Submitted by bdiament on Mon, 12/07/2009 - 14:31
If this question has already been addressed, please let me know.
In the new year, I'd like to move my iTunes library off my Powerbook's drive and onto a network drive I can access from my laptop (will probably update to a MacBook Pro) via the AirPort.
The library currently contains only a handful of CDs I've imported, just to play with iTunes. Once I create the new setup, the goal is to import the entire CD collection, as well as a number of my own recordings and other high res material. That way, the entire library will be accessible for the "big" system when the laptop is connected there or for smaller systems around the house when I'm using the computer in other rooms.
So far, I'm thinking of using an AirPort Extreme and connecting an external drive that will house my iTunes library to the AirPort. (There will be a second external drive that will serve as a full backup for this drive.)
The AirPort Extreme allows connection via its USB port, so a drive (Apple calls it "Air Disk") is seen on the network.
Has anyone done this with their iTunes library?
I'd be interested in how this is working for you.
Any other ideas or suggestions are welcome as well.
Thanks in advance.
Best regards,
Barry
www.soundkeeperrecordings.com
www.barrydiamentaudio.com
Hi Barry - Using an AirDisk will work, but it can be problematic for audio. I'd give it a try with the expectation that you may need a different solution down the road.
Chris Connaker
Founder
Computer Audiophile
I used an external drive connected via Airdisk mode with good success when I was using a Macbook as music server. Eventually I switched over to local disk connected directly to dedicated music server - first a Mac Mini, and now a Power Mac G5.
clay
Hi Chris,
"...Using an AirDisk will work, but it can be problematic for audio..."
What sort of problems did you encounter?
Best regards,
Barry
www.soundkeeperrecordings.com
www.barrydiamentaudio.com
Here's another question for those who have used the Air Disk feature of the AirPort Extreme:
Does the USB connected hard drive go to sleep when it hasn't been used for a while?
Or does it spin forever as long as the AirPort Extreme is powered?
Thanks in advance.
Best regards,
Barry
www.soundkeeperrecordings.com
www.barrydiamentaudio.com
"Does the USB connected hard drive go to sleep when it hasn't been used for a while?"
I believe most hard drives will downspin if they haven't been accessed, regardless if connected to computer or to the Extreme. However, you may be able configure how/when the drive will sleep.
Seems to me having the hard drive spin down is what you want. Less heat, saves energy & probably extends the life of the drive. Even though it is somewhat annoying to wait for the drive to spin up again when you want to play music after it's been idle a bit.
Rascal
Hi Rascal,
"Seems to me having the hard drive spin down is what you want."
Having the hard drive spin down is most definitely what I want.
I can wait the few seconds it takes to spin up again before I get audio from it.
Best regards,
Barry
www.soundkeeperrecordings.com
www.barrydiamentaudio.com
I see where you're coming from - yes, should down-spin same as being connected to computer.
I've tried this configuration for a short period, and did experience some occasional brief drop-outs. Made me want to steer away from it as a primary connection. But you may not experience the same problems - wireless mileage varies widely. However, sound quality seemed fine, but I don't have as highly a resolving system as many here.
Rascal
Barry asks:
"Why did you switch?
The reason I'm thinking Air Disk is that I'd like to access the music library
from my laptop in multiple rooms/systems."
Basically I switched just to simplify the required processing for audio playback when given the opportunity via the purchase of a dedicated music server that could be co-located with the external disk.
As I was changing several other things at the same time - e.g. from Macbook Pro to Mac Mini, etc. - I did not do any sort of sound quality comparison between the two methods.
For your goals I think the Air Disk is entirely appropriate.
As I now have 4 different Mac configs I can use, I may go back to Airdisk as I re-centralize my music disk - rather than connect directly to whichever Mac system I'm using at the moment.
cheers,
clay
Sorry for bringing this up again but I still can't understand what are the drawbacks of having an iTunes library on an airdisk. Just got my mac mini and I'm considering pluging the USB library HD to an airport extreme to get it out of the listening room. I know there's the automount thing to beware of (chris wrote an article on this) but that is it I guess. Am I missing something? Thanks