AI Video Creation: A New Tool for Video Content Creation.

You all have seen the AI video editing ads “Best AI Video Generator Online” or “Turn text to video, in minutes”. The skeptical video pro in me was intrigued. So, I tried a few. My first stipulation was that if there wasn’t a “try before you buy” or required a credit card, I moved on. 

I settled on two Synthesia and HeyGen. Here’s what I discovered.

Creating a new account for each was fast and easy. Both have an intuitive user interface. The tutorials were easy to find and follow. I have a 1GB fiber connection, so changes occurred almost instantly. However, “Turning text into video, in minutes” is relative – they don’t say how many minutes.

I’ll begin by explaining what AI Text is to Video Creation is and how this tool can benefit your business. I’ll end this article with a side by side comparison of features, pricing structures and some best practices.

What is AI Video Creation

AI Video Creation tools use a digital human or cartoon avatar to deliver the script resulting in the replacing the need for traditional actors, voiceover talent, even video production equipment and crew.

Text-to-Video: You input text, and the AI generates an avatar that lip-syncs the text. Neat huh? This is great for explainer videos, training, marketing and more. You could also upload your image and voice and create your avatar for personal message or explainers,

Voice Cloning & Lip-syncing: Imagine having your personal avatar and voice cloned so at a moments, notice you can create a personal message for a prospect. I haven’t done one yet, but I will in a few weeks. 

Customization and editing: Each program offers a suite of editing tools including text, stock images and videos, icons, text over video, music, and more. They allow uploading custom fonts, graphics such as your logo, even your own video and pictures. 

AI Video Generation is a dynamic and competitive market. With the advances in AI technology and each trying to outdo their competitor I’m confident there could be a dozen more by the time this is posted. But for now here’s what I found using Synthesia and HeyGen, 

Both platforms offer a limited watermarked video demo with no credit card required.  

London, England based Synthesia, was established in 2017, and boasts over one million customers, including many Fortune 500 companies. HeyGen, founded in 2020 is based in California, and offers similar services with a few more options. 

Synthesia’s latest pricing structure is based on a projected number of minutes used in a year. 

in October 2024, HeyGen announced no limit on minutes for any price plan. However, both limit the video length. Three minutes per month for Synthesia and five minutes for HeyGen.

Uploading third-party voices from sites like 11 Labs, is exclusively reserved for Synthesia Enterprise users. HeyGen allows third party connections for any plan. I did try this with 11 Labs and the results were great. 

The choice of avatars on both platforms is dependent on your price plan however, both have a very good selection of characters. Both include stock image & video, music, text generation, transitions between scenes, and the ability to create a personal avatar by uploading a video of yourself. I promise I’ll get to it as soon as I get a haircut. 

Both offer an annual license discount for a one time payment and a significant higher price for month to month. 

Best Practice:  Begin by establishing a free account and never cancel your account. If you do, you’ll lose everything. In the free version of Synthesia you cannot download your videos. The same applies to HeyGen however, you can share a link to your video with others.

Best Practice: Get a paid version so you can download your videos. I’ll explain why later.

What I Found

On the Synthesia platform I found many of the voices matched with the avatar were not a good match. For example, I chose a middle-aged female executive. The voice connected to her sounded like a bubbly teen. It took about 10 minutes to find an age-appropriate voice. As a British company, it stands to reason that many of the voices attached have a British accent. Even some voices identified as EN-USA had a British accent. I also found it hard to find an African American voice. HeyGen voices have more options for inflection and accents. The major advantage is the ability to upload a voice from a text-to-speech platform such as 11 Labs. 

When I began my tests HeyGen was the only platform to offer avatars with multiple camera angles. (i.e. One looking into the camera lens and the other looking off to the side.) In November Synthesia added multiple camera angle avatars.

Each has a unique editing interface. Between the two, I found Synthesia’s easier to use.

Each provides some stock transition scene transitions. Neither provides a way to adjust the speed. I created two demonstration videos on each platform to illustrate transitions and text. To watch the demonstration, go to The Library page on my website and scroll to the bottom of the Library page or click here.

I personally do not like the transitions. Even a cut seems to disrupt the flow of a video making it choppy and stilted.

Both platforms provide avatars on a neutral background allowing you to upload a custom background image like the front of your building or your office.  Each platform does have Avatars in a scene such as sitting at desk, outside in a garden, or a kitchen. The background for these avatars cannot be removed. 

Recently, both added the creation of custom video avatars by uploading video of yourself. You can also clone your voice over an existing avatar, but that would be too weird. My voice coming out of someone else’s face? 

A significant difference lies in their pricing models. HeyGen offers unlimited video usage across all price plans, while Synthesia imposes usage limits based on the chosen plan. For example, their lowest plan, The Starter is capped at 120 minutes per year. Each does limit the video length. HeyGen is five minutes and Synthesia is three minutes. The download file resolution is HD 1080p. 4K is available only for Enterprise accounts.

That’s All Folks

Both Synthesia and HeyGen are still evolving, along with the entire AI Video Creation landscape. As new entrants emerge, they will offer new design tools and options. Both are great, and essentially it comes down to preference and need. Try both and see which one works best for you. 

I have been editing since 1982 and have experienced many technological advances. However, each advance could not replace human creativity and emotion. AI Video Creation is another tool in the editors toolbox.