Ultimate UHD Drives Flashing Guide Updated 2024

[Billycar11]

You already did most of this but

Power cycle drive for 5 mins unplug to make sure.
Clean discs
Replace discs
Clean drive
Replace drive with pioneer with old fw

Thanks. I was hoping there might be some other options before unscrewing the enclosure or replacing the drive.

I stumbled across this thread and was wondering if you had thoughts on whether this is an option?

Relatedly, is there any possibility this is a firmware issue that can be resolved by flashing to a different version?

you can try both wont hurt it anymore than it is.
but yeah there's a reason i stopped selling the lg desktop drives back in 2019 i lost so much money on those offering a 1 year warranty to customers.

[Wall.E]

Hi,

Quick questions: I've carefully read this guide, but I'm still a bit confused when it comes to flashing the drive.

I've recently purchased an Asus BW-16D1HT.
So...
- it has been built after 2016
- it's the MT1959 platform
- I have the 3.11 firmware so it's encrypted

But now...

Question 1 : should I follow this instruction...

Unlocked Flashers, Downgrade Enabled Firmware and MK Firmware:

The only flasher anyone should be using now is Martys SDF GUI it now has built in safety's still check out the requirements and follow the recommending firmware but it shouldn't let you brick an old drive and should detect if the firmware is encrypted automatically

or should I go via this one ?

How To Flash Videos and commands:

New Updated guide for all Drives and firmware including encrypted firmware: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyQV1aPlbow
1. Open cmd as admin

2. Navigate to makemkvs install directory by default on 64 bit systems it is here: cd "C:\Program Files (x86)\MakeMKV"

3. If you have a listed encrypted firmware you must use this command: makemkvcon64.exe f --all-yes -d “ your drive letter here Example: D”: rawflash enc -i “path to your firmware Example: C:\Users\Billy\Downloads\Downgrade-Enabled-Firmware\Auto-Flash\LG-Desktop-NS60-sleep-fix\WH16NS60-1.02-MK.bin”

4. If you have unencrypted firmware use this command: makemkvcon64.exe f --all-yes -d “ your drive letter here Example: D”: rawflash -i “path to your firmware Example: C:\Users\Billy\Downloads\Downgrade-Enabled-Firmware\Auto-Flash\LG-Desktop-NS60-sleep-fix\WH16NS60-1.02-MK.bin”

5. Remove my examples and quotes ”” when you run the commands

I have a feeling I should go for SDFtool Flasher but I would like to be 100% sure, as I'm confused that there's no warning saying the How-To Flash Videos and commands is now outdated. Or maybe I'm missing something.

Question 2 : in this guide it's written that I should flash direct the 3.10MK firmware.
But on the SDFtool Flasher page it's written that "If your desktop drive has encrypted firmware, flash WH16NS60 1.02-MK first"
viewtopic.php?f=16&t=22896

My guess is that this sentence is only applying if we have a HL-DT-ST drive. Indeed the "Encrypted Firmware" contains only HL-DT-ST drives. So I have a feeling the list has not been updated and the instruction to go for the "WH16NS60 1.02-MK first" as well.

Thanks for your help!

[dcoke22]

Quick questions: I've carefully read this guide, but I'm still a bit confused when it comes to flashing the drive.

I've recently purchased an Asus BW-16D1HT.
So...
- it has been built after 2016
- it's the MT1959 platform
- I have the 3.11 firmware so it's encrypted

But now...

Question 1 :

SDFtool Flasher only runs on Windows. If you're on Windows, it is what you should use. The command line instructions are for Linux or macOS.

[Wall.E]

SDFtool Flasher only runs on Windows. If you're on Windows, it is what you should use. The command line instructions are for Linux or macOS.

Thanks for your answer!
Ok for using SDFtool Flasher on Windows.

But precisely, my quote was the instructions... for Windows!
The videos is also for Windows.
If they are indeed both outdated, there should be a warning saying it, otherwise it's confusing.

And I agree the instructions for Linux or MacOS are not, fine, but they are below, they were not part of my quote

At last, regarding question 2?
Flash direct BW-16D1HT 3.10MK, or WH16NS60 1.02-MK first?
I think here also, the post needs to be updated.

[MartyMcNuts]

SDFtool Flasher only runs on Windows. If you're on Windows, it is what you should use. The command line instructions are for Linux or macOS.

Thanks for your answer!
Ok for using SDFtool Flasher on Windows.

But precisely, my quote was the instructions... for Windows!
The videos is also for Windows.
If they are indeed both outdated, there should be a warning saying it, otherwise it's confusing.

And I agree the instructions for Linux or MacOS are not, fine, but they are below, they were not part of my quote

At last, regarding question 2?
Flash direct BW-16D1HT 3.10MK, or WH16NS60 1.02-MK first?
I think here also, the post needs to be updated.

SDFtool Flasher is simply a UI for MakeMKV's SDF command line. Thus, neither are outdated.

Regarding firmware, both of those can be used first. It mainly depends on if you want to also write discs. If you do, use BW-16D1HT 3.10-MK, otherwise use WH16NS60 1.02-MK.

[Solamar]

I guess I need some help. I tried to follow the instructions and have everything messed up.

I have an external LG BE14NU40 from Jan 2015. Manufacturer HL-DT-ST Product BD-RE.
I am using MAkeMKV 1.17.18

I originally had this extracting UHD discs. I think it was 1.01 or 1.02. But I apparently updated it to BE141NU40_1.01_03 which is apparently 1.03 that breaks UHD.

I got the downgrade enabled firmware HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_WH16NS60-1.02-NM00100-211810291936.bin and have that flashed. It flashed fine and rebooted and seems to be working. But when I try to load any disc (DVD or BluRay) Make MKV says "No disc inserted". I can eject and reload, and it spins and looks at the disc, but it always says "No disc inserted" even though I have read this disc on this drive before.

Is there any thing I can do to fix this? I am getting confused as to what I am doing wrong and why it will no longer load discs.

Bottom of External Drive: LG Model Number:BE14NU40 from Jan 2015. Manufacturer HL-DT-ST Product BD-RE.

From MakeMKV 1.17.18:
Drive Information
OS device name: E:
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE WH16NS40
Revision: 1.02
Serial number: Redacted
Firmware date: 2117-03-10 16:50
Bus encryption flags: 17
Highest AACS version: 78

LibreDrive Information
Status: Enabled
Drive platform: MT1959
Firmware type: Original (unpatched)
Firmware version: 1.02
DVD all regions: Yes
BD raw data read: Yes
BD raw metadata read: Yes
Unrestricted read speed: Yes

No disc inserted

[Wall.E]

SDFtool Flasher is simply a UI for MakeMKV's SDF command line. Thus, neither are outdated.

Regarding firmware, both of those can be used first.

Thanks for your answers!
Done. I've now successfully flashed my drive

However, I quickly faced the Sleep bug
And on my drive, I can't just open the tray and close it, the drive is not responding any more.
I can even just reboot the PC, it's not enough.
Looks like the only option is to stop the computer and restart it.
It's really annoying, slow and not really good for the components to switch off and on.

Regarding firmware, both of those can be used first. It mainly depends on if you want to also write discs. If you do, use BW-16D1HT 3.10-MK, otherwise use WH16NS60 1.02-MK.

So if I understand well, it either live with the Sleep bug and be able to write disks or crossflash the WH16NS60 1.0x firmware but not be able to write disks any more?

[Billycar11]

So if I understand well, it either live with the Sleep bug and be able to write disks or crossflash the WH16NS60 1.0x firmware but not be able to write disks any more?

Or return the junky LG/Asus rebrand and get a pioneer from one of us

But the sleep bug is not that bad to recover from you really do just open close the tray
You may have a different problem

[Wall.E]

But the sleep bug is not that bad to recover from you really do just open close the tray
You may have a different problem

Maybe but then I don't see what else it can be.

My symptom is that when a disk (not necessarily UHD) is left idle in the drive for 2 minutes, the drive stops responding.
Can't read the disk and can't open the tray either via software or its physical button. Even a reboot of the computer is not enough. I need to stop the computer and restart it.

Other than this specific case, the drive is working perfectly well and behaving as expected, like never blocked if no disk is left in the drive when unused or the drive is working.
So if it's not the sleep bug, what can I look for to investigate?

Or return the junky LG/Asus rebrand and get a pioneer from one of us

I understand, but it would be at least 3 times the price. 80€ for the Asus, 260€ minimum for the cheapest Pioneer from the UK (incl. freight and VAT as the UK is not in the EU any more and it's becoming hard to escape this tax).

[Coopervid]

But the sleep bug is not that bad to recover from you really do just open close the tray
You may have a different problem

Maybe but then I don't see what else it can be.

My symptom is that when a disk (not necessarily UHD) is left idle in the drive for 2 minutes, the drive stops responding.
Can't read the disk and can't open the tray either via software or its physical button. Even a reboot of the computer is not enough. I need to stop the computer and restart it.

Other than this specific case, the drive is working perfectly well and behaving as expected, like never blocked if no disk is left in the drive when unused or the drive is working.
So if it's not the sleep bug, what can I look for to investigate?

Or return the junky LG/Asus rebrand and get a pioneer from one of us

I understand, but it would be at least 3 times the price. 80€ for the Asus, 260€ minimum for the cheapest Pioneer from the UK (incl. freight and VAT as the UK is not in the EU any more and it's becoming hard to escape this tax).

PM sent.

[MartyMcNuts]

But the sleep bug is not that bad to recover from you really do just open close the tray
You may have a different problem

Maybe but then I don't see what else it can be.

My symptom is that when a disk (not necessarily UHD) is left idle in the drive for 2 minutes, the drive stops responding.
Can't read the disk and can't open the tray either via software or its physical button. Even a reboot of the computer is not enough. I need to stop the computer and restart it.

Other than this specific case, the drive is working perfectly well and behaving as expected, like never blocked if no disk is left in the drive when unused or the drive is working.
So if it's not the sleep bug, what can I look for to investigate?

Or return the junky LG/Asus rebrand and get a pioneer from one of us

I understand, but it would be at least 3 times the price. 80€ for the Asus, 260€ minimum for the cheapest Pioneer from the UK (incl. freight and VAT as the UK is not in the EU any more and it's becoming hard to escape this tax).

What you are describing is the sleep bug but normally opening and closing the drive tray via the button is all that is needed. If you can't do that then perhaps you some sort of issue with consistent power getting to the drive.

[Nick-P]

​
​Subject: Confusion Over Drive Firmware on New BDR-212V

Hi,

I purchased a new BDR-212V from Amazon Warehouse on Sunday, knowing it was a returned item. According to Amazon, it was returned within 30 days, and the manufacturing date (2024) aligns with this timeline.

I installed the drive into a 5.25" bay yesterday and connected it via SATA. The back of the drive clearly identifies it as a BDR-212V with a white/yellow sticker, and an additional sticker states it was "further enhanced" by Vinpower Digital.

However, strangely, both MakeMKV and the firmware flasher detect the drive as a PIONEER BDR-209 with the product code BDR-209DBK.

While I understand it's technically a used product, no one would expect Amazon to sell them a drive without its own firmware. I'm also surprised Amazon didn't notice.

Given that the BDR-212V is already compatible with LibreDrive (correct me if I'm wrong on that), why would someone flash it with older firmware that also lacks UHD support?? I can't see a benefit?

Anyway, I'm assuming I can still flash it with the BDR-212U firmware like I had planned? Or not?

Thank you & regards,
Nick

[Coopervid]

​
​Subject: Confusion Over Drive Firmware on New BDR-212V

Hi,

I purchased a new BDR-212V from Amazon Warehouse on Sunday, knowing it was a returned item. According to Amazon, it was returned within 30 days, and the manufacturing date (2024) aligns with this timeline.

I installed the drive into a 5.25" bay yesterday and connected it via SATA. The back of the drive clearly identifies it as a BDR-212V with a white/yellow sticker, and an additional sticker states it was "further enhanced" by Vinpower Digital.

However, strangely, both MakeMKV and the firmware flasher detect the drive as a PIONEER BDR-209 with the product code BDR-209DBK.

While I understand it's technically a used product, no one would expect Amazon to sell them a drive without its own firmware. I'm also surprised Amazon didn't notice.

Given that the BDR-212V is already compatible with LibreDrive (correct me if I'm wrong on that), why would someone flash it with older firmware that also lacks UHD support?? I can't see a benefit?

Anyway, I'm assuming I can still flash it with the BDR-212U firmware like I had planned? Or not?

Thank you & regards,
Nick

No you can't. Return it since it's fake.

[Nick-P]

Fake? From Amazon? It wasn't Amazon marketplace it was Amazon themselves. (Sold and dispatched by Amazon directly).

[Nick-P]

Also the sticker on the back is perfect (flawless).