MiniMax H3 Max reference video: 5 seconds of input adds 71 cents

On MiniMax's page, H3 Max reference video is billed by input duration at $0.143 per second at 768P, so 5 seconds of reference video adds $0.715. A 10-second 768P H3 Max clip with that reference therefore costs 10 x $0.08 + 5 x $0.143 = $0.80 + $0.715 = $1.515. Reference audio is free, and images are free up to 2 per request, then $0.074 each.

Runway and Sume

Runway's page bills hailuo3 reference video at the same per-second rate as output, capped at 15 seconds, plus 2 credits per reference image or keyframe. At 768P that is 10 credits per second, so 5 seconds of reference video costs 50 credits, or $0.50, on top of the output.

Sume's docs say minimax-h3-max accepts image, video and audio references. The catalog prices it per output second by resolution ($0.0625 at 480p, $0.10 at 768p, $0.20 at 1080p), and the rows we read show no separate input-material line, so we do not claim a reference-video fee on Sume either way. Check the live estimate from GET /v1/videos/models before a large job.

Planning a reference-heavy job

Reference video is the expensive input. On MiniMax direct, the 5-second reference in the example costs 0.715 / 1.515 = 47 percent of the whole bill. Trimming the reference to the 2 seconds you need drops its charge to 2 x $0.143 = $0.286. Sume's Video trim tool costs $0.02 per job, so trimming first is cheap on any platform.

Images versus video

Reference images are much cheaper than reference video on the MiniMax page. Four extra images on H3 Max beyond the 2 free cost 4 x $0.074 = $0.296, less than half the $0.715 for 5 seconds of reference video at 768P. If a still can carry the idea, use it; reserve video references for motion you cannot describe.

The H3 row for comparison

The standard H3 row charges reference video at the output rate for its resolution: $0.08 per second at 768P and $0.13 at 2K. Five seconds of 768P reference therefore adds 5 x $0.08 = $0.40 on H3 against $0.715 on H3 Max, even though H3 Max's output rate is the same $0.08 at 768P. If your job allows either model, the reference-video line is where H3 is cheaper.

Check before you submit

MiniMax's page is the source for every number in this post, and the Runway page for the Runway figures. Confirm them again before a large batch, since both can change. On Sume, read the live estimate for your exact request before you send it.