iTunes Match Problems and solutions -3

Lost album covers:

Two large pockets of loss may arise. In the first, the covers of the songs in the cloud suddenly disappear: it is most often covers repatriated with the Get album artwork, while those added by hand are preserved. Sometimes it is a temporary problem that goes all alone in order, but if it will accept a less aesthetic presentation, since the Get Album Artwork does not work with songs in the cloud.

In the second case, it is the local covers of songs that are deleted. Another variant: you change the cover of a song by local, and the former comes when syncing with iTunes Match. Again, there is unfortunately not much to do, although some have managed to find their covers by disabling iTunes Match holding down the ⌥ then reactivating.

In general, it seems that the covers inserted as ID3 tag (by dragging an image file in the box Illustration of the Info tab of the info panel) are less sensitive to these problems that covers associated with the Get illustrations album. It is therefore not impossible that the problem comes from the timing of the iTunes Album Artwork folder - about whether Apple will decide to settle ...

My metadata is lost:

Variant of the problem of pockets, overwriting metadata iTunes Match. It may happen that some pieces are downright famous for iTunes Match, for no apparent reason, or that all their metadata are removed. It does not seem to be a file corruption problem.

In general, refill and metadata sync iTunes Match is enough to get things in order If the problem affects many pieces, do not hesitate to use an application like the excellent Music Brainz Picard to automatically fill metadata.

iTunes Match has duplicated my playlists:

Another classic, duplicate playlists - sometimes hundreds of times! In our experience, the problem seems to be related to the loss of which would cause a runaway network during synchronization. These playlists are empty extra: a simple script will remove quickly while keeping your playlists original (and full).

If none of the previous manipulations has worked and that your problems were not resolved in themselves (as is often the case with iTunes Match), there are only two solutions: resetting iTunes Match and updating your iTunes library.

Reset iTunes Match:

Simply put: there is no "reset" button on iTunes Match. To reset a library in the cloud, so you have to tweak: if you do not already have one, you will have to create a library that will contain only pieces in the cloud. To do this, quit iTunes, and then run it by pressing the ⌥. Then choose to create a new library.


Connect to iTunes Match (iTunes Store> iTunes Match) and wait until your entire library in the cloud appears. You might be tempted to select all and delete everything at once: it would be a mistake. Relations department to developers Apple has confirmed that to immediately delete songs from iTunes Match, it was not to remove more than 1000 pieces at a time. In short, delete 999 songs by 999 until you have deleted all your songs to iCloud.

Prior to removal, make sure you have kept a copy of all your songs in the cloud.  Update your iTunes library Match (Store> Update iTunes Match): it is now empty and de facto reset on Apple's servers. Quit iTunes and restart holding down ⌥ and select your usual library containing your songs locally. Connect to iTunes Match: since your library in the cloud is empty, the longest stage of synchronization will start from scratch.

iTunes Match Problems and solutions -1

Most of the times iTunes Match works fine, when it does not work then it is a head ache. There are numerous synchronization problems, each require a different solution. Here we are trying to give solutions to few of the problems.

Blocking iTunes Match in step 1 of the synchronization is a classic. Sometimes the blockage is only apparent; let your machine run all night, and you will notice that the progress bar has moved slowly. Better to let iTunes Match to take its own time rather than cutting and start syncing, so you should solve your troubles patiently.

ITunes tells you if an error 4010 and suggest you try later, follow its advice; things will be set right in the second or third try.  Blockage persists sometimes, but perhaps most of the time set by resetting the identifier your library on Apple's servers to force synchronization "clean." To do this, simply select the Store menu> Disable iTunes Match while maintaining ⌥ key, then select Store> Turn on iTunes Match.

If you're still stuck at step 1 after these manipulations, it becomes more difficult to find the exact cause. Cuts in the view, display layout options (View> View Options) and check the status iCloud. Sort the column that appears to reveal the errors and try to find common ground at there. On the Summary tab, check the origin of particular pieces: whether they were purchased with another account, it is possible that you are no longer allowed to read. If you can, allow your computer to read the contents of the account in question (Store> Authorize this computer after you are connected to the account).

It also appears that iTunes Match lost more easily when using the pedals several different file formats, even if it is supposed to manage, among other things, AAC, MP3, WAV, AIFF and ALAC. If possible, do not hesitate to convert your files to get a more coherent library: according to our tests, iTunes Match is much more stable with two formats AAC and ALAC for example. You choose the format in the Import Settings panel in the General section of iTunes preferences and then converts with File> Conversion.

Create a list of similar reading (File> New> Smart Playlist) to list all the songs in a certain format and thus easily convert. You can then delete the duplicates and multiple entries.

ITunes Match: some explanation of status icloud

A column of information in iTunes is used to find, as its name suggests, the "Status icloud" a piece after treatment with iTunes Match. It is active via the View menu> View Options. It may have seven different information and quite explicit in their titles.

However there is one that can sometimes seem incongruous. The criterion "Downloaded" indicates that this song in your iTunes library is uploaded to icloud because there was no iTunes Store. In contrast to standard "matched" that indicates that a local song was found on the iTunes Store.

ITunes Match: what is it and how does it work?

iTunes Match is running and you will not have had the good surprise to see it happen in France. As announced by Apple this summer, the United States are served first. It is always the case when the labels are part of the ... things come to those who wait. In the meantime, here's a summary of what the Americans have discovered that night.
 
What is iTunes Match?

iTunes Match is one of the pillars of icloud, the new service offering in the cloud of Apple. It complements "iTunes in the Cloud." Little reminder with iTunes in the Cloud can redownload at will on their Mac or PC (provided they have iTunes), the iPad, the iPhone and iPod touch (or streaming on the Apple TV) the songs has been purchased over time from the iTunes Music Store.