> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://developers.apob.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Prepare your media

> Choose suitable source assets, complete uploads, and check reference requirements before generation.

## Choose the source

Start with the original image, video, or audio you want to use. Confirm that you
have access to the asset and that the chosen workflow accepts its media type.
Use assets you have permission to provide.

Check the source's format, dimensions, orientation, duration, and audio track.
An image-to-video workflow, a video edit, and a talking avatar have different
input requirements. Select the source and references for the actual workflow.

## Upload a local file

The MCP local upload flow separates transfer from verification:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Prepare the upload">
    Compute the file's exact size, MIME type, and SHA-256 checksum. Request upload
    instructions through your connected client.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Transfer the bytes">
    Upload the file directly to the provided upload URL. Include every returned
    header exactly and complete the transfer before the URL expires.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Verify completion">
    Complete the upload verification using the existing upload identifier. Use
    the verified asset reference returned by completion for generation.
  </Step>
</Steps>

The MCP transfer URL is valid for five minutes. Completion verification can be
retried with the same upload identifier for one hour. A prepared upload or a
successful transfer alone is not a verified asset.

If verification fails, check the size, MIME type, and checksum of the original
file. Follow the completion flow for that upload before preparing another one.

## Import a remote file

For a remote source, use the supported import flow with a publicly downloadable
URL. A page that requires login or displays a preview is not necessarily a direct
file download. Wait for the import to return a usable asset reference.

Upload and import references belong to the connected account. A temporary upload
URL is for transferring bytes; use the completed asset reference as the input to
a later operation.

## Check references together

Source footage, additional elements, end frames, and voices can share reference
budgets. Check them together rather than validating each item in isolation. Limits
vary by workflow and quality; choose the settings supported by your client.

For dialogue, distinguish written speech from selected voices and independent
audio references. See the [generation workflow](/guides/generation-workflow)
before submitting.


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