How to use Hedra AI (2026): character 3, pricing & tutorial
How to use Hedra AI (2026): character 3, pricing & tutorial
Jul 09, 2025
AI Summary:
To make a talking character in Hedra, prepare a clear portrait and an audio recording, select Character 3, and generate a short sample. Check the voice, facial movement, output settings, and credit quote before making a longer video. Hedra is the platform; Character 3 is one model inside it. Magic Hour also creates talking videos from still portraits, so existing footage is not required to use Magic Hour.
Create a talking video
Upload an image and audio, then review the animated result in Magic Hour.
What is Hedra Character 3?
Character 3 is Hedra's audio-driven character-video model. Its current model page lists a start image and required audio, with 540p, 720p, and 1080p output options. The older statement that Character 3 is limited to 720p is no longer consistent with that page.
Use it for a speaking or singing character when the source is a still image. Confirm the settings available in your account rather than assuming that every model on the platform has the same input, duration, or output limits.
Hedra pricing: current monthly plans
| Plan | Monthly USD price | Included monthly credits |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | $15 | 1,500 |
| Creator | $30 | 5,400 |
| Professional | $75 | 14,400 |
| Enterprise | Custom | Custom |
Hedra's pricing page lists commercial use on these paid plans. It invites users to start free but does not establish the fixed 100- or 300-credit recurring free allowance previously stated in this guide. Check your actual account balance and export restrictions.
How to create the first talking video
1. Open Hedra and check the selected workflow
Sign in through Hedra, open Creative Studio, and choose the talking-character workflow and model. Interface labels can change; the required assets are the useful anchor: a starting image and an approved audio track.
2. Prepare one clear portrait
Use a well-lit face with unobstructed eyes and mouth. Leave room for movement around the head and chin. If you create a character image first, save the approved image instead of repeatedly prompting for an approximate replacement.
3. Approve the audio before animation
Record your line or generate speech, then listen to it by itself. Correct pronunciation, pauses, and the message before using it as an input. Hedra's photo-to-video guide describes this image-and-audio workflow.
4. Check the model, resolution, and charge
Choose settings appropriate to the deliverable and review the quoted credit use. Begin with a short segment that contains the expressions and pacing you need. A low-cost preview can screen the inputs, but it does not establish the quality of a different final mode.
5. Generate, review, and download
Watch the whole output at normal speed. Inspect the mouth at pauses, the eyes during movement, and the face shape through the sentence. Confirm the downloaded file's dimensions and export conditions before making a series.
A sample brief for a product explainer
Use a licensed or original presenter image and a short line such as: “Here's how the cap opens. Turn it once, then lift.” Time the actual recording and make the instruction match the real product.
Estimate the cost of a series
Suppose you need ten clips and each attempt receives a quote of Q credits. One attempt per clip costs 10Q; two attempts per clip cost 20Q. If only eight of those clips are usable, the cost per usable clip is the total spent divided by eight.
Troubleshoot before repeating a generation
| Problem | First revision to try |
|---|---|
| Unclear mouth or facial distortion | A sharper, less obstructed portrait |
| Awkward pronunciation | Correct the voice recording before animating again |
| Too much head movement | A calmer delivery and simpler starting pose; review available motion controls |
| The face changes between clips | Reuse the exact approved source image and compare every output |
| Missing final words | Check the chosen audio segment and output duration |
| The result looks fine but cannot be delivered | Recheck the export resolution, watermark, and account entitlement |
Hedra vs Magic Hour vs HeyGen
| Your task | Useful starting comparison |
|---|---|
| Animate a portrait from audio | Hedra Character 3 and Magic Hour Talking Photo both fit this input |
| Replace speech in an existing face video | Start with Magic Hour Lip Sync or a dedicated video-lip-sync workflow |
| Create a presenter and translated versions | Compare HeyGen's documented avatar and translation features |
| Generate a scene without an existing photo or video | Compare the selected text-to-video models, not the talking-photo tools |
Frequently asked questions
Is Hedra free, and do free videos have a watermark?
Hedra invites users to start free. Confirm the current balance, eligible models, and watermark conditions in your account before generating.
Does Character 3 support 1080p?
Yes, the current Character 3 model page lists 1080p alongside 540p and 720p. Check availability for the selected workflow and account.
Is a generated avatar clip the same as a live avatar?
No. A rendered clip is a finished video. An interactive avatar also needs a streaming, voice, and response system.
Can Magic Hour make a talking video from a photo?
Yes. Magic Hour Talking Photo takes an image and audio directly. Magic Hour also offers text-to-video, image-to-video, and editing workflows.
Should I pay before trying my character?
Evaluate the available sample first. Choose a paid tier when the result fits your project and you need its credits or export conditions.