MiniMax H3 is not simply another text-to-video model. It is a general-purpose multimodal generation system designed to understand how text, images, video, and audio relate to one another, then turn that combined context into a new video with native stereo sound.
Launched by MiniMax on July 31, 2026, H3 targets the production work that often breaks specialized models: keeping a product from one image, borrowing motion from a video, transferring a voice from audio, changing one element in an existing clip, and generating the final result at up to 2K resolution. MiniMax H3 is now available inside OpenCake's AI Models workspace for creators who want those controls without building a direct API integration.
What is MiniMax H3?
MiniMax H3 is a multimodal AI video generator. It accepts natural-language instructions and can use images, video clips, and audio as creative references. Instead of choosing a separate model for motion transfer, voice reference, product identity, first-and-last-frame animation, or localized editing, users can describe the relationship between those inputs and the target output.
That relationship-based approach is the central idea behind H3. A prompt can tell the model to preserve the actor from Image 1, take only the camera movement from Video 1, use the product design from Image 2, and follow the voice timbre from Audio 1. The model then reasons across those sources as one audiovisual brief.
MiniMax describes the architecture, launch, and model direction in its official announcement: Read the MiniMax H3 launch article
MiniMax H3 key features
Unified text, image, video, and audio input
H3 can combine multiple media types in the same reference-to-video workflow. Images can control character or product identity, videos can supply motion or camera behavior, and audio can supply voice, music, or sound direction. Clear role assignment in the prompt is essential because the model needs to know which source controls each part of the result.
Native stereo audio
Every H3 generation produces native stereo audio. The model jointly handles voice, effects, ambience, and music rather than treating sound as a separate post-production layer. A good H3 prompt should therefore describe the intended audio even when the main objective is visual.
Up to 2K resolution and 15 seconds
MiniMax H3 supports 768P and 2K output at 24 frames per second, with durations from 4 to 15 seconds. MiniMax says H3 uses in-context regeneration for its 2K output, allowing the model to revisit the original prompt and references when recovering fine detail rather than relying only on conventional super-resolution.
First- and last-frame control
H3 can animate a starting frame, target a final frame, or generate the movement between both anchors. This is useful when the opening composition and final brand frame must be known before generation. In frame mode, the source image controls the output ratio.
Multimodal editing and transfer
The model can transfer character identity, product design, choreography, camera motion, visual style, edit rhythm, and voice from separate sources. It can also perform targeted edits such as replacing an object, changing dialogue, adding an effect, or relighting a scene while preserving unmentioned parts of the source video.
Text, brands, products, and interfaces
MiniMax highlights H3 for advertising, branding, ecommerce, product showcases, animated posters, title sequences, UI motion, and game creative. Those use cases depend on instruction following and the ability to keep layouts, products, and on-screen text readable across motion.
MiniMax H3 specifications
| Specification | MiniMax H3 |
|---|---|
| Duration | 4–15 seconds |
| Resolution | 768P or 2K |
| Frame rate | 24 FPS |
| Audio | Native stereo audio |
| Aspect ratios | 21:9, 16:9, 4:3, 1:1, 3:4, and 9:16; adaptive in reference mode |
| Reference images | Up to 9 |
| Reference videos | Up to 3, with a combined duration of no more than 15 seconds |
| Reference audio | Up to 3, used alongside at least one image or video reference |
| Combined references | Up to 12 files across supported reference types |
| Prompt length | Up to 7,000 characters |
The exact OpenCake controls and media validation rules are returned by the live model catalog and may change as the integration evolves. Always follow the limits shown in the composer at generation time.
The three MiniMax H3 generation modes
Text-to-video
Use text-to-video when the idea does not depend on a reference asset. Choose a concrete aspect ratio and describe the subject, chronological action, camera, lighting, style, and audio. This mode offers the most freedom but the least identity control.
First- and last-frame video
Use frame mode when the clip must begin or end on a known visual. The prompt should focus on the action and transition between the anchors rather than re-describing their identity. First/last-frame inputs cannot be mixed with general reference arrays in the same H3 request.
Reference-to-video
Use reference mode when several sources control different properties of the final video. Number each source and define its role: Image 1 for identity, Image 2 for product, Video 1 for choreography, and Audio 1 for voice. State which source wins if two references could conflict.
Best use cases for MiniMax H3
- Product commercials that combine packaging references, actor identity, motion, and native sound.
- Ecommerce videos and product showcases where form, label placement, and materials must remain recognizable.
- Character-led short-form video using separate identity, performance, and voice references.
- Motion and camera transfer from a reference clip without copying the original performer or setting.
- Localized video edits, object replacement, relighting, dialogue swaps, and integrated VFX.
- Animated posters, opening titles, typography, UI demonstrations, and game creative.
- Short narrative sequences that need several coordinated audiovisual beats inside 15 seconds.
How to write a better MiniMax H3 prompt
Map every reference to one job
Do not say only “use the attached references.” Explain what each input contributes and what it must not override. This is the most important step in a multimodal H3 prompt.
Fit the idea to the duration
A 4–6 second clip should usually contain one action or two compact beats. Seven to ten seconds can support one developed action or roughly three compact beats. Eleven to fifteen seconds can carry a short multi-shot sequence, but only if the story remains simple and readable.
Describe observable camera behavior
Use physical directions such as locked wide shot, slow push-in, handheld follow, clockwise arc, rack focus, or hard cut. Generic words such as “cinematic” do not explain how the camera should move or how the edit should behave.
Always direct the sound
Quote dialogue exactly and assign a reference voice when needed. Describe room tone, effects, music, and synchronization. If the clip should be silent, ask for silence or room tone only.
For editing, lock everything else
Name the smallest intended change and preserve every unmentioned subject, action, camera move, edit, and sound. A narrow editing request is easier to control than a global rewrite filled with negative instructions.
How to use MiniMax H3 in OpenCake
- Open AI Models in the OpenCake dashboard and select MiniMax H3.
- Choose text-to-video, frame animation, or reference-to-video based on your inputs.
- Attach supported images, videos, or audio from your device or OpenCake Library.
- Assign a clear purpose to every reference in the prompt.
- Choose a duration from 4 to 15 seconds and select 768P or 2K.
- Set the delivery ratio, or use adaptive behavior where the reference workflow supports it.
- Review the credit quote, generate, and keep the finished video in your Library.
Frequently asked questions about MiniMax H3
Is MiniMax H3 the same as Hailuo 2.3?
No. MiniMax H3 is a newer general-purpose multimodal model. It should not be confused with MiniMax Hailuo 2.3, which has a different model contract and generation workflow.
Does MiniMax H3 generate audio?
Yes. H3 generates native stereo audio with the video and can use supported audio references for voice, music, or sound direction when combined with image or video reference media.
Can MiniMax H3 edit an existing video?
Yes. H3 supports multimodal editing and control, including targeted changes to characters, objects, scenes, sound, timing, and visual treatment. Results improve when the prompt clearly names the change and locks everything else.
Is MiniMax H3 open weight?
MiniMax announced that it planned to release H3 model weights after launch, subject to applicable laws and regulations. Because availability and licensing can change, check MiniMax's official H3 page before planning a self-hosted deployment.
The bottom line
MiniMax H3 is valuable because it treats video production as a relationship between sources rather than a collection of disconnected generation modes. Its 2K output, native stereo audio, 15-second duration, multimodal references, and targeted editing make it especially relevant for product, brand, advertising, and character workflows. The strongest results will come from prompts that assign every reference a precise role and keep the story proportional to the available time.
Create with MiniMax H3 and keep the result inside one reusable workflow: Open AI Models in OpenCake