# ShotAI — AI-native video asset management with shot-level semantic search > ShotAI is a desktop application for macOS that enables professional video editors to search thousands of hours of footage by describing shots in natural language. It auto-indexes every video at shot level using multimodal AI embeddings, returning results in under 300 milliseconds without requiring manual tags, metadata, or cloud uploads. ## Features - [Semantic Video Search](https://www.shotai.io/en/features/semantic-video-search): Natural language queries across entire video libraries with ~300ms response - [Shot-Level Management](https://www.shotai.io/en/features/shot-level-management): Automatic scene and shot boundary detection with smart tagging ## Use Cases - [Post-Production](https://www.shotai.io/en/for/post-production): Find specific B-roll, scenes, and shots across large archives - [Advertising Agencies](https://www.shotai.io/en/for/advertising-agencies): Search client assets by concept, mood, or scene description - [Content Creators](https://www.shotai.io/en/for/content-creators): Organize and retrieve footage efficiently from personal libraries - [Sports Media](https://www.shotai.io/en/for/sports): Find specific plays, highlights, and moments instantly ## Comparisons - [ShotAI vs TwelveLabs](https://www.shotai.io/en/vs/twelvelabs): Local-first desktop vs cloud API comparison - [ShotAI vs Frame.io](https://www.shotai.io/en/vs/frameio): Search vs collaboration — complementary tools ## Guides - [Semantic Video Search Guide](https://www.shotai.io/en/guides/semantic-video-search): The complete guide to AI-powered video search - [Video Asset Management 101](https://www.shotai.io/en/guides/video-asset-management): Organizing and retrieving video content - [AI in Post-Production](https://www.shotai.io/en/guides/ai-post-production): How modern editors use AI tools ## Customer Stories - [Meridian Post](https://www.shotai.io/en/customers/meridian-post): 85% faster footage retrieval - [Spark Creative](https://www.shotai.io/en/customers/spark-creative): 4x more footage reused per campaign - [Highland Sports](https://www.shotai.io/en/customers/highland-sports): Highlight reels in 20 min vs 3 hours ## Integrations - [Supported Formats](https://www.shotai.io/en/supported-formats): ProRes, DNxHR, H.265, H.264, AV1, VP9, MXF, MOV, RAW, WebM - [Editor Workflows](https://www.shotai.io/en/workflows): Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, Final Cut Pro, Avid ## Glossary - [AI Video Glossary (50 terms)](https://www.shotai.io/en/glossary): Definitions for semantic search, shot indexing, MAM, DAM, and more ## Resources - [Documentation](https://www.shotai.io/en/docs): Setup guides and technical reference - [Changelog](https://www.shotai.io/en/changelog): Latest product updates - [Newsletter](https://www.shotai.io/en/newsletter): Bi-weekly AI video industry updates - [Blog](https://www.shotai.io/en/blog): Guides, comparisons, and workflow articles - [Pricing](https://www.shotai.io/en/pricing): Free tier, Pro, and Enterprise plans - [Contact](https://www.shotai.io/en/contact): Get in touch ## Topics AI video search, semantic search, shot-level indexing, video asset management, AI tagging, multimodal embeddings, post-production, advertising, content creation, sports media, footage organization, B-roll management, local-first architecture, macOS, Apple Silicon ## About - Product: ShotAI by Seeknetic - Website: https://www.shotai.io - Available: macOS (Apple Silicon), Free tier available - Languages: English, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Japanese, Korean --- ## Detailed Features ### Semantic Video Search Describe the shot you need in natural language and ShotAI returns matching clips in under 300ms. The search engine converts text queries into semantic vectors and matches them against pre-indexed video embeddings, enabling concept-level retrieval rather than keyword matching. ### Shot-Level Auto-Segmentation ShotAI automatically detects scene and shot boundaries in long-form video, splitting footage into discrete shot assets. Each shot is individually indexed and searchable, turning unstructured video libraries into structured, queryable content databases. ### Smart Tagging AI-generated structured tags are applied to every shot automatically. Tags cover scene type, subject identification, emotion/mood, shot size (wide/medium/close-up), camera movement, lighting conditions, and visual style — eliminating hours of manual metadata entry. ### Multi-Format Support ShotAI handles all major video codecs and containers used in professional workflows including ProRes, H.264, H.265/HEVC, DNxHD, and more. No transcoding required before import. ### Local-First Architecture All indexing and search happens on-device. Video files never leave the user's machine, making ShotAI suitable for projects under NDA or with strict data governance requirements. No internet connection required after initial setup. ## Use Case Details ### Post-Production Find specific B-roll, reaction shots, or establishing shots buried in terabytes of archived footage. Editors can describe what they need conceptually rather than remembering file names or timecodes. ### Advertising Agencies Search across client asset libraries by concept, mood, or visual style. Quickly surface relevant footage for mood boards, pitch decks, and edits without manually browsing every clip. ### Content Creators Organize and retrieve footage efficiently across projects. ShotAI makes personal libraries as searchable as stock footage sites, helping creators repurpose existing content. ### Sports Media Find specific plays, celebrations, reactions, and highlights across game footage. Search by action type, player context, or emotional moment to build packages faster. ## Technical Specifications | Spec | Detail | |------|--------| | Platform | macOS 13+ (Apple Silicon — M1/M2/M3/M4) | | Search Latency | ~300ms average | | Indexing | On-device, GPU-accelerated | | Storage | Local filesystem; no cloud sync required | | Video Formats | ProRes, H.264, H.265, DNxHD, VP9, AV1, and more | | Containers | .mov, .mp4, .mxf, .mkv, .avi, .webm | | Max Library Size | Tested up to 50,000+ clips | | Privacy | Zero telemetry on video content | ## Comparison: ShotAI vs TwelveLabs | Dimension | ShotAI | TwelveLabs | |-----------|--------|------------| | Deployment | Local desktop app | Cloud API | | Data Privacy | Video never leaves device | Video uploaded to cloud | | Target User | Video editors & creators | Developers building video apps | | Pricing Model | Free tier + Pro subscription | Usage-based API pricing | | Latency | ~300ms (on-device) | Variable (network-dependent) | | Setup | Download and run | API integration required | | Internet Required | No (after install) | Yes (always) | ShotAI is purpose-built for creative professionals who need fast, private video search in their editing workflow. TwelveLabs targets developers building video understanding into applications via API. ## FAQ ### What is ShotAI? ShotAI is an AI-native video asset management desktop application that lets professional video editors search their footage libraries using natural language descriptions instead of filenames or manual tags. ### How does semantic video search work? ShotAI indexes video at the shot level by generating semantic embeddings for each shot. When you type a text query, it is converted to a vector and matched against the indexed embeddings, returning visually relevant clips in ~300ms. ### Is my video data private? Yes. ShotAI uses a local-first architecture — all processing and indexing happens on your Mac. Video files are never uploaded to external servers. No internet connection is required for search. ### What platforms does ShotAI support? ShotAI is currently available as a native Mac desktop app optimized for Apple Silicon (M1, M2, M3, M4). A free tier is available to get started immediately. ### How much does ShotAI cost? ShotAI offers a free tier for individual creators. Pro and Enterprise tiers are available for teams and studios that need higher library limits and priority support. See the pricing page for current details. ### How is ShotAI different from stock footage search? Stock search engines only index their own library. ShotAI indexes YOUR footage — personal projects, client archives, raw camera files — making your own content as discoverable as stock. ## Deep-Dive Articles ### AI Video Search Engine vs Video Asset Management Software: What Teams Actually Need Compare AI video search engines and video asset management software for private footage libraries, semantic search, shot-level indexing, and production workflows. Read at: https://www.shotai.io/en/articles/ai-video-search-engine-vs-vam ### Best AI Video Search Tools 2026: ShotAI vs TwelveLabs vs Google Video AI vs Descript An honest comparison of the top AI video search tools in 2026 across deployment, latency, pricing, and privacy. Read at: https://www.shotai.io/en/articles/best-ai-video-search-tools-2026 ### Best AI Video Search Tools for Professional Footage Libraries Compare AI video search tools for professional footage libraries. Evaluate semantic search, transcripts, shot-level indexing, privacy, APIs, and editing workflows. Read at: https://www.shotai.io/en/articles/best-ai-video-search-tools ### Cloud Rendering for Video: What It Is, How It Works Learn how cloud rendering accelerates video production with distributed GPU compute, elastic scaling, and pay-per-use pricing. Read at: https://www.shotai.io/en/articles/cloud-rendering-video-guide ### Reverse Video Search vs AI Video Search: What Is the Difference? Reverse video search finds matching public videos. AI video search helps teams retrieve moments from private footage libraries. Compare use cases and workflows. Read at: https://www.shotai.io/en/articles/reverse-video-search-vs-ai-video-search ### Search Inside Videos Using AI (2026): 5-Minute Setup, Zero Tags Required Step-by-step tutorial: Install AI video search in 5 minutes, find any shot with plain-language queries. No manual tagging, works with 500+ hours. Read at: https://www.shotai.io/en/articles/how-to-search-inside-videos-ai ### ShotAI vs Iconik (2026): Which Video DAM Saves You 15 Hours/Week? Head-to-head comparison: ShotAI's zero-tag AI search vs Iconik's traditional DAM. See real time savings, pricing, and which workflow fits your team size. Read at: https://www.shotai.io/en/articles/shotai-vs-iconik-ai-video-search-vs-traditional-dam-compared ### Vector Similarity Search Explained: How AI Finds Your Shot in 300ms The math behind AI video search: how embeddings + cosine similarity deliver sub-second retrieval across terabytes. Includes real benchmarks. Read at: https://www.shotai.io/en/articles/vector-similarity-search-guide ## Pages (All Locales) ### Homepage - English: https://www.shotai.io/en - Simplified Chinese: https://www.shotai.io/zh-cn - Traditional Chinese: https://www.shotai.io/zh-hk - Japanese: https://www.shotai.io/ja - Korean: https://www.shotai.io/ko ### Features — Semantic Video Search - English: https://www.shotai.io/en/features/semantic-video-search - Simplified Chinese: https://www.shotai.io/zh-cn/features/semantic-video-search - Traditional Chinese: https://www.shotai.io/zh-hk/features/semantic-video-search - Japanese: https://www.shotai.io/ja/features/semantic-video-search - Korean: https://www.shotai.io/ko/features/semantic-video-search ### Features — Shot-Level Management - English: https://www.shotai.io/en/features/shot-level-management - Simplified Chinese: https://www.shotai.io/zh-cn/features/shot-level-management - Traditional Chinese: https://www.shotai.io/zh-hk/features/shot-level-management - Japanese: https://www.shotai.io/ja/features/shot-level-management - Korean: https://www.shotai.io/ko/features/shot-level-management ### For Post-Production - English: https://www.shotai.io/en/for/post-production - Simplified Chinese: https://www.shotai.io/zh-cn/for/post-production - Traditional Chinese: https://www.shotai.io/zh-hk/for/post-production - Japanese: https://www.shotai.io/ja/for/post-production - Korean: https://www.shotai.io/ko/for/post-production ### For Advertising Agencies - English: https://www.shotai.io/en/for/advertising-agencies - Simplified Chinese: https://www.shotai.io/zh-cn/for/advertising-agencies - Traditional Chinese: https://www.shotai.io/zh-hk/for/advertising-agencies - Japanese: https://www.shotai.io/ja/for/advertising-agencies - Korean: https://www.shotai.io/ko/for/advertising-agencies ### For Content Creators - English: https://www.shotai.io/en/for/content-creators - Simplified Chinese: https://www.shotai.io/zh-cn/for/content-creators - Traditional Chinese: https://www.shotai.io/zh-hk/for/content-creators - Japanese: https://www.shotai.io/ja/for/content-creators - Korean: https://www.shotai.io/ko/for/content-creators ### For Sports Media - English: https://www.shotai.io/en/for/sports - Simplified Chinese: https://www.shotai.io/zh-cn/for/sports - Traditional Chinese: https://www.shotai.io/zh-hk/for/sports - Japanese: https://www.shotai.io/ja/for/sports - Korean: https://www.shotai.io/ko/for/sports ### vs TwelveLabs - English: https://www.shotai.io/en/vs/twelvelabs - Simplified Chinese: https://www.shotai.io/zh-cn/vs/twelvelabs - Traditional Chinese: https://www.shotai.io/zh-hk/vs/twelvelabs - Japanese: https://www.shotai.io/ja/vs/twelvelabs - Korean: https://www.shotai.io/ko/vs/twelvelabs ### vs Frame.io - English: https://www.shotai.io/en/vs/frameio - Simplified Chinese: https://www.shotai.io/zh-cn/vs/frameio - Traditional Chinese: https://www.shotai.io/zh-hk/vs/frameio - Japanese: https://www.shotai.io/ja/vs/frameio - Korean: https://www.shotai.io/ko/vs/frameio ### Blog - English: https://www.shotai.io/en/blog - Simplified Chinese: https://www.shotai.io/zh-cn/blog - Traditional Chinese: https://www.shotai.io/zh-hk/blog - Japanese: https://www.shotai.io/ja/blog - Korean: https://www.shotai.io/ko/blog ### Contact - English: https://www.shotai.io/en/contact - Simplified Chinese: https://www.shotai.io/zh-cn/contact - Traditional Chinese: https://www.shotai.io/zh-hk/contact - Japanese: https://www.shotai.io/ja/contact - Korean: https://www.shotai.io/ko/contact ### Pricing - English: https://www.shotai.io/en/pricing - Simplified Chinese: https://www.shotai.io/zh-cn/pricing - Traditional Chinese: https://www.shotai.io/zh-hk/pricing - Japanese: https://www.shotai.io/ja/pricing - Korean: https://www.shotai.io/ko/pricing ### Documentation - English: https://www.shotai.io/en/docs - Simplified Chinese: https://www.shotai.io/zh-cn/docs - Traditional Chinese: https://www.shotai.io/zh-hk/docs - Japanese: https://www.shotai.io/ja/docs - Korean: https://www.shotai.io/ko/docs ### Changelog - English: https://www.shotai.io/en/changelog - Simplified Chinese: https://www.shotai.io/zh-cn/changelog - Traditional Chinese: https://www.shotai.io/zh-hk/changelog - Japanese: https://www.shotai.io/ja/changelog - Korean: https://www.shotai.io/ko/changelog ### Newsletter - English: https://www.shotai.io/en/newsletter - Simplified Chinese: https://www.shotai.io/zh-cn/newsletter - Traditional Chinese: https://www.shotai.io/zh-hk/newsletter - Japanese: https://www.shotai.io/ja/newsletter - Korean: https://www.shotai.io/ko/newsletter