MiniMax-H3 — shipped 8-step vs lightx2v 4-step turbo

Drag the handle: larryvrh 8-step (what we ship) on the left, lightx2v 4-step v1.2 on the right. Both arms rendered by a real image-server over HTTP, one server per arm, seed 4242, with isk-sol attention on both — confirmed from the Sol-Attn active log line, not assumed from the config. The arms differ only in the turbo LoRA, the step count it was distilled for, and the flow shift each one's release note specifies.

1.52× mean end-to-end
21s saved per request
−1.4 GiB peak VRAM (no PDD heads)
int8_convrot DiT
isk-sol attention, both arms
8 → 4 steps; shift 12/3 → 6/3
1344×768 · 124f fbcache 0, offload 0.4%
seed 4242 both arms
Sampling scales, the rest does not. Halving the steps nearly halves sampling (~1.96×), but text encoding, VAE decode and muxing are fixed cost, so end-to-end lands near 1.5×. Judge the ratio per clip, not the sampling number.
These are DIFFERENT TAKES, not the same take twice. An approximate kernel perturbs the denoising trajectory enough to land elsewhere from the same seed — exactly as 4-bit weights do. Judge each clip on whether you would ship it, never on whether it matches the other side. The slider is for looking closely, not for diffing pixels.
Judge MOTION, and play the AUDIO. Sol approximates unrouted 64-token key blocks by their centroid, so its failure mode is localized softness or shimmer on fast-moving and fine-textured regions and temporal instability between frames — not a global blur. H3 emits video and stereo audio from one forward pass, so an approximate kernel can damage the mix while the picture looks fine; the audio buttons switch arms without stopping playback. Measured levels are printed under each pair.

Per-clip wall clock

One warm server per arm, seed 4242, measured over HTTP. The first clip of each arm carries model load and is excluded from the mean.

clip larryvrh 8-step lightx2v 4-step ratiosaved
Chef warm-up72.052.41.37×19.6s
Child running60.739.91.52×20.8s
Guitar59.739.11.53×20.6s
Hamster59.539.41.51×20.1s
Helicopter60.939.91.53×21.0s
Rocket60.639.61.53×21.0s
Train passenger59.839.41.52×20.4s
Flame wisp60.839.91.52×20.9s
Skateboarder61.540.21.53×21.3s
Lava skater60.839.81.53×21.0s
Rally car60.939.81.53×21.1s
Meteor60.339.41.53×20.9s
mean (excl. warm-up) 60.5 39.7 1.52× 20.8s

Image → video+audio

lightx2v's own 12-example i2va test set, images unmodified and prompts verbatim. Both arms run isk-sol attention, so the only variables are the LoRA and its step count.

Chef — animated from a still

1344×768 · 1.37× (72.0s → 52.4s) warm-up, excluded from the mean
◀ larryvrh 8-step · what we ship lightx2v 4-step v1.2 · half the steps ▶
mean/peak: 8-step -32.6/-2.3 dB · 4-step -25.0/0.0 dB · clipped 0/131
audio: 0.0s
prompt
For the target video, at 0.00 seconds into the target video, <Picture 1> (from [Shot 1]) is fully referenced.

integrated_multimodal_description: [Shot 1] Live-action, cinematic, a warm daylight medium close-up preserves the adult male chef's short brown hair, trimmed beard, focused expression, white double-breasted chef's coat with black piping and buttons, black trousers, and his position at the wooden cutting board established in <Picture 1>. The crowded kitchen remains unchanged, with copper pans hanging behind him, jars and ingredients on the shelves, vivid vegetables and herbs filling the right foreground, and a metal pot steaming on the stove. Beginning with the knife resting against the cucumber, he curls the fingertips of his guiding hand inward and drives the broad blade through it in a quick sequence of clean, even downward cuts. The camera pushes in with small amplitude at slow speed toward his hands as thin cucumber rounds accumulate beside the chopped carrots and other vegetables. He finishes the final slice, turns the blade sideways, and uses its flat face to gather the fresh pieces into a neat pile while steam continues to billow behind him and sunlight glints along the moving knife.

overall_soundscape: The knife strikes the wooden board in a fast, regular rhythm beneath the low hiss and bubbling of the simmering pot. Vegetables scrape softly across the board, fabric shifts with the chef's arm movements, and quiet kitchen room tone continues in the background.

non_diegetic_music: N/A

Child running — animated from a still

1344×768 · 1.52× (60.7s → 39.9s)
◀ larryvrh 8-step · what we ship lightx2v 4-step v1.2 · half the steps ▶
mean/peak: 8-step -29.8/-11.0 dB · 4-step -23.4/-2.5 dB
audio: 0.0s
prompt
For the target video, at 0.00 seconds into the target video, <Picture 1> (from [Shot 1]) is fully referenced.

integrated_multimodal_description: [Shot 1] Live-action, cinematic, a low handheld medium shot preserves the blond young child's identity, white short-sleeved T-shirt, blue shorts, centered position, and the tall sunlit field established in <Picture 1>. Warm dawn backlight outlines the child's hair as the camera tracks backward at a lively pace, maintaining the frontal composition while the child runs toward it along the narrow path. The child's steps quicken, both arms gradually spread wide, and an open-mouthed laugh continues as grass heads brush against the child's legs. The child bends both knees, springs forward over a dense tuft of grass with arms fully outstretched, then lands and keeps running toward the retreating camera. Tall grass sways in the breeze around the path, drifting clouds move slowly across the pale blue sky, and the rising sun remains low behind the child, casting long golden highlights across the field. Gentle handheld movement responds naturally to each stride without losing the child's face or clothing details.

overall_soundscape: Quick footfalls press through grass beneath the child's bright laughter and light breathing. Tall stems rustle and brush against clothing while a gentle breeze moves across the open field, with a soft thump as the child lands from the jump.

non_diegetic_music: N/A

Guitar — animated from a still

1344×768 · 1.53× (59.7s → 39.1s)
◀ larryvrh 8-step · what we ship lightx2v 4-step v1.2 · half the steps ▶
mean/peak: 8-step -12.3/-0.3 dB · 4-step -9.8/0.0 dB · clipped 73/555
audio: 0.0s
prompt
For the target video, at 0.00 seconds into the target video, <Picture 1> (from [Shot 1]) is fully referenced.

integrated_multimodal_description: [Shot 1] Live-action, cinematic, <Picture 1> anchors a medium-wide, center-composed view of the same young guitarist on an outdoor stage, preserving their shoulder-length dark brown hair, black short-sleeved T-shirt, dark trousers, red guitar strap, wide stance, and downward gaze. They hold the same sharply angular white electric guitar, which blazes with intense golden-white light beneath the low sun at upper left; the stage truss remains at frame left, with dark storm clouds, silhouetted trees, and distant buildings behind them. The camera pushes in with small amplitude at slow speed as the guitarist begins strumming vigorously with the right hand while the left hand moves rapidly along the fretboard, producing a loud, distorted electric-guitar riff synchronized precisely to each stroke. The guitar’s existing glow pulses brighter around the body, strings, and neck; restrained golden electrical arcs crackle along its edges, and subtle heat-like pressure ripples spread through the nearby air with the strongest chords. The guitarist leans deeper into the performance and nods sharply to the rhythm, causing their hair to whip across their face, while the shirt, strap, and loose strands flutter in the energized breeze. The riff builds into a sustained final chord as the guitarist holds the low, forceful stance; the guitar flares once, the electrical arcs race toward the headstock, and the visible air ripples expand before fading against the dramatic clouded sky.

overall_soundscape: Wind moves across the open stage, stirring hair and clothing while the guitar strap creaks faintly. Electrical crackles snap around the instrument, and each forceful chord carries a deep, thunder-like resonance through the surrounding air.

non_diegetic_music: N/A

Hamster — animated from a still

1344×768 · 1.51× (59.5s → 39.4s)
◀ larryvrh 8-step · what we ship lightx2v 4-step v1.2 · half the steps ▶
mean/peak: 8-step -20.6/-5.4 dB · 4-step -15.9/-1.1 dB
audio: 0.0s
prompt
For the target video, at 0.00 seconds into the target video, <Picture 1> (from [Shot 1]) is fully referenced.

integrated_multimodal_description: [Shot 1] Live-action, cinematic, <Picture 1> establishes a warm daytime medium-wide shot inside a pale wooden hamster enclosure: the same small golden-brown, black, and white hamster stands alert at the lower right beside the slatted wooden bridge, while the large empty wooden exercise wheel dominates the left side. Pale wood shavings and small colorful toys cover the floor; sunlight filters through the window, casting soft shadows and bright highlights across the enclosure, with a leafy green plant and bookshelf blurred in the background. The camera holds nearly static as the hamster twitches its whiskers, turns toward the wheel, and scurries left across the bedding. It climbs into the wheel and begins running, first cautiously and then swiftly, its tiny paws gripping the inner wooden track as the wheel accelerates into a smooth spin. Its patterned fur gleams in the sunlight, the bedding shifts beneath the wheel, and the hamster settles into a steady rapid stride while the spokes circle continuously behind it.

overall_soundscape: Quiet indoor room tone and faint leaf rustling continue beneath the soft scratch of paws crossing wood shavings. The wheel begins with a few gentle wooden creaks, then produces a quick, steady rolling rhythm synchronized with the hamster’s rapid footfalls.

non_diegetic_music: A light pizzicato-string pattern at a brisk tempo with sparse wooden percussion, gradually becoming quicker and fuller as the wheel accelerates.

Helicopter — animated from a still

1344×768 · 1.53× (60.9s → 39.9s)
◀ larryvrh 8-step · what we ship lightx2v 4-step v1.2 · half the steps ▶
mean/peak: 8-step -17.5/-4.0 dB · 4-step -16.1/-3.7 dB
audio: 0.0s
prompt
For the target video, at 0.00 seconds into the target video, <Picture 1> (from [Shot 1]) is fully referenced.

integrated_multimodal_description: [Shot 1] Live-action, cinematic, a low-angle wide shot explicitly begins from <Picture 1>: the same dark navy-black helicopter, with its rounded glazed cockpit, roof-mounted engine housing, long right-pointing tail boom, enclosed tail rotor, landing skids, and seated pilot silhouette, holds a very low hover above the paved landing area. Its scale, right-facing profile, central composition, warm backlit edges, and deep shadow remain consistent. The large sunrise glows behind the helicopter on the left, silhouetting the distant tree line beneath a pale blue-and-gold sky; small birds remain high in the distance, dark grass fills the foreground, and suspended golden dust drifts across the runway. The main and tail rotors accelerate into broader motion blur as their synchronized whir intensifies. Downwash flattens the nearby grass and drives dust and loose debris outward in expanding circular waves, glowing as they cross the sunbeams. The helicopter then rises smoothly from its low hover, its skids gaining clear separation from the ground while its moving shadow softens beneath it. It pitches forward only slightly and begins a controlled rightward acceleration while continuing to climb. The camera holds the restrained low viewpoint and tilts up with small amplitude at slow speed to keep the aircraft centered, allowing the sunlit dust cloud to spread below as the helicopter finishes several meters above the landing area.

overall_soundscape: The helicopter engine builds into a strong sustained turbine roar while the main rotor produces increasingly rapid, rhythmic blade beats and the tail rotor adds a higher mechanical whine. Rotor wash rushes across the ground in sync with the lift, whipping grass and scattering dust and light debris as the aircraft climbs.

non_diegetic_music: N/A

Rocket — animated from a still

1344×768 · 1.53× (60.6s → 39.6s)
◀ larryvrh 8-step · what we ship lightx2v 4-step v1.2 · half the steps ▶
mean/peak: 8-step -14.7/-3.5 dB · 4-step -17.7/-6.1 dB
audio: 0.0s
prompt
For the target video, at 0.00 seconds into the target video, <Picture 1> (from [Shot 1]) is fully referenced.

integrated_multimodal_description: [Shot 1] Live-action, cinematic, <Picture 1> establishes a low-angle wide shot of the same slender white rocket with black and red bands standing upright at the center of its launch pad, flanked by the lattice mast on the left and the dark service tower on the right. The paved launch complex, low white buildings, sunlit grass, sweeping wispy clouds, and white contrails retain their exact positions beneath the vivid blue sky. The rising sun remains directly behind the rocket’s base, producing a brilliant golden backlight, long foreground shadows, and warm orange highlights across the enormous gray-brown exhaust cloud already billowing to the right. The engine plume intensifies beneath the rocket, glowing white-orange as turbulent smoke surges outward, curls over itself, and spreads low across the right side of the pad. The rocket begins to lift vertically, slowly clearing its supports before accelerating upward in one continuous ascent. The camera tilts up with small amplitude at slow speed to keep the climbing rocket centered while the launch tower and mast sink lower in the frame. A bright narrowing exhaust column connects the ascending rocket to the pad, and a dense smoke trail lengthens beneath it as the vehicle rises into the cloud-streaked morning sky; the ground-level smoke continues expanding and glowing along its sunlit edges.

overall_soundscape: A deep engine rumble swells into a sustained thunderous roar as the plume brightens and the rocket lifts from the pad. Pressurized exhaust crackles sharply beneath the vehicle while turbulent smoke produces a broad rushing hiss, with the roar gradually becoming more distant as the rocket climbs.

non_diegetic_music: N/A

Train passenger — animated from a still

1344×768 · 1.52× (59.8s → 39.4s)
◀ larryvrh 8-step · what we ship lightx2v 4-step v1.2 · half the steps ▶
mean/peak: 8-step -31.2/-19.2 dB · 4-step -33.1/-21.1 dB
audio: 0.0s
prompt
For the target video, at 0.00 seconds into the target video, <Picture 1> (from [Shot 1]) is fully referenced.

integrated_multimodal_description: [Shot 1] Live-action, cinematic, nighttime. <Picture 1> establishes a medium-wide view inside a high-speed train: the same young East Asian woman sits on the right in three-quarter profile, preserving her identity, long straight black hair, pearl stud earrings, black coat over a white crew neckline, serene half-smile, and gaze directed through the window. Her face and upper body remain sharply framed against the glass while her darker reflection occupies the center-left; overhead fluorescent fixtures, metal seat rails, layered window reflections, cool blue shadows, and softly blurred urban lights retain their exact opening composition. The camera holds nearly static with only subtle train vibration. As the train accelerates through the nighttime Japanese city, blue-white lamps and indistinct illuminated streets stream rapidly sideways beyond the window, their light briefly sweeping across her cheeks and hair. Her reflection glides continuously over the glass, stretches across passing bands of light, and momentarily softens into motion blur before becoming clearer again. She blinks once, slightly lifts her chin, and follows the passing scenery with a small, smooth movement of her eyes while her restrained smile remains. The shot ends with her calmly gazing outward as another bright cluster of city lights rushes past and her reflected profile slips farther across the window.

overall_soundscape: A steady low train rumble and rhythmic wheel noise continue beneath the soft hum of the carriage ventilation and fluorescent fixtures. Passing track joints create gentle synchronized vibrations, with occasional muted metallic rattles from the seat rails as the exterior rush deepens during acceleration.

non_diegetic_music: N/A

Flame wisp — animated from a still

1344×768 · 1.52× (60.8s → 39.9s)
◀ larryvrh 8-step · what we ship lightx2v 4-step v1.2 · half the steps ▶
mean/peak: 8-step -36.3/-17.6 dB · 4-step -29.4/-11.3 dB
audio: 0.0s
prompt
For the target video, at 0.00 seconds into the target video, <Picture 1> (from [Shot 1]) is fully referenced.

integrated_multimodal_description: [Shot 1] Cinematic fantasy 3D animation with photorealistic textures, explicitly beginning from the exact wide composition in <Picture 1>: a small feminine blue flame wisp with a bright cyan face, swept flame-shaped hair, luminous translucent limbs, and a short ragged dark skirt hovers left of center above a produce stall, her brilliant blue-white flame trail extending behind her. Preserve the bustling wooden market, fruit and bread displays, barrels, hanging baskets, canvas awnings and pennants, wet cobblestones, leafy trees, warm lanterns, the orange cooking fire at the right stall, the nearby vendors and customers, and the curly-haired man seen from behind in the right foreground. Cool blue nighttime illumination fills the lane while lanterns and the cooking fire cast soft amber highlights and flickering shadows. The wisp glances toward the open aisle, leans forward, and accelerates with a brief flare of blue fire. The camera pushes in with small amplitude at slow speed and pans gently right to follow as she darts into the central lane, dips above the cobblestones, then rises and curves between the produce stall and the orange-lit counter without touching either. Her flame hair and trailing plume stream backward, brighten during each burst of speed, and ripple across nearby awnings, faces, and stones with moving cyan light. Vendors continue serving their stalls and call out indistinctly while customers stroll, turn their heads, and step slightly aside as the wisp passes. She sweeps around the edge of the cooking fire, where blue and orange light briefly mingle, then slows near the center-right of the market, turns in midair to look back at the watching crowd, and settles into a buoyant hover as her long flame trail contracts into a softly flickering glow.

overall_soundscape: Layered market chatter and indistinct vendor calls mingle with footsteps on damp cobblestones, soft fabric movement from the awnings, wooden stall creaks, and occasional clinks from goods being handled. Lantern flames and the cooking fire crackle steadily; the blue wisp produces a light airy hiss while hovering and synchronized rushing whooshes whenever she accelerates or changes direction.

non_diegetic_music: N/A

Skateboarder — animated from a still

1344×768 · 1.53× (61.5s → 40.2s)
◀ larryvrh 8-step · what we ship lightx2v 4-step v1.2 · half the steps ▶
mean/peak: 8-step -16.4/0.0 dB · 4-step -14.6/0.0 dB · clipped 65/114
audio: 0.0s
prompt
For the target video, at 0.00 seconds into the target video, <Picture 1> (from [Shot 1]) is fully referenced.

integrated_multimodal_description: [Shot 1] Live-action, cinematic, a warm daytime medium-wide shot begins from the exact side-on composition in <Picture 1>: the long-haired skateboarder in a charcoal-gray T-shirt, black pants, black sneakers, and a red wristband rides from the left foreground along the broad concrete sidewalk beside the busy city intersection. Golden side light silhouettes the skateboarder's profile and streams through the roadside trees while cars and distant pedestrians continue moving through the background. A low tracking shot keeps pace beside the skateboarder as they compress into the existing crouch, snap the tail against the pavement, and lift into a clean ollie over a transverse sidewalk seam. Their hair and shirt move in the slipstream as the board levels beneath both feet; they land smoothly with knees absorbing the impact, carve gently toward the open center of the sidewalk, then build speed and execute a controlled frontside 180, turning shoulders, hips, and board together. The wheels reconnect with the pavement in alignment, and the skateboarder rides away toward the intersection while the camera continues tracking at the same warm, low angle.

overall_soundscape: Skateboard wheels roll steadily over concrete beneath light city traffic and scattered pedestrian ambience. The tail cracks against the pavement for each takeoff, followed by brief airborne silence, firm wheel landings, and soft clothing movement in the passing air.

non_diegetic_music: A brisk instrumental groove led by muted electric guitar, dry kick and snare, and a steady bass line, with a short cymbal lift under the second jump and a clean continuation through the ride-away.

Lava skater — animated from a still

1344×768 · 1.53× (60.8s → 39.8s)
◀ larryvrh 8-step · what we ship lightx2v 4-step v1.2 · half the steps ▶
mean/peak: 8-step -24.0/-11.6 dB · 4-step -21.9/-9.2 dB
audio: 0.0s
prompt
For the target video, at 0.00 seconds into the target video, <Picture 1> (from [Shot 1]) is fully referenced.

integrated_multimodal_description: [Shot 1] Cinematic, photorealistic, a wide rear view explicitly begins from <Picture 1>, preserving the solitary centered skater’s identity and silhouette, black jacket, dark fitted pants, orange-red cap and exposed orange waistband, along with the exact low mountain horizon, star-filled navy sky, snow-rimmed frozen lava field, glossy black ice plates separated by glowing orange-red fissures, and harsh blue-white overhead spotlight. Initially balanced mid-glide with one leg trailing and both arms slightly extended, the skater lowers their stance and presses the trailing skate outward. The blade scrapes the glossy crust as they accelerate away from the camera, then transfer weight smoothly from side to side in a shallow weaving path. Each carve leaves a thin pale score across the black surface; small cracks briefly branch near the blade before stopping at the existing molten seams, releasing short synchronized wisps of steam. Orange lava light flickers across the skater’s lower body and ripples in the wet-looking reflections while the hard spotlight keeps the upper silhouette sharply outlined and throws a long shifting shadow toward the foreground. The camera tracks forward at slow speed with small amplitude, maintaining the centered wide composition as the skater completes one broad curve, straightens, and continues gliding steadily toward the misty horizon beneath the fixed stars.

overall_soundscape: Skate blades produce crisp, continuous scrapes that sharpen during each push and curve. A low volcanic rumble persists beneath the faint hiss of steam, occasional delicate ice cracking, light wind across the open field, and subtle clothing flutter synchronized with the skater’s motion.

non_diegetic_music: Sparse low synthesizer pulses at a slow tempo under sustained glassy high tones, gradually increasing in volume as the skater accelerates and easing back as the glide steadies.

Rally car — animated from a still

1344×768 · 1.53× (60.9s → 39.8s)
◀ larryvrh 8-step · what we ship lightx2v 4-step v1.2 · half the steps ▶
mean/peak: 8-step -16.2/-2.2 dB · 4-step -19.6/-2.2 dB
audio: 0.0s
prompt
For the target video, at 0.00 seconds into the target video, <Picture 1> (from [Shot 1]) is fully referenced.

integrated_multimodal_description: [Shot 1] Live-action, cinematic, <Picture 1> anchors a sunlit daytime wide shot of an empty tan gravel racetrack sweeping through a sharp bend, preserving the balanced composition, dark metal guardrails, grassy verges, dense green trees, overhanging leaves, blue sky, long side-lit shadows, existing tire marks, and pale dust plume rising at the far-left background. The camera initially holds static as the dust billows and drifts through the trees; an approaching rally engine rapidly grows louder before a rally car bursts from the left background through the existing dust. The car accelerates into the bend, countersteers through a controlled slide, and leans slightly as its tires bite into the loose gravel, flinging a low spray of stones and extending the dust trail behind it. The camera pans left with small amplitude at fast speed to keep the car in the wide composition as it sweeps across the curve toward the near-left foreground and exits frame. The expanding dust cloud rolls over the track in its wake while sunlit leaves and fine roadside grass continue trembling in the breeze.

overall_soundscape: Wind rustles the tree canopy and roadside grass beneath the rapidly approaching growl of a rally engine. Gravel rattles against the underbody and guardrail as the tires scrape and hiss through the turn, followed by a sharp acceleration note that recedes after the car exits while airborne dust and small stones settle.

non_diegetic_music: N/A

Meteor — animated from a still

1344×768 · 1.53× (60.3s → 39.4s)
◀ larryvrh 8-step · what we ship lightx2v 4-step v1.2 · half the steps ▶
mean/peak: 8-step -13.9/-2.0 dB · 4-step -15.3/-2.9 dB
audio: 0.0s
prompt
For the target video, at 0.00 seconds into the target video, <Picture 1> (from [Shot 1]) is fully referenced.

integrated_multimodal_description: [Shot 1] Cinematic, high-detail 3D CG, the wide orbital composition established by <Picture 1> is preserved: a dark rocky meteor descends diagonally from the upper left toward the blue, cloud-covered planet filling the lower half of the frame, trailing a bright orange-white flame and a thick blue-gray smoke plume against a dense black star field. Hard sunlight outlines the planet’s curved horizon with a cool blue atmospheric rim, while the meteor casts the only intense warm light. The flame flickers and sheds small incandescent fragments as the meteor accelerates downward; its smoke trail lengthens, curls, and disperses behind it. The camera tracks the meteor with small amplitude at slow speed while keeping the curved horizon and star field stable. As the meteor penetrates the atmosphere, its fire envelope widens and glows nearly white, briefly lighting the nearby cloud tops orange. It strikes a distant point on the visible surface in a concentrated flash, followed by a rapidly expanding fireball and a circular shock front spreading across the cloud layer. Glowing debris arcs outward from the impact zone as dense dark ash clouds billow upward around the flames. The fireball reaches its maximum size, leaving a radiant impact scar surrounded by churning smoke and scattered molten fragments.

overall_soundscape: A low atmospheric roar rises with the meteor’s descent, joined by the sharp hiss and crackle of burning fragments. The impact produces a deep, heavy boom followed by a sustained rumble as debris erupts and the shock front expands.

non_diegetic_music: Sustained low brass and sub-bass drones build gradually beneath slow percussion pulses, swelling into a single powerful orchestral strike at impact before fading under the lingering rumble.