[kyyuan]

All,

First, Happy Holidays to everyone.  Second, I'm currently not a "power" itunes user, but am getting ready to make a move, and want to use my Macbook as another source for my system.  Below are my questions.

1.  I want to move my current Itunes content to an external, dedicated HDD and re-rip my content to AIFF.  Is this a good idea?

2.  How about using OWC Mercury Elite-AL Pro (500gb) as my external drive?

3.  I'd assume I should also have a back-up drive for my music.  Should I get another external drive (same as #2) and just backup the content?  And, will I be able to use this same drive to backup other computer data?

4.  If eventually I get another computer (e.g. Mac Mini) as my dedicated music server, will I be able to just point the Itunes on the new computer to the dedicated HDD?

FWIW, I've done some research, but have not come across clear answers to all of the above.  Thanks much for your help.

Ken

[low.pfile]

All,

First, Happy Holidays to everyone.  Second, I'm currently not a "power" itunes user, but am getting ready to make a move, and want to use my Macbook as another source for my system.  Below are my questions.
FWIW, I've done some research, but have not come across clear answers to all of the above.  Thanks much for your help.

Ken

1.  I want to move my current Itunes content to an external, dedicated HDD and re-rip my content to AIFF.  Is this a good idea?

When you write "re-rip my content" do you mean your own discs or iTunes downloads?
If the latter, that is not a bad idea, but you are only reinflating files that have been compressed. An example: an average 3 minute song in AIFF format is approx 30MB while the iTunes 128kbps AAC file (the original iTunes store download) is about 3MB. You cannot recreate what has been stripped out. just leave then as AAC if that's the case. Others have commented that a converted AAC sounds smoother. It may but it's still missing music content.

2.  How about using OWC Mercury Elite-AL Pro (500gb) as my external drive?

I have OWC Mercury elite. and it is fine. Spindle gets a little loud after time, but it seems all HDDs to that. The Blue LED on the front is Extremely obnoxious. It lights the entire room with the other lights off. Some like that...I don't.  The photo online is not representative. The OWC has been stable so far, I alternate between the matched drives every couple of months. Though only one connected to the computer during normal use.

Pics of my OWC drive

3.  I'd assume I should also have a back-up drive for my music.  Should I get another external drive (same as #2) and just backup the content?  And, will I be able to use this same drive to backup other computer data?

Backups are always recommended, for any type of file. The drive can be used for other media or files.

4.  If eventually I get another computer (e.g. Mac Mini) as my dedicated music server, will I be able to just point the Itunes on the new computer to the dedicated HDD?

Yes, you would just set up your preferences on the new computer (Mini) the same way you will point iTunes to the external drive for your current set up (Preferences > Advanced >iTunes Music Folder location > Change)

Good luck

[kyyuan]

Thanks, low.pfile.  One more question for you.  Any thoughts on the reliability/performance differential between the 500gb and the 1tb Mercury drives?  For now, I'm thinking about picking up two 500gb drives.

btw... regarding re-ripping my songs, I was referring to my own CDs.  Thanks.

[low.pfile]

Thanks, low.pfile.  One more question for you.  Any thoughts on the reliability/performance differential between the 500gb and the 1tb Mercury drives?  For now, I'm thinking about picking up two 500gb drives.

btw... regarding re-ripping my songs, I was referring to my own CDs.  Thanks.

ken, no experiense with any other OWC drives. Maybe some computer guru on AC can provide some MTBF data on a 1TB vs 500GB.

In re-ripping your CDs on the new HDD, not necessary if you already have them as AIFFs on your current computer. But if they are compressed then re-rip will give you all the musical bits. For reference, I have around 720 albums in AIFF format on my 750GB drive and I think I have about 300GB remaining--not in front of that system at the moment.

[Atlplasma]

On the recommendation of a Circle member I purchased an Icy Dock MB559 from OWC. It has been a great solution so far. I like having the flexibility to drop in whichever SATA drive is most appealing.

(I made my purchase in July. It now looks like the price has dropped about 40%.)