Blackmagic Cloud Store User manual
Blackmagic
Cloud Store
Blackmagic Cloud Store
Blackmagic Cloud Store Mini
Blackmagic Cloud Pod
July 2022
Operation Manual
Welcome
Thank you for purchasing your Blackmagic Cloud Store.
The Blackmagic Cloud Store is a very fast high capacity network storage solution
that’sdesigned 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!
The Blackmagic Cloud Store Mini has a portable rack mount design and features four
internal M.2 cards in a RAID 0 configuration so it can sustain the maximum possible
speed on its 10G Ethernet port.
Blackmagic Cloud Pod allows any USB disk to be shared on your network. That means
you can use the USB disks you already have!
This instruction manual shows you how to get started with Blackmagic Cloud Store.
Check the support page on our website at www.blackmagicdesign.com for the latest
version of this manual and for updates to your Blackmagic Cloud Store’s internal
software. When downloading the software, be sure to register with your information
sowe can keep you updated when new software is released.
We are continually working on new features and improvements, so we are keen to
hear from you!
Grant Petty
CEO Blackmagic Design
English
Contents
Introducing Blackmagic Cloud Store 5
Blackmagic Cloud Store Mini 5
Blackmagic Cloud Pod 5
Getting Started 6
Plugging in Power 6
Connecting to a Network 7
What is 10G Ethernet? 7
Accessing Storage 7
Monitoring 8
Adding Syncs 8
Setting Date and Time 8
Sign into Dropbox and Google Drive 8
Sync Folder and Direction 9
Ingest and Backup 10
HDMI Monitor Output 11
Storage Map 11
Cloud Sync Panel 12
User Activity Panel 12
Data Rate Graphs 12
Hardware Panel 13
Error Messages 13
Ejecting your Cloud Store 14
Blackmagic Cloud Store Setup 14
Home Screen 15
Settings 15
Setup 15
Storage 17
Cloud Sync 17
Proxy Generator 18
Adding Watch Folders 19
Setting the Format 20
Managing Proxy Files 20
Formatting USB Drives 21
Formatting Drives on a Mac 21
Formatting Drives in Windows 22
Updating the Internal Software 22
Help 23
Regulatory Notices 24
Safety Information 25
Warranty 26
4Blackmagic Cloud Store
Introducing Blackmagic Cloud Store
The Blackmagic Cloud Store is a very fast high capacity network disk designed to handle large
media files. Using advanced flash memory, Blackmagic Cloud Store handles many simultaneous
users and is available in various storage capacities. With live sync, files can be distributed
between multiple units globally for very fast local file access, even on lower cost internet
connections. Blackmagic Cloud Store includes four 10G Ethernet connections with Ethernet
switch, RAID 5 data protection and redundant power supplies.
Blackmagic Cloud Store Mini
The Blackmagic Cloud Store Mini is a fast network storage solution in a compact rack mount
design with 8 TB of flash memory. It features a high speed 10G Ethernet connection and four
internal M.2 flash memory cards operating in parallel RAID 0 for fast file access.
Blackmagic Cloud Pod
The Blackmagic Cloud Pod lets you turn any USB-C disk into network storage. For example,
sharing a media disk recorded on a camera with multiple users on your network.
5Introducing Blackmagic Cloud Store
Getting Started
To get started with your Blackmagic Cloud Store, all you need to do is plug in power
andconnect to a network.
Plugging in Power
Connect power to Blackmagic Cloud Store using a standard IEC power cable.
When power is connected, a soft light will illuminate
from the underside of the unit
On Blackmagic Cloud Pod, connect power using
the supplied 12V DC power adapter
6Getting Started
Connecting to a Network
For the fastest file transfer speeds, connect a 10G Ethernet connector
fromyourcloudstoretoaporton your 10G network switch. We
recommendusing CAT 6A Class E or F network cables for longer cable
runs. If you havea 1G network switch, connect using your cloud store’s
1GEthernetconnector.
What is 10G Ethernet?
10G Ethernet is a very fast Ethernet connection used in the latest Ethernet
switches capable of transferring data at up to 10 Gb/s. 10G Ethernet is
perfect for video workflows where files are typically very large.
1G Ethernet connectors are provided for slower connections such as the
internet or slower computers. They are part of your cloud store’s built in
Ethernet switch and help keep the faster 10G ports free.
TIP If your computer does not have a 10G Ethernet port but has a Thunderbolt 3 port,
you can plug in using a Thunderbolt 3 to 10G Ethernet adapter. This means you will get
faster transfer speeds than you would via a 1G Ethernet port. These adapters are also
available as PCIe cards that you can install in your computer.
Accessing Storage
To access storage on a Mac computer:
1 Open Finder and click on ‘network’ in the sidebar menu.
2 Double click on your Blackmagic Cloud Store in the list.
3 Now double click on internal storage.
Your Blackmagic Cloud Store will now appear in the locations sidebar.
To access storage on a Windows computer:
1 Click on the ‘Network’ menu item in File Explorer sidebar. You will see your Blackmagic
Cloud Store listed.
2 Double click on your cloud store and a Windows security dialog box will appear
askingfor network credentials.
3 Set the username and password to ‘guest’.
NOTE If your computer fails to connect, your cloud store may belong to a
Windows workgroup. Use ‘workgroup\guest’ as your username and ‘guest’ as
your password to log into your storage.
4 Click ‘OK’.
You will now see your cloud store in the File Explorer window and can access the storage like
anyother network drive.
Alternatively, you can access your storage from the setup utility. On a Mac computer click the
‘Show in Finder’ button. On a Windows computer this button is ‘Show in File Explorer’.
7Getting Started
Monitoring
The HDMI monitor output lets you see the status of your cloud store in real time. Simply plug
in a TV or monitor. You can see a storage map, speed graphs, sync, active users and power
status. For more information, refer to the ‘HDMI monitor output’ section.
That’s all there is to getting started! Keep reading this manual for information about how to
syncto your online services, set sync folders and direction, plug in USB drives and more.
Adding Syncs
The first step to adding syncs is to download and install Blackmagic Cloud Store Setup from the
Blackmagic Design support center at www.blackmagicdesign.com/support
After installing the software, launch Blackmagic Cloud Store Setup and click on the settings icon
to open the settings for your cloud store. The sync settings are located in the ‘cloud sync’ tab.
Setting Date and Time
Cloud services such as Dropbox or Google Drive require the correct date and time to sync to
your Blackmagic Cloud Store. By default, your cloud store will use the Cloudflare NTP server to
automatically set thedate and time.
To sync your online account with Blackmagic Cloud Store all you need to do is sign into your
online account using the cloud sync settings, set the folder you want to sync to and set the sync
direction.
Sign into Dropbox and Google Drive
1 Click on the ‘sign in’ button for the Dropbox or Google Drive account. Asign in window
will appear.
2 Sign into Dropbox or Google Drive.
8Adding Syncs
A confirmation message will indicate that you have successfully connected.
Iftheconnection failed, check your computer is connected to the Internet.
3 Click ‘close’.
Sync Folder and Direction
1 You will now see the ‘add sync’ button enabled. Click on the button to open the
‘addsync location’ window.
2 Name the sync location and click on the folder icons to point to your desired sync
folders. These would typically share the same name.
3 Select the sync direction. For example, if you are syncing to Dropbox and you want to
sync files from your cloud store to Dropbox but not from Dropbox to your cloud store,
select ‘from cloud store to Dropbox’.
4 Click ‘add’.
Your online server account is now synced to your Blackmagic Cloud Store.
9Adding Syncs
Status indicators provide information about the sync process
The sync arrows show the sync direction. A blue arrow shows that data is being sent
from your cloud store and a yellow arrow shows that data is being received. If data
is being sent and received at the same time, then a blue and yellow arrow will be
displayed. A gray arrow indicates when data is not being synced in that direction.
The percentage figure to the right of the sync arrows shows the current status of the
syncprogress.
Click on the ‘edit sync’ indicator to change the sync folder name and location.
Click on this indicator to delete the sync location. In the confirmation dialog box,
click‘continue’ to confirm or ‘cancel’ to abort the deletion.
Ingest and Backup
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, thenall fileson that disk
will be loaded into the cloud store.
Backup is also important and while online services are a good backup solution, byconnecting
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 andthe Blackmagic Cloud Store will keep backing up for as long as the
diskisconnected.
10Ingest and Backup
HDMI Monitor Output
The monitor output provides a comprehensive overview of the storage status, plus all user
activity in real time. This section of the manual includes information about the different panels
and graphs.
Storage Map
The storage map shows a graphic representation of the memory core and where the read and
write access is happening for the connected users.
The cells represent storage sectors being written to and read. Each cell will change color as
it fills with data, for example a cell will start gray to represent an empty sector then change to
purple and brighten as it fills with data.
The orange cells represent data being written and the blue cells represent data being read.
11HDMI Monitor Output
Cloud Sync Panel
The cloud sync panel shows all the syncs you have added. Blue arrows indicate data is being
synced to your online folder and the orange arrows indicate data syncing from your online
folder toyour Blackmagic Cloud Store.
Storage space indicators are visible under the online location name and the panel will expand
asmore syncs are added.
User Activity Panel
This panel shows all connected users and their data being synced. Forexample, the panel
identifies the user and the speed of their connection. Read and write activity is displayed
together with a continuously updating graph with a 60 second activity history.
Data Rate Graphs
The data rate graphs display the read and write data rate over a 6second period.
Orangeinformation represents data being written and blue represents data being read.
12HDMI Monitor Output
Hardware Panel
This panel displays the cell size for each sector on the storage map.
USB drives plugged into Blackmagic Cloud Pod will also appear here. The power supply
indicators display the status for AV and DC power inputs.
The Internet icon confirms your cloud store is connected to the Internet so syncs can
beperformed.
Error Messages
This section shows the different error messages that may appear in the hardware panel and
what they represent.
Sync Errors
No Internet Check that your Internet is connected.
You have been logged out of your online
folder
This may appear when your online folder has been connected for
a long period of time and has automatically disconnected. All you
need to do is log back into your online account using the cloud
sync settings in the Blackmagic Cloud Store Setup utility.
Cannot connect to online server This can appear if there is a problem with your Internet connection.
Check that your Internet is connected and your network settings
are correct.
Invalid online login information This may happen if your credentials have been changed for your
online account. To solve this error, simply log back into your
account using the Blackmagic Cloud Store Setup utility.
Disk is full Your cloud store’s internal storage is full and you will need to
delete files to make room.
Storage is full Your online account has run out of space and you will need
todelete some files to make space to enable syncs.
Cannot find online sync folder This can happen when the sync folder has been deleted or
renamed.
Set to read only Your cloud store has been set to read only mode. Disable read
only mode using the setup utility.
Disk Errors
Disk Error
Unable to connect to drive in USB-C DISK 1
The USB disk plugged into port 1 is not formatted using exFAT
or HFS formats. You can format the disk using a Mac or Windows
computer. Refer to the ‘formatting USB drives’ section.
No Local Drive Attached
Connect drive via USB-C
This will appear if there is no USB drive plugged into
BlackmagicCloud Pod.
Disk Failure
Replace disk 1
Blackmagic Cloud Store Mini has 4 internal disks in a RAID
formatand in the rare event a disk fails, an error message will
report the disk number. The example shows that disk 1 has failed
and needs to be replaced.
13HDMI Monitor Output
Disk Requires Format
Format disk via Cloud Store Setup
After replacing a disk in Blackmagic Cloud Store Mini you will
beprompted to format the disk using the Blackmagic Cloud
StoreSetuputility.
Disk Failure
Replace disk B5
In Blackmagic Cloud Store, the internal storage disks are
arrangedin banks. In the rare event a disk fails, this error will
identify the bank and slot number.
Disk Requires Rebuild
Rebuild disk via Cloud Store Setup
After replacing a disk in Blackmagic Cloud Store, rebuild the disk
array using the Blackmagic Cloud Store Setup settings. This will
recover the RAID so you can continue working without losing data.
Disk Error
Unable to connect to drive in USB-C BACKUP
This will appear if the USB drive plugged into the backup
connector has not been formatted using exFAT or HFS formats.
Refer to the ‘formatting USB drives’ section for more information.
Ejecting your Cloud Store
You can eject the Blackmagic Cloud Store the same way you would eject a USB drive on your
computer’s operating system. For example, once you have started writing and reading files
on aMac, an ‘eject’ icon will appear next to the Blackmagic Cloud Store’s name in the Finder
sidebar. Simply click on the eject icon and your cloud store will be ejected. This makes sure no
new files are written and you can safely remove the drive.
If there are multiple users accessing the drive on your network and you need to power the
unit down, or disconnect from the network, it’s important that each user ejects the Blackmagic
Cloud Store from their computer.
Blackmagic Cloud Store Setup
The Blackmagic Cloud Store Setup utility contains all the settings for your Blackmagic Cloud
Store including naming the unit and updating the internal software.
Download the latest Blackmagic Cloud Store software from the Blackmagic Design Support
Centre at: www.blackmagicdesign.com/support
14Blackmagic Cloud Store Setup
Home Screen
The home screen is the primary page you will see when you launch the software. All connected
Blackmagic Cloud Store units on your network are accessible and if you have more than one
unit connected, you can select the desired unit by clicking on the left or right arrows.
The indicators at the bottom of the home screen display the total storage capacity, amount of
space used, the network connection status, plus the current maximum data rate. If the number
representing space used is purple you can read and write to the storage. If the number is blue
then storage access is set to ‘read only’.
The icons near the unit’s name indicate when the unit is connected to your computer via
Ethernet or USB. Click on the settings icon to open the settings for your cloud store.
Settings
The settings in Blackmagic Cloud Store Setup are arranged in three tabs. These include ‘setup’,
‘cloudsync’ and ‘storage’.
Setup
Setup settings let you change the name of your cloud store, set the date and time, change
network settings and displays the current version of your cloud store’s internal software.
15Settings
Name
Naming your Blackmagic Cloud Store is helpful if you have more than one unit connected
toyour network and you need to identify them individually.
Language
Use the language setting to change the language used on the HDMI monitor output.
Software
Displays the current version of your cloud store’s internal software.
Date and Time
You can set your Blackmagic Cloud Store’s date and time automatically using network time protocol.
To set the date and time automatically using network time protocol select the checkbox.
Thiswill use the default Google NTP server, but you can also set it manually.
To set the date and time manually, deselect the checkbox and use the contextual menus.
Clicking the location icon will automatically set the time zone to match your computer’s.
Network Settings
Blackmagic Cloud Store can connect to the network using a static IP address or by using DHCP.
DHCP will automatically set an IP address for your cloud store and connect to the network
without the need to change any settings.
The dynamic host configuration protocol, or DHCP, is a service on network servers and routers
that automatically finds your Blackmagic Cloud Store and assigns an IP address. DHCP makes
iteasy to connect equipment via Ethernet and make sure that IP addresses do not conflict with
each other. Most computers and network switches support DHCP.
Select static IP if you want to set the IP address yourself, simply set the protocol setting to
‘staticIP’ and change the IP settings manually. A static IP address is one that won’t change even
if your Blackmagic Cloud Store is rebooted.
Using a static IP address might be necessary if you are connecting to a corporate network.
Ifyou have a network administrator, it’s possible your network might have custom IP addresses
for all the equipment connected to it. It’s best to check with your network administrator if they
are managing your computers and network in your company.
Allow utility administration
Enabling the ‘via USB’ setting removes the risk of anyone on the network making accidental
settings changes by limiting control to the computer the unit is connected to via USB.
16Settings
Cloud Sync
Use the cloud sync settings to add
syncs and set how the Proxy Generator
application syncs proxy files. The
Proxy Generator application is installed
when you install the Blackmagic Cloud
Store software.
Media Files
These two radio buttons let you decide
whether to sync both proxy and original
files, or to only sync proxy files.
For more information refer to the ‘Proxy
Generator’ section in this manual.
Cloud Services
Use the cloud services pane to sign into
online account and add syncs.
Storage
Enable Read Only
The storage settings include a checkbox to enable read only and a factory reset button.
Whenthe storage requires formatting, a format indicator will appear.
Check this option to set your Blackmagic Cloud Store’s storage to ‘read only’. When enabled,
noadditional files can be written to the drive.
Format
Occasionally, it may be necessary to format your Blackmagic Cloud Store’s internal storage.
Your cloud store will let you know when formatting is required by displaying a ‘format required’
message on the home page.
It’s worth noting that formatting the internal storage will delete all files stored on the drive.
Werecommend copying them to another drive before formatting.
17Settings
To format the internal storage:
1 Click the ‘format drive’ button and then click ‘format’.
2 In the first confirmation dialog box, click the ‘format’ button.
3 A second dialog box will ask you to confirm your selection. Click ‘erase’ to start
theformatting process, or click ‘stop’ to exit without formatting.
4 A percentage indicator will display the formatting progress.
Factory Reset
The factory reset button lets you restore your Blackmagic Cloud Store to its factory default
state. Any files that you have stored on the unit will not be changed.
Proxy Generator
Proxy Generator is an application that automatically generates proxy files for source files located
in watch folders. A watch folder can be any folder on your cloud store or disk connected to your
computer. All you need to do is tell Proxy Generator where the watch folders are, click ‘start’,
then the application runs in the background while you work.
Set your watch folder and proxy format and when new files are added
tothe watch folder, proxy files will be automatically generated
The Blackmagic Proxy Generator is included with DaVinci Resolve Studio, but there is a lite
version that’s included with the cloud store products. The difference is the Blackmagic Proxy
Generator included with DaVinci Resolve Studio includes all the camera codecs that DaVinci
Resolve Studio supports.
18Proxy Generator
However due to licensing limitations, the Blackmagic Proxy Generator Lite included with the
Blackmagic Cloud Store products uses the codecs built into your computer’s operating system.
Thismeans on Windows, ProRes proxies are disabled. Plus other formats could be disabled
unless the HEVC video extensions download is purchased from Microsoft.
Adding Watch Folders
A watch folder is constantly monitored by the application and when new files are added
tothatfolder, proxy files are created and saved in a subfolder named ‘proxy’.
Proxy files will be saved in a ‘proxy’ subfolder automatically created in your watch folder
You can add as many watch folders as you want, but it is important there is enough free
storagespace to store both the original media files and the new proxy files.
When launching Proxy Generator for the first time, the application will automatically prompt
youto add a watch folder.
1 Locate an existing folder and click ‘open’, or create a new one by clicking ‘new folder’.
2 After the folder has been selected or created, it will appear in the ‘watch folders’ pane.
3 Add additional watch folders by clicking the ‘add’ button. You can also drag and drop
folders into the watch folders pane.
19Proxy Generator
To remove a watch folder, select the folder in the list and click on the ‘remove’ button.
TIP Click the ‘show’ button to open the watch folder in your computer’s file browser.
You can observe the status of all your watch folders and change their order of priority by
dragging and dropping them into different positions. The information beneath your watch
folders list displays how much storage space is required tostore the proxy files.
Setting the Format
Set the proxy file codec and format you want to use by clicking on the appropriate radio button.
Youcanchoose H264, H265 and Apple ProRes codecs.
All you need to do now is click the ‘start’ button in the processing pane. Ifyou want to stop
theprocess at any time, just click the ‘stop’ button.
Managing Proxy Files
There are two options available to help manage your proxy files once processing has
been stopped.
Delete Proxies
This option deletes all proxy files and the proxy folder from the selected watch folders.
Extract Proxies
This option copies all proxy files from the selected watch folders to a new destination.
Thefollowing instructions show how to extract proxy files.
20Proxy Generator
This manual suits for next models
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