iPod/iTunes Play Count - Final Answer?

[USTommyMC]

I know most of you will probably tell me that this topic is already in a thread but my problem is that alot of those threads (even from different sites) conflict with each other. The answer that I'm trying to find out is whether or not the play count of a song played on the iPod (not shuffle) will update in iTunes. Play count is very important to me as I have a system of smart playlists that rely on the play count of a song. I have smart playlists that keep track of all the songs that have been played 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and so on. As I play songs, they get filtered up to the next higher playlist.

Without even thinking to much about it, I always assumed that the playcount of a song played on the iPod would update in iTunes. That was until I started to notice that everytime I synced my iPod, the playlists would have the songs that I just listened to in the same playlist. Just to make sure I am getting my point across, I will give an example. I have a smart playlist called "3 Play". It will have all the songs that have a play count of 3. If that playlist has 5 songs and I listen to all five of them, then they would move on to the playlist called "4 Play". The playlists update themselves on the iPod but they won't update in iTunes when I sync the two.

Can anyone shed some light on this or finally put my mind to rest by giving me a simple answer? I appreciate the help and sorry for making such a big deal.

[swanksalot]

Here's my experience. Playing a song on the ipod most certainly does get updated to your iTunes library (unless your ipod battery dies). However, for some reason, if you have playlists built upon playcount (or recently played), the iPod needs to be synced a second time. I suppose the first sync takes into account whatever additions to the playlist library need to be made, but doesn't do this before sending new tracks to the iPod.

Shorter answer, once the first sync is done, sync again, and you'll find your updated playlists get sent to the iPod.

[kwsanders]

I have seen this same thing. It appears that iTunes syncs any new stuff to the iPod and then it pulls in the information from the iPod for ratings, etc. This is totally backwards which results in having to do the second sync. :(

Also, I have noticed a very big issue with smart playlists. If you have one that is based on another playlist and playcount=0, the audio file (song or podcast) is not removed from the playlist on the iPod after it is played all the way through. When listening in iTunes, however, it disappears from the playlist as soon as it finishes playing.