Did This Video Assist iPad App Just Become a True Pro HDMI and SDI Video Monitor?

In the fast-moving world of video production, there are all types of innovations and updates. Many new improvements push the high-end in terms of budgets and technology, however, there are also plenty of innovations that unlock high-end functionality for smaller crews with fewer resources.The Video Assist iPad app has been a popular option for those looking to turn their iPads into working video monitors for their shoots. However, the app has been a bit limited without a lot of the features you’d find in stand-alone pro models.This new update for the Video Assist iPad app is set to give this iPad option a huge boost, though, as it will now include helpful features like LUTs, False Color, Zebras, Focus Peaking, and even ProRes Recording. Let’s explore what you need to know below.Video Assist iPad AppDesigned to allow shooters and creatives of all types to use their iPads as an external monitor and recording device with compatible USB Capture Cards, the Video Assist iPad app has unlocked the power to easily record videos or capture frame grabs from any HDMI or SDI video source.Users can review and capture video with the app’s built-in playback tools to get a feel for the editor or even scrub around to different points or add in and out points for takes with multiple actions. The app also offers an Automatic Record Trigger feature that is supported for all ARRI Alexa, RED, Sony Venice, Sony Burano, and Blackmagic Cameras via custom-built computer vision models. What’s been lacking, though has been some of the higher-end professional tools and features. Something that has now been added with this most recent update.Video Assist iPad App 2.0 UpdateWith this new 2.0 update, the Video Assist iPad app is getting a host of new tools and features. Here are the highlights: Compositing —Load Images or Videos from the Current Project or from an External File to be used as an overlay. Perfect for Matching Shots, Shooting Complex VFX Sequences, or Previewing a Client Logo On-Set. Composite over Live or Playback Video using different Blend Modes. Use the Fade, Wipe, or Transform Tools to do precise line ups.LUTs — Use the LUT Mix Feature to dial in the intensity of a LUT. Supports 3D LUTs via .cube files using 17x17x17 and 33x33x33 sizes.Focus Peaking — Supports Color and Luminance Overlays. The Luminance Overlay is sometimes referred to as ‘Peaking’ by Other Manufacturers.False Color — Supports ARRI, RED, and Atomos False Color Modes.Zebra Patterns— Customize the Low Value and High Value used to measure exposure. Colors can be tweaked to suit your preferences.Pinch to Zoom — Quickly zoom in on Live/Playback Video with a pinch, perfect to inspect details or preview framing of a close-up.Input Calibration — Some USB Capture Cards may introduce a color shift to the image; this is common in cheaper HDMI Capture Cards. Use Input Calibration to correct this color shift within Video Assist. Calibration applies to Live Video, Playback Video, Compositing, Frame Grabs, Video Thumbnails, and Frame Grab Thumbnails.Sidebar — Video Effects can be moved to the Sidebar for easy customization while viewing the Live/Playback Video Feed. All Video Effects can be in the Sidebar at once, making tweaks much quicker when using multiple Video Effects at the same time.Record Videos in ProRes — This is now possible as the Recording Pipeline has been rebuilt from the ground up. Supports ProRes 422 Proxy, ProRes 422 LT, ProRes 422, and ProRes 422 HQ. The update also makes some major improvements (like the aforementioned Record Trigger for the Sony Burano) as well as a new Video Pipeline to run via Apple’s Metal Framework.Price and AvailabilityThe Video Assist iPad app is available to download on your iPad devices for free. However, to unlock the majority of these new features, you’ll need to upgrade to the Pro plan for $199.99.

Mar 25, 2025 - 20:19

Did This Video Assist iPad App Just Become a True Pro HDMI and SDI Video Monitor?

In the fast-moving world of video production, there are all types of innovations and updates. Many new improvements push the high-end in terms of budgets and technology, however, there are also plenty of innovations that unlock high-end functionality for smaller crews with fewer resources.

The Video Assist iPad app has been a popular option for those looking to turn their iPads into working video monitors for their shoots. However, the app has been a bit limited without a lot of the features you’d find in stand-alone pro models.

This new update for the Video Assist iPad app is set to give this iPad option a huge boost, though, as it will now include helpful features like LUTs, False Color, Zebras, Focus Peaking, and even ProRes Recording. Let’s explore what you need to know below.

Video Assist iPad App

Designed to allow shooters and creatives of all types to use their iPads as an external monitor and recording device with compatible USB Capture Cards, the Video Assist iPad app has unlocked the power to easily record videos or capture frame grabs from any HDMI or SDI video source.

Users can review and capture video with the app’s built-in playback tools to get a feel for the editor or even scrub around to different points or add in and out points for takes with multiple actions. The app also offers an Automatic Record Trigger feature that is supported for all ARRI Alexa, RED, Sony Venice, Sony Burano, and Blackmagic Cameras via custom-built computer vision models.

What’s been lacking, though has been some of the higher-end professional tools and features. Something that has now been added with this most recent update.

Video Assist iPad App 2.0 Update

With this new 2.0 update, the Video Assist iPad app is getting a host of new tools and features. Here are the highlights:

Compositing —Load Images or Videos from the Current Project or from an External File to be used as an overlay. Perfect for Matching Shots, Shooting Complex VFX Sequences, or Previewing a Client Logo On-Set. Composite over Live or Playback Video using different Blend Modes. Use the Fade, Wipe, or Transform Tools to do precise line ups.
LUTs — Use the LUT Mix Feature to dial in the intensity of a LUT. Supports 3D LUTs via .cube files using 17x17x17 and 33x33x33 sizes.
Focus Peaking — Supports Color and Luminance Overlays. The Luminance Overlay is sometimes referred to as ‘Peaking’ by Other Manufacturers.
False Color — Supports ARRI, RED, and Atomos False Color Modes.
Zebra Patterns— Customize the Low Value and High Value used to measure exposure. Colors can be tweaked to suit your preferences.
Pinch to Zoom — Quickly zoom in on Live/Playback Video with a pinch, perfect to inspect details or preview framing of a close-up.
Input Calibration — Some USB Capture Cards may introduce a color shift to the image; this is common in cheaper HDMI Capture Cards. Use Input Calibration to correct this color shift within Video Assist. Calibration applies to Live Video, Playback Video, Compositing, Frame Grabs, Video Thumbnails, and Frame Grab Thumbnails.
Sidebar — Video Effects can be moved to the Sidebar for easy customization while viewing the Live/Playback Video Feed. All Video Effects can be in the Sidebar at once, making tweaks much quicker when using multiple Video Effects at the same time.
Record Videos in ProRes — This is now possible as the Recording Pipeline has been rebuilt from the ground up. Supports ProRes 422 Proxy, ProRes 422 LT, ProRes 422, and ProRes 422 HQ.

The update also makes some major improvements (like the aforementioned Record Trigger for the Sony Burano) as well as a new Video Pipeline to run via Apple’s Metal Framework.

Price and Availability

The Video Assist iPad app is available to download on your iPad devices for free. However, to unlock the majority of these new features, you’ll need to upgrade to the Pro plan for $199.99.