# ShotAI — AI-native video asset management with shot-level semantic search > ShotAI is a desktop application for macOS for organizing and searching video at shot level. Original media stays in local storage. AI understanding sends preprocessed visual and audio data to cloud services; semantic search uses cloud query encoding and local vector retrieval. See the product documentation for setup, processing, search, and export workflows. ## Features - [Semantic Video Search](https://www.shotai.io/en/features/semantic-video-search): Natural language queries over processed footage, with cloud query encoding and local vector retrieval - [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 ## Product Documentation & Tutorials Product guides and tutorials are available in English and Simplified Chinese. Other locale routes display the English version. ### English - [Documentation](https://www.shotai.io/en/docs): Setup, import, search, review, export, and MCP guides - [Tutorials](https://www.shotai.io/en/tutorials): Task-based walkthroughs with a result to check - [Integrations & compatibility](https://www.shotai.io/en/docs/integrations): Choose an export or MCP workflow and check it with your footage - [Find your first useful shot](https://www.shotai.io/en/docs/quickstart): Import a small set of footage, complete AI understanding, and find a shot you can review and export. - [Install ShotAI and prepare your workspace](https://www.shotai.io/en/docs/installation): Download the current desktop application, sign in, and prepare a small library for a first search. - [Import and understand footage](https://www.shotai.io/en/docs/import-and-index): Learn the difference between importing videos, detecting shots, and making those shots searchable with AI. - [Organize footage with collections](https://www.shotai.io/en/docs/collections): Use collections to organize videos by project and keep each search within the intended footage. - [Search your library](https://www.shotai.io/en/docs/search): Describe a shot in natural language, narrow the scope, and review candidates before using them. - [Find similar shots](https://www.shotai.io/en/docs/similar-shots): Start from an existing library shot, discover related candidates, and check what actually matches. - [Review shots and export](https://www.shotai.io/en/docs/review-and-export): Check source footage, choose whole shots, and export clips or a simple timeline with the right expectations. - [Work with the AI assistant](https://www.shotai.io/en/docs/ai-assistant): Give the assistant a clear footage request, keep searches within a project, and review its choices before export. - [Connect an external assistant with MCP](https://www.shotai.io/en/docs/mcp): Find your local connection settings, connect a compatible client, and verify a project-scoped search. - [Privacy and connectivity](https://www.shotai.io/en/docs/privacy): Understand which parts of the workflow use your computer, which use cloud processing, and what to check before indexing sensitive footage. - [Troubleshoot a search or export](https://www.shotai.io/en/docs/troubleshooting): Check processing state, search scope, source access, and output settings before repeating work. - [Import a small batch and export your first shot](https://www.shotai.io/en/tutorials/first-selects): Follow a manageable first session: import a few videos, run AI understanding, find a known scene, and check one exported clip. - [Turn a broad search into a shot you can use](https://www.shotai.io/en/tutorials/search-better): Refine a visual query, check the search scope, and review the original footage before choosing a result. - [Find three B-roll shots for a promotional video](https://www.shotai.io/en/tutorials/find-b-roll): Turn a short creative brief into three visual searches, review the source shots, and export a small set for editing. ### Simplified Chinese - [产品文档](https://www.shotai.io/zh-cn/docs): 设置、导入、搜索、核对、导出与 MCP 使用指南 - [实操教程](https://www.shotai.io/zh-cn/tutorials): 围绕具体任务展开的完整操作示例 - [集成与兼容性](https://www.shotai.io/zh-cn/docs/integrations): 选择导出或 MCP 工作流，并用自己的素材验证 - [找到第一个可用镜头](https://www.shotai.io/zh-cn/docs/quickstart): 从一小组熟悉的素材开始，完成导入、AI 理解、搜索、回看与导出。 - [安装 ShotAI 并准备工作环境](https://www.shotai.io/zh-cn/docs/installation): 获取当前桌面应用，完成登录，并准备一小组素材验证首个搜索流程。 - [导入与理解素材](https://www.shotai.io/zh-cn/docs/import-and-index): 区分视频导入、镜头检测和 AI 理解，确认素材什么时候可以进行语义搜索。 - [用收藏夹组织素材](https://www.shotai.io/zh-cn/docs/collections): 按项目组织视频，并确保每次查找都限定在正确的素材范围内。 - [搜索素材库](https://www.shotai.io/zh-cn/docs/search): 用自然语言描述画面，逐步调整范围，并在使用前回看候选镜头。 - [寻找相似镜头](https://www.shotai.io/zh-cn/docs/similar-shots): 从素材库中的已知镜头出发，寻找替代候选，并检查它们究竟相似在哪里。 - [回看与导出](https://www.shotai.io/zh-cn/docs/review-and-export): 核对原片、选择完整镜头，并根据下一步工作导出视频片段或简单时间线。 - [使用 AI 助手](https://www.shotai.io/zh-cn/docs/ai-assistant): 给出明确的素材需求，保持项目范围，并在导出前回看助手选择的镜头。 - [通过 MCP 连接外部助手](https://www.shotai.io/zh-cn/docs/mcp): 找到本机连接设置，配置兼容客户端，并核对一次限定项目范围的搜索。 - [隐私与联网说明](https://www.shotai.io/zh-cn/docs/privacy): 了解哪些工作在电脑上完成、哪些使用云端，以及处理敏感素材前需要确认的条件。 - [排查搜索与导出问题](https://www.shotai.io/zh-cn/docs/troubleshooting): 按处理状态、搜索范围、原文件访问与输出设置逐步排查，避免重复无效操作。 - [导入一小组素材，导出第一个完整镜头](https://www.shotai.io/zh-cn/tutorials/first-selects): 用几条熟悉的视频完成首次练习：导入、AI 理解、搜索已知场景，再核对一个导出的片段。 - [从宽泛搜索找到一个可回看的镜头](https://www.shotai.io/zh-cn/tutorials/search-better): 逐步描述画面、确认搜索范围，并通过回看源视频判断候选是否真正可用。 - [按宣传片需求挑选三个 B-roll 镜头](https://www.shotai.io/zh-cn/tutorials/find-b-roll): 把简短创意需求拆成三次画面搜索，回看源镜头，再导出一组可进入剪辑的素材。 ## Articles - [AI Video Search Engine vs Video Asset Management Software: What Teams Actually Need](https://www.shotai.io/en/articles/ai-video-search-engine-vs-vam): Compare AI video search engines and video asset management software for private footage libraries, semantic search, shot-level indexing, and production workflows. - [AI Video Search Evaluation: Build a 30-Query Test Set](https://www.shotai.io/en/articles/ai-video-search-evaluation-test-set): Build a practical 30-query AI video search test set to measure relevance, shot precision, metadata filtering, failure cases, and source-file handoff. - [AI 影片搜尋評估：建立一套 30 條真實查詢測試集](https://www.shotai.io/en/articles/ai-video-search-evaluation-test-set): 用 30 條真實查詢評估 AI 影片搜尋，覆蓋相關性、鏡頭精確度、元資料篩選、失敗樣本和來源檔案回連，建立可重現的採購測試。 - [AI 搜尋如何改變影片 CMS 與 MAM 工作流程](https://www.shotai.io/en/articles/ai-search-video-cms-mam-workflows): 了解 AI 搜尋如何改變影片 CMS 與 MAM 的匯入、索引、檢索、粗選、審閱、治理和封存重用流程。 - [AI 搜索如何改变视频 CMS 与 MAM 工作流](https://www.shotai.io/en/articles/ai-search-video-cms-mam-workflows): 了解 AI 搜索如何改变视频 CMS 与 MAM 的入库、索引、检索、粗选、审阅、治理和归档复用流程。 - [AI 视频搜索评估：建立一套 30 条真实查询测试集](https://www.shotai.io/en/articles/ai-video-search-evaluation-test-set): 用 30 条真实查询评估 AI 视频搜索，覆盖相关性、镜头精度、元数据筛选、失败样本和源文件回链，建立可复现的采购测试。 - [Best AI Video Search Tools 2026: ShotAI vs TwelveLabs vs Google Video AI vs Descript](https://www.shotai.io/en/articles/best-ai-video-search-tools-2026): An honest comparison of the top AI video search tools in 2026 across deployment, latency, pricing, and privacy. - [Best AI Video Search Tools: A Test Framework for Professional Footage](https://www.shotai.io/en/articles/best-ai-video-search-tools): Compare AI video search tools with a reproducible test for semantic search, transcripts, shot-level indexing, privacy, metadata, and editing workflows. - [Cloud Rendering for Video: What It Is, How It Works](https://www.shotai.io/en/articles/cloud-rendering-video-guide): Learn how cloud rendering accelerates video production with distributed GPU compute, elastic scaling, and pay-per-use pricing. - [Descript AI Video Search Features: What Editors Can Find](https://www.shotai.io/en/articles/descript-ai-video-search-features): Compare Descript's transcript-led text editing with ShotAI's private-footage visual search, shot-level retrieval, source links, and editing workflow handoff. - [Descript AI 影片搜尋功能：剪輯師能找到什麼](https://www.shotai.io/en/articles/descript-ai-video-search-features): 比較 Descript 的轉錄驅動文字剪輯與 ShotAI 的私有素材視覺搜尋、鏡頭級檢索、源檔回鏈和剪輯工作流程交接。 - [Descript AI 视频搜索功能：剪辑师能找到什么](https://www.shotai.io/en/articles/descript-ai-video-search-features): 对比 Descript 的转录驱动文本剪辑与 ShotAI 的私有素材视觉搜索、镜头级检索、源文件回链和剪辑工作流交接。 - [How AI Search Changes Video CMS and MAM Workflows](https://www.shotai.io/en/articles/ai-search-video-cms-mam-workflows): Learn how AI search changes video CMS and MAM workflows from ingest and indexing to retrieval, selects, review, governance, and archive reuse. - [Reverse Video Search vs AI Video Search: What Is the Difference?](https://www.shotai.io/en/articles/reverse-video-search-vs-ai-video-search): Reverse video search finds matching public videos. AI video search helps teams retrieve moments from private footage libraries. Compare use cases and workflows. - [Search Inside Videos Using AI (2026): 5-Minute Setup, Zero Tags Required](https://www.shotai.io/en/articles/how-to-search-inside-videos-ai): 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. - [ShotAI vs Frame.io (2026): Footage Search or Review Workflow?](https://www.shotai.io/en/articles/shotai-vs-frameio): Compare ShotAI and Frame.io by workflow, search, review, storage, integrations, and pricing. See when to choose one platform or use both together. - [ShotAI vs Frame.io（2026）：素材搜尋還是審閱工作流？](https://www.shotai.io/en/articles/shotai-vs-frameio): 從工作流、搜尋、審閱、儲存、整合和價格比較 ShotAI 與 Frame.io，了解何時選擇其中一款，或將兩者配合使用。 - [ShotAI vs Frame.io（2026）：素材搜索还是审片工作流？](https://www.shotai.io/en/articles/shotai-vs-frameio): 从工作流、搜索、审片、存储、集成和价格比较 ShotAI 与 Frame.io，了解何时选择其中一款，或将两者配合使用。 - [ShotAI vs Iconik (2026): Which Video DAM Saves You 15 Hours/Week?](https://www.shotai.io/en/articles/shotai-vs-iconik-ai-video-search-vs-traditional-dam-compared): 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. - [Vector Similarity Search Explained: How AI Finds Your Shot in 300ms](https://www.shotai.io/en/articles/vector-similarity-search-guide): The math behind AI video search: how embeddings + cosine similarity deliver sub-second retrieval across terabytes. Includes real benchmarks. - [Video Archive Software for Broadcast and Production Teams](https://www.shotai.io/en/articles/video-archive-software-broadcast-production): Evaluate video archive software for broadcast and production using preservation, metadata, proxy, semantic search, rights, restore, and NLE workflow tests. - [Video Asset Management Software Buyer's Guide: AI Search, DAM, MAM, and VAM](https://www.shotai.io/en/articles/ai-video-asset-management-buyers-guide): Choosing video asset management software? Compare AI search, DAM vs MAM vs VAM, shot-level indexing, metadata, privacy, and NLE export. - [Video Library Software: Build a Searchable Footage Library](https://www.shotai.io/en/articles/video-library-software-searchable-footage-libraries): Learn how to choose video library software and build a searchable footage library with metadata, semantic search, source links, rights, and NLE workflows. - [Video Metadata vs Semantic Search: When to Use Each](https://www.shotai.io/en/articles/video-metadata-vs-semantic-search): Compare video metadata and semantic search, learn their limits, and build a hybrid workflow for exact filters and meaning-based footage discovery. - [Video Tagging Software: How AI Tags and Semantic Search Work Together](https://www.shotai.io/en/articles/how-to-organize-thousands-of-video-clips-with-ai-tagging): Learn how video tagging software combines technical metadata, AI labels, transcripts, and semantic search to organize large footage libraries. - [What Is Semantic Video Search? How Meaning-Based Retrieval Works](https://www.shotai.io/en/articles/what-is-semantic-video-search): Semantic video search retrieves footage by meaning, not exact tags. Learn how embeddings work, what visual queries enable, and where metadata still matters. - [什么是语义视频搜索？基于含义的检索如何工作](https://www.shotai.io/en/articles/what-is-semantic-video-search): 语义视频搜索按含义而非精确标签检索素材。了解向量如何工作、视觉查询可以做什么，以及哪些场景仍需要元数据。 - [什麼是語義影片搜尋？基於含義的檢索如何工作](https://www.shotai.io/en/articles/what-is-semantic-video-search): 語義影片搜尋按含義而非完全相符的標籤檢索素材。了解向量如何工作、視覺查詢可以做什麼，以及哪些場景仍需要元資料。 - [最佳 AI 影片搜尋工具：專業素材庫測試框架](https://www.shotai.io/en/articles/best-ai-video-search-tools): 使用可復現方法比較 AI 影片搜尋工具，評估語義搜尋、轉錄、鏡頭級索引、隱私、元資料和剪接工作流。 - [最佳 AI 视频搜索工具：专业素材库测试框架](https://www.shotai.io/en/articles/best-ai-video-search-tools): 使用可复现方法比较 AI 视频搜索工具，评估语义搜索、转录、镜头级索引、隐私、元数据和剪辑工作流。 - [广播与制作团队的视频归档软件选型指南](https://www.shotai.io/en/articles/video-archive-software-broadcast-production): 从长期保存、元数据、代理、语义搜索、版权、恢复和 NLE 回链等维度评估广播与制作团队的视频归档软件。 - [廣播與製作團隊的影片封存軟體選型指南](https://www.shotai.io/en/articles/video-archive-software-broadcast-production): 從長期保存、元資料、代理、語意搜尋、版權、還原和 NLE 回鏈等維度評估廣播與製作團隊的影片封存軟體。 - [影片元資料 vs 語意搜尋：何時該用哪一種](https://www.shotai.io/en/articles/video-metadata-vs-semantic-search): 比較影片元資料與語意搜尋，了解兩者邊界，並以精確篩選和按含義檢索建立可靠的混合影片搜尋工作流程。 - [影片標籤軟體：AI 標籤與語意搜尋如何協同](https://www.shotai.io/en/articles/how-to-organize-thousands-of-video-clips-with-ai-tagging): 了解影片標籤軟體如何結合技術元資料、AI 標籤、逐字稿與語意搜尋，可靠地整理和檢索大型影片素材庫。 - [影片素材庫軟體：如何建立可搜尋的素材庫](https://www.shotai.io/en/articles/video-library-software-searchable-footage-libraries): 了解如何選擇影片素材庫軟體，並結合元資料、語意搜尋、源檔回鏈、版權管理和 NLE 工作流程建立可搜尋素材庫。 - [影片資產管理軟體選型指南：AI 搜尋、DAM、MAM 與 VAM](https://www.shotai.io/en/articles/ai-video-asset-management-buyers-guide): 如何選擇影片資產管理軟體？比較 AI 搜尋、DAM、MAM、VAM、鏡頭級索引、元資料、隱私和非線性剪接匯出能力。 - [视频元数据 vs 语义搜索：什么时候该用哪一种](https://www.shotai.io/en/articles/video-metadata-vs-semantic-search): 对比视频元数据与语义搜索，了解两者的边界，并用精确筛选与按含义检索建立可靠的混合视频搜索工作流。 - [视频标签软件：AI 标签与语义搜索如何协同](https://www.shotai.io/en/articles/how-to-organize-thousands-of-video-clips-with-ai-tagging): 了解视频标签软件如何结合技术元数据、AI 标签、转录文本与语义搜索，可靠地整理和检索大规模视频素材库。 - [视频素材库软件：如何建立可搜索的素材库](https://www.shotai.io/en/articles/video-library-software-searchable-footage-libraries): 了解如何选择视频素材库软件，并结合元数据、语义搜索、源文件回链、版权管理和 NLE 工作流建立可搜索素材库。 - [视频资产管理软件选型指南：AI 搜索、DAM、MAM 与 VAM](https://www.shotai.io/en/articles/ai-video-asset-management-buyers-guide): 如何选择视频资产管理软件？比较 AI 搜索、DAM、MAM、VAM、镜头级索引、元数据、隐私和非线性剪辑导出能力。 ## 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