In one embodiment of the invention, a sender client provides to a server a message giving the location of one or more potentially large media files, such as video clips. The server relays this location message to each recipient. A receiver client, in response to the location message, accesses or makes a local copy of the media file from either the sender client or another peer client that is also a receiver of the message. The sender and receiver clients may be personal video recorders (PVRs), personal computers, workstations, video camcorders or personal digital assistants. The server may be, for example, a PVR, a personal computer, a workstation, and an application service provider. The server may be accessed via the Internet. The location message can include information about the media file clip it contains, such as its title, date/time stamp, copyright indication or one or more text fields.