# Image, video and audio models overview

> How to choose, call and pay for BigModel.io's 49 image, video, avatar, speech, music and sound-effect models. One API key, OpenAI-compatible endpoints, priced per image, second, character or call.

Web version: https://bigmodel.io/docs/multimodal-overview · Updated 2026-10-18

BigModel.io serves image, video, avatar, speech, music and sound-effect models with the same API key you use for text. The endpoints follow OpenAI conventions, so existing SDKs and tools work; prices are in US dollars, you pay for what is produced, and failed or cancelled tasks are free.

The full list with live prices is in the [model directory](https://bigmodel.io/models). This table shows where to start for each job.

| Job | Endpoint | Mode | Priced | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Text to image, edits, upscale, background removal | `POST /v1/images/generations`, `POST /v1/images/edits` | Synchronous | Per image | [Image generation](https://bigmodel.io/docs/image-generation) |
| Image to video, first & last frame, reference video | `POST /v1/videos` | Async task | Per output second | [Video generation](https://bigmodel.io/docs/video-generation) |
| Talking avatars, lip-sync, character animation | `POST /v1/videos` | Async task | Per second | [Avatars & lip-sync](https://bigmodel.io/docs/digital-humans) |
| Video upscaling, clay render | `POST /v1/videos` | Async task | Per second | [Video generation](https://bigmodel.io/docs/video-generation) |
| Text to speech | `POST /v1/audio/speech` | Returns audio | Per character or audio second | [Text to speech](https://bigmodel.io/docs/text-to-speech) |
| Music, sound effects, audio extraction | `POST /v1/audio/generations` | Async task | Per call or second | [Music & sound effects](https://bigmodel.io/docs/audio-generation) |
| Script to finished clips | `POST /v1/workflows/short-drama` | Async workflow | Each step at its model's price | [Short-drama workflow](https://bigmodel.io/docs/short-drama-workflow) |

## Picking a model

| Use case | Try | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Posters, images with text | `qwen-image-2.1`, `gpt-image-2` | Accurate English and Chinese text; `qwen-image-2.1` can output transparent PNGs |
| High volume, low cost | `qwen-image-2.1-turbo`, `z-image-turbo` | Fastest and cheapest |
| Photoreal, polished | `gpt-image-2.5-sunburst`, `omni-image-pro`, `gpt-image-2` | Quality first |
| Story clips with dialogue and sound | `seedance-2.0-fast`, `seedance-2.0`, `minimax-h3` | Native audio, first/last frame and references |
| Video on a budget | `seedance-2.0-mini`, `minimax-h3` | Lowest price per second |
| High-resolution finals | `seedance-2.0` (up to 4K), `minimax-h3-2k` | For final output |
| Animate a single image | `kling-2.6-pro`, `vidu-q3-pro`, `grok-imagine-video-1.5` | First frame only; some take a last frame |
| Talking presenter | `infinitetalk` | One portrait plus a voice track |
| New lines on existing footage | `latentsync` (speech), `latentsync-music` (songs) | Redraws only the mouth |
| Voice-over | `minimax-speech-2.8-hd`, `indextts-2.5` | Many voices; `indextts-2.5` controls emotion and duration |
| Songs with vocals | `suno-v6`, `suno-v4.5` | Lyrics give vocals; none gives an instrumental |
| Background music, sound effects | `ace-step-1.5`, `stable-audio-3` | Low cost, good for batches |

## Rules shared by every media endpoint

- **Inputs**: pass images, video and audio as public `https://` URLs or base64 data URIs (`data:image/png;base64,...`), up to 49 MB per file.
- **Output links**: `url` is a signed link on `bigmodel.io`, valid for 24 hours. Fetch the task again for a fresh link, and copy files you keep to your own storage.
- **Quote first**: add `"dry_run": true` to any create request to get the estimated price without generating or paying.
- **Safe retries**: send an `Idempotency-Key` header; repeating the same value returns the same task instead of a second generation.
- **Billing**: a finished task is charged at the model's unit price and shows up in the console's Logs. The estimate is reserved when you submit; if your balance can't cover it you get `402`. Failed and cancelled tasks are free.
- **Moderation**: prompts and scripts are checked; disallowed requests are refused.

## See what your key can call

The models available depend on your key's group:

```bash
curl https://bigmodel.io/v1/models -H "Authorization: Bearer $BIGMODEL_API_KEY"
```

## Troubleshooting

| Symptom | Fix |
|---|---|
| `404` model_not_available | Your key's group doesn't offer the model, or it went to the wrong endpoint (for example a video model sent to `/v1/images/generations`). |
| `402` insufficient_balance | Your balance can't cover the estimate, including reserves for unfinished tasks. |
| `400` image is required | Video models need a first frame; make one with an image model first. |
| A link won't open | Signed links last 24 hours; get the task again for a new one. |

## Related

- [Image generation](https://bigmodel.io/docs/image-generation)
- [Video generation](https://bigmodel.io/docs/video-generation)
- [Avatars & lip-sync](https://bigmodel.io/docs/digital-humans)
- [Text to speech](https://bigmodel.io/docs/text-to-speech)
- [Music & sound effects](https://bigmodel.io/docs/audio-generation)
- [Short-drama workflow](https://bigmodel.io/docs/short-drama-workflow)
- [Media task API reference](https://bigmodel.io/docs/api-media-tasks)