Review: CopyTrans (Resurrect iTunes Library from iPod)
CopyTrans v2.37 | Published by WindSolutions | Via WindSolutions Site | $19.90 | Windows Only
Overview
I recently wiped my computer in an effort to make it faster and get rid of the 'junk' I had aquired via unnecessary downloads and daily use. I backed everything up (or so I thought), put in the restore DVD and hit GO. You know that feeling in the pit of your stomach when you know something has gone horribly wrong? When you know you forgot something important? Ugh... my music, I forgot to back it up. Anyone who has been in my position knows that iTunes currently offers no way to sync your music back to iTunes from your iProduct (other than one time syncing of purchased music from the iTunes store on the iPhone or iPod Touch). So I went on the hunt for a product that would allow me to rebuild my entire library using the music I had previously synchronized to my iPod Nano. Luckily, I found a suite of applications called CopyTrans by WindSolutions to help solve my problem. The CopyTrans suite contains 7 products in an easy-to-use bundle:
Since my main objective was to transfer my entire music library from my iPod Nano to my PC, I focused on the CopyTrans software itself; I'll write up a seperate review for the other applications shortly.
Functionality
I found the application incredibly simple to use. It walks you through step-by-step transferring some or all of your music from the iPod to the computer. Start by selecting CopyTrans from the top of the list of applications. CopyTrans pops up and asks you if you'd like to read the 'Getting Started' guide, or if you'd like to skip it. You can safely skip it, as I found the program very intuitive and simple.
The program then tells you that you may now connect your iPod.
After connecting the iPod you are presented with a screen that is similar to the iTunes library view. On the left is the panel showing all playlists for the connected iPod, on the right is a 3 panel display, the top divided into Artist and Album, and the bottom listing the contents of the iPod (songs, videos, podcasts).
You may be looking to copy just one song or playlist from your device, and if that's the case you can choose by artist, playlist, or album to accomplish this. In my case I was stupid enough to lose my entire library so I'll be resurecting the entire thing. I selected 'All artists' and 'All albums' in the top two panels, and then checked the 'Check all' checkbox on the top left corner of the bottom grid.
Now we're presented with 2 options. I can copy all the songs to a folder on my computer, containing the correct name, id3 tags, artist and album information for import later into our favorite music applications. Or we can copy them to our iTunes library directly, which does the same thing and also adds the needed information to iTunes so they show up. We'll choose option 2.
Clicking on the iTunes button at the top will pop up a box letting us select the iTunes music folder, preview and customize the file and folder naming, and customize what tag information gets imported (Ratings, play counts, date last played, etc.)
We left all the options default, and chose to start the backup.
After copying was complete it automatically started adding the files to iTunes.
After it's done importing it pops up a summary box telling you how many songs were copied / imported and then closes.
Review
CopyTrans saved me countless hours of finding my old music again. It delivered on the functionality it promised, and I now have my entire library back in iTunes and ready to sync to my iPod and iPhone. CopyTrans and CopyTrans Photo are available as a package for $49.80 on CopyTrans site, and for $9.80 more you can get iLibs and iCloner as well. If you are like me and just need to get your music back, CopyTrans can be had by itself for $19.90.
I've tried a few of the free solutions, and found most to be clunky, involved, or just plain not workable. CopyTrans was easy to use, required no work on my part other than plugging my iPod in and selecting the songs I needed on my PC. I can't imagine wanting anything easier.
