How to use iPhone content on 2nd Computer

[piratemc74]

Hi folks,

I use two computers. One at home, that has my iTunes library, and my work laptop. I installed iTunes on my work laptop, and with my video ipod connected, I'm able to play content on my laptop, thru iTunes, that is on my video iPod.

My iPhone is synced to my home computer on a routine basis.

When I connect my iPhone to my laptop, I can see the content of my iPhone, in iTunes, but, everything is in "grey" font. I cannot actually play any of the content in iTunes.

I would like to be able to use the iPhone content, like videos, on the bigger laptop screen when traveling, etc, without having to put that content on my laptop too.

Am I missing some setting in iTunes that lets me do this with the video iPod, but, not iPhone?

Thanks for the help.

[KNK]

Originally Posted by piratemc74

Hi folks,

I use two computers. One at home, that has my iTunes library, and my work laptop. I installed iTunes on my work laptop, and with my video ipod connected, I'm able to play content on my laptop, thru iTunes, that is on my video iPod.

My iPhone is synced to my home computer on a routine basis.

When I connect my iPhone to my laptop, I can see the content of my iPhone, in iTunes, but, everything is in "grey" font. I cannot actually play any of the content in iTunes.

I would like to be able to use the iPhone content, like videos, on the bigger laptop screen when traveling, etc, without having to put that content on my laptop too.

Am I missing some setting in iTunes that lets me do this with the video iPod, but, not iPhone?

Thanks for the help.

The only way that I have read that it is possible is this:

If your phone is jailbroken you can install a program called SwapTunes that will allow you to sync your music and movies with two different computers. You sync at home, then click swaptunes then sync at work with a different set of music files. The real pain is when playing music that is on the other "swap" you have to swaptunes again to get them to show in the iPod interface. But it works great to be able to load music at two seperate locations.

[piratemc74]

thanks, but I really don't care to have stuff on the laptop, just want to play from the iPhone.

[KNK]

Originally Posted by piratemc74

thanks, but I really don't care to have stuff on the laptop, just want to play from the iPhone.

Sorry, I don't have another solution, you can only sync to one.

[xcissexc]

Originally Posted by piratemc74

thanks, but I really don't care to have stuff on the laptop, just want to play from the iPhone.

try a program called iSync

[piratemc74]

yeah, I understand. However, I really do 't want to sync just see the content. Maybe in a future update

[xcissexc]

the only thing i can think of would be to sync and when you're done watching the movie just delete it, although that could be an unnecessary hassle.

[jslappa]

While I have yet to uprade my unlocked/jailbroken 1.1.2 iphone, there are quite a few threads in here that say iTunes 7.6 now allows iphone users to manually manage the data on their iphones, without upgrading to 1.1.3. If you have not upgraded to iTunes 7.6, give it a try. Also, please note that you must enable the feature on the summary page for the iPhone. Let us know how it works out for you.

In the meanwhile, you are correct that there is no other way to play your music and movies from your iphone through iTunes. There are various other programs out there that will give you disc access, but you sound like the type of person that would just rather use iTunes for your iPhone, just like your video iPod.

[piratemc74]

Thanks. Indeed, even though I am an IT person, and not challenged by having to tweak a few things, software-wise, I don't like doing too much when my company laptop is involved. "Big Brother" is watching.

I understand about the "manually manage" option. I have already updated to 1.1.3, and of course, iTunes 7.6, and was HOPING that this option would now let me use the iPhone as I use the video iPod - alas, not the case.

Thanks for the replies. If anyone else has some ideas, let me know.

[overbo0st2k4]

Originally Posted by piratemc74

Thanks. Indeed, even though I am an IT person, and not challenged by having to tweak a few things, software-wise, I don't like doing too much when my company laptop is involved. "Big Brother" is watching.

I understand about the "manually manage" option. I have already updated to 1.1.3, and of course, iTunes 7.6, and was HOPING that this option would now let me use the iPhone as I use the video iPod - alas, not the case.

Thanks for the replies. If anyone else has some ideas, let me know.

Why don't you just use your iPhone as a USB mass storage device, store your movies that way, and then you'll be able to take your movies with you and watch them on any computer.

Granted, you obviously won't be able to watch the movies on your actual iPhone, but it seems your purpose is only to "carry" them over to your work computer using your iPhone and not have to lug around the video iPod as well. =)