Strada 2 First Look – Local Drives, Remote Editing

by Alexandra ThompsonJune 8^th, 2026

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Strada 2 is close to release, and at Cine Gear 2026, CEO Michael Cioni walked us through what is changing. The core idea is still the same: access your media without moving it. Instead of uploading files to the cloud, waiting for downloads, or making extra copies, Strada connects local drives so collaborators can view, access, and edit from media that stays where it is.

We have followed Strada’s cloud-free collaboration approach through several stages, from Strada Agents and the Strada Network to our recent Strada Connect at NAB 2026 interview. With version 2, the focus is less on adding another layer of cloud workflow and more on making remote media access feel like working from a local drive.

A familiar interface for remote media

Michael’s point is that creatives usually do not work from web pages. They put files on drives, then use Finder on macOS or File Explorer on Windows to open material in tools such as Pro Tools, Lightroom, Premiere Pro, or DaVinci Resolve. Strada 2 builds around that behavior rather than asking users to adapt to a cloud-style interface.

In the demo, Michael connected an OWC Express drive, invited users by email, and assigned permissions directly inside Strada. Files could be viewed in list, thumbnail, or column view, with an integrated player for reviewing dailies in the app. From there, he dragged clips into DaVinci Resolve and played them back from the same connected media.

The redesign also reflects user feedback. Michael said the team listens closely to customers, including through Discord and YouTube, and that the push toward a simpler, more familiar workflow came directly from how people were using version 1. He also noted that he uses the product himself, which helps the team find where the workflow works and where it still needs improvement.

Using your own computer, drives, and internet

A major part of Strada’s pitch is cost. Cloud workflows depend on data centers, storage, uploads, downloads, and the monthly rental of infrastructure. Strada instead uses hardware and connectivity the user already has: a computer, local drives, and an internet connection.

Because transfers run between users’ own machines and do not pass through Strada’s cloud, Michael argues that the actual transfer cost is much lower. He said this makes it possible for users to move very large amounts of media at a flat monthly rate.

There is one practical caveat. If users are working through a standard unlimited home or office internet plan, there may be no extra data fee from the internet provider. If they are using a 5G hotspot or mobile data plan, the carrier may still charge or throttle according to that plan. Strada does not add a data transfer fee on top of that.

RAW playback over ordinary internet connections

One of the headline additions in Strada 2 is RAW playback over the open internet. At the booth, Cioni demonstrated playback of a Blackmagic 12K BRAW file over the venue’s free WiFi. The source file was not stored on the demo computer; it was being accessed remotely from another machine.

According to Cioni, Strada is decoding the RAW file, applying the needed processing, and re-encoding it so it can play over a normal internet connection. Version 2 also adds RED RAW support, with Cioni mentioning 8K REDCODE and 12K Blackmagic RAW playback over connections such as a hotspot in an airport lounge.

The broader point is not only playback, but access. Strada is trying to let users work with large camera files without first moving those files somewhere else.

Security by keeping files where they are

Michael’s security argument follows the same logic. In most cases, files stay on the drives where they already live, and Strada does not hold a copy of the media. That means the user’s own firewall, routing, VPN, ISP, and physical drive security remain part of the protection around the footage.

He contrasted that with cloud workflows, where media has to be copied to a third-party system. His argument is not that every cloud workflow is unsafe, but that keeping media on premises gives users more direct control over where the files are, who can access them, and when the drive can simply be disconnected.

Strada also encrypts files during transfer and publishes its encryption workflow on its website. Michael summed up the physical side of the security argument simply: with a hard drive, you can unplug the cable.

Price and availability

Strada 2 is expected to become available in June. Cioni mentioned a 7-day unlimited trial, free file viewing, and the ability to connect drives at no cost. Pricing is $8/month for small file transfers, and $24/month for large ones. You can see what is included on their price page here.

Would Strada 2’s local drive approach make remote collaboration easier for your workflow? Or do you still prefer a traditional cloud-based setup for shared media? Let us know in the comments below.