UHD Drive Recommendation

[MaxJ345]

Hello,

I want to get an external Blu-Ray drive. I'm thinking of getting the Pioneer BDR-X13UBK (External) based on some comments I saw on Reddit and after my experience with some LG and ASUS internal drives.

Just to confirm: Is this drive indeed UHD-capable? Does this drive work right out of the box, or will I have to flash the firmware once it arrives?

[Woodstock]

Depends on the firmware. If it has firmware dated 12/22/2022 or later, it won't do UHD. Prior to that, it will work. But buying through Amazon pretty much means you're going to get the latest (incompatible) firmware.

[MaxJ345]

Depends on the firmware. If it has firmware dated 12/22/2022 or later, it won't do UHD. Prior to that, it will work. But buying through Amazon pretty much means you're going to get the latest (incompatible) firmware.

Thank you for the information!

In case I can't find a Pioneer BDR-X13UBK drive with compatible firmware, are there any other UHD-capable external drives you would recommend?

[MartyMcNuts]

Depends on the firmware. If it has firmware dated 12/22/2022 or later, it won't do UHD. Prior to that, it will work. But buying through Amazon pretty much means you're going to get the latest (incompatible) firmware.

Thank you for the information!

In case I can't find a Pioneer BDR-X13UBK drive with compatible firmware, are there any other UHD-capable external drives you would recommend?

The only real chance you have of getting a UHD compatible Pioneer drive (that isn't a BDR-212DBK or BDR-212V (Billy can help make these UHD compatible)) is to get one from a seller on this forum. The recommended model (and best bang for your buck) is the S13JBK / S13UBK and a Vantec DX2 enclosure if you want to make it external. I have some available.