Installation & Setup
Download and install FrameCounsel on your Mac. Configure your workspace and import your first case files in minutes.
Installation & Setup#
FrameCounsel is a native macOS application designed for forensic video analysis. All processing happens entirely on your device, ensuring attorney-client privilege is maintained and no case data ever leaves your machine.
System Requirements#
Before installing FrameCounsel, ensure your system meets the minimum requirements:
| Requirement | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| macOS | 14.0 (Sonoma) | 15.0 (Sequoia) |
| Processor | Apple M1 | Apple M2 Pro or later |
| RAM | 8 GB | 16 GB or more |
| Storage | 2 GB for app | 50 GB+ for case files |
| GPU | Integrated | Apple Neural Engine |
Apple Silicon Required
FrameCounsel leverages Apple's Neural Engine for on-device AI inference. Intel Macs are not supported. All machine learning models run locally through Core ML, ensuring zero data transmission to external servers.
Download and Install#
- Download the latest
.dmgfile from the Downloads page or from your license portal. - Open the downloaded
.dmgfile and drag FrameCounsel.app into your Applications folder. - Launch FrameCounsel from your Applications folder or Spotlight search.
- On first launch, macOS may prompt you to confirm the app is from an identified developer. Click Open to proceed.
Initial Configuration#
When you first open FrameCounsel, the Setup Assistant will guide you through:
Workspace Location#
Choose a directory where FrameCounsel will store case projects, analysis databases, and exported reports. We recommend a dedicated folder on your fastest drive. Each case project typically requires 1-5 GB depending on the number of video files you import.
External Drives
If you work on sensitive cases, consider using an encrypted external SSD as your workspace. FrameCounsel supports any mounted volume, and keeping case data on a removable drive adds a physical security layer. See the recommended evidence drive setup below.
License Activation#
Enter your license key in the activation dialog. FrameCounsel supports both individual and firm-wide licenses. Your license key is validated locally through a cryptographic signature, so no internet connection is required after initial activation.
AI Model Setup#
FrameCounsel ships with pre-bundled AI models for transcription, face detection, and object recognition. On first launch, the app will optimize these models for your specific hardware. This one-time process takes approximately 2-5 minutes on M1 and under a minute on M2 Pro or later chips.
Recommended: External Evidence Drive#
Never Use Cloud Storage for Case Files
Do not store your FrameCounsel workspace on iCloud Drive, Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, or any cloud-synced folder. These services automatically upload your files to remote servers, which destroys attorney-client privilege and breaks chain of custody. Your case data belongs on hardware you physically control.
For serious defense work, we strongly recommend setting up a dedicated external evidence drive as your FrameCounsel workspace. This gives you physical control over your case data -- something no cloud service can provide.
Our Recommendation: SanDisk Professional Pro-G40 SSD#
The SanDisk Professional Pro-G40 Thunderbolt SSD is our recommended evidence drive. It combines the speed needed for 4K video analysis with the durability and security required for forensic evidence handling:
- Thunderbolt 3: Up to 3,000 MB/s read speeds for instant 4K video scrubbing
- Hardware AES-256 encryption: Built-in encryption protects data even if the drive is lost or stolen
- IP68 rated: Dust-tight and waterproof -- survives the realities of fieldwork
- 3-meter drop protection: Handles the bumps of courthouse and jail transport
- 1TB / 2TB / 4TB capacities: Room for hundreds of hours of body camera footage
Setting Up Your Evidence Drive#
- Connect the Pro-G40 to your Mac using the included Thunderbolt cable
- Open Disk Utility and format the drive as APFS (Encrypted). Choose a strong passphrase and record it securely.
- Create a workspace folder on the drive (e.g.,
/Volumes/EvidenceVault/FrameCounsel) - In FrameCounsel, go to Settings > Workspace and set the workspace location to your new folder on the evidence drive
- Enable workspace encryption in Settings > Security for a second encryption layer
Security-First Workspace Configuration#
After setting up your evidence drive, take these additional steps to lock down your workspace:
- Disable cloud sync services on your Mac: Turn off iCloud Drive, Dropbox, Google Drive, and any other service that automatically uploads files. These services can silently copy case data to remote servers.
- Enable FileVault on your Mac's internal drive for full-disk encryption as a baseline
- Create a dedicated macOS user account for FrameCounsel work, separate from your personal account
- Set an aggressive screen lock timeout (we recommend 2 minutes or less) under System Settings > Lock Screen
- Exclude the evidence drive from Spotlight indexing to prevent case content from appearing in system-wide searches: In System Settings > Spotlight > Privacy, add the evidence drive volume
- Maintain a physical access log for the evidence drive: Record who connected the drive, when, and for what purpose. Store this log alongside the drive.
The Evidence Vault Workflow
Think of your Pro-G40 as a "local cloud" that you physically control. When you finish working, eject the drive, lock it in a fireproof safe, and log the access. When you need to work again, retrieve the drive, log the checkout, and connect it. This simple discipline gives you an unbreakable chain of custody that no cloud provider can match. See the full Privacy & Security guide for detailed evidence vault protocols.
Next Steps#
Once installation is complete, proceed to the Quick Start Guide to import your first video and run an initial analysis.