What happens if you link media without importing it?

Linking media without importing it means that the Avid system is referencing the original files located on an external source, such as a hard drive or network storage. When media is linked in this way, Avid does not create a copy of the data within the project, but rather it maintains a connection to the source files.

If the source drive is removed after linking the media, those files will no longer be accessible, making the media offline. This is why the correct statement is that the media will not remain online if the source is removed. The system relies on the physical presence of those files in the original location; if they are detached, the links break, resulting in the media becoming unavailable for editing or playback.

The other options do not accurately describe the scenario of linking media without importing. For instance, the media is not permanently stored in the Avid system, which would suggest that a copy exists independently of the source. Additionally, the media would not suddenly become editable more freely; in fact, it would be hinged upon the existence of the source drive to be usable. Lastly, the idea of being able to remove the source drive contradicts the functionality of linking, as that would render the media offline.