---
title: "Image, video and audio generation API"
description: "Generate images, submit and poll video jobs, and create or transcribe speech through Lazu with the same API key: request fields, results and errors."
source: https://lazu.ai/docs/endpoints/media
updated: 2026-10-02
---

# Images, video and audio

For images and video, query the [model catalog](https://lazu.ai/docs/models/catalog) with your key and inspect the exact endpoint, parameters and example. For audio, use the model-selection guidance below. Availability and options depend on the model and deployment; one model need not support all media types. Examples require Python 3 and the `requests` package (`python -m pip install requests`). Set `LAZU_API_KEY` and the model variables below.

## Generate an image

Set `LAZU_IMAGE_MODEL` to a model supporting `/v1/images/generations`. The response can include `data[].url` or `data[].b64_json`; handle the actual returned form. Size, quality and output format depend on the model. Do not assume generated URLs are permanent.

```python
import os
import requests

origin = os.environ.get("LAZU_API_ORIGIN", "https://api.lazu.ai").rstrip("/")
response = requests.post(origin + "/v1/images/generations",
    headers={"Authorization": "Bearer " + os.environ["LAZU_API_KEY"]},
    json={"model": os.environ["LAZU_IMAGE_MODEL"], "prompt": "A blue ceramic cup"},
    timeout=180)
response.raise_for_status()
print(response.json()["data"])
```

## Submit and poll a video

Set `LAZU_VIDEO_MODEL` to a model supporting `/v1/videos`. A successful submission returns HTTP 202 and a job ID. Poll the same job with the same key: `pending` and `running` are not final; `succeeded` provides artifact information, and `failed` includes an error. A local wait timeout does not cancel or fail the job. Save the ID and resume polling; do not submit another paid job just because the wait ended.

```python
import os
import time
import requests

origin = os.environ.get("LAZU_API_ORIGIN", "https://api.lazu.ai").rstrip("/")
headers = {"Authorization": "Bearer " + os.environ["LAZU_API_KEY"]}
response = requests.post(origin + "/v1/videos", headers=headers,
    json={"model": os.environ["LAZU_VIDEO_MODEL"], "prompt": "Ocean waves at sunrise"},
    timeout=180)
response.raise_for_status()
job_id = response.json()["id"]
print("Save job ID:", job_id, flush=True)
deadline = time.monotonic() + 600
while time.monotonic() < deadline:
    response = requests.get(origin + "/v1/videos/" + job_id,
                            headers=headers, timeout=30)
    if response.status_code in (429, 503):
        retry_after = response.headers.get("Retry-After", "5")
        delay = float(retry_after) if retry_after.isdecimal() else 5
        if delay >= deadline - time.monotonic():
            print("Still waiting; resume GET for job:", job_id)
            break
        time.sleep(max(1, delay))
        continue
    response.raise_for_status()
    job = response.json()
    if job["status"] == "succeeded":
        print(job.get("artifact", {}))
        break
    if job["status"] == "failed":
        raise RuntimeError(job.get("error", {"message": "Video failed"}))
    time.sleep(5)
else:
    print("Still waiting; resume GET for job:", job_id)
# A local timeout does not cancel the remote job. Keep job_id for later GETs.
```

## Generate speech or transcribe audio

Set `LAZU_AUDIO_MODEL` to a speech model and `LAZU_VOICE` to a supported voice. `/v1/audio/speech` returns binary audio, not JSON. For transcription, choose a compatible model and upload a local audio file to `/v1/audio/transcriptions` as multipart data. These are separate model capabilities.

The catalog currently has no speech/transcription endpoint types. Audio modality alone cannot identify either capability. Obtain the exact model ID, endpoint and supported voice from your deployment operator or Lazu support, and confirm that the model is accessible to your API key. Do not select these models by audio modality alone. Set `LAZU_TRANSCRIPTION_MODEL` to the confirmed transcription model and `LAZU_AUDIO_FILE` to your local audio path.

```python
import os
from pathlib import Path
import requests

origin = os.environ.get("LAZU_API_ORIGIN", "https://api.lazu.ai").rstrip("/")
headers = {"Authorization": "Bearer " + os.environ["LAZU_API_KEY"]}
response = requests.post(origin + "/v1/audio/speech", headers=headers,
    json={"model": os.environ["LAZU_AUDIO_MODEL"], "input": "Hello from Lazu",
          "voice": os.environ["LAZU_VOICE"], "response_format": "mp3"}, timeout=180)
response.raise_for_status()
Path("speech.mp3").write_bytes(response.content)
```

```python
import os
import requests

origin = os.environ.get("LAZU_API_ORIGIN", "https://api.lazu.ai").rstrip("/")
with open(os.environ["LAZU_AUDIO_FILE"], "rb") as audio:
    response = requests.post(origin + "/v1/audio/transcriptions",
        headers={"Authorization": "Bearer " + os.environ["LAZU_API_KEY"]},
        data={"model": os.environ["LAZU_TRANSCRIPTION_MODEL"]},
        files={"file": audio}, timeout=180)
response.raise_for_status()
print(response.json())
```

## Errors and results

On failure, preserve the request or job ID and inspect the error code. If submission times out before a job ID arrives, check the video job list (`GET /v1/videos`) or contact support before resubmitting. For a succeeded job, use `artifact.url` when available; if only `artifact.file_id` is returned, retrieve it through the [Files API](https://lazu.ai/docs/endpoints/files). Reconcile charges through [Billing](https://lazu.ai/docs/billing).

[API Explorer](https://lazu.ai/docs/api-reference)