Sharing an iTunes library on a network with Macs and PCs

i've searched, couldn't quite find answer.

have external hdd connected airport extreme. hdd shows shared drive on mac , windows 7 pc. itunes library on there.

both itunes on mac , pc pointed right place library.

however, when open itunes on either machine, go through huge "checking/updating library" phase, takes 30 minutes. during time itunes frozen.

when library becomes available, has ! icon next it, , when check library path has changed /itunes media instead of /itunes. change back, finds files, it'll reset again next time.

there way 2 computers share same library, or need via home sharing? home sharing, means itunes needs left running on 1 machine, doesn't it? me isn't practical.

there preventing multiple computers accessing single network library of music? used work in office had music share, , worked fine, although windows machines , wasn't using itunes.

 

itunes limited , archaic.

have itunes library on external hdd connected mini.
mini uses itunes , works perfect.
have mini sharing external hdd windows.
windows uses superior windows media player pointed @ share. media loads rapidly , plays share, read only. bad thing doesn't handle high complexity lossless files natively.

solution work airport shared hdd. unless must use itunes on windows?

 

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