MiniMax H3 first_frame and reference roles can't mix: Sume rule

MiniMax's H3 create-task docs say image-to-video and reference-to-video are mutually exclusive: if any reference role appears in content, first_frame and last_frame must not, and the two cannot be mixed. Sume's video docs describe a different rule: when both frame_images and input_references are sent, frame_images takes precedence and the request is treated as image-to-video.

Sources: the MiniMax create-task page and Sume's Video generation docs, read 2026-10-01.

What does the MiniMax rule say?

Reference-to-video takes any combination of reference images (role=reference_image), reference videos (role=reference_video), and reference audio (role=reference_audio). Image-to-video uses the first and last frame roles. Put either family in content and the other must be absent, "and vice versa".

What does Sume do with both fields?

Sume has two request fields. frame_images carries first or last frame images (each entry needs a frame_type of first_frame or last_frame) and means image-to-video. input_references carries style or content references the model uses as guidance rather than exact frames, and means reference-to-video. Send both and frame_images takes precedence. The docs describe the outcome as image-to-video; they do not describe an error for the mix.

What should I send for each goal?

Pick the mode first and send only its field. If you need a known opening or closing image, send frame_images. If you want the look or content of references to guide a fresh clip, send input_references alone. Do not rely on precedence to combine them: the reference entries would not shape the result as reference-to-video.

Only models whose supported_input_references lists a type accept that type. Audio and video references are honored by MiniMax H3 and MiniMax H3 Max among others, so check the catalog entry before sending them. More on the limits in MiniMax H3 reference-to-video limits.

{
  "model": "minimax-h3",
  "prompt": "A character walking through a forest",
  "frame_images": [
    {
      "type": "image_url",
      "image_url": { "url": "https://example.com/first-frame.png" },
      "frame_type": "first_frame"
    }
  ],
  "resolution": "768p"
}