[Starcat]

Just as an update to my previous posts in this thread, I was still experiencing problems with importing .rar files into itunes (on a PC), with the files becoming unplayable when trying to play them again.
I have now found a way around this - immediately after importing the tracks I convert them to mp3 files, and I don't get the dreaded error message that the file could not be played as the original could not be found.
Then the original file can be deleted from the library to avoid duplicates.
Apologies if I have not described this very well, but I am not as tech-savvy as the likes of rolly.
I just thought I should post this as an update to my previous posts, and to hopefully help anyone who has had the same problem.

[solaris]

Originally Posted by Starcat

Just as an update to my previous posts in this thread, I was still experiencing problems with importing .rar files into itunes (on a PC), with the files becoming unplayable when trying to play them again.
I have now found a way around this - immediately after importing the tracks I convert them to mp3 files, and I don't get the dreaded error message that the file could not be played as the original could not be found.
Then the original file can be deleted from the library to avoid duplicates.
Apologies if I have not described this very well, but I am not as tech-savvy as the likes of rolly.
I just thought I should post this as an update to my previous posts, and to hopefully help anyone who has had the same problem.

Hi Starcat


Why on earth would you import .rar files into the iTunes application???

Why don't you just extract the .rar file(s) first and then import the MP3 files into iTunes?

[rolly]

but I am not as tech-savvy as the likes of rolly.

I think/hope that was meant as a compliment.

But hold on a second.
I don't even use Itunes,never have.
So you certainly know more about that application than I do,which makes you more tech-savvy than me in that regard.
Point is,never sell yourself short.

Anyhow,from what I can tell about Itunes,Solaris is right.
The .rar is only a container for the files.
It is the files inside,in this case .mp3 files,that you want to use,and load into Itunes.

An example for a different perspective.
If the .rar contained pdf documents rather than audio files,you would first extract the .pdf files from the .rar,then open the .pdf files with your preferred reader,probally Adobe.
You wouldn't ask Adobe Reader to extract them too.

That is what you are asking Itunes to do with the .mp3 files.

[Starcat]

Originally Posted by solaris

Hi Starcat


Why on earth would you import .rar files into the iTunes application???

Why don't you just extract the .rar file(s) first and then import the MP3 files into iTunes?

Thank you guys for your input, but I think I need to clarify what I meant.
Maybe my previous post wasn't very well worded.
I HAVE extracted the mp3 files from the original .rar file, which are then automatically imported into my music library (itunes).
These import fine, but when I try to play those tracks again, I was getting the message that they could not be played as the original could not be found.
But I have found if I "convert selection to mp3" in itunes just after it is imported, this avoids that problem occuring.
I find that these files can then be replayed normally.
Don't ask me how or why it works, but it does

I am just happy that it works for me, as I was getting very frustrated before I discovered this.
Anyone else who uses itunes had similar problems?

[rolly]

which are then automatically imported into my music library (itunes).

Here lies the problem.
Why does it "automatically" import the files anyway?
Can you switch this setting off?
What happens when there are .mp3 files present on your disc that you don 't want in itunes?

It sounds that with this "automatic" import,Itunes is saving the path to the .mp3 files at the location they are when it discovers them.
If you then move them,or delete them,or rename them,Itunes can't find them anymore.
When you let Itunes "convert" to .mp3(a file that is already .mp3 anyway),Itunes is probally really copying the files to a new location,with the path to those files being default,
and at this location you never move,delete,or rename them,so all is good.

This sounds more like bad scripting(a bug)within the "automatic" feature in the Itunes application,rather than a mistake that you're making.
One would think that script running for "automatic import" would....
#search for non duplicate .mp3 files
#if found,copy to default database
#update default playerlist
#exit and resume search

It isn't doing this.

[solaris]

Originally Posted by rolly

Here lies the problem.
Why does it "automatically" import the files anyway?
Can you switch this setting off?
What happens when there are .mp3 files present on your disc that you don 't want in itunes?

It sounds that with this "automatic" import,Itunes is saving the path to the .mp3 files at the location they are when it discovers them.
If you then move them,or delete them,or rename them,Itunes can't find them anymore.
When you let Itunes "convert" to .mp3(a file that is already .mp3 anyway),Itunes is probally really copying the files to a new location,with the path to those files being default,
and at this location you never move,delete,or rename them,so all is good.

This sounds more like bad scripting(a bug)within the "automatic" feature in the Itunes application,rather than a mistake that you're making.
One would think that script running for "automatic import" would....
#search for non duplicate .mp3 files
#if found,copy to default database
#update default playerlist
#exit and resume search

It isn't doing this.

Hi rolly

I think you're right on the money there

[vikulenka]

Originally Posted by Starcat

Thank you guys for your input, but I think I need to clarify what I meant.
Maybe my previous post wasn't very well worded.
I HAVE extracted the mp3 files from the original .rar file, which are then automatically imported into my music library (itunes).
These import fine, but when I try to play those tracks again, I was getting the message that they could not be played as the original could not be found.
But I have found if I "convert selection to mp3" in itunes just after it is imported, this avoids that problem occuring.
I find that these files can then be replayed normally.
Don't ask me how or why it works, but it does

I am just happy that it works for me, as I was getting very frustrated before I discovered this.
Anyone else who uses itunes had similar problems?

In your iTunes settings, do you have Copy Files to iTunes Music folder when adding to library enabled? That helps, me at least, keep all music that I want in my iTunes under one roof. Whether atomatically or manually added to iTunes, the file will be copied into the new folder structure, and then you don't have to convert anything.

[vikulenka]

Originally Posted by rolly

If filename is abc.rar then>
Press Home key.
Terminal opens,type unrar e abc.rar
I'm done.
Now what's this stuff (pun intended) about Stuffit Expander?
Did you install an application just to open a .rar file?

StuffIt Expander is a standard mac app. So, when I download a .rar or any other archive I do one step - double click on the file. Instead of three (at least!) that you describe above. I'm done!

But don't you worry - I know all the tar, rar, jar etc commands I could whip up a mean pearl script

[rolly]

Instead of three

It's only two.
1.Open terminal
2.type unrar e

You have two steps also,you have to double click.

But don't you worry

I wasn't worried.We all get lazy now and again.
On a serious note,it is good practice to always use the command line.
You might find yourself someday at someone elses computer needing to do something so easy in the CLI,but forgot the proper arguments to get the job done.
And they don't have the application installed that you get accustomed to using.

[vikulenka]

Originally Posted by rolly

It's only two.
1.Open terminal
2.type unrar e

You have two steps also,you have to double click.

I wasn't worried.We all get lazy now and again.
On a serious note,it is good practice to always use the command line.
You might find yourself someday at someone elses computer needing to do something so easy in the CLI,but forgot the proper arguments to get the job done.
And they don't have the application installed that you get accustomed to using.

Oh you DOS generation!

Just kidding. I guess I am not that bothered. Anyway, don't worry - I won't forget. Work never fails to remind me.