Import footage and organise media
Import is deliberately a verified copy, never a move. A recorder can alternatively write straight into an episode's Footage folder, where the app discovers it without making another copy.
Record directly from multiple phones
In a Series template, declare nested paths such as
Footage/Camera A and
Footage/Camera B. Create the episode, then select the
matching folder as each Viewfinder source's destination.
After2AM Manager scans active episode Footage folders every 10
seconds, including nested camera folders.
- Keep the app open and Primary storage connected.
- Record into the camera-specific episode folder.
- Wait for recording to finish. The file must keep the same size and modification date for 20 seconds before it is catalogued.
- Find it in Media Library. Repeated scans recognise the same managed path and do not add a duplicate entry.
Direct discovery records the file where Viewfinder wrote it. It does not run the copy importer, rename the recording, or create a second file. Because there is no separate copy to compare, its integrity initially appears as unverified.
Verify the destination every time
Open Import Footage with ⌘I, the toolbar, or an episode’s Media tab. Choose a source label—Local folder, AirDrop, SD card, or External SSD—then add one or several video, audio, or image files.
| Destination | Stored beneath Primary storage | Use for |
|---|---|---|
| An active episode | Episode/Footage | Camera originals and episode-specific media. |
| Media Library / B-Roll | Channel/Media/B-Roll | Reusable video, audio, and photos. |
When an active episode exists, the sheet initially chooses one. Even if you opened Import from Media Library, confirm Destination before starting the copy.
What happens to each file
- Preflight. The app checks the source, destination, free space, managed paths, storage identity, and the selected episode folder.
- Copy. Bytes go into a hidden partial file. A name collision receives a unique portable name; the existing destination is preserved.
- Verify. The copied file receives a SHA-256 digest and is compared with the source.
- Commit. Only a verified file becomes the visible organised copy.
- Catalogue. The app records the file and creates a video preview when possible.
Import never changes or deletes a selected source. “Remove Media” later concerns the organised managed copy, not the original card, AirDrop item, or source disk.
Understand Copied and Reused
If a selected file exactly matches an already catalogued file in the relevant managed area, the app may reuse it instead of writing another copy. Before reuse, the existing path, file type, stable metadata, managed root, and a fresh SHA-256 digest are checked again.
The completion screen distinguishes:
When a batch needs attention
A failed file normally does not stop later selections. The final summary shows succeeded, failed, and cancelled counts. Cancellation preserves files that already completed verification and catalogue recording, then cancels remaining work.
A catalogue-save failure is different: the app stops the remaining batch because it will not keep copying when durable metadata is unavailable. If a file had already been verified, use Reveal Verified Uncataloged File and preserve it while resolving the save problem.
Use the Media Library
Filter by Video, Audio, Photo, or Favourites. Search covers the filename, notes, and stored keywords. Reusable imports receive simple keywords inferred from their filenames; the current app displays and searches them but does not provide a keyword editor.
- Selecting a NEW item clears its new badge.
- Use Quick Look or Finder to inspect the real managed file.
- Set a 0–5 rating, favourite useful material, and add searchable notes.
- Review source, file size, duration, integrity, and stored usage metadata in the inspector.
Remove media without touching the source
If another catalogue entry shares the same managed file, removal deletes only the selected entry. Otherwise, the organised copy and generated preview move to macOS Trash after confirmation. The original import source is always left alone.
Archived episodes must be restored before importing new footage. Import is also blocked during archive/restore, pending cleanup, unavailable or read-only Primary storage, unsafe destinations, and missing episode folders.