iTunes question (moving to France)

Posted by: rodwsmith on 06 March 2007

I wonder if someone could help me out:

Issue:
I am moving abroad (France) for a while and will not be taking my desktop computer (where my iTunes library is stored) with me. In fact it is pretty much so obsolete that the laptop I will be taking is more powerful and quicker in any case.

My Ipod - forgive my layman stance in such matters - is connected to this desktop computer, and I understand that an ipod will only regard one computer at a time as its 'home'.

If I transfer all my 42gig iTunes library to either my laptop or (preferably) a portable external drive, what - if any - will be the implications of connecting my ipod to the laptop? Is there any risk of it wiping it or anything equally un-nerving? I have a few weeks so can play around without risking anything (i.e. keeping a duplicate of the library on the desktop temporarily).

On another connected issue, malheuresement, I don't think I am going to be able to take the whole hi-fi with me (it may only be a six month contract), and to ship everything (and presumably do something about French voltages etc) will cost a great deal I imagine.

Therefore, for the time being, the ipod will be - shudder - my only source of music. Anyone got any practical experience of a portable amp/speaker thing that sounds tolerable? I already have good headphones, but will want some out-loud music.

I'll probably start a general 'moving to France' thread, but right now I am up to my neck in buy-to-let mortgages, storage, insurance and other such bureaucracy...

Any advice greatly appreciated.

Cheers

Rod
Posted on: 06 March 2007 by garyi
Hi Rod.

The best bet is to get the music folder on your PC onto the mac, the music folder resides in the itunes folder.

Once on the mac lap top, put it in your home folder>music>itunes. I am assuming there is currently nothing on itunes on your lappy.

Then launch itunes, and drag the folder onto the itunes window. This will update itunes with its now new music folder.

Attach you ipod. It will say that its connected to another PC etc, click yes, it will do one of two things, either wipe the music which you then need to put back on, or it will simply link with the new itunes folder which is all the old music any how.

I hope this makes sense.
Posted on: 06 March 2007 by Cyrene
Or use Ipod Agent software. It copies everything off your iPod at that moment and saves it on a new hard drive. You can do this several times in fact. I've used it before when the laptop went bang and we bought a new computer.
Posted on: 06 March 2007 by garyi
Yes that can be done, but to and fro from an iPod is terribly slow. If he for instance has a USB drive formatted in FAT then its a lot quicker.
Posted on: 06 March 2007 by rodwsmith
Thanks both

I will try Garyi's suggestion first as a
cursary check around indicates "Ipod agent" software is a pay-download (not that I mind) and a newer version from the same people - called i-gadget is available and apparently preferable.

I do intend to buy an external hard drive as I have a lot of computer stuff I want to take, so when I've got that I'll have a go...

I appreciate your help greatly.

Now, do you know of a UK motor insurance company that will offer permanent cover abroad? (Cheaper, I'm told, than French car insurance) I will not be parted from my elderly jag...

Cheers

Rod
Posted on: 07 March 2007 by Rasher
It's fairly easy Rod, itunes seems to manage to work things out quite well when moving the music folder around.
As for the "out loud" bit, I recommend getting some decent computer speakers. I have a system with sub-woofer made by a company called Nicole. Sounds fantastic, but cost £30. Just use the mini-jack. Buy a set when you get there.
Posted on: 07 March 2007 by Derek Wright
You should not have to worry about voltage issues re the HiFi, only the mains cable and you could overcome that by using a Hydra and connecting it to a French plug.

If you rent a van to take the stuff to where you will be you can take more or less what you want.
Posted on: 08 March 2007 by rodwsmith
Rasher, thanks
Derek, is this really the case - can I just plug my UK stuff into French plugholes via rewiring a plug or adapters? Is this universally the case - from kettle to hi-fi?

Video is something else that is perplexing me. I have a lot of DVDs, region 2-4, UK PAL.
Is there any point taking them? Presumably my telly won't work as a telly because it's PAL (I don't really care about television), but would play back my DVDs, the region thing shouldn't be an issue, but would PAL? The laptop can play DVDs so presumably I could get some kind of video out, although I suspect quality ain't great. If I bought a DVD player/TV in France would they play back my dvds? I'd value anyone's thoughts or relevant experiences!

Isn't the new Arcade Fire Album very excellent?!?

Cheers

Rod
Posted on: 08 March 2007 by blackfalldown
Rod,
You'll have no worries on the voltage issues. EU, including UK, is all nominal 230v - they just changed the tolerances to fit.

DVD's will be no problem. I play region 2 and 1 discs through both a SECAM TV. You're right on the TV tuner though. A UK PAL TV will not play a picture, but a Sky box PAL output does play back, so I'm told of course.

Any other questions, just let me know.
ciao
Gary