iPod and iTunes Hacks

Change Your Encoder on the Fly

Discover the freedom to convert or import selected tracks (whether in your library or on some sort of removable media—excluding your iPod—such as a CD/DVD) using an encoder selected on the fly, without changing your defaults.

I dislike having to visit iTunes Preferences whenever I want to change encoders. On the other hand, I like keeping the AAC encoder as my default encoder. Now I can have it both ways. This AppleScript converts or imports all or just the selected tracks in a playlist using your choice of encoders, restoring your Preferences-set encoder afterwards. You can also send all the new tracks to a new playlist if you like.

The Code

This script allows the user to select from a list of available iTunes encoders and then convert the selected tracks with that encoder. Additionally, the user can decide to copy the tracks to a new playlist, which will be created. When the script has finished, the default encoder will be reinstated.

tell application "iTunes" activate -- miscellaneous variables set addenda to "Put converted tracks into new Playlist named…?" set my_no_button to "No, Just Convert" set movem to false -- encoder information set myEncoders to name of every encoder set encoderBackup to name of current encoder set thisPlaylist to view of front window -- selected tracks or all tracks in selected playlist if selection is not {} then set selectedTracks ...