Create USB thumb drive playlist for JVC system
Uses an Automator workflow defined as a service to use from within iTunes to copy (and possibly convert) song files to a thumb drive, to use in the JVC sound system.
The workflow produces a log of sorts that is opened with TextEdit after running.
Code for the bash script:
[:html:]
<script src="https://gist.github.com/timtomch/65b3abae4734342f7298.js"></script>
[:htmlend:]
This will require the faad and lame utilties to work. Easiest way to install them is to use homebrew.
To do
- fix issue of Finder window asking for destination folder remaining hidden behind iTunes
- clean up hidden Apple files (rm -rf .* should work but BE CAREFUL)
- handle unknown formats better
- make cleaner logs
- apparently, putting files in subdirectories should be recognized by JVC as albums, to try out
- do better documentation
Drive issues
- thumb drive has to be FAT32 formatted (MS-DOS format in Disk Utility)
- apparently doesn't work with drives bigger than 2GB
iTunes issues
- services seem to be working only when displaying songs within a playlist, not in the library (?)
- if iTunes acts up and refuses to let you run your service, selecting the songs then running the script from Automator should still work
Other issues
- after upgrading your OS, you might find that the utilities installed via homebrew are no longer linked properly. Run brew unlink xx and then brew link xx should help.
References
