iPod.iTunes - Settings explained

Settings & Tools explained

iPod.iTunes comes with default settings suitable for most users. If you wish to change something, click onto “Settings” in the tab bar at the top. If you rest the mouse a few seconds over a setting, a describing tool tip will appear.

Synchronization (the kind of)

To iTunes:

•Songs & Playlists
iPod.iTunes automatically transfers all missing songs, videos and playlist entries from the iPod to the iTunes library.
•Songs (manual copy)
iPod.iTunes creates a "iPod songs" playlists which shows iPod songs/videos not in the iTunes library. From this playlist you can manually choose songs/videos to copy.
•Songs
iPod.iTunes automatically transfers all iPod songs/videos which are missing in the iTunes library.
•Playlists
iPod.iTunes recreates all missing playlists/playlist entries in iTunes. Note that in this mode a playlist entry is only created if the proper song is already in the iTunes library (see also “Using iPod.iTunes-->”Running Playlist Synchronization”).

To iPod:

•Songs & Playlists
iPod.iTunes automatically transfers all missing songs, videos and playlist entries from the iTunes library to the iPod.
•Songs (manual copy)
iPod.iTunes creates a "iTunes songs" playlists which shows songs/videos from the iTunes library not on iPod. From this playlist you can manually choose songs/videos to copy.
•Songs
iPod.iTunes automatically transfers all songs/videos from the iTunes library which are missing on the iPod.
•Playlists
iPod.iTunes recreates all missing playlists/playlist entries on the iPod. Note that in this mode a playlist entry is only created if a proper song is already on the iPod (see also “Using iPod.iTunes-->”Running Playlist Synchronization”).

Song Synchronization Options

•Target Folder Location
If you store your music files not in iTunes’ default music folder, you can point iPod.iTunes to your custom folder. Songs transferred from the iPod will go into the given folder. iPod.iTunes will add files seamlessly to an existing collection - nothing will be overwritten or deleted.
•Create a folder structure of...
This setting handles how copied files are sorted into folders within the Target Folder. Usually you will use "artist/album" which is also the default of iTunes.
•Include protected files (iTMS songs/videos and Audible audiobooks)
If you don't want to copy protected files you can exclude them by turning this setting off.

Playlist Synchronization Options

•When creating a playlist, prefix it’s name with...
When recreating playlists, iPod.iTunes usually creates playlist in the target with the names as they are in the source. If a playlist with an equal name already exists in the target, missing playlist entries are added into those existing playlists.

With a prefix, iPod.iTunes looks not for the original name of the playlist but for "<Prefix + Playlist Name>". If such a playlist doesn't exists in the target it will be created. This way you can separate the playlists you want to transfer from already existing playlists in the target. For example, if you connect your mother's iPod and you want her playlists, but separated from your existing iTunes playlist, use a prefix like "Mom's iPod: ". The created playlists in iTunes will then look like "Mom's iPod: Best Of Pink Floyd" and your existing playlists remain untouched.

Hint: In the Tools tab you can easily delete prefixed playlists all at once.
•Include smart playlists
Recreating smart playlists is possible, but because of a limitation in iTunes they will appear as common playlists in the target.
•My Rating
When a playlist entry is created, apply the "My Rating" from the song in the source to the song in the target.
•Play Count
When a playlist entry is created, apply the "Play Count" from the song in the source to the song in the target.
•Last Played
When a playlist entry is created, apply the "Last Played" date from the song in the source to the song in the target.

•Find disconnected songs in the iTunes library
This function is to find and display/remove disconnected songs in the iTunes library (those with an exclamation mark). A disconnected song let iPod.iTunes "think" the file for that song is already in the iTunes library when it is not really. To learn more about disconnected songs open from the application’s Help menu "Known Issues".
•Delete iTunes playlists whose names starting with...
This can be useful if you did playlist synchronization with a playlist prefix and want to delete all prefixed playlists at once.
•iPod.iTunes Update
This makes updating iPod.iTunes very easy. With a single click.
•Reporting
•Send Logfile: Should you have a question or a problem you can email the author. If he (that’s me) request the application’s logfile, you can send it easily by clicking the “Send Logfile” button.
•Open Log Folder: If you want to view or delete the logfile you can reveal it by clicking the “Open Log Folder” button. The logfile is named “iPod_iTunes.log”.

Tools explained

iPod.iTunes comes with some helpful tools. To use a tool, click onto “Tools” in the tab bar at the top. If you rest the mouse a few seconds over a tool, a describing tool tip will appear.