Hands on with Tune Ranger
I went hands on with Smith Micro's TuneRanger application. TuneRanger, which retails for $30, allows you to synchronize iTunes libraries across your local network. Let me start by saying this is going to be a very mixed review.
The idea behind TuneRanger is brilliant. You can merge, synchronize, or transfer your iTunes library and when you update on different computers, TuneRanger will sync those changes so your library is the same regardless of the computer. Your single license allows you to use the program on up to 5 computers, both Mac and Windows.
The problem with TuneRanger is that I couldn't recommend it to my mom or some friends without knowing in advance that I'd be spending significant time on the phone for support. It's just buggy, complicated, and crashy enough to make that a problem while at the same time it's powerful and reliable enough for anyone who has reasonable computer savvy. It's more of a "I'll come over on Saturday and sync your system" package than a "Just download this and press the button" one.
Take for example, the standard sync options. I expected that I could select Music, Movies, TV Shows, Podcasts, Audio Books, etc. Instead, the program uses file types: mp3, m4p, m4a, m4b, aac, ipg, etc. So on my initial syncs, none of my unusual file types transferred; plus I had to hand-edit out m4v and mp4 to keep my video collection from slowing down the works. Once edited, there was no "revert to standard" button option, so it's a good thing I wrote down the names of the file types that I'd taken out.
The program is just marginally stable rather than fully stable. I could transfer data when running from my G4 Power PC, but for some reason the program balked whenever I tried running from my Intel Mac Mini and connecting to the Power PC server. I dealt with several crashes -- not a big deal because the next sync simply skips the items that had finished -- plus errors. The error message was this: "Error," which is not very helpful when you're trying to figure out why a problem occurred.
Also be aware that the process is slooooow. In addition to any normal network bandwidth issues, the program's processing overhead means this is an overnight or multi-day process that you're looking at.
So here's the bottom line: TuneRanger is an app that I know I'm going to love but one that still needs a little growing and maturing before I can whole-heartedly tell people to buy it without caveats.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Derek Guder said 1:50PM on 9-24-2008
Have you tried Syncopation (http://www.sonzea.com/syncopation/)? How do they two compare?
For that matter, does anyone know of other programs that do the same thing? Ideally I would like to preserve iTunes metadata like play count, ratings, etc.
I'm planning on getting something to do this basic function once I upgrade my Power PC Mac mini to something a little more beefy.
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Jason Boehle said 1:57PM on 9-24-2008
I long for a program to do this. It needs to work cross platform and be stable, though. I'd looked at TuneRanger in the past, but all of the negative comments on the web about it turned me off.
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jason said 2:01PM on 9-24-2008
SuperSync
MyTunesSync
Syncopation
Martian SlingShot
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antiorario said 2:10PM on 9-24-2008
Martian SlingShot hasn't been updated in a LONG time (almost two years, I'd say) and in my opinion I was never fond of it. Especially when dealing with files (I know this is slightly OT), it insisted on keeping copies of all files, even deleted ones. I wrote to Martian about it, they said something about including a deletion sync feature in a later release, which never came.
Ultimately, I am not sure I would trust it with an iTunes version that is so much newer.
antiorario said 2:13PM on 9-24-2008
"In my opinion I was never fond of it"? That was a weird statement.
:-)
Paul said 2:03PM on 9-24-2008
Wow this is a coincidence. I've just been trying to work out the best way to sync my libraries. I couldn't fully commit to any of the software solutions, as there were mixed reviews for all the different solutions.
So I came up with my own solution involving Automator and some scripting. I've stuck all the info into a MacRumors guide, available here - http://guides.macrumors.com/Keeping_2_iTunes_Libraries_in_Sync - for free!
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MacJedi said 8:15AM on 9-25-2008
While I appreciate your effort to document your solution - this statement makes it a non-starter for me:
Both Macs should have an account with the same shortname (this allows the iTunes Music Library.xml to work without having to be re-built).
Paul said 11:00AM on 9-25-2008
Any solution which involves copying files, where the short name is different requires a rebuild of the iTunes Music Library.xml file. This is because the file paths are hard coded in here.
There's no getting round it - whether you use my script, or pay for software. All your meta data is stored in another file so it's not a big disadvantage to rebuild.
Another thing I forgot to mention is my method will allow you to sync with a windows iTunes Library.
Colin Partridge said 3:16PM on 9-24-2008
I'd put a vote in for Syncopation. I have it running on 3 macs syncing 4 users itunes library to 1 master library, The latest version keeps track of track ratings. means I can have a party shuffle from the master library based on star rating etc.
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Kaspar said 3:03PM on 9-24-2008
I tried TuneRanger too and it was dreadfully slow and in the end didn't work.
I then gave Syncopation a whirl and it's a lot faster and more intuitive to use so I ended up buying it.
Don't know if it fits all people's syncing requirements but it suits my needs just fine.
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Le Big Mac said 3:39PM on 9-24-2008
The biggest question to me is why this functionality is not built into iTunes already.
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mabhatter said 1:12AM on 9-25-2008
I agree. While computers can share libraries over a network, they cannot actually drag-n-drop playlists and files even when both iTunes are using the same account. Rumor is that Apple had to make that concession to prevent "piracy". But it would be nice if iTunes libraries could work like Apple TV does... pick one machine (or time capsule!) to stash all your purchased stuff on from any place you purchase it, and pick and choose what goes on laptops, syncing ipods from ANY of your authorized Macs would be cool too. After all, those little 200 GB notebook drives just don't go that far when you buy seasons of 400MB TV shows anymore. The network share option isn't an option when you want to go on a trip, you want the files on the computer and you don't want to manually move the files and re-import them.. that's just childish.
I've seen things that act like iTunes servers for home NAS units, but again, they can't "tear off" the files into iTunes to take them with you.
CaptSaltyJack said 3:42PM on 9-24-2008
My vote goes for arRsync. It's free, and will sync anything over a network. It will do a unidirectional backup, unidirectional merge, or bidirectional merge.
http://arrsync.sourceforge.net/
Just sync your iTunes folder over, done. I do it all the time, works great. No need for buggy nonsense that costs more than $0.
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mabhatter said 1:02AM on 9-25-2008
how does this method reconcile library data like playlists? Does it sync new files in BOTH directions?
Noddy said 5:52PM on 9-24-2008
Is there any TUAW reader recommended app for cross platform sharing of a central iTunes library, which also allows for metadata syncing etc?
Basically I want to turn an old PC into a music server that the Windows desktops and Mac laptops in my house can all access. Any ideas?
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5cents said 7:02PM on 9-24-2008
Or Mojo. Cross platform too:
http://www.deusty.com/software/mac.php
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John V. said 9:33AM on 9-25-2008
Hmm. I looked at this and it doesn't really seem to be the same type of thing. The developer's Web site doesn't suggest that this software is really for syncing whole libraries. As far as I could tell, this is really for sharing songs and playlists. Cool, but not the same thing.
5cents said 7:37PM on 9-25-2008
Agreed, it's not specifically for syncing libraries, however it can get the job done. The pay version is required to automatically sync (or subsribe in their terminology) playlists (or your library should one playlist encompass your entire collection) but in practice the free version works just as well with a little elbow grease.
TranceMist said 11:45AM on 9-25-2008
Transmit's "sync" feature followed by an "Add to Library" of the entire iTunes folder (just makes it find the new stuff) accomplish the same thing, and it's really simple.
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Quirilio Vilorio III said 8:32AM on 9-26-2008
Has anyone found a good software to sync up a local iTunes library (with xml, albums art covers, etc) to an external disk or a network drive?
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