Can one sync an ipod with itunes and get ipod to take priority of sort?

[fuddam]

friend has an ipod, so I can't test it myself. She has all tunes perfectly sorted on the ipod, but a huge, multi-duplicated mess in itunes. She wants to sync the ipod (which she hasn't done in a year), forcing itunes to take all the logic and content from the ipod (incl sort etc)

easy to do? any advice?

TIA

[kalniel]

iTunes will inherit any playlists that you've created on the iPod, but there isn't such a thing as sort order so that can't be synced.

As far as duplicates, no - iTunes won't delete library contents based on what the portable device has afaik (could be wrong), but perhaps the easiest thing would be to create a custom playlist on the ipod that contains everything on the ipod. Then when you sync this playlist will transfer to iTunes. You can then use this playlist to sort out the iTunes library (assuming there's an invert selection option.. must be?)

[Blaineoliver]

There is no option, depending on the ipod you have, some software can copy off your library from the ipod, then delete the current library, and replace with the copied songs.

[jim]

I seem to remember that it's possible to install iTunes on a new PC, a fresh, blank install, and then link an iPod with it. It will then let you take all of the songs off the ipod and put them onto the computer.

Then, if you were happy with the result, you could theoretically wipe the library of the first computer, uninstall itunes, and do the same thing there.

However, that may have changed - it's back from when I had an old shuffle, years back.

[kalniel]

Yeah I think that's possible snooty, probably the best way to do it.

[Funkstar]

Yup, that's right. Bin iTunes on the desktop, re-install, then sync with the ipod, the contents will then appear in iTunes.... eventually (initial sync may take some time).