"I'm trying to resolve a problem with multiple copies of audiobooks from iTunes. It displays multiple copies of the same audiobooks (four titles repeated five times). I'm sure there is a simple explanation. I posted a query on the Apple forum and received a reply (see link below) but its very complicated explanation which I don't understand. If you're conversant with iTunes (I only use it sparingly) perhaps you understand what the person is trying to suggest and can put it into plain language. Here is the link to the forum: https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-12432 It seems overly complicated for a simple mind like mine to understand! Many thanks, David”
Multiple copies of audiobooks from iTunes
- Thread starter David
- Start date
chas_m
Well-Known Member
Disclaimer: I do not know if the problem the discussion post answer fixes is the problem you are having, but here's a translation of that answer:
TurningTest2 is saying that what you are probably seeing is not "duplicates" of the audiobooks, but instead multiple files -- each one representing a chapter of a single audiobook. You can test this by listening to a bit of each "duplicate" and seeing if it starts off with the exact same material. If it doesn't, then TT2 is correct: you have one file for each chapter of the book, and what you want to do (and what his solution sort of does) is consolidate these "tracks" (chapters) into an "album" (single book representation).
The way he is suggesting is to go into each of the "chapter" files (using "get info" from within iTunes) and change the sorting to Author By Author (i.e., all files of that title name by that author are grouped into one representative "album"). He then goes on to say that there is a "script" that can automate the process, but that's more complexity than is worth it IMO for just four or five duplicated titles.
I hope that clears things up a bit. If you find it still beyond your ability to sort out, I'd suggest calling one of the club's "consulatants" over for a quick home visit, as I suspect the problem would be cleared up very quickly.
TurningTest2 is saying that what you are probably seeing is not "duplicates" of the audiobooks, but instead multiple files -- each one representing a chapter of a single audiobook. You can test this by listening to a bit of each "duplicate" and seeing if it starts off with the exact same material. If it doesn't, then TT2 is correct: you have one file for each chapter of the book, and what you want to do (and what his solution sort of does) is consolidate these "tracks" (chapters) into an "album" (single book representation).
The way he is suggesting is to go into each of the "chapter" files (using "get info" from within iTunes) and change the sorting to Author By Author (i.e., all files of that title name by that author are grouped into one representative "album"). He then goes on to say that there is a "script" that can automate the process, but that's more complexity than is worth it IMO for just four or five duplicated titles.
I hope that clears things up a bit. If you find it still beyond your ability to sort out, I'd suggest calling one of the club's "consulatants" over for a quick home visit, as I suspect the problem would be cleared up very quickly.