# How do I import footage into Vidiyo?

Canonical URL: https://getvidiyo.app/docs/import-footage
Last updated: 2026-10-08

> TL;DR: Drag files or whole folders into the Vidiyo window, or use Import footage on the home view or the Media panel. Vidiyo reads MP4, MOV, MKV and WebM video, common audio formats and images. Originals stay where they are, nothing is uploaded, and each project holds up to 30 minutes of imported video and audio.

Vidiyo projects keep editable working copies of your media, local transcripts and undo history together in a project file. Your original files are not modified.

## Which ways can I import?

There are four ways to bring media in, and they all end up in the same media library:

| Method | Best for |
|---|---|
| Drag files or folders into the window | Most imports. Folders keep their structure as library folders |
| **Import footage** on the home view, or **+** in the Media panel | Picking files in a dialog |
| Attach to chat (paperclip, drag into the composer) | Giving the assistant a clip together with a request |
| Ask the assistant for stock or a link | B-roll, photos, music and public videos |

New projects start in Documents/Vidiyo as "Untitled Project". Rename them from the project menu.

## Which formats does Vidiyo support?

Vidiyo imports common video, audio and image formats.

| Type | Formats |
|---|---|
| Video | MP4, MOV, MKV, WebM |
| Audio | MP3, WAV, M4A, AAC, FLAC, OGG |
| Images | JPG, PNG, WebP |

Import fixes rotated phone footage and variable frame rates, and makes a 30 fps working copy plus a lighter preview proxy. The timeline runs at 30 fps.

## Are there limits?

Each project holds up to 30 minutes of imported video and audio. If an import would go over, you'll see "Imported video/audio would exceed the 30 minute limit." The edited timeline can be up to 5 minutes long. Export is 1080p at 30 fps.

Chat attachments have their own limits: up to eight files at once, video and audio up to 500 MB each, images up to 20 MB, and text files up to 100 KB.

## How do I add stock footage, music and sound effects?

Stock photos, video and sounds are included, with no key to set up. Search Pixabay from the Media panel, or ask the assistant: "Cover the jump cut with B-roll of a busy street." It searches, imports and places the clip in one step that undoes together. Bundled music and sound effects are in the Audio panel. Music downloads the first time you use it.

## How do I import from a public link?

Paste the link in chat and ask the assistant to import it. It downloads one public video or audio track, up to 30 minutes and 1080p, and records where it came from in the project. Playlists, live streams and pages that need a sign-in don't work. Only use media you have the right to use.

## What happens to my original files?

Video and audio are read in place, and Vidiyo builds its working copies inside the project. Images are copied in. If you move or delete an original, the project keeps working from its copies. Footage stays on your Mac; see [Privacy and data](https://getvidiyo.app/docs/privacy-and-data).

## Steps

1. On the home view, choose Import footage to start a project, or open an existing project.
2. Drag files or folders from Finder into the window, or use the + in the Media panel.
3. Wait for import to finish. Vidiyo makes working copies and preview proxies in the background.
4. Transcription runs on your Mac the first time an edit or captions need it.
5. Ask for an edit in chat, or drag clips to the timeline by hand.

## Frequently asked questions

### Which file formats can I import?

Video in MP4, MOV, MKV and WebM; audio in MP3, WAV, M4A, AAC, FLAC and OGG; images in JPG, PNG and WebP. Unsupported files dropped into the window are skipped and reported.

### Does importing upload my footage?

No. Import, transcription and rendering all run on your Mac. Video files are read in place and normalized locally, and nothing is sent to Vidiyo's servers.

### How much footage can one project hold?

Up to 30 minutes of imported video and audio per project, and the edited timeline can be up to 5 minutes long. Cut long recordings into separate projects.

### Can I import a video from a link?

Yes, through chat. Paste a public video link and ask the assistant to import it. It downloads one public video up to 30 minutes long; links that need a sign-in won't work.

## Related

- [How do I get started with Vidiyo?](https://getvidiyo.app/docs/getting-started)
- [How does editing by chat work in Vidiyo?](https://getvidiyo.app/docs/editing-by-chat)
- [Edit a folder of video from Finder](https://getvidiyo.app/finder-quick-action)
- [Private, local video editing with AI](https://getvidiyo.app/features/private-local-editing)
- [B-roll](https://getvidiyo.app/glossary/b-roll)

Request access to the Vidiyo beta: https://getvidiyo.app/request