In SyncTunes version 2 the existing support for sync'ing an iTunes folder playlist was extended to add the creation of M3U/PLS playlist files for each child iTunes playlist of the folder. The effect is to have a 'library' of tracks within the Playlist subfolder on the destination volume, with separate playlist files that divide the tracks into the corresponding iTunes playlists.

To use this feature your device needs to support M3U or PLS playlists:

1. Setup SyncTunes to create either M3U or PLS playlists.
2. Arrange the iTunes playlists that you want to sync within an iTunes Folder playlist.
3. Select the iTunes Folder playlist in SyncTunes.

SyncTunes selects iTunes playlists using their name, the one you see in iTunes. As such this means that the playlist's name must be unique with iTunes, otherwise the wrong playlist may be selected. Additionally, this also applies to iTunes playlists that are within iTunes folder playlists. For example:

This may cause a problem if you selected to sync the iTunes folder 'Mobile':

• Mobile
  • Rock
  • Shuffle
  • Audiobooks
• Current Favs
  • Newly added
  • Shuffle
  • 4 Plus Stars

The wrong 'Shuffle' playlist might be used by SyncTunes.

To work with a W810i took a bit of effort but here is the result, and it's been confirmed by other users:

1. Destination folder should be the top-level 'MP3' folder on the phone.
2. You can use artist/album folders to organise the files
3. MP3 files created by iTunes do not work with the W810i so use SyncTunes to convert them to AAC during the sync.

If you have problems with Mac OS X hidden files you can use FinderCleaner to remove them from the whole volume when ejecting: SyncTunes only deletes them from the destination folder and below.

I have had a few reports of this error being raised and the interface being unresponsive:

" NSReceiverEvaluationScriptError: 4 (1) "

This turned out to be caused by the MegaZoomer and NuclearMouse SIMBL plugins. After disabling them SyncTunes behaved as it should.

There may be more plugins that cause problems, so let me know and I'll maintain a list.

I have received one report of an incompatibility between SyncTunes and Path Finder from Cocoatech. It results in an error similar to the Finder / File Vault issue as noted here.

Googling 'file vault applescript' reveals that there is a bug in the File Vault/Finder Applescript interaction, read more here http://scriptbuilders.net/files/filevaultprooffinderselectiontoaliaslist1.2.html . SyncTunes uses the Finder's Applescript APIs to access iTunes' music files.

At the moment it seems that the iTunes Library cannot be in a File Vaulted area

There is a workaround by moving the iTunes Music folder out of File Vault. If you are happy to move the music then it is an easy job to do ...

iTunes uses the ~/Music/iTunes folder to store 3 items:
1. iTunes Library file
2. iTunes Music folder, which holds all the tracks
3. iTunes Music Library.xml file

Create or identify where you want to move the iTunes Music folder. Create any folders than you need then drag and drop the iTunes Music folder into its new location. On the Mac that I just tested this on, iTunes will update itself to track the location of files.

Next in iTunes open the Preferences and select Advanced, and the General tab. Now update the iTunes Music folder location.

I have used this technique for sorting the music on a different disk in my old Powermac G4 400, and it works with SyncTunes because that was my original development machine.

A new FAQ for Palm OS 5 players, such as Pocket Tunes on the Tungsten T3, has been added. See here.

A new FAQ for the W600i phone has been added. See here.