Introduction

In a groundbreaking move, OpenAI has announced the launch of Sora, its innovative video generator, exclusively for ChatGPT Pro and Plus subscribers, effective today. However, there’s a catch: users in the EU will not have access — at least for the time being!

Details about Sora and Sora Turbo

During a highly anticipated livestream event on Monday, OpenAI shared essential details about Sora, specifically the newly integrated version known as Sora Turbo. This advanced tool can generate short video clips ranging from 5 to 20 seconds in various aspect ratios and resolutions, designed to enhance creativity and streamline video production.

Will Peebles, a key researcher at OpenAI, expressed optimism about Sora's potential, stating, "This early version of Sora will make mistakes — it’s not perfect, but it’s already at the point where we think it’s going to be really useful for augmenting human creativity. We can’t wait to see what the world will make with Sora."

Highlights from Early Reviews

Highlights from early reviews, including insights from popular tech YouTuber Marcus Brownlee, reveal that Sora can produce multiple video variations based on a text prompt or image. It also features an innovative Re-mix tool to edit existing videos and a Storyboard interface for seamless sequencing. Users can take advantage of tools like Blend, which merges two clips, and options such as Loop and Re-cut for additional customization.

Capacity Issues

Despite the excitement, Sora has been experiencing significant capacity issues since launch, much to the frustration of eager users.

A Credit System for Video Creation

Generating videos on Sora requires credits, with varying costs depending on the resolution and duration of the clips. Subscribers to ChatGPT Plus receive 1,000 credits, while Pro users get a substantial 10,000 credits each month. Sora's pricing structure is as follows:

- 480p videos range from 20 to 150 credits

- 720p videos cost between 30 to 540 credits

- 1080p videos can be generated for 100 to 2,000 credits

Moreover, ChatGPT Plus plans allow for 1,000 credits to create up to 50 “priority videos” at 720p resolution (5 seconds long), while Pro plans offer 10,000 credits for up to 500 priority videos at 1080p (20 seconds). Only Pro users can create unlimited “relaxed” videos without watermarks, while others will face a watermark on generated videos.

One significant limitation is that credits reset monthly at midnight and do not roll over, emphasizing the importance of planning for users who wish to maximize their outputs.

Why Are EU Users Missing Out?

Disappointingly for EU users, Sora is unavailable in Europe at launch. OpenAI’s support page explicitly lists no EU member states among the territories supported for Sora on web and mobile platforms. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman stated, "We’re going to try our hardest to be able to launch [in Europe], but we don’t have any timing to share yet." This lack of access isn’t unprecedented; earlier this year, the company excluded EU users from an initial rollout of its Advanced Voice Mode due to lengthy regulatory reviews.

OpenAI explained in a statement that the delays in launching new features in Europe often stem from “additional external reviews” required in various territories to ensure compliance with local regulations.

Conclusion

As creative professionals and content creators eagerly anticipate the capabilities of Sora, many are left wondering how long until the excitement reaches their shores. Could this innovative tool redefine the landscape of digital content creation? Only time will tell!