I've spent hours tweaking clips in editing apps, but AI video generation promises to skip all that -- just describe your idea, and get a finished video. So I tried a premium one to see if it delivers on that promise.
I Got a Veed.io Subscription to Make Videos
Veed.io is an online video platform where you can edit your existing videos or create new ones completely with AI. Additionally, you can record your screen and stream the video from the cloud. The intuitive video-editing tool is accessible to everyone. You don't need any prior knowledge.
Along with editing and generating videos, you can also generate scripts, convert your slides into a video, and dub your videos into different languages. The tool also offers a variety of templates, and you can add your brand kit as well.
If you predominantly create short videos for Social Media, Veed is your one-stop shop for all your needs. It has a basic, free version and advanced subscription options.
I've been a huge fan of Adobe apps, despite all the pricing issues. So, I was naturally leaning towards Premiere Pro for video editing. However, it was heavy software with too many options that I didn't need. I'm primarily a photographer, and video isn't my forte; I only occasionally make videos.
I wanted to create some educational videos for a photography course I'm making. Specifically, I wanted to create videos with AI, without needing to record them myself. I had previously used Veed for occasional video editing, so I decided to try the AI option.
Veed's free version only allows you to download videos with a watermark. The Lite version is available for $9 per month, and the Pro plan costs $24 per month. These paid versions offer higher-resolution files, longer videos, and full access to a library of audio and video files, among other features.
3 A Tutorial Video
The first thing I tried was to generate a tutorial explaining depth of field in photography. I started with a basic prompt: "Create a tutorial explaining Depth of Field."
As expected, the outcome wasn't great. It was pretty rudimentary and missed all the necessary details. I provided additional information by using a script I created with ChatGPT. Veed gave me a slightly better version. However, I still found that there is room for improvement in the visual department.
I tried both the audio-only version and those featuring models. Both worked well for my purpose. However, I found that with some models, the lip synchronization was sometimes off. Note that the videos featuring models are only available in portrait orientation.
Finally, I got the video below. It's really impressive. You can't tell it's an AI video instantly-the anatomy and physics all check out. However, although it's an accurate video, it's not that interesting.
What I genuinely appreciate in Veed is the sheer variety of languages and accents you can use for your video. I believe this makes the videos look more authentic and helps you connect better with your audience. A beta version of the tool allows you to record yourself and use your voice in the videos.
You can use the AI Script Generator to create your script. I appreciate the flexibility of trying various tones, target audiences, and formats.
2 A Presentation Video
As a teacher, I had created several PowerPoint lessons for my students. I was planning to make everything new from scratch for my course. But when I came across the Slides to Video option, I felt it could be an excellent way to reuse my presentations and save a significant amount of time.
You also have a host of options for your final video, from choosing the right model and voice to tone and length. I decided to go with a casual tone, and the video exceeded my expectations.
The actual slides from my PowerPoint were included in the video, but I used the Summary option to enhance my slides and add more details. So the video explains things in more detail. You can also leave it as it is to keep your video short.
If you want to use a model, you have a variety of options, from business to casual. This can be useful for various purposes, including corporate briefs and creative YouTube videos. You have the option to add a logo and personalize the video as well.
One caveat to note is that the tool can only handle presentations with 20 slides or fewer. I wish this was not the case as most of my presentations were longer. Also, the generator didn't accept my Keynote presentations.
1 An Advertisement Video for My Course
After generating videos and content for my course, I decided to try making an advertisement for my photography course. The resulting video is my least favorite because it wasn't exactly an advertisement. It sounded like a tutorial, providing information about framing and cameras without promoting the course.
I was expecting a more polished video that had a distinct tone for an advertisement. I understand that promoting a course is slightly different from promoting a product, but the AI should have gotten the tone right.
As an experiment, I tried to create an ad for a beeswax lip balm, and it fared only slightly better. A condescending tone is not an effective way to attract customers.
I wrote my script with ChatGPT and tried again. It was much better. The clips and pictures are generally appropriate, but you must ensure the script is flawless and includes the necessary information.
Although you're saving time by using AI-generated clips, a significant amount of work is still required to produce a professional video with Veed. It's a hassle to go back and forth between the video generator and script generator or external tools like ChatGPT. It'd be great if the video generator could generate an accurate script.
Overall, Veed can be a helpful tool for newbies and non-designers who want to produce quick videos. It's especially useful if you come up with your own script. My major disappointment is that the AI needs in-depth prompting and a lot of tweaks. I'm used to ChatGPT and Claude reading my mind and giving me the perfect results.
As an experienced photographer, I'm aware of the technical and artistic qualities we need in a video. Although I'm not a pro videographer, I know the basics of video editing. Plus, I have access to Premiere Pro as a part of my pricey Creative Cloud subscription. Considering all these, would I use Veed for my filmmaking needs? The answer is, not yet.
I see the potential, and I appreciate how tools like VEED.io enhance the creative industry, making it better and more accessible. But as a creative professional, I'd like more control. Rather than fine-tuning my prompts for a tool, I'd find royalty-free clips and create a video to my liking.
That said, it's still a free but good tool for video editing, and I'll continue using it. I also encourage other educators and new creative professionals to use this productive tool.
