Jim. I share your pain!

I've mucked around over the years putting the main iTunes library on NAS. Trying to get it to work flawlessly. But basically it has never worked well for me. Yeh I'm a dumb arse I know.. So my library is back on a 1TB iMac with timecapsule backup. This is not ideal, but iTunes only works 100% the way it should this way IMHO. The problem is not with NAS in general. I think the problem is with Apple..that they don't fundamentally and philosphically support the concept. That's my impression (right or wrong). Sure you can move the library. Simple. But problems have always occurred for me later on down the track when changes are made to the library. I mean regular additions etc. For me it's been problematic.

Now if only Apple made a NAS! They actually sort of do: the macmini now has a 2 disc server option, but limited to 500G. But it's only software raided. Actually I've been wanting to put my library onto a macpro with raid card. This would be ideal IMHO. make sure you take a look at the DAS option- great post by 'well- armed' under showcase. http://www.c4forums.com/viewtopic.php?id=4947 He has set up an unreal iTunes based macpro media server using direct attached storage.

As for sharing iTunes libraries, what I do is still instruct the kids to sync music to their individual iPods off my main iTunes library. Sure I know there are programs like synctunes and fixtunes... But these are all compromises and you seem to end up with multiple iTunes libraries all over the place. I try and keep things simple. Avoids iTunes chaos. If you then want to play from the main library via other macs, use iTunes homesharing. This works great but leave the copy file option off. Or use your AppleTV. Use the digital out as a source and control this with Extravegetables 2 way C4 Driver.

As for C4 working with  iTunes: no idea. But there are posts on trying to get this to work: http://www.c4forums.com/viewtopic.php?id=4720 I use Sonos because it's had a great sync feature for years. You can point Sonos straight at the iTunes music path. Syncs everytime. Takes less than 60 sec for my 5000 track library. Sonos then streams straight off the library. I've been asking questions on the new C4 media player: whether this device will do the same- for video. Stream straight off the itunes video/TV path. Still not 100% sure. I don't think the C4 media player streams music.

Extravegetables are writing great apps for C4. Visit their website. www.extravegetables.com Hope this all helps.

I wish there was an itunes C4 2 way driver. Or that the extravegetables AppleTV driver say worked with Frontrow on a macmini...

Anyway. Sorry to bore everyone to death again

Last edited by wappinghigh (Feb-05-2010 12:46 AM)

I have a drobo (with Droboshare NAS), that runs a firefly server. It works perfectly from all macs, and C4. My only complaint is that the coverart isn't served up. By the way, I am posting this not to suggest you get a Drobo, because I wouldn't buy one again (slow speed, high cost), but possibly the firefly server will work for you.

http://www.fireflymediaserver.org/