Videos vs Templates

Overview

SlideVid offers two distinct ways to create AI videos, each designed for different use cases:

Videos

Create unique, one-off videos with custom scripts

Templates

Create reusable video structures for personalization at scale

Videos (Create from Scratch)

Videos are created from scratch with all parameters specified for a single, unique piece of content.

When to Use Videos

Unique Content

Each video needs a completely different script, avatar, or styleExample: Creating distinct tutorial videos for different products

One-Time Use

You need a single video without plans to replicate the structureExample: A company announcement or product launch video

Full Control

You want complete control over every aspect of the videoExample: High-value marketing content with specific requirements

How Videos Work

// Create a single video from scratch
const response = await fetch('/api/v1/project/create', {
  method: 'POST',
  headers: {
    'x-api-key': API_KEY,
    'Content-Type': 'application/json'
  },
  body: JSON.stringify({
    type: 'class',
    script: 'Welcome to our product tour...',
    avatarId: 'avatar_sarah_01',
    voiceId: 'voice_123',
    aspectRatio: 'ratio_9_16',
    webhook: 'https://yoursite.com/webhook'
  })
});

Templates (Reusable Structures)

Templates are pre-configured video structures with {{variables}} that can be replaced to create personalized versions at scale.

When to Use Templates

Personalization at Scale

Create thousands of personalized videos for different customersExample: Welcome videos with each customer’s name and subscription details

Consistent Branding

Maintain consistent style while customizing contentExample: Real estate videos with different property details but same structure

Bulk Generation

Generate multiple videos efficiently without recreating everythingExample: Course videos with different lesson numbers and topics

Dynamic Content

Content changes frequently but structure remains the sameExample: Daily market updates with changing data but same format

How Templates Work

Step 1: Create Template (in Dashboard)

Scene 1: "Hello {{name}}! Welcome to {{company}}."
Scene 2: "Your {{plan}} subscription includes {{features}}."

Step 2: Generate Videos (via API)

// Generate personalized videos for each customer
for (const customer of customers) {
  await fetch('/api/v1/project/create', {
    method: 'POST',
    headers: {
      'x-api-key': API_KEY,
      'Content-Type': 'application/json'
    },
    body: JSON.stringify({
      type: 'class',
      templateId: 'template_123',
      scenes: [
        {
          script: `Hello {{name}}! Welcome to {{company}}.`,
          variables: [
            { key: 'name', value: customer.name },
            { key: 'company', value: customer.company }
          ]
        },
        {
          script: `Your {{plan}} subscription includes {{features}}.`,
          variables: [
            { key: 'plan', value: customer.plan },
            { key: 'features', value: customer.features }
          ]
        }
      ]
    })
  });
}

Comparison Table

Feature	Videos (From Scratch)	Templates
Use Case	Unique, one-off content	Personalized, scalable content
Setup Time	Quick for single videos	Requires initial template setup
Bulk Generation	❌ Manual for each video	✅ Automated with variable replacement
Consistency	Varies per video	Consistent structure
Personalization	Full custom content	Variable-based customization
API Complexity	Simple	Moderate (scenes + variables)
Best For	Product launches Unique campaigns One-time content	Customer onboarding Sales outreach Course content

Real-World Examples

Example 1: Videos (From Scratch)

Scenario: Creating a product launch video

// Single, unique video for product launch
await createVideo({
  type: 'class',
  script: `
    Introducing our revolutionary new AI platform! 
    After 2 years of development, we're excited to share 
    how it will transform your workflow...
  `,
  avatarId: 'ceo_avatar',
  voiceId: 'professional_voice',
  aspectRatio: 'ratio_16_9'
});

Example 2: Templates

Scenario: Welcome videos for 10,000 new customers

// Get template
const template = await getTemplate('welcome_template');

// Generate for all customers
const customers = await getNewCustomers(); // 10,000 customers

for (const customer of customers) {
  await generateFromTemplate(template.id, {
    name: customer.name,
    email: customer.email,
    plan: customer.subscriptionPlan,
    trial_days: customer.trialDays
  });
}

Migration Path

Start with Videos

Create your first videos from scratch to understand the API

Identify Patterns

Notice when you’re creating similar videos repeatedly

Convert to Template

Create a template in the dashboard with variables for repeated elements

Scale with Templates

Use the template API to generate personalized versions at scale

Cost Considerations

Both videos and templates consume the same credits per generation. Templates are more cost-effective when creating many similar videos because they reduce development time, not video generation costs.

Getting Started

Core Concepts

Guides

Examples

Overview

Videos

Templates

Videos (Create from Scratch)

When to Use Videos

How Videos Work

Templates (Reusable Structures)

When to Use Templates

How Templates Work

Comparison Table

Real-World Examples

Example 1: Videos (From Scratch)

Example 2: Templates

Migration Path

Cost Considerations

Next Steps

Create Your First Video

Use Templates

​Overview

Videos

Templates

​Videos (Create from Scratch)

​When to Use Videos

​How Videos Work

​Templates (Reusable Structures)

​When to Use Templates

​How Templates Work

​Comparison Table

​Real-World Examples

​Example 1: Videos (From Scratch)

​Example 2: Templates

​Migration Path

​Cost Considerations

​Next Steps

Create Your First Video

Use Templates

Overview

Videos (Create from Scratch)

When to Use Videos

How Videos Work

Templates (Reusable Structures)

When to Use Templates

How Templates Work

Comparison Table

Real-World Examples

Example 1: Videos (From Scratch)

Example 2: Templates

Migration Path

Cost Considerations

Next Steps