JT's Blog

The Apple TV is more than just a hobby to me. When I purchased the device earlier this year I began converting my DVD library for use on the Apple TV.

As I began to import movies I found myself searching Google for poster artwork, as well manually selecting the movie genre. Unlike imported music, iTunes has a hard time importing movie art. Additionally, I wanted to include each movie’s description, but there wasn’t an easy way to find this information.

In the July 10th issue of MacLife I came across the Google utility Subler. Once downloaded simply drag the converted file onto the Subler icon. Alternatively, add Subler to the Application folder on OS X and open files from the menu bar.  Next click the search button and search for the movie. After deciding on the description and artwork click save.

The results of each search may vary depending on the movie. Once completed import the movie into iTunes and the saved information will appear once synced with your Apple TV, iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch device.

This week I picked up The White Stripes Under Great White Northern Lights live CD from my local music store for $9.99. What exactly does that have to do with Apple and all things Mac? Simple, I picked up physical media at a music store that was $2.00 less than the iTunes price.

Yes in the ever changing world of the music industry, buying CDs may be back en vogue.

Then there was a release from Universal Music Group stating, they will be offering CDs at a price of 6 to 10 dollars as part of their Velocity program. That deserves a Neo “WHOA”

It should be noted there will not be a price change from Universal Music Group for digital music.

I remember when a CD cost around $20. I thought back then (1992) that a CD should be less. Prices eventually started to come down. Most new releases came in just under $12.00.

It would appear the music labels have finally started to understand how to get CDs to compete with digital downloads. As Universal stated, they will to make up for the lower percent profit margin via sales volume and higher priced deluxe versions.

Granted the iTunes model appears to focus in on the individual track purchase. The music industry wants album sales.

Doing the math, for $9.99 one could purchase about 8 individual tracks at a $1.29, 10 at $0.99 or about 14 at the highly elusive $0.69 via iTunes. Following the Universal’s album model, I got 16 tracks for $9.99.

The best part of course was the handling of the album art and did mention my local music store added a free ticket to the DVD screening of the film.

Yes, that deserves another Neo “WHOA”

Posted via email from jtray’s posterous

In downloading the January 27th, 2010 Apple iPad Keynote this weekend, I noticed that the show was tagged “Explicit”.   In watching the podcast, I didn’t see much in the way that would garner the Keynote the tag.   I decided it must have been the fact that the iPad caused many bad words to come from Amazon and Sony.   Possibly back at Big Red (Verizon) they were shouting many bad words about how they failed to score the 3G contract for the latest Apple device.  Maybe Bill Gates let out some bad words related to “why the BAD WORD are we wasting time on the Zune and not creating this”.  Anyway you look at it, the iPad and more importantly the Keynote may have garnered it the “Explicit” tag due to all the BAD WORDS coming out of its competitors collective mouths.

Click on the photo for a larger view.

If your like me and your music collection continues to grow, you may find that your iTunes library is starting to take up a large amount of space on your internal hard drive. There is an easy and simple way to free up that space by directing your iTunes folder to a external hard drive. Donald Bell from CNET breaks down the steps to accomplish this task, both on OS X and on Windows.  Follow the step by step instructions found in this PDF.  Like always, make sure to backup your iTunes folder before making any changes.