2010-07-22, 01:50
Tutorial : How to import iTunes song ratings into XBMC's library
Background Information
Since XBMC doesn't support current versions of iTunes, I set out to look for a workaround that would allow me to get some informations out of iTunes and into the XBMC music Library
I have spent a lot of time rating the songs in my iTunes library and I use these ratings extensively for generating smart playlists.
In my setup, I have a linux (Ubuntu 10.04) running on one machine and my iTunes music and library is on another machine running Windows XP.
Seeing as how XBMC supports smart playlists and ratings, it would be great if we could export the ratings in iTunes and import them into XBMC.
Also, accoring to this page, http://wiki.xbmc.org/index.php?title=Pre...your_Music, XBMC reads its rating for an id3v2 tag called <POPM>
However, iTunes does not store this information in the id3 tag, but instead it stores it in it's library xml file, which means it is not readily available to XBMC.
Requirements
Part I : iTSfv
If you're opening iTSfv for the first time, configure it so it points to your iTunes library.
Once your library is loaded into iTSfv, navigate to the "OneTouch" tab, and then to the "Tracks" sub-tab.
One thing to note about the POPM tag is that it requires an e-mail address in the field. By default, in the current version iTSfv (5.61 BETA), it will put the address of the developer who designed the application. However, the author is aware of this issue and has described a workaround here
http://code.google.com/p/itsfv/issues/detail?id=10
In my case, what I did is use the standard e-mail used by MediaMonkey which is no@email
DISCLAIMER: The following will make changes to your actual MP3 files on your disk. It would be advisable to make a back-up as with anything, but I personally did without and did not have any issues.
Once you have changed the e-mail address (it's not mandatory however), you can then click on the "Write PlayedCount and Rating data to PCNT and POPM Frames".
After clicking the button, iTSfv will then proceed to copy your ratings and play count to all the files in your library. It might take a while for the process to finish. It took about 5-10 minutes in my case (I have a pretty big library)
Part II : XBMC
In XBMC, under Music, add a new source pointing to your shared Music folder. Once the source is added, open up the context menu (right-click if you're using a mouse) and select "Scan Item to Library".
Conclusion
You now have your iTunes song ratings in XBMC and you can use them for smart playlists!!
Enjoy!
NOTE : This should be moved to XBMC Tips, Tricks, and HOW-TO (Step-by-Step Guides)
Background Information
Since XBMC doesn't support current versions of iTunes, I set out to look for a workaround that would allow me to get some informations out of iTunes and into the XBMC music Library
I have spent a lot of time rating the songs in my iTunes library and I use these ratings extensively for generating smart playlists.
In my setup, I have a linux (Ubuntu 10.04) running on one machine and my iTunes music and library is on another machine running Windows XP.
Seeing as how XBMC supports smart playlists and ratings, it would be great if we could export the ratings in iTunes and import them into XBMC.
Also, accoring to this page, http://wiki.xbmc.org/index.php?title=Pre...your_Music, XBMC reads its rating for an id3v2 tag called <POPM>
However, iTunes does not store this information in the id3 tag, but instead it stores it in it's library xml file, which means it is not readily available to XBMC.
Requirements
- Share a Windows/Samba share on the computer where iTunes is installed for your Music folder
- Download and install iTSfv (http://code.google.com/p/itsfv/). I am using version 5.61 BETA
- Rate your music in iTunes
Part I : iTSfv
If you're opening iTSfv for the first time, configure it so it points to your iTunes library.
Once your library is loaded into iTSfv, navigate to the "OneTouch" tab, and then to the "Tracks" sub-tab.
One thing to note about the POPM tag is that it requires an e-mail address in the field. By default, in the current version iTSfv (5.61 BETA), it will put the address of the developer who designed the application. However, the author is aware of this issue and has described a workaround here
http://code.google.com/p/itsfv/issues/detail?id=10
In my case, what I did is use the standard e-mail used by MediaMonkey which is no@email
DISCLAIMER: The following will make changes to your actual MP3 files on your disk. It would be advisable to make a back-up as with anything, but I personally did without and did not have any issues.
Once you have changed the e-mail address (it's not mandatory however), you can then click on the "Write PlayedCount and Rating data to PCNT and POPM Frames".
After clicking the button, iTSfv will then proceed to copy your ratings and play count to all the files in your library. It might take a while for the process to finish. It took about 5-10 minutes in my case (I have a pretty big library)
Part II : XBMC
In XBMC, under Music, add a new source pointing to your shared Music folder. Once the source is added, open up the context menu (right-click if you're using a mouse) and select "Scan Item to Library".
Conclusion
You now have your iTunes song ratings in XBMC and you can use them for smart playlists!!
Enjoy!
NOTE : This should be moved to XBMC Tips, Tricks, and HOW-TO (Step-by-Step Guides)
