to managing multiple accounts there are many possibilities so there's no "right" approach. What is "best" is up to each to figure out.

[impish1962]

Hi and thanks for your replies. I have started to search but as you say Kristi it's a little tricky finding exactly the answer to your query! I suppose to summarise I'd like the best solution to 1 computer, 2 iPODS, don't need separate iTUNES accounts but where in simple terms each iPOD has it's own 'library' if possible. At the moment I'm checking and unchecking 1 library's songs so that the same tracks don't appear on both iPODS when syncing. I think it's probably basic stuff but as usual you're dealing with an English 40 something guy with 2 impatient kids!!
Thanks again in anticipation of your further help.

[electrozoid]

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=300432

and

http://bestipodstuff.com/2007/12/24/how-to-prepare-itunes-for-multiple-ipod-users/

[mithra]

I think the simplest thing to do is to set both nanos to automatically sync selected playlists.

Separate playlists (one or more) can be created for each child. Tick which playlists are to be transferred to each particular iPod.

See Method 2 in this support article. (http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=300432)

[minimidget]

I think the easiest thing to do is to make two libraries. If you hold down shift as you open iTUnes, a message will pop up asking which library to use. From there, it's simple. Just keep one library for your daughter, one for your son.

Easy as that. And a lot less complex than two playlists, as with this you can also sync videos, and podcasts, etc, rather than just music.

[minimidget]

Method Three
Create a separate iTunes library for each iPod Note: It is important that you make a new iTunes Library file. Do not just make a copy of your existing iTunes Library file. If iTunes is open, quit it.

1. Mac users: Hold down the Option key while you open iTunes.
Windows users: Hold down the Shift key while you open iTunes.
2. In the dialog that appears, do the following:
3. Click Create Library.
4. Name and save the alternate library file. iTunes opens with your brand new library file.
5. Open iTunes Preferences.
6. Click the Advanced tab and then click the General tab.
7. De-select Copy files to iTunes Music folder when adding to library checkbox if it is selected and click OK. This will prevent iTunes from creating duplicate copies of your existing media files in the new library folder.
8. Add the specific media files you want on your iPod to iTunes either by dragging them into iTunes or using the Add to Library option in the File menu.
9. Once you have the iTunes LIbrary just how you want it, connect and sync iPod.
10. Once the sync is complete, quit iTunes.
11. Mac users: Hold down the Option key while you open iTunes.
Windows users: Hold down the Shift key while you open iTunes.
12. Click Choose library.
13. Choose your original iTunes Library and click Choose (Mac Users) or Open (Windows Users). You can now switch back and forth between the different libraries for different iPods.


That's the method I just mentioned, I find it to be better for ipods with video and such.

[J4z]

I know it has been posted before, but this information is great for us newbies... I'm suprised that its not in some guide somewhere here on iLounge for this. (there just might be but I would have no clue where to look for it)

Quite the long post for simply saying the following:

THANK YOU for providing info on this topic... Impish was not the only one who was interested in this information.

:)

[impish1962]

Just a quick note to thank all those who took time to post replies to my query. These have been extremely helpful and have solved the problem!!
Happy New Year to you all.
Cheers:)