Any Major Reasons To Switch Over From Media Center 9?
I'm pretty interested in iTunes 4, but I'm hesitant to install any more media programs on my computer. So, I was wondering if there's any major features that'll make me switch over from MC9. Thanks!
Yes, I know I should download it myself, but it's a pretty big download... and I already have enough stuff installed. My computer is on the brim of needing a reformat.
[400 byte] By [
Squibbles] at [2007-11-9 14:42:33]
# 1 Re: Any Major Reasons To Switch Over From Media Center 9?
Originally posted by Squibbles
I'm pretty interested in iTunes 4, but I'm hesitant to install any more media programs on my computer. So, I was wondering if there's any major features that'll make me switch over from MC9. Thanks!
Smoother integration with the iPod and AAC support. I think those are very good reasons myself, but if you've paid for Media Center then I think the decision would be harder. Download iTunes and try it out since it's free :D
# 2 Re: Any Major Reasons To Switch Over From Media Center 9?
Well I'm not too interested with AAC. I'm in no mood to reencode all my CDs. I'm using LAME --aps(e), so the sound is fine for me. How is the integration smoother? I'm also not very interested in the music store, since for $10, I'd rather buy the CD. I'm using the trial of MC9, so I can still switch pretty easily if there's a good reason to.
# 3 Re: Any Major Reasons To Switch Over From Media Center 9?
Not worth it right now, too many problems being reported, Apple need to do some more work on this.
# 4 Re: Any Major Reasons To Switch Over From Media Center 9?
Also, you'll probably find a lot of features you've gotten used to in MC9 and appreciate missing in iTunes.
Syncing is smoother in some ways, but more difficult if you have to use smartlists to sync (when your library is bigger than the iPod). You can't make Master Smartlists in iTunes like MC9. I'm still trying to figure out how I'm going to do it w/o checking off each song (ugh).
ADam
# 5 Re: Any Major Reasons To Switch Over From Media Center 9?
Does iTunes have replay gain? Or something I can use to normalize the volumes. I don't want to alter the original file in any way.
# 6 Re: Any Major Reasons To Switch Over From Media Center 9?
Bump!
# 7 Re: Any Major Reasons To Switch Over From Media Center 9?
It has soundcheck which is their version of it. It doesn't alter the source files. You then can enable it on your iPod by turning it on or off.
Same principle as what MC9 does. Although, I haven't figured out how to force iTunes to analyze your tunes. Guess it happens when they are played.
Adam
# 8 Re: Any Major Reasons To Switch Over From Media Center 9?
Just out of curiousity, what experiences have you seen with big music libraries and mc9? I have ~16k mp3, and mc9 choked and died every time I tried to point it at my library. I gave up, although I've heard such good things about it. I can't wait to see what iTunes will do with my collection.
# 9 Re: Any Major Reasons To Switch Over From Media Center 9?
So I'll have to play every single song to analyze it? That'll take a while.
Just out of curiousity, what experiences have you seen with big music libraries and mc9? I have ~16k mp3, and mc9 choked and died every time I tried to point it at my library. I gave up, although I've heard such good things about it. I can't wait to see what iTunes will do with my collection.
I only have about 1200 MP3s, so no problems for me.
# 10 Re: Any Major Reasons To Switch Over From Media Center 9?
Gadget:
It (MC9 I mean) is regularly tested with a 200K track library I believe. So I'd be surprised if it can't handle yours.
They rebuilt the database engine for 9.1. It was officially released a week or so ago.
Adam
# 11 Re: Any Major Reasons To Switch Over From Media Center 9?
Well I just downloaded iTunes to try it out.
To analyze the library, go to: Edit --> Preferences --> Effects --> Soundcheck.
Then push ok. It'll analyze your entire library after that.
So you're sure it won't alter the source files in any way? Also will it interfere with Media Center 9's Replay Gain in case I switch back? Thanks!
# 12 Re: Any Major Reasons To Switch Over From Media Center 9?
ok important questions
- does it use more memory than MC9??
- is it as fast?
- do i have to run the new 2.1 updater before syncing?
sifi at 2007-11-15 16:58:41 >
# 13 Re: Any Major Reasons To Switch Over From Media Center 9?
Originally posted by Squibbles
I'm also not very interested in the music store, since for $10, I'd rather buy the CD.
I've purchased 6-8 songs but I use it all of the time to preview stuff before heading to the cd store. If anything, install it and use it just for that. Its free!
MikeM at 2007-11-15 16:59:37 >
# 14 Re: Any Major Reasons To Switch Over From Media Center 9?
Yes, it uses alot more memory.
It's a little slower.
I'm not sure if you need to update the firmware, but I would.
# 15 Re: Any Major Reasons To Switch Over From Media Center 9?
Originally posted by Undergrid
Not worth it right now, too many problems being reported, Apple need to do some more work on this.
You're only seeing a small sample. Most people don't write about things working correctly.
I work for a software company and when we release new stuff, the tech support phones ring off of the hook. Its looks bad receiving 100 calls but if 10,000 copies were sold, its not a big deal.
There haven't been any major disaster reports. My pc works great [although I haven't really tested it much since I have a mac]. So try it for yourself before complaining.
MikeM at 2007-11-15 17:01:46 >
# 16 Re: Any Major Reasons To Switch Over From Media Center 9?
Alright, Well I just analyzed all my songs. After synching the iPod again, I went into settings and turned on sound check. It works great! The volume is a little lower than what I previously had it set to, but all the songs are at a similar volume. I just had to increase the volume a bit after turning it on -- instead of about 30%, it's about 50% now. I'm using the Shure E2, so it doesn't have to be set too high.
Personally, I haven't had any problems with iTunes. It's just whether I should switch from MC9. MC9 is faster, takes less ram, has better smartlists...
# 17 Re: Any Major Reasons To Switch Over From Media Center 9?
Well I just discovered iTunes's first bug. After synching with iTunes, some of my songs display incorrect play times. One song became 8 minutes instead of 4. Media Center 9 never did this.. any ideas?
# 18 Re: Any Major Reasons To Switch Over From Media Center 9?
about selecting tracks to put on ipd manually.. when i already had a bunch of stuff on there and just wanted to transfer an album or two i simply dragged the folders from windows explorer to the ipod window in mmjb, and it transferred no problem,
can you do this with itunes?? someone try it!! :) (i will when i'm home later)
# 19 Re: Any Major Reasons To Switch Over From Media Center 9?
Originally posted by oneness
about selecting tracks to put on ipd manually.. when i already had a bunch of stuff on there and just wanted to transfer an album or two i simply dragged the folders from windows explorer to the ipod window in mmjb, and it transferred no problem,
can you do this with itunes?? someone try it!! :) (i will when i'm home later)
On the mac, you just set the iPod prefs [iPod shaped button on lower right of iTunes with iPod plugged in] to manually update. Then you can drag files from the library onto the iPod.
MikeM at 2007-11-15 17:05:43 >
# 20 Re: Any Major Reasons To Switch Over From Media Center 9?
I restored my iPod again using the 2.1 updater. I went back to MC9.1 and synched my iPod with replay gain. MC's Replay Gain works much better than iTunes Sound Check. Sound Check still had some fluctuations here and there, but Replay Gain really keeps the songs at a stable volume. I keep it to about 25% max volume now. Also, the incorrect play times have been corrected with MC. I think I'll be sticking with MC for now. :)
But I'll give iTunes another go tomorrow to see if I missed something. Tomorrow's Friday, after all!
--EDIT--
One question: Does it matter that MC and iTunes have both analyzed my music? It won't conflict each other, will it?
# 21 Re: Any Major Reasons To Switch Over From Media Center 9?
Man, this board is moving fast today.
Someone please answer my question.. Thanks alot!
# 22 Re: Any Major Reasons To Switch Over From Media Center 9?
Squibbles, both program just edit a custom tag that contains the data about the file. Neither of them alter the songs so it really shouldn't matter at all.
# 23 Re: Any Major Reasons To Switch Over From Media Center 9?
Originally posted by oneness
about selecting tracks to put on ipd manually.. when i already had a bunch of stuff on there and just wanted to transfer an album or two i simply dragged the folders from windows explorer to the ipod window in mmjb, and it transferred no problem,
can you do this with itunes?? someone try it!! :) (i will when i'm home later)
Just tried it with a small folder, and to answer your question: Yes, you can.
g026r at 2007-11-15 17:09:49 >
