"Invalid Input — Check the Reference Images and Duration": What It Means and What to Change

Quick answer: Every other failure message is about the service; this one is about the segment. The request was refused before anything was generated, so the credits normally come back — your credit history shows the refund row. Three things to check, in this order: an image you uploaded that has an unusual shape or size, a segment that names more people and props than its shots show, and shot seconds that do not add up to the segment’s length. Fix the one that applies and generate again.

Still from “Crimson Vow”, an AI short drama generated end-to-end by SceneMixer (4 characters, 1 episode) — Sample: “Crimson Vow” — Realistic HD, 1 episode, produced end-to-end by SceneMixer from the script · watch the episodes

Select the failed segment, open Edit, and read its Props line and the seconds of each shot.

Where the message appears

The segment card says Failed and the preview pane shows Invalid input — check the reference images and duration. The credits held for this generation normally come back to your balance; the storyboard text, the seconds and the earlier versions are untouched. The general families of failure messages are in When a Generation Fails; this page is only about this one sentence.

The episode timeline: every segment as a card with its thumbnail and duration — The failed segment shows the sentence in the preview pane; the storyboard text and the segment's seconds stay editable.

Check one: an image you uploaded

Sheets you uploaded yourself, and images you set for one episode, must be an ordinary JPEG or PNG with a sensible shape: very tall or very wide pictures, tiny ones and files that failed to load are refused. The message mentions image resolution when this is the cause. Re-upload the picture cropped closer to the sheet’s own shape (portrait for people, landscape for places and props), or let the site regenerate the sheet. Use Your Own Photo for a Character or Scene.

Check two: a crowded segment

Everything a segment names comes along to the generation. A segment that lists many props on its Props line and names people who never appear on screen can be refused. Remove props the shots do not show from the Props line, and write people who are only talked about without @. Props and Locations in a Shot · Who is in frame.

Check three: the seconds

A segment longer than its tier’s cap never gets this far: the editor refuses it when you press generate and names the cap (30 seconds on the 30-second tiers, 15 on the others; which tier accepts what). If you see this message on a segment close to its tier’s cap, shorten one or two shots by a second each, or split the segment in two. Insert or Delete a Segment.

If none of the three applies

Generate it one more time. If the same segment fails again with this message and you cannot see why, send feedback with the segment number and a screenshot; support can read what the service answered for that task. How to get help.

Check	How to tell	What to change
An image you uploaded	Message mentions image resolution	Re-upload it cropped to the sheet's shape, or regenerate the sheet
A crowded segment	Many props and names in one segment	Trim the Props line; write off-screen people without @
The seconds	A segment close to its tier's cap	Shorten a shot or two, or split the segment
None of the above	Retry fails the same way	Feedback with segment number and screenshot

FAQ

Were my credits charged?

Normally not: a request refused before generating is refunded, and your credit history shows the refund row. If you see only a hold, support reviews it.

Why did the same segment work on another tier?

Tiers accept different things and have different length caps. A segment one tier refuses can be fine on another.

Does splitting the segment cost more?

You pay per second generated; two shorter segments cost about the same as one long one, plus you get a natural cut.

I did not upload any image. Why does it mention images?

The message is the same for every cause. Check the Props line and who is named in the shots first.

Fix the image, trim the names, or shorten

This is the one failure you can fix from the editor in under a minute.

Open the editor

Updated October 2, 2026