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Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Verdict: The Blackmagic Cloud Dock 2 is a compact way to put two removable 2.5-inch SSDs on a 10GbE network, but it is not a conventional NAS. Each disk is presented as its own share, RAID 1 is unavailable in the configuration reviewed by ServeTheHome, and the setup can become awkward when drives need preparation or users require secure, individual accounts.
ServeTheHome tested the Cloud Dock 2 on February 13, 2025. Its NVMe share exceeded 800 MB/s in that test, while SATA was substantially slower. Those results show the value of 10GbE with the right media, not a guaranteed speed for every drive or network.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Blackmagic Design Cloud Dock 2 | $649.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Blackmagic Design DeckLink Duo 2 PCIe Capture and Playback Card, Up to 1080p60, 4 Channel 3G-SDI... | $579.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Blackmagic Design Media Dock for URSA Cine Camera (Black) | $2,089.67 | Buy on Amazon |
What the Cloud Dock 2 actually is
Blackmagic positions the Cloud Dock 2 as a two-drive network-sharing and media-ingest appliance. It accepts up to two removable 2.5-inch U.2 or SATA drives, presents them independently over Ethernet, and adds workflow features for Blackmagic Cloud, Dropbox and proxy media. It is better understood as a fast shared-disk dock than as a general-purpose NAS.
- Two independent drive bays; the device does not combine them into one RAID volume.
- Removable, hot-swappable U.2 NVMe or SATA media up to 11 mm high.
- Two 10G BASE-T Ethernet ports, USB 3.0 over USB-C with Ethernet-over-USB support, and HDMI monitoring.
- Blackmagic lists a price of $649 on its specifications page; actual price and availability vary by region and date.
The manufacturer also describes synchronization features for distributing files and monitoring storage, connection and sync activity. Cloud Dock 2 should not be purchased as a substitute for a redundant NAS unless a separate backup system provides that protection.
#1 Best Overall
- ENHANCED DATA SECURITY - Utilizes ExFAT or HFS+ file systems, ensuring robust data protection and compatibility across Windows and Mac operating systems for secure file sharing.
- FAST PERFORMANCE - Features dual 10G Ethernet ports and USB 3.0 connectivity, providing rapid data transfer speeds for efficient file access and high-speed network performance.
- EASY SETUP - Includes Blackmagic Cloud Setup Utility for quick configuration and internal software upgrades via USB-C, simplifying the setup process for immediate use.
- REMOTE ACCESS - Supports Blackmagic Cloud synchronization, enabling seamless remote file access and collaboration, with up to 50 computer connections for extensive network use.
- SCALABILITY - Offers two hot-swappable 2.5" U.2 SSD or SATA drive bays (up to 11mm height), allowing you to expand storage capacity as needed, using your own drives.
Drive compatibility is a purchase decision, not a footnote
The official maximum drive height is 11 mm. ServeTheHome found that 7 mm and 9 mm U.2 NVMe and SATA drives fit, while 15 mm enterprise drives did not. Check the exact mechanical dimensions of every candidate drive before ordering; interface type alone does not establish compatibility.
Because the drives are removable, you can dedicate one disk to a project, move media between systems, or replace capacity without rebuilding a RAID set. The trade-off is that the two disks remain separate shares and have no built-in mirror in the reviewed configuration.
10GbE performance depends on using NVMe
In ServeTheHome’s test setup, an NVMe share sustained more than 800 MB/s over 10GbE. SATA shares were substantially slower and did not approach that result. Treat those figures as measurements from one review system, not a performance guarantee: the drive model, filesystem, workstation, switch, cabling and concurrent workload all affect throughput.
The two 10GbE ports were described as switched ports. ServeTheHome reported no LACP support in the tested device, so connecting both ports does not create an aggregated link for one client. HDMI is for monitoring the unit rather than administering it. USB-C Ethernet auto-negotiated at 5 Gbps in the review, which can be useful for a directly attached computer but is not equivalent to a 10GbE network path.
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Rank #2
- Four Independent 3G-SDI Connections: Simultaneously capture and playback up to four video streams at resolutions up to 1080p60.
- PCIe Interface: Utilizes a high-speed PCIe interface for reliable data transfer and low-latency performance. PCI Express 4 lane generation 2 required, compatible with 4, 8 and 16 lane PCI Express slots.
- Wide Format Support: Compatible with a range of SD, HD, and 3G-SDI formats, including 720p, 1080i, and 1080p.
- Software Compatibility: Works seamlessly with a range of editing, visual effects, and streaming software applications.
- Reference Input: Features a reference input for synchronizing with external genlock (blackburst and try-sync) signals, ensuring precise timing in multi-camera setups.
How to set up Cloud Dock 2 without the review’s drive problem
The main setup surprise was drive preparation. ServeTheHome tested several NVMe drives that appeared in the interface but would not operate until they had been formatted externally as exFAT. The reviewed management software did not provide a drive-formatting function.
- Verify the dimensions. Confirm that each U.2 or SATA drive is no taller than the official 11 mm limit.
- Prepare the media outside the dock. If a drive is new or not recognized for use, connect it to a compatible computer or enclosure and format it as exFAT, following the drive maker’s data-erasure warnings.
- Install the drives. Insert the prepared disks into the two bays and connect power, Ethernet and any required monitoring display.
- Connect the network. Use 10GbE-capable cabling, switch ports and workstation adapters if you want to reproduce a multi-hundred-megabyte-per-second workflow.
- Test each share separately. Confirm read and write access to both disks before copying irreplaceable footage.
- Configure sync only after local access works. Add Blackmagic Cloud or Dropbox synchronization, and enable proxy workflows where lower-bitrate or lower-resolution files are sufficient for remote editing.
Formatting a disk erases existing data. Keep a verified copy elsewhere before preparing media.
Security and access controls are the biggest weakness
ServeTheHome’s February 2025 review found that Cloud Dock 2 exposed SMB shares through guest access and that Windows 11 blocked the no-password guest login by default. The reviewer had to enable Windows’ insecure guest-logon behavior to connect in that test. The same review reported no management password or user-management controls in the tested software.
Those observations describe the software and firmware tested at that time, not a guarantee of the device’s current behavior. Check Blackmagic’s current firmware notes and documentation before deployment. If the current release still requires guest access, place the dock on a trusted, isolated production network rather than exposing SMB to an untrusted LAN or the internet. Do not treat network isolation as a replacement for per-user permissions, encryption or backups.
Rank #3
- Post Production Workflow: With the Blackmagic Design Media Dock you can mount, network share, and upload media from up to 3 Blackmagic Media Modules simultaneously
- Eliminate Media Offload Time: It accelerates editing and color correction processes for efficient post-production
- Four High-Speed 10G Ethernet Ports: The four high-speed 10G Ethernet ports enable direct connection for up to four edit workstations
- USB-C Connection: The USB-C connection supports fast media transfer to your computer
- HDMI Output: The HDMI output provides real-time media status display on TV or monitor
Cloud and proxy sync fit a media workflow
Blackmagic Cloud Sync and Dropbox syncing were available in the review, including proxy syncing. A proxy is a smaller or lower-quality copy that reduces transfer demands when editors work remotely; the original media can remain on the local share. This can make a two-disk dock practical for collaborative video work, but synchronization is not the same as backup. A deletion or corrupted project can propagate unless you retain independent versioned copies.
Cloud Dock 2 versus a conventional NAS
| Decision point | Cloud Dock 2 | What a buyer should verify elsewhere |
|---|---|---|
| Drive layout | Two independent removable shares | Whether a competing NAS combines disks or supports RAID |
| Redundancy | RAID 1 was unavailable in ServeTheHome’s reviewed configuration | Mirroring, snapshots and backup options |
| Drive size | U.2 or SATA, maximum 11 mm height | Bay dimensions and approved media list |
| Formatting | ServeTheHome had to format NVMe drives externally as exFAT; the tested interface did not format them | Whether the appliance can initialize and reformat disks itself |
| Network | Two switched 10G BASE-T ports; no tested LACP support | Port aggregation, link failover and switch requirements |
| Measured speed | Over 800 MB/s on NVMe in the review; SATA was substantially slower | Independent results with the exact drives and network you plan to use |
| Authentication | Guest SMB access and no management/user controls were reported in the February 2025 test | Named users, passwords, groups, encryption and audit controls |
| Workflow services | Blackmagic Cloud, Dropbox and proxy syncing were available in the review | Current service support, quotas and subscription costs |
Who should buy it?
Good fit
- Editors who need two fast, removable project disks shared on a 10GbE production network.
- Teams already using Blackmagic Cloud or Dropbox and comfortable managing backups separately.
- Users who value a simple appliance over a full NAS operating system.
Look elsewhere
- Anyone needing RAID 1, snapshots or appliance-managed redundancy.
- Organizations requiring individual accounts, strong SMB authentication or detailed audit controls.
- Buyers with 15 mm enterprise U.2 drives or no practical way to format media externally.
- Workflows that depend on guaranteed 10GbE aggregation across both ports.
Budget for the complete system
The listed $649 price covers the dock, not the storage. Add two compatible SSDs, a 10GbE switch or workstation adapter if your network lacks one, suitable cabling and an independent backup target. SATA can reduce media cost but gives up much of the throughput demonstrated with NVMe. Before buying, confirm the drive height, interface, capacity, network infrastructure and the current access-control behavior.
Bottom line
Cloud Dock 2 makes high-speed two-disk sharing unusually straightforward when paired with compatible NVMe media and a real 10GbE network. Its simplicity is also the warning: external exFAT preparation, separate non-RAID shares and the access-control limitations documented by ServeTheHome leave little room for mistakes. It is a focused media dock, not a secure, redundant NAS.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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