When analyzing video content, Gemini 3 Flash supports three media resolutions for uploaded videos: High, Medium and Low, which offer a balance of resolution versus cost (higher media resolution incurs greater token costs). The difference is substantial: a 30-minute evening news broadcast consumes 191,478 tokens at low resolution and 559,560 tokens at high resolution, leading to a daily cost per channel of 9.1M tokens ($36 with Gemini 3 Pro or $4.55 with Gemini 3 Flash) with Low resolution and 26.9M tokens ($107.6 with Gemini 3 Pro or $13.45 with Gemini 3 Flash). While it is astounding that it costs just $107 to tokenize an entire day of video for one of the most advanced AI reasoning models on the world (this doesn't count output and thinking costs), that still adds up when working at the scale of the TV News Archive. Thus, one of the most important questions is whether we see a major difference between the three resolutions when working with TV news content. The answer, as the results below demonstrate, is that at least for the typical workflows we use for TV news, there is no benefit to using the higher resolution tokenization for Gemini 3 Flash.

Let's start with this 6 minute clip of a Terminator tank on Russian television. Surprisingly, both Low and Medium resolution consume 37,081 tokens, while High consumes 108,361 tokens.

Describe this video in detail, assessing its contents, depictions, iconography, symbolism and purpose.

High Media Resolution

This video is a segment from a Russia 24 news report, likely for a program like "Krupnokalibernyy Perepolokh" (Large-Caliber Commotion), showcasing the BMPT-Terminator (Tank Support Fighting Vehicle).

Contents and Depictions

The report features a host with a beard and sunglasses who provides a detailed tour and explanation of the vehicle's design and combat capabilities.

• • • Function: He explains that the BMPT is designed to support tanks in urban and rugged terrain where tanks might be vulnerable to infantry with anti-tank weapons.

    • Technical Specs: The video uses graphic overlays to highlight key features:

      • Weight: 48 tons.

      • Armor: Heavy armor equivalent to 900mm against sub-caliber rounds on the front, with 450mm on the sides. It's equipped with Kontakt-5 dynamic protection.

      • Crew: 5 people, all staying inside a protected "armored capsule."

    • Armament: A major focus is the vehicle's diverse weaponry:

      • Twin 30mm 2A42 autocannons with a rate of fire up to 550 rounds/min.

      • Four 9M121 "Ataka-M" anti-tank missiles with a range of up to 6km.

      • Two AGS-17D automatic grenade launchers for clearing infantry.

      • One 7.62mm PKTM machine gun.

    • Combat Demonstration: The video shows the vehicle driving through fields and firing its autocannons at "targets"—which are abandoned and rusted BMP-1, BMP-2, and BMP-3 hulls. Camera shots from the interior show the gunner and commander stations, including digital displays and control joysticks.

Iconography and Symbolism

• • • State Media Branding: The "РОССИЯ 24" logo in the top right corner and the news ticker at the bottom signify that this is an official state-sponsored broadcast.

    • Military Power: The vehicle itself is a symbol of modern Russian military technology. The name "Terminator" and the host's admiring tone emphasize its destructive power.

    • Geopolitical Context: The news ticker and location tags (Simferopol, Lugansk, Donetsk, Mariupol) place the report within the context of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. These locations are in territories that Russia has occupied or claims to have annexed.

    • The "Z" Symbol: At 01:06 and 01:08, a white "Z" symbol is clearly visible on the side of one of the target BMPs. This symbol has become the primary pro-war emblem used by Russian forces during their invasion of Ukraine. Its presence on the target vehicles suggests they are meant to represent enemy equipment or are being used for propaganda purposes to show the destruction of "enemy" assets.

Purpose

The primary purpose of this video is military propaganda. It aims to:

1. 1. 1. Inform and impress the domestic Russian audience with the advanced capabilities of their military hardware.

      2. Project strength and technological superiority.

      3. Boost morale by showcasing a "state-of-the-art" weapon system being used in the current conflict.

      4. Justify military spending by demonstrating the perceived effectiveness of such vehicles on the modern battlefield.

Medium Media Resolution

A professional, detailed review of the Russian BMPT "Terminator" tank support fighting vehicle is presented in this video, likely from a Russian news or military-themed broadcast.

Contents and Depictions

The video's central figure is a male presenter, who provides a comprehensive overview of the BMPT "Terminator." He is seen both in front of and on top of the vehicle, as well as inside its cockpit.

The presenter explains the vehicle's role on the battlefield, which is to support tanks and engage a variety of targets, including infantry, lightly armored vehicles, and even low-flying aerial threats. He highlights several of its key technical features:

• • • Armor: The vehicle's heavy armor is discussed, including its 48-ton weight and defensive systems such as the Kontakt-5 and Relikt dynamic protection.

    • Armament: The BMPT is equipped with a formidable array of weapons, including twin 30mm 2A42 cannons, Ataka-M anti-tank guided missiles, 30mm AGS-17D automatic grenade launchers, and a 7.62mm PKTM machine gun.

    • Crew and Controls: The video provides a rare look inside the vehicle, showcasing the complex controls and monitors used by the crew. The presenter mentions that the crew consists of five people, who operate the vehicle entirely from within its protective armor.

The video includes footage of the BMPT in action, showing it firing its cannons and missiles in a training or demonstration environment. It also features drone-shot footage of the vehicle moving through a battlefield, as well as clips of it purportedly engaging targets in a real-world conflict.

Iconography and Symbolism

Several symbolic elements are present in the video:

• • • The "Terminator" Name: The vehicle's name is a clear reference to the iconic science-fiction movie character, symbolizing strength, resilience, and an unstoppable force.

    • "Z" Markings: Some of the target vehicles in the video, such as an older BMP-1, are marked with a white "Z." This symbol has become a prominent icon associated with the Russian military's actions in Ukraine.

    • "Rossiya 24" Branding: The presence of the "Rossiya 24" logo, a state-owned Russian news channel, identifies the source and likely perspective of the video.

    • The Presenter: His tactical attire and confident delivery are designed to convey expertise and a sense of pride in Russian military technology.

Purpose

The primary purpose of the video appears to be a promotional and informative piece showcasing Russian military capabilities. By highlighting the BMPT "Terminator's" advanced features and firepower, the video aims to project an image of technological superiority and military effectiveness.

The video could be seen as a piece of military propaganda, intended to bolster domestic support for the Russian military and to demonstrate its power to an international audience. It also serves as a technical showcase for those interested in military hardware and the specifics of modern armored warfare.

Low Media Resolution

The video is a television segment from the Russian state-owned news channel Rossiya 24, featuring a detailed review of the BMPT "Terminator" (Boyevaya Mashina Podderzhki Tankov), a tank support fighting vehicle.

Content and Depictions

The video follows a presenter who provides an in-depth technical and operational analysis of the BMPT. It is structured into several key segments:

1. 1. 1. Tactical Role: The presenter explains that tanks are often vulnerable in urban environments or rugged terrain where infantry can hide in upper floors of buildings with anti-tank weapons (RPGs/ATGMs). The BMPT is designed to accompany tanks and "clear" these threats using its high-volume fire.

      2. Armor and Protection: The vehicle is described as a "48-ton tank without a main gun." It uses a chassis based on the T-72/T-90 tanks, featuring heavy armor, Kontakt-5 explosive reactive armor (ERA), and side protection against cumulative (HEAT) rounds. The five-person crew sits in a protected armored capsule.

      3. Firepower Demonstration: The video shows the BMPT engaging targets in a field—specifically old hulls of BMP-1, BMP-2, and BMP-3 vehicles. It demonstrates the high rate of fire of its twin 30mm cannons and the accuracy of its targeting systems, filmed through both external cameras and internal gunner displays.

      4. Technical Specifications:

         • Main Armament: Twin 30mm 2A42 automatic cannons with a rate of fire up to 550 rounds per minute and high elevation angles for urban combat.

         • Guided Missiles: Four "Ataka-M" laser-guided anti-tank missiles with a range of 6km.

         • Secondary Weapons: Two AGS-17D automatic grenade launchers for clearing infantry in trenches and "dead zones," and a PKTM 7.62mm machine gun.

         • Optics: Advanced multi-channel sights including the "Sosna-U" and a commander's panoramic viewer.

      5. Interior Views: The presenter sits inside the vehicle to show the gunner and commander stations, highlighting the "Cheburashka" style control handles and digital displays used to manage the weapon systems.

Iconography and Symbolism

• • • Military Might: The vehicle itself, with its aggressive name ("Terminator") and bristling array of weapons, serves as a symbol of modern Russian military technology and industrial capability.

    • The "Z" Symbol: Several of the target vehicles in the field and some equipment feature the "Z" marking, which has become the primary symbol of Russian forces during the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

    • State News Branding: The "Rossiya 24" logo and news tickers (which include weather reports for cities like Sevastopol and Lugansk, and political headlines) frame the piece as official state information.

Tone and Purpose

The tone is highly professional yet casual, blending technical data with the presenter's enthusiastic commentary. The purpose of the video is three-fold:

• • • Educational/Informational: To explain the niche role of a specialized military vehicle to a domestic audience.

    • Propaganda: To demonstrate the effectiveness and superiority of Russian hardware, particularly its ability to "clean out" enemy infantry and destroy older armored vehicles.

    • Morale/Patriotism: By showcasing advanced weaponry being used in the context of the "Special Military Operation" (as mentioned by the presenter), the video seeks to project a sense of military confidence and technological edge.

Now let's try an OCR task. For the 1.5 minute Taliban video, Low and Medium resolutions consumed 11,743 tokens and High consumed 34,315:

Transcribe the full onscreen text from this video and translate into English.

High Media Resolution

Onscreen Text Transcription and Translation

00:00 – Title Card

• • • Pashto: ملی د افغانستان د خلکو رسنۍ

    • English: Milli, Afghanistan's People's Media

00:02 – Overlay

• • • Arabic: بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ

    • English: In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

01:44 – Background Sign

• • • Pashto: د اطلاعاتو او فرهنګ وزارت

    • Dari (Persian): وزارت اطلاعات و فرهنگ

    • English: Ministry of Information and Culture

    • English (Original): Government Media and Information Center

    • Number: ۱۳۸۷ (Solar Hijri year, approx. 2008-2009)

01:45 – Nameplate

• • • Pashto: مولوي ذبیح الله مجاهد

    • English: Mawlawi Zabihullah Mujahid

    • Pashto: سخنګوی امارت اسلامی افغانستان

    • English: Spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan

Scrolling Ticker Text (Starts at 00:00)

Pashto Original:
تجاوز په کلکو ټکو غندي او د خپل حریم څخه دفاع خپل حق ګڼي. د ډیورنډ کرښې په اوږدو کې د پاکستاني امنیتي ځواکونو په مرکزونو انتقامي بریالي عملیات د ولس له تود هرکلي سره مخ شول. الحمدلله د افغانستان په ټولو رسمي پولو او فرضي کرښه کې وضعیت تر بشپړ کنټرول لاندې دی، تر ډیره بریده د غیر قانوني کړنو مخه نیول شوې.

English Translation:
[The Islamic Emirate] condemns the aggression in strong terms and considers defending its sanctuary as its right. Successful retaliatory operations against Pakistani security forces' bases along the Durand Line were met with a warm welcome from the people. Alhamdullilah, the situation at all official borders and the imaginary line of Afghanistan is under full control, and illegal activities have been prevented to a great extent.

Medium Media Resolution

The following are the Pashto transcriptions and English translations of the onscreen text in the video.

Channel Branding and Identity

Logo/Name:

• • • Transcribed: ملي

    • Translated: National

Slogan:

• • • Transcribed: د افغانستان د خلکو رسنۍ

    • Translated: Afghanistan's people's media

Video Overlays and Labels

Opening Inscription (0:01):

• • • Transcribed: بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

    • Translated: In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

Speaker Identification (1:45):

• • • Transcribed: مولوي ذبیح الله مجاهد، د افغانستان اسلامي امارت ویاند

    • Translated: Mawlawi Zabihullah Mujahid, Spokesperson of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan

News Ticker (Bottom Scroll)

The following messages scroll across the bottom of the screen throughout the video:

• • • Transcribed: اسلامي امارت د افغانستان په حریم تجاوز په کلکو ټکو غندي او د خپل حریم څخه دفاع خپل حق ګڼي.

    • Translated: The Islamic Emirate strongly condemns the aggression on Afghanistan's territory and considers defending its territory its right.

    • Transcribed: د ډیورنډ کرښې په اوږدو کې د پاکستاني امنیتي ځواکونو په مرکزونو انتقامي بریالي عملیات د ولس له تود هرکلي سره مخ شول.

    • Translated: The successful retaliatory operations against Pakistani security forces' bases along the Durand Line were met with a warm welcome from the people.

    • Transcribed: امنیتي او دفاعي ځواکونه شپه او ورځ د خپلو خلکو د امنیت لپاره کار کوي او په قوي اراده د هېوادوالو د سر، مال او عزت ساتنه کوي.

    • Translated: Security and defense forces work day and night for the security of their people and protect the lives, property, and honor of their fellow citizens with strong determination.

    • Transcribed: الحمدلله د افغانستان په ټولو رسمي پولو او فرضي کرښه کې وضعیت تر بشپړ کنټرول لاندې دی. تر ډیره بریده د غیر قانوني کړنو مخه نیول شوې ده.

    • Translated: Alhamdulillah, the situation is under full control at all official borders and the imaginary line of Afghanistan. To a large extent, illegal actions have been prevented.

Low Media Resolution

Below is the Pashto and Dari transcription of the onscreen text in the video, followed by an English translation.

Pashto and Dari Transcription

National Logo and Slogan

• • • ملي (Milli)

    • د افغانستان د خلکو رسنی (D’Afghanistan d’Khalqo Rasani)

Scrolling Ticker (Bottom of Screen)

• • • د کونکو غندنه او د خپل حریم څخه دفاع خپل حق ګڼي. د ډیورنډ کرښې په اوږدو کې د پاکستاني امنیتي ځواکونو په مرکزونو انتقامي بریالي عملیات، ولس له تود هرکلي سره مخ شول. امنیتي او دفاعي ځواکونه شپه او ورځ د خپلو خلکو د امنیت لپاره کار کوي او په قوي اراده د هېوادوالو د سر، مال او عزت ساتنه کوي.

Press Conference Details (01:44)

• • • Background: مرکز اطلاعات و رسانه های حکومت (Government Media and Information Center)

    • Name Tag: مولوي ذبیح الله مجاهد، د افغانستان اسلامي امارت ویاند (Mawlawi Zabihullah Mujahid, Spokesman for the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan)

English Translation

National Logo and Slogan

• • • National

    • Afghanistan People's Radio and Television

Scrolling Ticker

• • • The IE (Islamic Emirate) condemns the attackers and considers defending its territory its right. Successful retaliatory operations on the bases of Pakistani security forces along the Durand Line were warmly welcomed by the people. Security and defense forces work day and night for the security of their people and protect the lives, property, and honor of their fellow citizens with strong determination.

Press Conference Details

• • • Background: Government Media and Information Center

    • Name Tag: Mawlawi Zabihullah Mujahid, Spokesman for the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan

How about a story cataloging task with a 30-minute evening news broadcast? As before, Low and Medium resolution both consume 191,478 tokens and High resolution consumes 559,560 tokens:

Make a table of contents of the stories described in this broadcast. For each story give it a title and brief description and list the timecode start and stop points of all points where it appears in the broadcast.

High Media Resolution

The following table of contents summarizes the news stories featured in this broadcast:

Medium Media Resolution

This broadcast from ABC World News Tonight with David Muir covers major national and international news, economic developments, and human-interest stories.

Low Media Resolution

This broadcast details several news items, focusing on the China Spy Balloon, an Arctic Blast in the Northeast US, and the Alex Murdaugh Trial.

Let's try the same prompt with a 6 minute clip of a Russian broadcast:

Make a table of contents of the stories described in this broadcast. For each story give it a title and brief description and list the timecode start and stop points of all points where it appears in the broadcast.

High Media Resolution

The following table provides a table of contents for the news broadcast, detailing each story's title, description, and segments.

Medium Media Resolution

Below is a table of contents for the news stories featured in this broadcast:

• • • Introduction (00:12 – 00:37): News anchor Yevgeny Rozhkov introduces the day's primary headlines.

    • Putin's International Women's Day Address (00:37 – 00:50, 02:47 – 04:42): President Vladimir Putin delivers a message of appreciation to the women of Russia.

    • National Women's Day Events (00:50 – 01:01, 02:22 – 02:47, 04:42 – 06:01): A look at how the holiday is being celebrated by various groups, including soldiers in Yekaterinburg and cosmonauts in space.

    • Ukraine Military Update (01:01 – 01:11): Reports on recent strikes on infrastructure in Odesa and Kharkiv and territorial shifts near Chasiv Yar.

    • US Political Developments (01:11 – 01:33): Joe Biden's annual address to the US Congress and Donald Trump's critical reaction to it.

    • European Farmer Protests (01:33 – 01:41): Polish farmers hold demonstrations at the German border to protest EU agricultural policies.

    • Nigeria Student Kidnapping (01:41 – 01:48): News of a mass abduction of nearly 300 students by bandits in Nigeria.

    • Capelin Fishing in the North (01:48 – 01:57): The start of a major fishing season for capelin in the Barents Sea.

    • Animal Census and Zoo Debut (01:57 – 02:06): A census of rare deer in the Nizhny Novgorod region and the first public appearance of the panda cub Katyusha.

    • "Everyone Singing Together" Finale (02:06 – 02:13): Highlights from the final episode of the popular musical competition show.

Low Media Resolution

This broadcast covers several news stories, beginning with a summary of the day's highlights before diving into detailed reports. Below is the table of contents for the stories featured:

1. International Women’s Day

• • • Description: Extensive coverage of International Women's Day celebrations in Russia, featuring a direct address from President Vladimir Putin to the women of the nation, as well as scenes of soldiers and citizens celebrating in various cities.

    • Timecodes: 00:37 – 01:00; 02:22 – 04:42; 04:42 – 06:00

2. Military Operations

• • • Description: Reporting on Russian military strikes targeting infrastructure in Odessa and Kharkiv, as well as developments on the front lines.

    • Timecodes: 01:01 – 01:11

3. Biden’s Address to Congress

• • • Description: Segments from U.S. President Joe Biden's address to Congress, including his remarks directed at Putin, and coverage of various gaffes during and after the speech, with reactions from Donald Trump.

    • Timecodes: 01:11 – 01:33

4. Polish Farmers’ Protest

• • • Description: Polish farmers continue their protest against EU policies, extending their demonstrations to the German border.

    • Timecodes: 01:33 – 01:41

5. Kidnappings in Nigeria

• • • Description: A report on the kidnapping of approximately 300 students from a school in Nigeria by armed bandits.

    • Timecodes: 01:41 – 01:48

6. Capelin Fishing in the Barents Sea

• • • Description: The start of the capelin fishing season (Putina) in the Barents Sea, with thousands of tons of fish already harvested.

    • Timecodes: 01:48 – 01:57

7. Deer Counting

• • • Description: Wildlife officials in the Nizhny Novgorod region conduct a census of rare spotted deer.

    • Timecodes: 01:57 – 02:02

8. Katyusha Panda's Public Appearance

• • • Description: The first public appearance of Katyusha, the young panda at the Moscow Zoo.

    • Timecodes: 02:02 – 02:06

9. "All Together in a Choir" Finale

• • • Description: A preview of the grand finale of the musical show "All Together in a Choir," where the winner is set to be determined.

    • Timecodes: 02:06 – 02:13