AI Video Platform Speeds Training and Cuts Cloud Costs

Captions is pioneering foundation models for AI video. With rapid growth and increasingly large model runs, the company needed to stream massive training datasets from object storage to globally distributed compute environments. High egress fees and inflexible region constraints from a prior provider created inefficiencies for a team moving toward training with H100 clusters.

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After a competitive bakeoff with other providers, Backblaze B2 Overdrive won out for its superior throughput, cost predictability, and flexibility. Key drivers included direct peering with GPU compute partners for fast, zero-cost transfers; free cloud replication for multi-region caching of training sets for geographically distributed compute, and white glove support with real-time help and fast response times during testing and production.

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In production, Captions achieved a technical win: high-speed data transfer, seamless integration via the S3 compatible API, cost projections showing up to 95% savings compared to their previous solution, and performance that exceeded expectations with better pricing predictability and support.