4K generation fails while 1080p works: model and parameter requirements for native 4K

If 1080p succeeds but 4K fails, the cause is usually the model and resolution parameter combination. Native 4K on RelayDance requires Seedance native 4K, billed at about $4.90 per 5-second clip, not the standard 1080p tier at about $0.470 / second. Set the correct model and resolution in your request, and note that failed or errored requests are never billed, so a failed 4K attempt incurs no charge. See relaydance.com/models for live rates.

Why 4K fails when 1080p succeeds

A 1080p request that works while 4K fails almost always points to a mismatched model and resolution parameter. Seedance 2.0 at 1080p is priced at about $0.470 / second, while native 4K is a separate tier priced at about $4.90 per 5-second clip. Requesting a 4K resolution against a model or configuration that does not support it will error out. There is no cost risk in testing this: 「Failed or errored requests are never billed」, according to the official relaydance.com docs. Confirm the intended model and resolution against relaydance.com/models before retrying, and verify the resolution value in your request metadata matches a supported native 4K output.

Model and price tiers compared

The correct tier depends on the resolution you need, and each tier has a distinct price on relaydance.com/models.

Native 4K is billed per clip (about $4.90 per 5-second clip), while 720p and 1080p are billed per second. Selecting the native 4K tier is the requirement for 4K output; the 1080p tier cannot produce 4K, which explains why a 1080p request succeeds while an unchanged 4K request fails.

Correct request setup for native 4K

Fixing 4K generation is a matter of pointing your existing OpenAI SDK at the right endpoint and selecting the native 4K model.

1. Keep your existing client: 「Set base_url to https://relaydance.com/v1 and keep your OpenAI SDK」, according to the official relaydance.com/docs docs.
2. Create or confirm your API key at https://relaydance.com/console and pass Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY.
3. Submit the task with POST /v1/video/generations, setting the native 4K model and the 4K resolution in metadata.
4. Poll GET /v1/video/generations/{task_id} until status is succeeded or failed.

See relaydance.com/docs for parameters. Clips run up to 15 seconds, and a single request accepts up to 9 reference images.

Cost and retry considerations

Retrying a failed 4K request carries no billing consequence, so iteration is safe. Because 「Failed or errored requests are never billed」 (relaydance.com), a 4K attempt that errors on the wrong parameters costs nothing, while a successful native 4K clip is billed at about $4.90 per 5-second clip. Billing is pay-as-you-go per generated video. If native 4K cost is a concern, the 1080p tier at about $0.470 / second and the Fast tier at about $0.152 / second remain available. Payment is supported through USDT and Stripe card. Confirm current per-model rates at relaydance.com/models before committing to a resolution.

FAQ

Why does my 1080p request work but 4K fails?

The 1080p tier (about $0.470 / second) does not produce 4K. Native 4K requires the Seedance native 4K model, billed at about $4.90 per 5-second clip.

Am I charged for the failed 4K attempts?

No. According to relaydance.com, failed or errored requests are never billed.

Do I need a new SDK to switch models?

No. Set base_url to https://relaydance.com/v1 and keep your OpenAI SDK, then change the model in your request.