Synchronization tool fails to sync the entire library

Updated: 12/9/2014
Category: Synchronization
Products: Mirage Media Servers MMS-2, MMS-2A, MMS-5, MMS-5A 

Problem Description

After configuring the synchronization tool and allowing it to complete, an incomplete library of content is available on the server.

Possible Cause #1 and Resolution 

A track might be listed in the iTunes library but may have been removed from the computer's hard drive.

How to Confirm Root Cause

Try to play one of the tracks that did not synchronize. If iTunes prompts you that the track cannot be found, the file is missing.

Resolution

Add the missing music track(s) back to the local library or remove the music listing from iTunes catalog.

Possible Cause #2 and Resolution 

A track might be listed in the iTunes library but may not be stored locally on the computer's hard drive.  This occurs if the iTunes tracks are stored only in the user's iCloud account not on the computer's hard drive.  

How to Confirm Root Cause

In iTunes, right click or Control click a track that is missing, then select Get Info. Under the file tab, check that the location field says iCloud.

Resolution

Right click or Control click on the track(s) in question and select Download.

Possible Cause #3 and Resolution 

Corrupt metadata in some track(s) is preventing iTunes' from outputting the library file which our synchronization tool relies upon. This causes the library file to be out of date, possibly containing old or incomplete tracks or track locations.

How to Confirm Root Cause

Confirming root cause for this issue can be complicated. It is necessary to first determine where iTunes' data files are stored. They are generally in the same place as the iTunes Media folder as specified in iTunes Preferences->Advanced->iTunes Media folder location.  In the event they are in a different location, it is necessary to retrieve the information from the Mac OS X.  This is done by copying and pasting the below command into a Terminal.app window (Terminal.app can be found by hitting Command-Space and typing Terminal).

defaults read com.apple.iApps iTunesRecentDatabases | grep file | sed 's/file:\/\///' | sed 's/localhost//' | sed 's/"//g' | tr -d ' '

This will output the location of the iTunes Library XML. For example, this might output: /Users/kyle/Music/iTunes/iTunes%20Music%20Library.xml. Open the /Users/kyle/Music/iTunes/ directory. If the Last Modified date on that file is not the same as the iTunes Library.itl file in the same directory, you've confirmed root cause.

Resolution

Close the sync tool.

1. Open iTunes.

2. Select all tracks in iTunes.

3. Right click or Control click and select Convert ID3 Tags.

4. Select Translate text characters

5. Select Reverse Unicode

6. Click OK. This may take a while if you have a lot of tracks.

7. Reopen the sync tool.