Find your best Livegrade 7 setup for common to complex scenarios

Ever since Livegrade was first introduced, its purpose has been clear: to enable DITs to support cinematographers in all digital imaging tasks and provide a reliable preview of the film’s intended look. With the release of Livegrade 7, several aspects of the software and workflow have changed, including system architecture, enabling features and scenarios that weren’t possible before. Together, these changes can influence how you decide on your setup, including hardware and licensing options. Whether you’re new to Livegrade or a longterm user, this article guides both seasoned DITs and newcomers to choose the Livegrade 7 setup that best matches your production needs and activities on set. 

Part 1 focuses on common on-set scenarios that the standard edition can already cover, starting with a typical two-camera setup and scaling up to larger configurations, so you can understand the capabilities available without adding extras.

Part 2 explores how Livegrade 7’s optional modules expand functionality. We take a look at which scenarios each module addresses and what the corresponding hardware setup could look like. By comparing standard and extended setups, this section provides a clear view of what you really need for advanced or very specific production requirements, such as very large camera setups, VFX compositing, or streaming functionality.

Part 1: Why Livegrade 7’s standard edition might be all you need

The standard edition of Livegrade already includes a comprehensive set of features and might already cover most of your needs. Extensive hardware integrations allow direct control of look devices such as LUT boxes, cameras, and monitors, as well as seamless integration of video I/O devices on the DIT cart. Within the software, well-thought features support a DIT’s typical on-set activities: a comprehensive library for managing looks and reference stills, automatic SDI metadata readout, image analysis tools such as scopes, EL Zone, and false color, multi-view modes, node linking, markers, dual-pipeline looks, and an interactive router panel. The standard edition is designed to manage up to 8 camera signals, capture 4 feeds, and display independent, tailored views on 3 monitors simultaneously.

1. Inside a typical two-camera setup

We begin with a common two-camera workflow, exploring the hardware and demonstrating the standard procedure for configuring inputs and outputs in Livegrade’s slot manager, using this smaller setup as an example.

Here’s what a typical hardware setup could look like:

• 2 monitors: Displaying either a live signal, reference, playback, or a multi-view.
• 1 LUT box per camera signal: Processes the live camera feed to display a graded image on a monitor or passes it on to video village.
• 1 video input device per camera signal: Captures each camera’s SDI signal.
• 1 video output device per monitor: Feeds each monitor on the DIT cart with references, playback, multi-views, or filtered views.
• Grading panels and controllers: Provide quick access to the most important functionality of Livegrade, such as color grading the live signals.
• SDI router: Enables fast, flexible signal routing from the DIT cart.

Configuring inputs and outputs with the slot manager

The slot manager is very similar to the device manager in previous versions of Livegrade. It allows you to set up and manage your input slots (LUT boxes and camera feeds) as well as outputs in one place.

• For each camera signal, you create an input slot in Livegrade 7, add a LUT box as a look device, and assign a port of the video input device as the image source. 
• This enables you to provide graded images from both cameras for the video village, while simultaneously receiving the SDI streams in Livegrade, where you can also record them.
• To keep the monitors on the DIT cart as flexible as possible, for example, for using a multi-view or applying a filter, you make use of Livegrade’s ability to create multiple outputs.
• Create one output per monitor and assign each to a port on the video output device.

2. Scaling up to the largest possible setup

With its standard feature set, you can handle up to 8 camera signals, capture 4 camera feeds, and provide independent, tailored views on up to 3 monitors simultaneously.

In a maxed-out setup, you can:

• Use 4 of the 8 input slots to capture SDI image streams, while the remaining slots can receive a frame grab from an assigned look device.
• Use all 8 input slots to access multiple look devices, such as LUT boxes, cameras, and/or monitors.
• Use 3 outputs to feed video output devices with independent, tailored views.

3. Optimizing your workflow with SDI routers and controllers

In production, everything comes down to speed and efficiency. Working with Livegrade’s custom routing presets, and integrating physical controllers offers a significant productivity advantage. 

Interactive router control and routing configurations
With the interactive router control, you can instantly change the physical signal routing on your cart with a video router or video switcher – For example, displaying a LUT box output onto your monitors instead of the video output device. You can save these routing configurations and trigger them on the fly using Stream Deck or Tangent controller actions, making complex setups feel effortless. Livegrade integrates with various SDI routers from AJA and Blackmagic.

Tangent panels and Stream Deck devices
Livegrade integrates seamlessly with Tangent grading panels and Stream Deck devices. Once connected, you can use a comprehensive set of buttons and dials, giving you instant access to key functions, building muscle memory, and therefore significantly speeding up interaction with your entire DIT system.

4. What you can do with Livegrade’s standard feature set

Now that your hardware setup is good to go, Livegrade 7’s standard feature set gives you the tools to handle all major DIT tasks on set, whether it’s live grading, providing references, applying looks, supervising the pipeline, or sharing references, looks, and metadata. Here’s a closer look at what you can achieve.

Build the look pipeline
You can flexibly set up the look pipeline to ensure post-production specifications while staying aligned with industry standards. Saved looks can be exported in formats that work across platforms, as Livegrade uses grading modes with standard nodes like CDL and various curve tools. A comprehensive set of manufacturer LUTs and ACES transforms ensures compatibility with the most common cinema cameras.

Ensure correct exposure
For precise exposure control, several scopes provide you with a detailed reading of your images, while the EL Zone system and false color tools quickly show brightness ranges. These tools help you consistently support your DP’s decision-making by ensuring everything is on track.

Dynamically change the look
Respond to creative ideas or changing shooting conditions on the fly. Integrations with LUT boxes, monitors, and cameras let you adjust the look of live signals interactively. The fine-tuned look preview is immediately available to the crew at all times. 

Match live signals and maintain look consistency
As a live grading DIT, you’ll often focus on matching live signals and keeping the look consistent across the entire shoot. Multi-view modes make this central task easy by displaying multiple live signals and reference images in a single grid. You can freely configure these multi-views to work exactly the way you and your DP feel best supported.

Grade multiple signals and shots
The “Link Nodes” feature lets you adjust multiple camera signals at once. It also works for regrading multiple stored shots in the library. It not only guarantees purposeful and efficient adjustment of live signals, but also provides the most accurate preparatory work possible for dailies grading.

Create multiple tailored views
Displaying camera metadata, framelines, or a log image can be helpful but also distracting. With multiple outputs and configurable filters, you can display metadata, framing, or looks differently for each monitor or viewer. Adapt to individual needs without interrupting anyone’s workflow. Your crew will thank you for making their workflow smoother.

Collect data about your images
Livegrade helps you ensure all metadata is collected correctly with each shot, supporting post-production as comprehensively and reliably as possible. Automatic SDI metadata readouts, slot-specific and global metadata input masks, and the stages feature, which groups cameras into units, make data collection fast and accurate.

Build a visual memory
The shot library lets you collect looks, stills, and metadata throughout the entire shoot. You can browse, skim, and recall past looks and references, or research how individual shots were captured, giving your DP a powerful visual memory of the production.

Review and highlight what matters
Record-and-playback functionality lets you quickly check specific parts after each take and support developing a look for the entire scene. Additionally, setting markers helps highlight critical moments or frames for technical review or as look references, including notes and ratings. 

Sharing references, looks and metadata
You can share collected references, looks, and metadata for each scene in a well-organized package with downstream post departments. Paired with Silverstack Lab, look matching for dailies can be fully automated. You can also send stills— even via AirDrop— to the DP and other crew members to help maintain visual consistency across the project and further build on what has already been achieved.

Manage dual monitoring workflows for HDR/SDR
Dual pipeline looks support HDR productions by allowing two pipelines per camera while managing only one look per camera. You can decide which pipeline is applied on the look or output device, keeping complex workflows simple and efficient.

As you can see, Livegrade 7’s standard feature set already leaves you well-equipped to handle most live grading and digital imaging tasks. However, some productions go beyond these common workflows, with advanced requirements such as synchronized playback for your DP, VFX compositing previews, grading LED walls, streaming, or setups that exceed the standard edition’s input/output capabilities. This is where Livegrade 7’s purpose-built extension modules and flexible licensing come into play, keeping you in control without cumbersome workarounds and avoiding the need to invest in features you might only need occasionally.

Part 2: When to extend your Livegrade 7 setup with modules

Let’s walk through real-world scenarios that push beyond the standard workflow and explore how Livegrade 7’s optional modules help you handle them. 

Scenario 1: Your DP wants to review takes across cameras

If your DP needs to evaluate how multiple camera angles work together, or how camera movement and focus align with dialogue, reviewing a single feed isn’t enough. 

With the Multi-Playback and Audio module, you can:

• Record and playback multiple camera angles in sync. Playheads of input slots will be synced as soon as you load a group recording. Using the play controls within the viewer, JKL or controller actions, apply to all slots of the group.
• Include audio for timing-sensitive decisions. Record and playback streams from multiple audio devices to check how dialogue and camera movements interact.
• Define multiple in and out ranges while recording to highlight the relevant parts of the take. Playhead controls interact with these ranges. For example, you can set a clip to replay only within the set in and out ranges.
• Even run independent playbacks on different outputs. Let the DP review one take while you check another on your cart, without interfering with each other.

Scenario 2: You need to provide monitoring beyond the DIT cart

As productions grow, so do the monitoring needs. Your DP needs an independent monitoring setup in addition to the DIT cart, and other stakeholders may need access to the live-graded images or references.

With the Outputs and Streaming module, you can:

• Provide additional, tailored outputs for different viewers (up to 6 outputs, compared with 3 outputs in the standard edition). While your DP preps the next scene, you can continue fine-tuning shots from the previous location. Or supply any other roles, like the gaffer or art department, so they can contribute to the intended look.
• Manage multiple outputs efficiently. A dedicated “All Outputs” window layout allows you to see all outputs at a glance and configure them individually. Composite slots enable a static multi-view configuration for a specific output (for example, a quad view on a dedicated monitor). Quick routing actions let you switch to live signals or display the current viewer configuration on a specific output with a single click or Stream Deck action.
• Stream locally to mobile devices. Send low-latency live-graded feeds or references via a local network to your DP’s iPad on set for faster access anywhere on location. The free companion app, Livegrade Viewer, is available on the App Store for iPad and iPhone. 
• Enable remote viewing via internet streaming. Let producers, clients, or other stakeholders follow your DP’s creative work in real time, even from off-site.

Scenario 3: Your DP needs to check fore- and background separation for VFX in real time

When working with green or blue screens, a well-lit foreground that blends smoothly with the background in post-production is crucial. Live previews help your DP visualize how elements will come together and make confident on-set decisions.

The Key and Mix module enables you to:

• Key foreground elements to check spill and separation.
• Blend foreground and background into live composites using a dedicated composite slots (up to 3, not available in the standard edition) that combine two slots.
• Apply a blur filter to refine previews, either reducing the sharpness on the foreground or softening the background plate. 
• Record previews for further review or to user as a reference.

Scenario 4: You need to manage a large-scale production with more than 8 cameras

Some productions simply operate on a different scale. Whether it’s a cine-live production with more than 20 cameras or a large-scale feature: more cameras, more signals, more complexity of the monitoring setup.You’ll need to keep everything organized and under control without feeling overwhelmed.

With the I/O Pack module, you can:

• Handle live-grading for up to 50 cameras. Create up to 50 input slots (compared to 8 input slots in the standard edition) and keep track of them all with the help of a dedicated “Tiny” slot size in the Livegrade UI, even for large cine-live workflows.
• Record up to 6 SDI streams simultaneously. (Standard edition comes with 4 SDI streams).
• Expand your output setup for larger monitoring configurations. You can feed up to 6 individual SDI output devices and manage them with the previously mentioned dedicated “All outputs” window layout and quick routing actions (see Scenario 2).

Scenario 5: You need to balance colors on LED walls for virtual or cine-live productions

In virtual production and LED-based live environments image processing doesn’t stop at the camera. Whether ensuring a seamless blend in virtual production or perfectly balanced colors for a live show, using Livegrade, your DP can participate in controlling image processing and work with familiar tools to bring their creative intent across quickly.

The LED Processing and Control module allows you to:

• Integrate with a variety of processing hardware and software. Adjust LED wall content with supported systems such as Tessera processors (Brompton), HELIOS processors (Megapixel), MX series processors (NovaStar), Colorlight processors, and Disguise Designer.
• Adjust colors across multiple panels. Even calibrated LED walls at live-event locations may need fine-tuning to ensure a homogeneous image across panels and a balanced combination with other on-set or location light sources.
• Integrate with Unreal Engine via the Pomfort Virtual LUT Box plugin. Achieve a seamless blend of foreground and background with real-time CGI content displayed on the LED walls.

A few words on licensing options

Livegrade 7’s module licensing options is designed to adapt to your changing production needs. Here are some recommendations based on different usage pattern:

• You regularly need multiple modules throughout your subscription period but want flexibility. If your workflow often exceeds the standard features but you want to be flexible with every production, you can include one or more modules when purchasing a subscription or add them later via your Pomfort Account. You’re never locked into a specific module. Choose which modules are active and switch them on the fly using the software’s license manager.
• You need Livegrade 7 for a specific project but want flexibility. If your short-term project requires several modules, you can include them when purchasing a temporary license. You’re free to choose which modules are active and switch them at any time in the license manager, keeping your setup lean and flexible.
• You need a specific module only for a short-term task. If you already have a subscription or temporary license, you can add a module license as needed. You’ll receive a separate module license key that can be activated directly in the software.

To explore all options in detail visit the Pomfort Store.

Putting it all together: Start building your ideal Livegrade 7 setup

Livegrade 7 equips you to handle your workflow efficiently, starting with the standard feature set and expanding with optional modules for advanced or highly-specified needs. Flexible licensing lets you add only what you need, when you need it, so you never pay for features you won’t use. We hope this article helps you navigate what’s possible with Livegrade 7 and make confident choices for your next productions.

To plan your setup check out the Livegrade Slot Calculator for a precise overview of available input slots, outputs, and other slot types for each module compared to the standard edition. For operating Livegrade 7 dive into the Knowledge Base for step-by-step guidance.