Blackmagic Design Cloud Store 20TB

Cloud Store | 20TB

Extremely high performance 20TB network storage with built in Ethernet switch, 4 x 10G Ethernet ports, 2 x 1G Ethernet ports, Dropbox sync for distributing files globally and redundant RAID 5 design.

The Blackmagic Cloud Store is a very fast high capacity network disk that's designed to handle large media files used on Hollywood feature films. The design uses advanced flash memory so it easily handles lots of simultaneous users. Plus it's extremely easy to set up. With Dropbox live sync, files can be distributed between multiple units globally for very fast local file access, even on lower cost internet connections. Unlike SAN systems, you don't need IT consultants and there are no subscription fees. There's even an HDMI monitor output with real time storage status. All this means you get much better features than discount storage products sold at office supply stores.

Designed for Film and Television

Blackmagic Cloud Store is the perfect network storage solution for any use. But it's perfect for film and television where large media files need to be shared between multiple users for editing, color correction, audio post and VFX work. It even handles massive 12K Blackmagic RAW digital cinema files. Each user gets zero latency and they don't need to store files on their local computer. It's the perfect solution for DaVinci Resolve. Dropbox sync allows multiple disks to be synchronized in different locations globally. Then each location gets the fastest editing experience possible. That’s critical for multicam editing where multiple media files are playing simultaneously.

Portable and Quiet Design

Unlike IT industry storage products that are rack mounted and have loud cooling fans, the Blackmagic Cloud Store is an elegant vertical design that's portable. It's also whisper quiet so it can be used on location. Internally it has an array of flash memory cards working in parallel for speed and data protection. There are even 2 redundant power supplies. The four 10G Ethernet ports operate as a switch so you can connect four separate computers, or they work together using "link aggregation" for a massive 40G Ethernet speed. There is also an HDMI monitoring output so you can watch a live graphic view of the storage operating on a TV or monitor. It can even be maintained and repaired.

Flash Memory Allows Multiple Simultaneous Users

The Blackmagic Cloud Store is available in 20 TB, 80 TB and massive 320 TB models, so you have lots of space for all your business files and video media. With video the standard for information delivery in business, that's enough capacity to store all your media in a single location on your network. M.2 flash memory cards are used for extreme reliability, high access speeds and zero seek times. Plus the M.2 cards are arranged in parallel RAID 5 groups so they can operate much faster than a single card. That ensures massive speed combined with fault tolerance. If a faulty M.2 card is detected, the cloud store will automatically enter read only, so you can still access your files.

High Performance for Digital Film Files

With 4 separate very high speed 10G Ethernet connections, Blackmagic Cloud Store is extremely fast. The internal memory core has been designed to saturate all four 10G Ethernet ports to their theoretical maximum speed, all at the same time. It’s so fast, most computers cannot keep up. Plus file access is very low latency, so responsiveness is fast. That’s possible because of the massive parallel processing used by the memory core. At maximum speed, the Blackmagic Cloud Store is extremely quiet with very little cooling fan noise. Even when editing large 12K digital film RAW files. It’s so fast, multicam editing is incredibly smooth, even if it’s used with massive digital film camera files.

Sync to Dropbox

Now you can setup a local cache of your Dropbox files. This makes working much faster because files are instantly available without needing to be loaded from the internet. Blackmagic Cloud Store will constantly work to stay in sync. Plus you can also save space on your computer by moving cached Dropbox files to the Blackmagic Cloud Store so they are accessible to everyone on your local network. You can even sync multiple Blackmagic Cloud Stores via Dropbox so people in different geographic locations can collaborate without latency because everyone has a local copy of the files. Dropbox is also a fantastic backup solution.

Add Cloud Service

Make sure your Blackmagic Cloud Store is connected to the internet. Enter in your Dropbox account details, so the Cloud Store can get access to allow sync.

Set Sync Folders

Next you need to set the sync folders. That tells the Blackmagic Cloud Store where to sync its files to the remote Dropbox. You can have multiple sync folders for different jobs.

Set Sync Direction

Now set the sync direction. One direction is good when you have local files you want to share, but not enough room for everyone’s files. Both directions means everyone gets the same set of files.

Distribute Files Globally

With support for Dropbox sync, you can use multiple Blackmagic Cloud Store units to share files globally. That’s extremely important when working with large datasets or massive digital film and video files. These files need to be constantly accessed dozens of times a second, so most internet connections are too slow to handle it. While the internet has too much latency to access large files remotely, you can use it to sync these files. Syncing the files to local storage totally eliminates delays in accessing them. That's because everyone has a local copy of the files on their network. Blackmagic Cloud Store will constantly sync files, even if your computer is turned off.

Real Time Monitoring

The most exciting feature is the HDMI monitoring output. Simply connect a TV or monitor to see live status of the Blackmagic Cloud Store. The storage map shows a graphic representation of the memory core and where the read and write access is happening for the connected users. It’s quite mesmerizing to watch. There are also four graphs that show you the data transfers on the four main 10G Ethernet connections. The main space indicator shows you the capacity of the memory core and how much is currently used. You can also add a custom name to the store. The status for each Dropbox connection is also shown. It's even possible to see connected users and the power supply status.

Redundant Design for Mission Critical Use

The Blackmagic Cloud Store saves files in a RAID 5 array of M.2 flash memory cards, ensuring protection of your data. Although the flash memory used in Blackmagic Cloud Store is extremely reliable, using RAID 5 adds extra protection. RAID 5 means every 6th M.2 card is used for parity. The parity card holds error correction data that can then be used to rebuild the files after replacing an M.2 card. Plus the Blackmagic Cloud Store memory will automatically wear level, avoiding excessive data writes to the same location. It even has dual power supplies so it will keep operating if a power supply fails. All parts are common, allowing the Blackmagic Cloud Store to be repaired.

High Performance 10G Ethernet Switch

The Blackmagic Cloud Store has four high speed 10G Ethernet ports, which are only found on expensive workstation computers. With 10G Ethernet, you get 10 times the speed of regular Ethernet. Plus most computers can be upgraded to add 10G Ethernet. The Blackmagic Cloud Store is so fast, it will run each 10G Ethernet port to its maximum capacity. Even when running all four 10G Ethernet ports at the same time. With a built in Ethernet switch, each port can be plugged into a separate computer, or they can be used together for 40G Ethernet. The Ethernet also features very low latency for fast access times. Two extra 1G Ethernet ports let you keep the 10G Ethernet ports free for faster computers.

Connect via USB-C for Quick File Access

Modern laptop computers are so thin, they often don't even have an Ethernet connection. That means you need an adapter to connect to an Ethernet network. These adapters are annoying and they make it harder to just plug your computer into the storage to grab a file. Blackmagic Cloud Store has a USB-C to Ethernet adapter built in and you can access it simply by plugging your computer into the USB-C port on the store. Plus USB-C cables are much nicer than stiff Ethernet cables. Once you have connected the Blackmagic Cloud Store USB-C connection to your computer, you have an Ethernet connection to the store. That means you can just plug in to quickly grab files when you need them urgently.

Supports Local Backup and Ingest via USB-C Disks

The two USB-C ports on the Blackmagic Cloud Store can be used for loading and backup of files. If you connect a media card reader or a USB-C disk to the ingest port, then all files on that disk will be loaded into the cloud store. This means you don't need to tie up computers just to load files. Backup is also important and while Dropbox is a good backup solution, by connecting a USB disk to the backup port, you can do local backups without any ongoing costs and with total privacy. It works with a USB-C disk, or even large USB-C disk arrays. The latest files will be loaded first and the Blackmagic Cloud Store will keep backing up for as long as the disk is connected.

Repairable Design for Long Life

Blackmagic Cloud Store is easy to repair by a service engineer, even though it’s not a rack mount design. The design is based on a core chassis that attaches all memory PCBs and power supplies. This means various assemblies can be unbolted from the core chassis and replaced. The memory core is made up of M.2 cards arrayed on interface PCBs, with each M.2 card represented by a fault LED so you can identify and replace a card. Plus Cloud Store runs Blackmagic OS and applies wear leveling, so each M.2 card won't see excessive data writes. You can see any card faults on the utility and the HDMI monitor output. The utility also lets you run a rebuild on the memory core once a card is replaced.

No Subscription Costs

One of the big advantages of Blackmagic Cloud Store is that it’s private storage that you fully control. There are no subscriptions to sign up for. There are no monthly license fees. There is no tracking of your usage or data. You don't even need to log into a web page to maintain the storage settings, because Blackmagic Cloud Store uses a free to download software utility that runs on Mac and Windows. That means you can run a private network, totally disconnected from the internet. This is critical for many security standards where computer networks cannot be connected to the external internet. With Blackmagic Cloud Store, you get enterprise level performance, but with total freedom.

Free Software for Mac and Windows

When you need to change settings, you can use the Blackmagic Cloud Store utility that's available on Mac and Windows. By default, the Blackmagic Cloud Store is set to DHCP, so you can connect it to your network and start transferring files. In many ways, it plugs in just like a regular hard disk. That means it's so easy to setup, you won't need an IT person to get started. However if you want to customize your network, then the utility software lets you change the network settings in the cloud store. The utility also lets you add Dropbox sync folders. If you ever replace M.2 memory cards, then the utility also lets you run a rebuild on the memory core.

Perfect Multi Camera Video Production

Now you can revolutionize multi camera production by recording studio cameras into the cloud store via HyperDeck Extremes. Each HyperDeck Extreme will record each ISO camera direct into the store. That's the perfect DaVinci Resolve multicam editing solution. DaVinci Resolve is a free download so you can add as many users as you need. HyperDeck Extreme can record ProRes, H.265 or DNx video formats into the cloud store using its high speed 10G Ethernet connection. You can even install an M.2 cache into HyperDeck Extreme to handle the network chaos of multiple users simultaneously editing while you record a large number of cameras into the cloud store, all at the same time.

Exciting Alternative Models

Blackmagic Design has a wide range of network storage options, depending on your needs. The Blackmagic Cloud Store Mini has a rack mount design that's affordable and portable. It features four internal M.2 cards in a RAID 0 configuration so it can sustain the maximum possible speed on its 10G Ethernet port. The Blackmagic Cloud Pod allows any USB disk to be shared on your network. That means you can use just the USB disks you already have. Blackmagic Cloud Pod is the lowest cost option for network storage. It features a 10G Ethernet connection so it’s extremely fast. All models support Dropbox sync and the HDMI monitoring output.