Synthesia tutorial: how to create studio-quality videos with AI

AI video has redefined what’s possible for business communication, but not all “studio-quality” video is created equal.

Below, we outline what “studio-quality” means in AI video, where Synthesia fits, and how Tavus approaches quality and scale.

Introduction: What Synthesia is and what “studio-quality” means in AI video

Synthesia is a web-based platform that converts text scripts into videos with AI-generated avatars and synthetic voiceovers—no cameras, microphones, or on-site filming required. In practice, “studio-quality” typically means:

• Sharp visuals
• Consistent audio
• On-brand design
• A cohesive narrative

—all delivered without the cost and complexity of traditional production. Two practical quality markers to evaluate are full-face expression and lip sync accuracy.

On the Tavus side, our Phoenix-3 model is built for realism: it dynamically generates full-face expressions and micro-movements in real time, preserves identity, and delivers industry-leading lip sync for natural, high-fidelity results at 1080p.

Synthesia’s video customization and creative controls

A key consideration for users seeking studio-quality results is the degree of creative control and customization available. Synthesia offers a comprehensive suite of video customization features designed to help users produce professional, on-brand videos:

• Avatar customization:
  Users can select from a growing library of over 230 AI avatars, with access depending on the chosen plan. For greater personalization, Synthesia allows the creation of custom personal avatars (digital twins) on paid plans, and offers Studio Avatars as a paid add-on for advanced use cases. Clothing color can be customized on all paid plans, and Enterprise customers can add logos to avatars for enhanced brand alignment.
• Background and branding controls:
  Synthesia supports the use of brand kits (Enterprise only), enabling consistent application of company colors, fonts, and logos across all videos. All users can upload custom images, videos, infographics, and backgrounds to further tailor the look and feel of each scene.
• Templates and overlays:
  The platform provides access to 60+ pre-designed video templates, with branded templates available as a custom service. Users can also upload their own fonts (on paid plans) and use overlays such as icons, shapes, and royalty-free media from integrated libraries (Getty Images, Pexels, Icons8, and Soundstripe, depending on plan).
• Advanced editing features:
  Synthesia’s editor enables scene-by-scene arrangement, multi-avatar scenes (on Creator and Enterprise plans), and the addition of titles, captions, and transitions for a polished finish. Interactive elements, such as clickable call-to-actions and branching paths, are available on higher-tier plans, allowing for more engaging and dynamic video experiences.
• Multi-language and dubbing support:
  Synthesia supports over 140 languages and voices, including various narration styles and local accents. The platform also offers AI dubbing with lip sync in 32 languages and one-click translation for entire videos (Enterprise plan), making it suitable for global teams and audiences.
• Integrations and automation:
  Synthesia integrates with tools like Google Veo 3 for AI-generated video clips, enables PowerPoint imports, and provides an API (on Creator and Enterprise plans) for automating video creation and embedding videos directly into products or workflows.

These features collectively provide significant flexibility for users to achieve a high degree of creative control, though some advanced branding and interactive capabilities are reserved for higher-tier or Enterprise plans.

Quick overview of Synthesia’s core workflow

• Choose an AI avatar in a web-based editor (accessible via app.synthesia.io)
• Paste your script to generate narration with text-to-speech
• Arrange scenes with titles, images, and other assets
• Generate and export a finished video

Synthesia uses an editor seat model, and usage is measured in video minutes.

Synthesia pricing, plans, and export options

Synthesia offers several pricing tiers to accommodate different business needs and scales of production:

• Basic (Free):
  1 editor, 9 AI avatars, up to 3 minutes of video per month, limited features.
• Starter ($29/month or $18/month billed yearly):
  1 editor + 3 guests, 125+ AI avatars, up to 10 minutes of video per month (120 minutes/year on annual plan), AI Video Assistant, AI dubbing, video downloads, and the ability to remove the Synthesia logo.
• Creator ($89/month or $64/month billed yearly):
  1 editor + 5 guests, 180+ AI avatars, up to 30 minutes of video per month (360 minutes/year on annual plan), 5 personal avatars, API access, branded video pages, multiple avatars per scene, interactive videos, and priority support.
• Enterprise (Custom pricing):
  Custom seats, unlimited video minutes and duration, 230+ AI avatars, unlimited personal avatars, advanced collaboration, brand kits, SCORM export, live team collaboration, SAML/SSO, dedicated customer success manager, and tailored onboarding.

All paid plans support video downloads in Full HD (1920 x 1080) MP4 format. Videos can also be embedded on websites, LMS, or LXP platforms, and shared via branded video pages. Enterprise customers benefit from additional export options, such as SCORM packages for e-learning and a multilingual video player for global audiences.

Notable limitations include:

• Video minute quotas per plan (with unlimited minutes on Enterprise)
• Feature gating for advanced branding and collaboration tools
• Requirement for a paid add-on for Studio Avatars
• If usage exceeds the plan’s quota, video generation is capped until the next renewal or until the plan is upgraded
• Unused video minutes do not roll over

When Synthesia fits best

Synthesia is a strong fit for quickly producing consistent training modules, onboarding content, explainers, and internal communications—situations where speed, standardization, and ease of updates are the priority.

Where Tavus complements or differs

Tavus focuses on creating lifelike AI Replicas and scaling personalization and production quality:

• Photorealistic Replicas powered by Phoenix-3: full-face animation, micro-expressions, identity preservation, and industry-leading lip sync at 1080p
• Fast setup: train a personal Replica with only 1 minute of training data, or choose from 100+ professionally optimized stock Replicas
• Scale and control: white-labeled APIs, webhooks, and robust SDKs to automate video generation and embed directly in your product or workflow
• Global reach: 30+ languages and optional alpha channel video on supported plans
• Trust and compliance: consent mechanisms for Replicas, automated content moderation, SOC 2 and HIPAA compliance on applicable plans, and responsible-use guardrails

Step-by-step Synthesia tutorial: create a studio-quality video from text

Step 1: Plan your script, storyboard, and visual brand

• Define the audience and desired outcome
• Write a concise, on-brand script and outline a simple scene flow
• Gather logos, colors, and fonts to maintain brand consistency

Step 2: Build scenes in app.synthesia.io

• Start a new project and select an AI avatar from the library (or create one with their avatar generator if available)
• Paste in your script and select a voice for narration
• Add titles, images, or screen captures to support your message and arrange the scenes
• Utilize available templates, overlays, and media from the integrated library to enhance visual appeal
• Customize avatar clothing color (on paid plans), and apply brand kits or upload custom fonts and backgrounds as permitted by your plan

Step 3: Polish for a “studio” finish and export

• Adjust pacing and narration settings; add captions for accessibility
• Refine backgrounds and transitions for cohesion
• Add interactive elements or multiple avatars per scene if your plan supports these features
• Export and review the final render before distribution. Download your video in Full HD MP4 format, embed it, or share via a branded video page

Synthesia quality tips, constraints, and planning notes

Avatar and voice choices

• Test multiple avatars and voices for terminology and tone to ensure clarity and consistency for your audience

Collaboration, seats, and quotas

• Plan projects around seat-based access and minute quotas
• Establish version control and approvals to stay within usage limits

Personalization and integrations

• Synthesia supports template-based video creation and integrations. Always review their current documentation to confirm available options for your workflow
• For advanced automation, API access is available on Creator and Enterprise plans, enabling programmatic video generation and integration into your existing systems

When you need lifelike presence and scaled personalization, Tavus provides APIs, webhooks, and white-labeled endpoints to programmatically generate large volumes of videos using personal or stock Replicas—embedded directly in your stack.

Achieving studio-quality at scale with Tavus

Digital Replicas and lifelike delivery

• Phoenix-3 delivers studio-grade fidelity with full-face animation, nuanced micro-expressions, and industry-leading lip sync—preserving identity across scenes and scripts
• Train a personal Replica with only 1 minute of training data, or launch fast with 100+ stock Replicas optimized for common use cases
• Produce at 1080p, with optional alpha channel video and 30+ languages to localize at scale

Programmatic generation and integration

• Automate creation with white-labeled APIs, webhooks, and robust SDKs
• Embed Tavus directly into your product or pipeline and trigger generation from your systems and data
• Build personalized variants and scale campaigns or libraries rapidly—without manual production overhead

Enterprise-grade trust and controls

• Replica consent mechanisms, automated content moderation, and responsible usage guidelines by default
• SOC 2 and HIPAA compliance available on applicable plans

Choosing the right workflow: Synthesia tutorial vs Tavus playbook

Match use case to platform strengths

• Synthesia:
  Fast production of consistent training, onboarding, and explainer videos with AI avatars and text-to-speech in a web-based editor. Seat-based access with minute-based usage. Offers a broad range of creative controls, avatar customization, and export options, with advanced features available on higher-tier plans.
• Tavus:
  Photorealistic AI Replicas, 30+ languages, 1080p output, and programmatic generation via white-labeled APIs, webhooks, and SDKs—built to scale lifelike presence and personalized variants. Train a Replica with ~1 minute of data or use 100+ stock Replicas.

Feature snapshot to guide decisions

• Synthesia
  • AI text-to-video with avatars and synthetic voiceovers
  • Web-based editor (app.synthesia.io)
  • Editor seat-based access model
  • Video generation measured in minutes
  • Extensive avatar library and custom avatar creation
  • Background, branding, and interactive video controls
  • Full HD MP4 export, SCORM, and embedding options
• Tavus
  • Phoenix-3 for full-face animation, identity preservation, and industry-leading lip sync at 1080p
  • Personal Replica training with ~1 minute of data; 100+ stock Replicas
  • 30+ languages; optional alpha channel video on supported plans
  • White-labeled APIs, webhooks, and robust SDKs for programmatic generation and embedding
  • Consent mechanisms, content moderation, and SOC 2/HIPAA on applicable plans

Next steps to get value quickly

• New to AI video?
  Use the Synthesia tutorial above to produce a pilot explainer or training module quickly.
• Need lifelike presence and large-scale personalization?
  Spin up a Tavus Replica (or select a stock Replica), integrate via API/webhooks, and generate personalized variants at scale.

As both platforms evolve, review current product documentation to validate features and fit for your workflow.

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