Computer crash/restore iTunes?

[George Cassello]

Hey folks!!!

I need some help. I had a pretty catastrophic episode with my computer last week that forced me to do a complete clean install of OSX. I obviously lost EVERYTHING on my computer. Fortunately I have the majority of my files backed but the one thing that I FOOLISHLY did not have backed up was my iTunes. Now here's the real kicker to my stupidity. I am a club DJ, and iTunes is where I stored and organized all of my hi quality (320kbps) digital mp3's. Now when I DJ, I use these files decompressed as audio files on CD so I have them all on CD. But like I said, iTunes is where I keep them all organized and believe me, it is meticulously maintained and organized by artist, tracks, record labels, what tracks are on what CD's etc. You get the point. This is a huge loss to me. HUGE. Now the good news is that I have it completely mirrored on my iPod. My question is; is there any way for me to transfer everything from my iPod back into my iTunes? I plugged my iPod in yesterday but I am terrified to do anything seeing that my iPod is my only record of the original mp3's.... Please tell me there is something that I can do...

I running the latest OSX and iTunes and have a 30g video iPod

Thanks, George

[nicholsps]

Sorry I can't remember the name of the program but there is def. a way to do this.. I've had to do this many times (I think the program might be called PodWorks or something)... Go to macupdate.com and do a search for Copy iPod or something like that and you should have luck.. It's definitely possible.. The only thing you MIGHT have a problem with is getting the playlists and everything back into iTunes from the iPod.. Someone here might be able to help there.. i was always more concerned with just the music.. Hope this helps... GOOD LUCK!

[nicholsps]

Here is a site that you should DEFINITELY check out... This is what you want or what you are looking for... Knew i had seen something like this...

http://www.thelittleappfactory.com/application.php?app=iPodRip

[ThreeDee]

When you do have your music files back on your HD, try out iTunes' built-in Backup feature.


SIlightly offtopic:
You could have used Apple Lossless or something, but that would take up a huge amount of space.

LAME's VBR encoding saves disk space while maintaining quality better than a 320kbps MP3. 320 wastes space and uses 320 kb when it's not even required. Although even a DJ's ears might not even notice the difference...

Because people are arguing that MP3's are lossy, read this: http://jthz.com/mp3/
Especially the "Why a Variable Bit Rate?" part.

Setting 320 wastes time and space. Lower bit rates will make some parts of the song sound bad, while other parts sound good.