When OpenAI demonstrated **Sora** last year, Hollywood panicked. With **Sora 2**, that panic is turning into adoption. But Google's **Veo 3.1** and the artist-focused **Runway Gen-4** are fighting back. ## The Feature Wars ### Sora 2: The Simulator Sora 2 isn't just a video generator; it's a World Simulator. It builds a 3D internal representation of the scene. * **Unique Feature:** *Variable Duration.* You can generate a 5-second clip or extend it to 2 minutes seamlessly. It understands narrative pacing. * **Best For:** Establishing shots, Drone flyovers, Complex crowd scenes. ### Veo 3.1: The Broadcaster Google has focused on Broadcast Quality. Veo 3.1 output has less AI grain than Sora. It looks like it was shot on a RED camera. * **Unique Feature:** *Audio-Video Sync.* It generates foley (sound effects) and background scores that perfectly match the visual action. * **Best For:** Commercials, YouTube Shorts, Music Videos. ### Runway Gen-4: The Toolset Runway knows that professionals need *control*. Getting a random video is useless if the lighting is wrong. * **Unique Feature:** *Director Mode.* You can set the ISO, Aperture, and Focal Length of the virtual camera. You can use Motion Brush to tell the AI: Move the cloud left, but keep the tree still. * **Best For:** VFX Compositing, precise shot control, Music Video editing. ## Technical Specifications | Spec | Sora 2 | Veo 3.1 | Runway Gen-4 | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **Max Resolution** | 1080p | **4K** | 1080p | | **Max Duration** | **2 Mins** | 1 Min | 18 Secs (extendable) | | **Control** | Text Prompts | Text + Image | **Full Camera UI** | | **Audio Generation** | Basic | **Advanced** | None | ## The MangoMind Worklow Pro users on MangoMind often combine these tools: 1. Generate the base clip in **Sora 2** (for length). 2. Upscale it in **Veo 3.1** (for 4K quality). 3. Add specific motion effects in **Runway** (for control). The future of filmmaking is hybrid.