Ultimate UHD Drives Flashing Guide Updated 2026

[LookingIn]

I am about to flash an LG WH16NS40 that I will receive from Amazon tomorrow.

I did a lot of reading on this forum to "do it right". I know to flash it to 1.02MK WH16NS60 as the recommended option.

But there are 1.03MK, 1.04MK, and 1.05MK firmwares available. Why are they available and should I consider using those at all, or just stick with 1.02MK?

Thanks.

[MartyMcNuts]

I am about to flash an LG WH16NS40 that I will receive from Amazon tomorrow.

I did a lot of reading on this forum to "do it right". I know to flash it to 1.02MK WH16NS60 as the recommended option.

But there are 1.03MK, 1.04MK, and 1.05MK firmwares available. Why are they available and should I consider using those at all, or just stick with 1.02MK?

Thanks.

Newer does not mean better, especially with firmware! You have your recommendation but use whatever you want.

[LookingIn]

OK, thanks.

[SH0D4N]

Hi, I am a newbie in ripping, so please excuse the lack of knowledge in model naming.
My PC doesn't have a 5.25" bay. I haven't looked if there are any external enclosures, but I don't ever remember seeing those in past. So USB Bluray drive is the way, huh?
Found a Pioneer BDR XD 07 TS. Is it the recommended one, just different naming?
Any other recommendations for EU region? Silence is the priority for me as I want to keep using my PC while ripping. However if the rip wouldn't take ages, that would be great
I am fine going with the 5.25" or something bulky, if I can have it sitting outside of my PC.
Thank you

[MartyMcNuts]

Hi, I am a newbie in ripping, so please excuse the lack of knowledge in model naming.
My PC doesn't have a 5.25" bay. I haven't looked if there are any external enclosures, but I don't ever remember seeing those in past. So USB Bluray drive is the way, huh?
Found a Pioneer BDR XD 07 TS. Is it the recommended one, just different naming?
Any other recommendations for EU region? Silence is the priority for me as I want to keep using my PC while ripping. However if the rip wouldn't take ages, that would be great
I am fine going with the 5.25" or something bulky, if I can have it sitting outside of my PC.
Thank you

The XD07TB is not a UHD drive. Try the XD07UHD model.

The internal drives can be used with an enclosure (Vantec is recommended) or a SATA/USB powered adapter.

[SH0D4N]

Hi, I am a newbie in ripping, so please excuse the lack of knowledge in model naming.
My PC doesn't have a 5.25" bay. I haven't looked if there are any external enclosures, but I don't ever remember seeing those in past. So USB Bluray drive is the way, huh?
Found a Pioneer BDR XD 07 TS. Is it the recommended one, just different naming?
Any other recommendations for EU region? Silence is the priority for me as I want to keep using my PC while ripping. However if the rip wouldn't take ages, that would be great
I am fine going with the 5.25" or something bulky, if I can have it sitting outside of my PC.
Thank you

The XD07TB is not a UHD drive. Try the XD07UHD model.

The internal drives can be used with an enclosure (Vantec is recommended) or a SATA/USB powered adapter.

The XD07UHD is 160 USD here, which I consider a lot for a 4x speed. Not to mention from some unknown online shop.
Are there any differences with the other ones in recommended section terms of noise? I have no idea if a drive can have other benefits besides it's speed and noise. Maybe enclosure compatibility?
Last thing I want is a drive that is scratching like a whole NAS.
Thanks

[MartyMcNuts]

Hi, I am a newbie in ripping, so please excuse the lack of knowledge in model naming.
My PC doesn't have a 5.25" bay. I haven't looked if there are any external enclosures, but I don't ever remember seeing those in past. So USB Bluray drive is the way, huh?
Found a Pioneer BDR XD 07 TS. Is it the recommended one, just different naming?
Any other recommendations for EU region? Silence is the priority for me as I want to keep using my PC while ripping. However if the rip wouldn't take ages, that would be great
I am fine going with the 5.25" or something bulky, if I can have it sitting outside of my PC.
Thank you

The XD07TB is not a UHD drive. Try the XD07UHD model.

The internal drives can be used with an enclosure (Vantec is recommended) or a SATA/USB powered adapter.

The XD07UHD is 160 USD here, which I consider a lot for a 4x speed. Not to mention from some unknown online shop.
Are there any differences with the other ones in recommended section terms of noise? I have no idea if a drive can have other benefits besides it's speed and noise. Maybe enclosure compatibility?
Last thing I want is a drive that is scratching like a whole NAS.
Thanks

You might be better off with a BU40N, which is the fastest slim external drive and not too noisy for the most part. Check out the Archgon or Buffalo UHD models. Even the BP50NB40 can be cross-flashed with BU40N firmware!

All of the recommended internal drives will fit in a Vantec enclosure.

[SH0D4N]

The XD07TB is not a UHD drive. Try the XD07UHD model.

The internal drives can be used with an enclosure (Vantec is recommended) or a SATA/USB powered adapter.

The XD07UHD is 160 USD here, which I consider a lot for a 4x speed. Not to mention from some unknown online shop.
Are there any differences with the other ones in recommended section terms of noise? I have no idea if a drive can have other benefits besides it's speed and noise. Maybe enclosure compatibility?
Last thing I want is a drive that is scratching like a whole NAS.
Thanks

You might be better off with a BU40N, which is the fastest slim external drive and not too noisy for the most part. Check out the Archgon or Buffalo UHD models. Even the BP50NB40 can be cross-flashed with BU40N firmware!

All of the recommended internal drives will fit in a Vantec enclosure.

Thank you. The Archgon or Buffalo drives are not available here. Only as an import from other country via Amazon. If they aren't like best bang for the buck, then I would rather pick local used or new with warranty. Going through an international RMA is a nightmare.
However, I found the Hitachi-LG BU40N for 58$ (ASIN: B071CPRK74). Presumably used.
The recommended list says 6x speed about it, but shows same estimate in minutes as 8x drive. Is that a typo?
And Vantec is nowhere to be found, too. How about this Qoltec 51865 for 12$?
Amazon reviews mention noise, clicking and it running hot on the BU40N. Sadly I can't find any videos on it to hear it purr
So being new to this, you would pick this drive?
Thanks

[vmax5000]

I have 2 WH16NS40 drives that I had been using for months, they suddenly stopped reading UHD disks so I re-flashed them and now they won't read ANY disks. Is there any way to fix them? One of them is a: WH16NS40 manufactured Dec 2018 SVC Code is NS50. It came with Rom ver 1.03.
If not I pretty much gave up on trying to fix it, so if you don't think it's possible it's ok.

I just purchased a replacement drive but I don't want to flash it without some guidance. The drive I just purchased is also a WH16NS40 Manufactured July 2022 SVC Code: NS50 and has ROM Ver: 1.05. Firmware date as per MakeMKV is 2120-05-06 14:40

LibreDrive Information
Status: Possible (with patched firmware)
Drive platform: MT1959
Harware support: Yes
Firmware support: No
Firmware type: Original (patched version available)
Firmware version: 1.05
DVD all regions: Possible (with patched firmware)
BD raw data read: Possible (with patched firmware)
BD raw metadata read: Possible (with patched firmware)
Unrestricted read speed: Possible (with patched firmware)

What flashing program should I use to flash the drive and what firmware should I use?

[liamtoh1]

The XD07UHD is 160 USD here, which I consider a lot for a 4x speed. Not to mention from some unknown online shop. Are there any differences with the other ones in recommended section terms of noise? I have no idea if a drive can have other benefits besides it's speed and noise. Maybe enclosure compatibility?
Last thing I want is a drive that is scratching like a whole NAS.

I do not know where you are located. But in USA you can get the external slim drive BDR-XD08UMB-S from Amazon or Pioneer direct for $140. It also comes with a software if to read/play UHD disks. This drive will allow you to rip/backup your 4K discs using MakeMKV without any firmware patches. It also comes ready to use (USB cables), unlike the XD07UHD where you will need to buy an external enclosure or 5.25" space in your desktop computer.

[jedidarrick]

I purchased a Buffalo BRUHD-PU3-BK Drive for ripping UHDs, since that was the top external drive listed. I attempted to Flash my Drive by following the instructions on the "How To Flash Videos and commands" for Mac users, on page 1. My attempt to Flash my Drive has been unsuccessful, and I will post a picture of that attempt here.
I am not sure if I am doing anything wrong, as I am following the guide to the best of my abilities, so I figured I would ask my question here.

[dcoke22]

Your identifier for your optical drive is /IOBDServies/0D2B1F16 as listed by the first command. The drive identifier you used in the second command is different. In the second command you need to use the identifier discovered in the first command.

[ayanamizer00]

Once upon a time I successfully flashed an LG drive properly, and I've been using that to rip 4Ks with no problem. It decided to stop recognizing discs, so I'm trying to flash a second drive I have. I tried flashing once on my Mac with an OWC enclosure and it didn't work, I stuck it in a PC, refreshed it, but I'm wondering if someone could tell me which firmware I should flash to it.

[dcoke22]

Once upon a time I successfully flashed an LG drive properly, and I've been using that to rip 4Ks with no problem. It decided to stop recognizing discs, so I'm trying to flash a second drive I have. I tried flashing once on my Mac with an OWC enclosure and it didn't work, I stuck it in a PC, refreshed it, but I'm wondering if someone could tell me which firmware I should flash to it.

Your first picture shows a service code NS40. It needs to be NS50 (see the first post in this thread). That drive is too old.

[ayanamizer00]

Isn't that one of the drives recommended in the first post though? Or is the service code NS40 different than the NS40 in the WH14NS40 name?

Recommended UHD Drives to get:
All of these drives will need to be flashed to unlock UHD Reading/Ripping
LG WH14NS40, UHD Friendly Internal 5.25 sata | Rip speed 8x BD 66 ~45 mins BD 100 ~1 hour if flashed properly other wise 6x rips speed and slower then BU40N