Noob: iTunes/iPod Sync Options

[badger98]

Please choose the appropriate forum for this topic. Thank you. Please choose the appropriate forum for this topic. Thank you. Looks like a great forum here. I'm hoping to learn a lot from you guys.

I just bought a 4G 40 gig iPod, and I'm laying out my syncing strategy with iTunes. I've already loaded all of my mp3s (about 37 gigs) into iTunes, and have downloaded all of the mp3s to the iPod for the time being. I haven't really gotten a feel yet for what exactly happens during automatic or manual syncing with iTunes, so I'm having trouble determining my ideal syncing setup. Here's what I'd like to do...

1. Maintain all of my mp3's in the iTunes library, but keep only a subset on the iPod.
2. Rate songs in both iTunes and the iPod, and have those ratings sync between the two. Most likely I'll use ratings to help determine which songs I'll remove from the iPod.
3. Maintain ID3 tags within iTunes, and have those sync with the iPod.
4. Be able to remove songs from the iPod and have them remain in iTunes. Of course, I'd like to reserve the ability to re-add the songs to the iPod later.
5. Use autosync wherever possible.

That's about all I can think of. What exactly is the autosync functionality marrying up between the two devices? Is there anything in autosync that undermines my strategy?

Thanks in advance for any tips you can provide!

[CrzyCanuck72]

the only waty to achieve those effects while still auto-syncing is to:

1. uncheck the songs you don't want synced in iTunes, and in iPod preferences enable "Sync only selected songs"
2. create a playlist(s) with the songs you want synced and in iPod preferences select "Sync selected playlists only" and check the playlists you want synced

in either scenario you'll be able to stop songs from being synced (either by unchecking them or by removing them from the playlists that are being synced) but be able to sync them later on. Also, you'll have all the autosync features, like ratings importing.

[badger98]

CrzyCanuck,

Thanks for the suggestions. I like your option #1. I'm trying it right now, though, and it seems that I don't have the ability to delete songs from the iPod when I have the "automatically update all songs and playlists" feature (even if the "only update checked songs" is checked). Does this sound right, or am I doing something wrong?

Thanks for the help.

[CrzyCanuck72]

what do you mean by "delete songs from the iPod"?

if you mean delete songs on the iPod unit itself, this is not a feature supported by the firmware regardless of updating method. If you mean you have songs unchecked in iTunes but they still transfer to the iPod, then I'm unsure of a remedy...

[badger98]

I just tried unchecking a song from the library with autosync on. It removed the song from the iPod, which is what I was hoping for. Looks like there's no need to explicitly "delete" the song from the iPod after unchecking it in the library.

This is probably what you were suggesting, so sorry if I was confusing with the questions. Thanks much for all the help!

[studogvetmed]

That's the majic of autosync, once you tell it to not be on the iPod anymore and update the iPod the song will be gone from the iPod and stay in iTunes. No muss no fuss.

I echo that "Update selected playlists only" is the way for you since you want to keep all songs in iTunes, but only a subset on your iPod. I however do not recommend to use unchecking as a method of keeping large numbers of songs off your iPod.

This is because if the songs aren't checked in iTunes they don't play in iTunes unless you select them and tell them to play. I use the uncheck option for songs like audiobooks and christmas songs I only want active at certain times (and on my iPod at certain times)

You really don't need the uncheck/check option if you use the selected playlists only. If the song isn't in a playlist it will not be on the iPod. If a song was in the playlist and on an iPod, and then you remove it from the playlist (but keep it in the library) as long as it isn't in any other playlists, it will be off the iPod.

I use smartplaylists and make sure that they are set to only match checked songs (this way unchecked songs never make it into a smartplaylist).

Just my take.

Good luck,
Stuart