> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://support.4cast.world/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://support.4cast.world/4.-timecode-setup/all-intra-videos.md).
# All Intra Videos
The MVP can convert your videos to All Intra video files. All-Intra encoding is **required** for video clips on the timecode timeline. This page explains why and how.
***
## Why All-Intra Is Required
### The Problem with Standard Video
When the MVP receives a timecode position (e.g., 00:05:23:15), it needs to seek the video file to exactly that frame. With standard video encoding:
* The video is divided into **Groups of Pictures (GOP)**, typically 12-250 frames apart
* Only the first frame in each group (I-frame/keyframe) is a complete image
* The frames in between store only the *differences* from the previous frame (P-frames and B-frames)
This means seeking is slow and inaccurate -- making reliable timecode sync impossible.
### The Solution: Every Frame Is an I-Frame
With All-Intra (GOP=1), **every single frame is a complete image**. The decoder can jump directly to any frame with no reconstruction:
* Seeking is instant and frame-accurate
* The MVP maintains frame-accurate sync throughout your show
***
## What Happens When You Place a Video on the Timeline
When you drag a video file onto the timeline, the MVP checks its encoding and follows one of these paths:
### Already All-Intra (ready to use)
The clip is added to the timeline silently. No dialogs, no conversion needed.
### Already All-Intra (needs analysis)
A **"Video Analysis Required"** dialog appears. The MVP needs to perform a one-time video analysis for this file:
* Takes approximately 10-20 seconds
* Video playback is temporarily disabled during measurement
* Only happens once per file
* Click **"Analyze Now"** to proceed, or **"Cancel"** to remove the clip from the timeline
If analysis fails, the clip is automatically removed and you'll see a notification to try again.
### Not All-Intra (converted version already exists)
If you previously converted this file (creating a `-All-Intra.mkv`), the clip is **automatically switched** to the All-Intra version. An informational dialog confirms the switch -- no action needed from you.
### Not All-Intra (no converted version)
A **conversion confirmation dialog** appears:
1. A new All-Intra file will be created alongside the original
2. Video playback is disabled during conversion (the hardware encoder shares the video decoder)
3. A performance measurement runs automatically after conversion completes
4. An **Advanced Settings** section provides optional controls for Conversion Quality (Very High, Ultra, Maximum Bitrate) and, for 4K files, Output Resolution (see below)
5. Click **"Proceed"** to start conversion, or **"Cancel"** to **remove the clip from the timeline**
**4K Files — Output Resolution & Effects Mode**
If the source video is **4K (width ≥ 3840 pixels)**, an **Output Resolution** option appears inside Advanced Settings:
| Option | Effect |
| --------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| **Match Source (4K)** *(default)* | Converts at full 4K resolution. [Effects Mode](/2.-video-setup/effects-mode.md) is not available for 4K All-Intra files. |
| **Convert to 1080p** | Downscales during conversion. Required for Effects Mode compatability. |
When the device is configured for **Effects Mode (Fast Trigger)**, the dialog also shows an inline note: *"4K files do not support effects mode."* In other video modes this note is hidden, but the Output Resolution option remains available in Advanced Settings.
> *For step-by-step export guides:* [*Exporting All-Intra from Editing Software*](/4.-timecode-setup/exporting-all-intra-from-editing-software.md)
***
## Converting on the MVP
### How On-Device Conversion Works
The MVP uses its built-in hardware video processor to convert videos:
* **Input**: Your original video file (any supported codec/container)
* **Output**: `-All-Intra.mkv` (H.265, GOP=1, Matroska container)
### During Conversion
* **Video playback is disabled** -- the hardware video processor is shared between playback and encoding
* Progress is shown in the Inspector when the converting clip is selected (amber chip with percentage)
* A **Conversion Queue Widget** in the bottom-right corner shows overall progress
### After Conversion
1. The timeline clip is automatically updated to use the new All-Intra file
2. A quick video analysis runs automatically (10-20 seconds)
3. Video playback is re-enabled
4. The original file remains on the device -- you can delete it manually to free storage space
### Cancelling a Conversion
If you cancel a conversion that is already in progress, all clips on the timeline referencing that non-All-Intra file are automatically removed.
***
## Exporting All-Intra from Your Editing Software (Recommended)
For faster results, export your videos with **GOP=1** directly from your editing software **before** uploading to the MVP. This is especially important for 4K content, where on-device conversion is very slow.
The key setting to look for in your export settings:
* **GOP Size** = 1, or **Keyframe Interval** = 1
* Some software calls this **"All-Intra"** or **"Intra-only"**
* **H.265 (HEVC)** is recommended for smaller file sizes
> *Step-by-step guides for Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, DaVinci Resolve, and Handbrake:* [*Exporting All-Intra from Editing Software*](/4.-timecode-setup/exporting-all-intra-from-editing-software.md)
***
## Checking All-Intra Status
You can check whether a video is All-Intra encoded in several places:
| Location | All-Intra | Not All-Intra | Still Image |
| -------------------------- | -------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------- | ----------- |
| **Timeline Media Library** | Green checkmark badge | Amber warning badge | No badge |
| **Timeline Inspector** | Green chip: "Frame-accurate seeking enabled" | Amber chip with conversion options | N/A |
| **Video Info Dialog** | "ALL INTRA" badge | No badge | Image icon |
***
## Frame-Accurate Playback
All-Intra encoding allows the MVP to deliver frame-accurate playback at any point on your timeline. The MVP automatically handles synchronization and speed matching. You just build your timeline and let the MVP do the rest.
***
### File Size Considerations
All-Intra files are **2-5x larger** than standard encoding because every frame is stored as a complete image. File size depends on your output resolution and the Conversion Quality setting chosen in Advanced Settings.
**1080p Output** *(native 1080p files, or 4K downscaled to 1080p)*
| Quality | Est. file size (3 min) |
| --------------------- | ---------------------- |
| Very High *(default)* | \~110–180 MB |
| Ultra | \~145–235 MB |
| Maximum Bitrate | \~180–360 MB |
**4K Output** *(4K files converted at full resolution)*
| Quality | Est. file size (3 min) |
| --------------------- | ---------------------- |
| Very High *(default)* | \~400–650 MB |
| Ultra | \~520–845 MB |
| Maximum Bitrate | \~640–1,300 MB |
The MVP has 100GB of storage. Plan your storage accordingly when using All-Intra files.
***
## Related Pages
* [Exporting All-Intra from Editing Software](/4.-timecode-setup/exporting-all-intra-from-editing-software.md) -- Premiere, FCP, Resolve, Handbrake guides
* [Timecode Overview](/4.-timecode-setup/timecode-overview.md) -- Understanding the timecode system
* [The Timeline Editor](/4.-timecode-setup/the-timeline-editor.md) -- Building your show timeline
* [Supported File Formats](/8.-reference/supported-video-formats.md) -- All format details