Production workflow · Avid Media Composer workflow
Avid Media Composer: files missing after import
Where are the originals after an import into Avid Media Composer?
Short answer
Usually in one of two places: an import or transcode wrote new MXF files into the Avid MediaFiles/MXF folders, while a linked clip still depends on the original camera file. Find out which method was used, look in those numbered MXF folders and at the original path, then check the card. Scan the card read-only last.
The situation
The import looked successful, but some or all originals later disappeared in Avid Media Composer.
Avid can either copy footage into its own managed media or merely link to the camera file, and the two leave completely different traces. Establishing which route this import took decides where the missing material should be and whether a second copy ever existed.
01 / Diagnose
Work out what actually disappeared
An import or transcode writes fresh MXF files into the numbered folders under Avid MediaFiles and needs the space for them, so a full drive ends the job early and leaves part of the material unimported. Linking, by contrast, writes nothing: the clips point at the card, and wiping the card for the next shoot removes the footage entirely.
Copy, move, rename and catalog steps can complete at different times. For Avid Media Composer, this matters because Avid Media Composer can keep references or helper media without containing a complete independent original
Check the last known path, trash and backups without writing to the original device.
02 / Protect the source
Preserve the best recovery chance
- 1
Take the camera cards out of service immediately, because a linked workflow means the card may still be the only copy of the footage.
- 2
Check the bin columns to see whether the clips are linked or managed, and note how much free space the media drive had during the import.
- 3
Count the MXF files in the media folders against the clips that should exist, and import the missing ones again from the untouched card.
- 4
If a card was already wiped, scan it read-only before it goes back into a camera and export the clips to a drive with free space.
Do not repeat the import onto the same full drive, and do not delete older MXF media to make room while material is still missing. Both write to the volume that a recovery would need to read, and deleted media may belong to another project.
03 / Choose the method
Match the tool to the source
For stable, readable exFAT, NTFS and FAT16/FAT32 or uncompressed IMG, DD, RAW and BIN images.
Unconfirmed exports are marked .UNVERIFIED.
A card that has recorded a new shoot since the failed import offers little to recover. File Recovery Hero reads exFAT, NTFS and FAT16/FAT32 cards read-only on macOS and Windows; scanning is free, exporting costs 50 EUR once and always goes to another drive.
04 / Verify
Check the recovered content, not just its name
The import is complete when the bin lists every expected clip online, the number of MXF files matches the number of source clips, and a clip from the start and the end of the card plays through without an offline gap.
Keep the source until two verified copies exist. One working preview is not enough.
Sources and technical references
FAQ
Questions about this recovery case
Can Avid Media Composer workflow be recovered in this situation?+
Avid can either copy footage into its own managed media or merely link to the camera file, and the two leave completely different traces. Establishing which route this import took decides where the missing material should be and whether a second copy ever existed. The result still depends on what remains readable on the source.
What should I avoid before scanning?+
Do not repeat the import onto the same full drive, and do not delete older MXF media to make room while material is still missing.
Does scanning write to my memory card?+
Your memory card is only read. Nothing is saved to it.