Runway Gen-4 video-to-video: transform or restyle existing video—change look, style, or content while preserving motion and timing.
This model gets stronger as the shot becomes more explicit. Give it a subject, a move, a frame, and a mood so the output feels directed instead of guessed.
Best results start with a directed prompt or a strong first frame.
Gen-4 Aleph (Video to Video) on Pixio is Runway's video-to-video model: you input existing video and a text prompt (and optionally a reference image) to restyle or transform the clip. Change the look (e.g. cartoon, painting), add or remove objects, adjust lighting, or guide the mood—while preserving motion and timing. Use it when you have footage and want to change its style or content, not generate from a single still.
Gen-4 Aleph (Video to Video) on Pixio is Runway's video-to-video model: you input existing video and a text prompt (and optionally a reference image) to restyle or transform the clip. Change the look (e.g. cartoon, painting), add or remove objects, adjust lighting, or guide the mood—while preserving motion and timing. Use it when you have footage and want to change its style or content, not generate from a single still.
| Mode | Input | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Video to Video | Existing video + prompt (± reference image) | Restyle, content edit, lighting; motion preserved |
| Restyled first frame | Video + restyled first frame as reference | Whole clip follows the new look from frame one |
| Option | Values | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | ~5s per run (typical max) | Chain runs for longer sequences |
| Credits | Higher per second (e.g. ~15/sec in some plans) | Check Pixio for current rates |
| Reference | Optional image | Stylized first frame or style reference |
Credits depend on duration and plan; video-to-video typically costs more per second than image-to-video. Check the model card in Pixio for current rates.
Gen-4 Aleph (Video to Video) doesn't create video from a still—it takes your clip and changes how it looks or what's in it. The prompt (and optional reference image) drives the transformation; motion and timing stay the same. Use it for artistic restyles (cartoon, painting, etc.), object/lighting edits, or to align footage with a new look. Combine with Gen-4 image-to-video for new shots and Gen-4 Upscale for 4K.
Keep to one clear direction per run (style, or one content change).
| Scenario | Best choice |
|---|---|
| Restyle or edit existing video | Gen-4 Aleph (Video to Video) |
| Generate new video from image | Gen-4 (Image to Video) or Gen-4 Turbo |
| Cinema-grade from keyframe | Seedance 2 Pro |
| 4K upscale | Gen-4 Upscale |
Start with a strong first frame when consistency matters more than surprise.
Keep each prompt focused on one primary motion direction.
Use shorter runs for iteration, then scale up for finals.
For narratives, structure the idea as Shot 1 / Shot 2 / Shot 3 instead of one flat blob.
A strong video prompt gives the scene a subject, a move, camera behavior, and a mood to hold onto.
Start from language and push for camera intent, pacing, atmosphere, and shot design in one move.
Start from a frame or reference when consistency matters more than improvisation.
Continue or refine the clip without throwing away the visual language you already established.
Gen-4 Aleph (Video to Video) works well when the prompt needs motion, framing, and visual direction, not just subject matter.
Use it for sequences that need a strong first frame, continuity, or a clearly controlled camera idea.
Treat each generation like a shot brief instead of a loose caption to get more cinematic outputs.
Start with either a directed text brief or a strong frame, depending on how locked the look already is.
Write the motion like a director: subject, action, camera behavior, environment, lighting, and tone.
Iterate fast on shorter runs, then move to stronger finals once the rhythm feels right.
Use it to build a stronger first frame, then hand that frame to the video model for motion and continuity.
Pair it with frame extraction, merge tools, or image prep so the motion workflow stays clean end to end.
