Itunes tips and tricks

Luckily, iTunes natively allows users to export song lists from their music library or specific playlists as either

Text or XML files.

To do this, open up iTunes and select Music in the iTunes source pane on the left side of the window. Once Music is highlighted as a source, select the "Export?" option in the iTunes File menu. iTunes gives you a Save As window with the option to save your music library list as either a Text file or XML (we recommend the more universally useful Text file).

Once the file is exported, you can drag it into a spreadsheet program such as Excel and manipulate the data however you like. To export a listing of just your iTunes movie library, podcasts, or a particular playlist, select the item from the source pane and follow the same instructions outlined above.

The downside to this technique is that most people find that iTunes exports more information that they need (for instance, song bit rate, disc number, date modified, and so on). If you want to print an attractive, basic list of your music library, you can actually print directly from iTunes. Just highlight your music library in the source pane (as in the previous example) and select "Print?" from the iTunes File menu. You'll see options for CD Jewel case insert, Song listing, and Album listing, along with dropdown menu of themes, and a visual preview of the printing format. The Song listing print option provides the most bang for the buck when it comes to music library bragging rights, but if you've gone to the trouble of adding album art to your collection, printing in Album listing mode is more visually impressive.

 

Make your own iPhone ringtones for free

There are many ringtones available for iPhone users.  But purchasing a slew of ringtones can get expensive after awhile.  You're already paying a lot for your iPhone contract -- do you really want to fork out more money for 15-second clips of your favorite songs?

Save yourself some money by simply creating your own iPhone ringtones for free.  All you'll need is an iPhone (of course), iTunes and a collection of MP3 files. 

Here are the steps involved:
1. Open iTunes and select your favorite MP3 audio file.
2. Right-click (Cmd-click for Macs) on this file in your library to bring up the context menu.
3. Select Get Info. This will open a new dialog box showing various details about the audio file. Select the Options tab.
4. Check the boxes next to both Start Time and Stop Time and enter the times you want your new ringtone to start and stop (the maximum length is 40 seconds) then click OK.  This will return you to your music library.

5. Right-click (Cmd-click) on the same music file again and this time select Convert Selection to AAC. iTunes will process this briefly and insert the new ringtone-sized file under the original file in your library.
6. Right-click (Cmd-click) on the newly created file and select: "Show in Windows Explorer (or Finder on a Mac)"
A new dialog box will open showing you the location of this file. Select the file and rename it, changing the file extension from ".m4a" to ".m4r". Windows will warn you that this change may make the file unstable, but continue anyway.
Back in iTunes re-import the renamed file back into your library. Connect your iPhone and sync your playlist. You may have to manually drag the .m4r file into the Ringtones section on your iPhone. With your iPhone synced this file is now ready to be used as a ringtone.

 

Get your PC to recognize your iPod again

Frightened of Windows (and other computers)

We've heard the same sob story many times: My Windows XP PC simply won't recognize my iPod anymore, or it never has in the first place. How can you transfer tracks and do the iPod dance if your iPod doesn't even show up in iTunes?

In many cases, the disconnect has to do with either an iPod firmware update or digital cobwebs within your system. Generally speaking, Mac users don't run into this problem--not too surprising, given that the iPod was manufactured specifically for the Mac platform (iTunes for Windows is a shadow of the Mac version). We've heard dozens of instances of an iPod not being recognized by Windows computers even after it had been recognized in the past. Don't fret; there are a number of possible reasons and fixes.

Have you tried these things?

1. Have you updated your iPod firmware lately? We've heard of many cases where the latest firmware--especially with older iPod models--will create a disconnect between the iPod and its host PC. In general, the best thing to do is to try a soft reset of your iPod and try reconnecting. You can also try a factory reset (as seen in Wednesday's worry) using the iPod Updater, although your iPod probably won't be recognized by the utility. If soft resetting doesn't work, try uninstalling iTunes and all your other iPod-related software and reinstalling them from scratch.
2. Have you updated to Windows XP SP2? New service packs and updates could be the culprit; we've heard many users notice that their iPod has lost connectivity after their Windows update. SP2 has been known to interfere with FireWire and other host controllers and hardware. Again, try uninstalling all iPod-related software and reinstalling.

This is iTunes 4.7 on my Windows XP box. My iPod is connected via USB 2.0 but it doesn't always show up in iTunes. That is scary.

3. Have you introduced any new hardware to your system? It's typical for us to load tons of software and hardware drivers on our PCs here at CNET, and in at least two cases, our iPods wouldn't show up either as a drive letter or in iTunes. The more crap you have on your computer, the more your chances of driver- or hardware-related interference increase. Try ridding your system of any unnecessary hardware or software, uninstalling iPod-related software, and reinstalling. Even though your FireWire or USB 2.0 card (third party or system based) may have worked before, it may not have the power requirements to gel with your iPod if you have other devices connected. Check Apple for its hardware recommendations.

Turn your CDs into MP3s

You can use several free audio jukeboxes to rip CDs into MP3s, but two of the most popular ones are Windows Media Player (WMP) and Apple iTunes.
For WMP:

1. Right-click along the top of the window.
2. Select Tools.
3. Then Options.
4. Click the Rip Music tab.
5. Choose MP3 as the format.

For iTunes (on a Mac)

1. Under the drop-down menu labeled iTunes, selct Preferences.
2. Then selct the icon for Importing.
3. In the drop-down menu for Import Using, select the MP3 Encoder, then click OK.

Both programs work equally well and allow you to select a bit rate of up to 320Kbps. If you want to take up less space on your hard drive, opt for a lower bit rate; use a higher bit rate if sound quality is more important to you.

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