Replacing music files without losing database info
I'm seriously considering increasing the bitrate I use on my music. However, replacing the files on the iPod is a bit problematic. I'd really like to not have to lose my play counts, song ratings, and static playlists (I imagine) in this endeavor. The iPod allows multiple songs of the same artist, album, and title to be had, so I can't simply copy the new files into place. It also uses a crazy algorithm to determine the location of the music files, so I can't (easily) copy the new files into the hidden music directory on the iPod.
Does anybody know how I might accomplish my goal? Third party programs are fine with me. I've looked at EphPod, actually, and it doesn't seem to offer this functionality either.
Thanks in advance.
[787 byte] By [
Wild Bill] at [2007-11-10 4:43:48]
# 1 Re: Replacing music files without losing database info
Do you have the original CDs? If so, you can reimport them and iTunes will ask you if you want to "replace originals." It will import the higher bit rate song and retain all of the information from the old file. This only works if the songs are still in the iTunes library and were imported with iTunes to begin with.
I wouldn't recommend increasing the bit rate of the lossy files already in your library. All you'll get is a bigger music file, with no appreciable increase in sound quality.
# 2 Re: Replacing music files without losing database info
Yeah, these are all from the CDs I own. Unfortunately, I use an open source program to rip CDs. I've been ripping CDs a lot longer than I've had iTunes or iPod.
