Raw or Standard? Picking the Best Mode for Your Midjourney Videos

If you use Midjourney for video, you know there are many choices. Today, we are looking at two main modes found inside Midjourney Video: Standard and Raw. We will see exactly what these modes mean and how they change the results you get when creating videos. We will also check how the quality setting for images affects your final video output.

Setting Up Your Midjourney Video Modes

You can turn on Standard or Raw mode in the settings panel. To do this, click the icon at the top of your screen to open settings. Then, find the "model" field and select your preferred mode. Standard is the default setting. The mode you pick stays active for all future prompts until you change it again.

You can also add `--raw` directly to your prompt. This will change the setting for just that one video creation, even if Standard is your default mode. This way, you do not need to manually switch modes in the settings panel each time.

Starting Your Video Creation

To begin making a video, drag an image into the starting frame field. This is found in the top left, just below the prompt bar. Or, you can click on an image you want to use. Then, select the motion level you want from the bottom right corner.

Standard vs. Raw: Real-World Examples

We prepared a few images with different details and tested them through various motion options. For these tests, we kept the prompts and motion levels the same to clearly show the differences between Standard and Raw modes.

Here is a quick look at the results:

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[B]Fantasy Scene:[/B] In our first example, made with manual mode, four heroes stand on a bridge in front of a big castle. A dragon flies in and lands on a tower. All four versions looked strong with a consistent style. The dimensions and lighting felt real.[/LI]

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[B]Playful Puppies:[/B] Next, we looked at five small puppies piled up and playing. This was made completely using auto mode. The dogs moved a little more realistically here, and their actions looked very natural. This is where Raw mode showed its strengths. The Standard versions were also well made and fun to watch.[/LI]

[LI]

[B]Desert Warrior:[/B] We then saw a lone warrior walking across a vast desert. Again, Raw mode captured the natural movements of the character a bit better. This version was made entirely with auto mode, so we had less control over the result.[/LI]

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[B]Forest Creature:[/B] The fourth example, made fully in manual mode, showed a friendly forest animal that found beer. All versions turned out nicely. What we liked here is that Raw mode again gave the video a slightly more real feel.[/LI]

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Even with careful prompt adjustments, some examples were difficult. A ship meant to be the Titanic, made in auto mode, looked too much like an old 3D image. The output, in both Raw and Standard, was dull. For a battle-hardened orc with a sword and shield walking toward a white sphere, the idea was for him to see his reflection. Midjourney made the orc look like plastic. This happened because Midjourney used the sphere's material to interpret the orc's look.

From these tests, we found that auto mode often gives random results. Manual mode, however, gives you more creative control. High motion generally feels more active and low motion is calmer, but this is not always true. Sometimes, low motion can even look more active than high motion. When comparing Standard and Raw, the starting image has the biggest effect on the outcome. Raw tends to add a bit more realism to the movements, as seen with the forest creature and the puppies.

To get more consistent and quality results, consider streamlining your workflow. The Midjourney Automation Suite from TitanXT can help automate parts of your creation process, making it easier to experiment with different modes and settings.

The Impact of `--Q4` Quality Setting on Videos

Does using the `--Q4` parameter, which activates the highest quality level, also affect video creation? The better your source images, the better your video results will be. This is certainly true in Midjourney. The reason is simple: when your starting image has more details in lighting, modeling, and overall appearance, this will naturally show up in your video too. Simply put, the more good information Midjourney has, the better it can process it.

Comparing Source Images and Videos with `--Q4`

Let's look at an example. First, we will compare two source images side by side. One image uses the high-quality setting (`--Q4`), and the other does not. The `--Q4` version is clearly better, with richer material, better lighting, and more detail overall. In comparison, the version without `--Q4` looks rougher.

Now, let's look at the videos created from these images using manual mode with low motion. While the average viewer might not notice the difference between the two videos, it is these small details that can make a good result outstanding. As for using `--Q4`, I use it carefully because it takes longer to generate images. When something takes longer, it also uses up your fast hours, unless you are in relax mode.

Midjourney's Statement on Quality Parameter

According to Midjourney's help desk:

[LI]Keep in mind the quality parameter only changes the first set of four images you create. It does not affect later variations, inpainting, outpainting, or upscales.[/LI>

[LI]The `--Q4` parameter is an experimental mode in Midjourney version 7. It may provide better details and consistency, but it does not work with Omni reference.[/LI]

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Final Thoughts

To wrap it up, both Raw and Standard modes have their uses. Raw often gives more realistic movement, especially with natural subjects, while Standard works well for consistent styles. The better your starting image, the better your video will be. Manual mode gives you more creative control than auto mode.

Enhance your Midjourney experience and streamline your video creation process. Explore the Midjourney Automation Suite from TitanXT, a tool designed to help you get more from your video creations.