Quick Answer
The nine most common features of AI video generators worth paying for include text-to-video, image-to-video, export options, brand consistency, editing tools, audio and captions, commercial rights, generation credits, and video quality. Examine the required production volume and editing process for different video categories to determine which subscription benefits your business.
What Should a Small Business Look for in an AI Video Generator?
Begin by analyzing the required videos a business must produce. A local bakery and an online clothing store both require promotional, short-form videos for social media, but with significantly different production specifications.
First, small business owners should ask three questions about their video production:
• What category of videos do I need to produce the most? • How many approved, finalized videos do I need per month? • Which part of the production consumes the most time and resources?
Answering these questions highlights the necessary and optional functions.
Which 9 AI Video Generator Features Are Worth of Paying ?
Text-to-Video Generation for Draft Creation
A text-to-video function transforms a textual description into a video segment. For instance, a small business owner can request a cappuccino on a wooden table with morning light and a slow camera movement to generate a sample video. This feature assists in creating a draft for manual editing or presenting a concept to clients. An essential consideration is the degree of control over the produced media. A useful tool will retain the ability to adjust the subject, environment, and output format. The text-to-video function is most beneficial for small businesses in its capacity to generate a draft rather than the quantity of available visual styles.
Image-to-Video for Animated Promotional Content
Most businesses possess image archives of their products, services, and locations, which can be utilized in video production. An image-to-video function allows the incorporation of an image into a generated video segment with limited manual editing. A furniture business, for instance, can employ an image of a sofa with a camera movement to produce a promotional video segment. The crucial consideration when using this feature is the tool’s ability to maintain essential elements of the input image. A significant alteration of the product’s appearance will render the generated video unusable for its intended commercial purpose.
Multiple Aspect Ratios and Video Export Formats
The ratio of a video’s width to its height defines its format, with common ratios including 9:16, 16:9, and 1:1. A given aspect ratio is more appropriate for a particular field of application, namely:
| Format | Application |
|---|---|
| 9:16 | Vertical videos for social media |
| 16:9 | Full HD videos for computers |
| 1:1 | Square-form videos for social media |
A suitable generator will provide the option to export a video in a required ratio, ideally with sufficient resolution, cropping flexibility, and additional restrictions. Consider the quantity of generated video segments and the editing process required for the chosen export format. A helpful tool will allow exporting a video in a necessary format to avoid extra production steps.
Brand Consistency and Similar Video Styles
A small business should be able to produce multiple videos with identical or similar style, environment, and products to establish brand recognition. Some video generators achieve this by providing references, while others necessitate the use of identical prompts and manual edits. The most critical consideration is the ability to recognize the same product in different videos, particularly in the case of a product showcase or a series of commercials. If a given tool fails to sustain consistency, brand recognition will be impossible to achieve.
Video Editing and Scene Composition Flexibility
The ability to edit a video is vital in both commercial and non-commercial applications. A video might need to have a certain scene removed, include an additional object, or utilize a different camera angle. Xelta’s AI driven video generator provides text-to-video and image-to-video functions as well as editing and composition tools. When considering a particular generator, ensure that the necessary editing tools are included in your subscription or available as an additional purchase.
Voiceover, Caption, and Music Track Addition
Certain businesses might need to supplement their video with a voiceover, captions, and/or music. These capabilities are most useful for explanatory, promotional, and announcement video content. In the case of a small business, the necessity of these tools depends on the type of video being produced. A restaurant, for example, can generate a commercial with music and visual production, while a technology company can utilize voiceovers to explain a complicated concept. A crucial consideration includes the quality and accuracy of the voice acting, the suitability of the music track, and the precision of the captioning. Each of these elements must be reviewed prior to publishing a video.
Commercial Use Rights and Restrictions
The ability to utilize a video in commercial or non-commercial contexts depends on the terms of the selected online tool. Certain generators explicitly restrict commercial use in their free and/or paid plans. When selecting a given online tool, it is essential to examine the subtleties of its terms of use. Particularly, small businesses should be aware of the following restrictions:
• Whether the free and paid plans differ in commercial application.
• Whether the tool permits the use of a video with modified or unmodified assets.
• Whether generated content with added music and/or characters is allowed for commercial use.
Xelta explicitly states whether a plan permits commercial use; however, each business must review the terms of use before publishing a video.
Predictable Credits and Generation Limits
A small business should be able to produce a certain amount of content within a given timeframe. An annual subscription might become too expensive if most of the monthly credits are spent on a single video. The primary consideration when reviewing generation limits is the quantity of videos a business produces on a monthly basis. For example, if a small business needs eight edited and approved promotional videos per month, the selected tool should offer at least ten video generations per month to allow for editing and replacement. A useful practice is to review the number of video generations in different plans in relation to the time spent on each video.
Output Quality and Motion Accuracy
A video with high resolution and apparent motion is more likely to appeal to viewers. The ability to utilize a tool for commercial purposes depends on its capacity to generate a high-quality video. An essential consideration when reviewing the output quality is the level of detail in a given image. For instance, a product video should retain the details of a product’s packaging and size.
In the case of a character, hands, eyes, and facial expressions must remain consistent throughout the video. A high resolution does not guarantee a desirable outcome; a business must ensure that the selected tool can produce an image with appropriate motion quality.
How Can Small Businesses Test an AI Video Generator Before Paying?
A trial version can help a business determine the ability of a tool to fulfill its requirements. The most critical consideration is the necessity of a trial subscription: if a small business can operate without an additional video generator, it is unwise to purchase a subscription. For the purposes of this example, consider a skincare business that must generate a series of short promotional videos. This particular business needs to generate a single vertical promotional video with a studio setting and a stationary camera.
The process of creating a promotional video can be summarized as follows: • Prepare the necessary assets: an image of a skincare product with appropriate proportions and packaging. • Define the goal and the format of the video: a vertical short promotional video with a rotating camera and a studio setting. • Generate a video with an image-to-video function with limited manual editing. • Examine the output video for consistency, quality, and accuracy. • Edit the video, if necessary. • Add additional features and finalize the video for publication.
A sample instruction for an image-to-video function can be the following:
- Create a vertical promotional video with the provided product image.
- Ensure that the product’s proportions, packaging, and brand colors are consistent throughout the video.
- Utilize a slow-rotating camera and a studio setting with moderate lighting.
- Do not alter the product’s appearance or include additional objects and characters in the video.
The described scenario illustrates the capacity of a selected tool to fulfill a particular business’s requirements. An essential consideration is the degree to which the produced video requires manual editing. A business must also review the editing and generation tools available in its subscription.
When Does Xelta AI Make Sense for Small Businesses?
Xelta provides AI-assisted content generation and creative tools for marketing companies. As a result, the company can be a viable option for small businesses seeking to utilize AI-assisted video generation and related tools. A small business can utilize Xelta’s marketing tools to generate a single commercial or a series of short promotional videos.
An essential consideration is the production volume and required quality: a business should be able to view a sample video and estimate the necessary editing. Additionally, a small business should review the current promotions, the available video quality, and the commercial use terms prior to purchasing a subscription to determine its applicability.
Final Thoughts
The selection of an AI video generator depends on a business’s production requirements. Most small businesses benefit from the ability to generate a desirable draft, make manual adjustments, and distribute the final product in a desirable format. A trial version can help a business identify the necessary production tools. A useful tool for a business is more valuable than an option with excess features that require supplementary editing.
For more practical creative workflows and demonstrations, explore Xelta AI on YouTube.
