Veo is Google DeepMind's video generation model, capable of producing 1080p video clips up to several minutes long from text or image prompts. Veo 2, released in late 2024, substantially improved motion quality, camera control, and understanding of physical dynamics compared to its predecessor. Veo is accessible through VideoFX in Google Labs, through Vertex AI for enterprise developers, and is integrated into YouTube Shorts as the 'Dream Screen' feature. The model supports cinematic-style prompting: you can specify lens type, shot framing (wide, close-up, tracking shot), and lighting conditions. It handles complex motion like water ripples, running animals, and crowd scenes with more coherent temporal consistency than earlier open-source alternatives. Access has been rolling out gradually. Consumer access is via VideoFX (waitlist-based in most regions), while Google Cloud customers can access Veo through Vertex AI with usage-based pricing.

What the community says

Veo 2 demos on YouTube and X impressed video creators with its motion quality and camera control capabilities, which many ranked alongside or above Sora for realistic movement. Creative professionals appreciate the cinematic prompting syntax. The main frustration is access: the VideoFX waitlist moves slowly, and full API access requires a Google Cloud relationship. Some critics note that compared to open-source tools, Veo offers less control over style and no fine-tuning options.

See alternatives to Google Veo →