Ultimate UHD Drives Flashing Guide Updated 2026

[Coopervid]

If I were buying a new drive today, preferably external, what would be the best option for a drive I can safely flash? I was looking at the Asus BW-16D1X-U, but it appear that they have started coming with newer firmware that is preventing flashing? I was also looking at a BP50NB40 that is currently on sale locally.

Your country of residence? Do you prefer a Pioneer or LG? Pioneer is recommended.

[Litzner]

If I were buying a new drive today, preferably external, what would be the best option for a drive I can safely flash? I was looking at the Asus BW-16D1X-U, but it appear that they have started coming with newer firmware that is preventing flashing? I was also looking at a BP50NB40 that is currently on sale locally.

Your country of residence? Do you prefer a Pioneer or LG? Pioneer is recommended.

I am in the US. I would love a Pioneer if I can get one at a decent price, but I am OK with LG or Asus.

[Coopervid]

If I were buying a new drive today, preferably external, what would be the best option for a drive I can safely flash? I was looking at the Asus BW-16D1X-U, but it appear that they have started coming with newer firmware that is preventing flashing? I was also looking at a BP50NB40 that is currently on sale locally.

Your country of residence? Do you prefer a Pioneer or LG? Pioneer is recommended.

I am in the US. I would love a Pioneer if I can get one at a decent price, but I am OK with LG or Asus.

PM sent.

[Litzner]

PM sent.

If it was to me I didn't get anything.

[Coopervid]

PM sent.

If it was to me I didn't get anything.

Read your PM now. Something went wrong yesterday.

[GlossedOver]

Made the mistake of purchasing the BRD-XD08UMB with revision 1.02 and I'm returning. I only have a laptop with USB C, any other drives, doesn't necessarily have to be a slim drive, that can do UHD?

[asmcom]

Made the mistake of purchasing the BRD-XD08UMB with revision 1.02 and I'm returning. I only have a laptop with USB C, any other drives, doesn't necessarily have to be a slim drive, that can do UHD?

We can supply BDR-XD08EMB-S on firmware 1-01.

https://shop.uhdfriendlydrives.co.uk/pr ... -variation

If you are on the US, try Billycarr first

Kind Regards

Clare

UHD Friendly Drive Team

[NEKNIM]

Made the mistake of purchasing the BRD-XD08UMB with revision 1.02 and I'm returning. I only have a laptop with USB C, any other drives, doesn't necessarily have to be a slim drive, that can do UHD?

We can supply BDR-XD08EMB-S on firmware 1-01.

https://shop.uhdfriendlydrives.co.uk/pr ... -variation

If you are on the US, try Billycarr first

Kind Regards

Clare

UHD Friendly Drive Team

On the listing, it says the firmware is 1-02 in the description. Is that a misprint?

[asmcom]

Made the mistake of purchasing the BRD-XD08UMB with revision 1.02 and I'm returning. I only have a laptop with USB C, any other drives, doesn't necessarily have to be a slim drive, that can do UHD?

We can supply BDR-XD08EMB-S on firmware 1-01.

https://shop.uhdfriendlydrives.co.uk/pr ... -variation

If you are on the US, try Billycarr first

Kind Regards

Clare

UHD Friendly Drive Team

On the listing, it says the firmware is 1-02 in the description. Is that a misprint?

Yes, this is a misprint which we just corrected.

Hayley

[jocka06]

Hello,

This is my first post and apologise if it's in the wrong place. Looking to flash my Blu-ray drive to allow it to read 4K discs. I live in the UK and need some guidance whether if it can be done safely. Copied the following info from make MKV
Drive Information
OS device name: \Device\CdRom0
Current profile: BD-ROM
Manufacturer: ASUS
Product: BW-16D1H-U
Revision: E116
Serial number: ...
Firmware date: 2020-07-21
Bus encryption flags: 1B
Highest AACS version: 76

LibreDrive Information
Status: Enabled
Drive platform: RS8F00
Firmware name: PIONEER BDR-212T
Firmware type: Original (unpatched)
Firmware version: E116/ID71
DVD all regions: Yes
BD raw data read: Yes
BD raw metadata read: Yes
Unrestricted read speed: Yes

(Just to clarify - it is am external Blu-ray drive that connects to my computer via USB. The box read ASUS BW-16D1H-U Pro.
Thanks ion advance for the assistance.

[mm13579]

LG BU40N Amazon buy and flash it to 1.03mk firmware.

Cost about $100

[CharlyTheSneaky]

If I were buying a new drive today, preferably external, what would be the best option for a drive I can safely flash? I was looking at the Asus BW-16D1X-U, but it appear that they have started coming with newer firmware that is preventing flashing? I was also looking at a BP50NB40 that is currently on sale locally.

Your country of residence? Do you prefer a Pioneer or LG? Pioneer is recommended.

Hey there,

If I may bump on here, I have the oportunity to buy the LG-BU40N or other pioneer drives as follows : BDR-213-EBK / BDR-212-DBK / BDR-S13-EBK (I haven't seen them in recommanded drives)
They're around the same price where I live (France) and I was curious if Pioneers were more worth it. I've seen that some are too recent and therefore unable to rip properly.

Thank you to anyone who may provide further guidance,
Charly

[dcoke22]

Hey there,

If I may bump on here, I have the oportunity to buy the LG-BU40N or other pioneer drives as follows : BDR-213-EBK / BDR-212-DBK / BDR-S13-EBK (I haven't seen them in recommanded drives)
They're around the same price where I live (France) and I was curious if Pioneers were more worth it. I've seen that some are too recent and therefore unable to rip properly.

Thank you to anyone who may provide further guidance,
Charly

If the Pioneer drives are new, then they will almost assuredly come with firmware that's too new to support LibreDrive and thus they won't be able to rip 4K UHDs.
The easiest way to get a new Pioneer drive with older, compatible firmware is to buy from a seller, Asmcom in the case of Europe.
Coopervid might be able to point you in the direction of a drive that isn't branded as a Pioneer but has a Pioneer drive inside it that could be cross flashed to something compatible with MakeMKV. The tools for cross flashing Pioneer drives are not publicly available however.

[CharlyTheSneaky]

If the Pioneer drives are new, then they will almost assuredly come with firmware that's too new to support LibreDrive and thus they won't be able to rip 4K UHDs.

I was mainly saying that *people* said the drives were "too new" if I buy from Amazon there is no way of knowing if it will be ripable?
Are ALL Pioneer drives (still) affected by this Feb 23 driver updates? Are there any none affected?

The easiest way to get a new Pioneer drive with older, compatible firmware is to buy from a seller, Asmcom in the case of Europe.

I will look into this thoroughly thank you!

Also one last question, there is no way to know if a drive is ripable unless it's bought from a trusted source or in your hands right?

Thanks for clearing up a few things,
Cheers

[Coopervid]

If I were buying a new drive today, preferably external, what would be the best option for a drive I can safely flash? I was looking at the Asus BW-16D1X-U, but it appear that they have started coming with newer firmware that is preventing flashing? I was also looking at a BP50NB40 that is currently on sale locally.

Your country of residence? Do you prefer a Pioneer or LG? Pioneer is recommended.

Hey there,

If I may bump on here, I have the oportunity to buy the LG-BU40N or other pioneer drives as follows : BDR-213-EBK / BDR-212-DBK / BDR-S13-EBK (I haven't seen them in recommanded drives)
They're around the same price where I live (France) and I was curious if Pioneers were more worth it. I've seen that some are too recent and therefore unable to rip properly.

Thank you to anyone who may provide further guidance,
Charly

Let me know your country of residence. You will then receive a PM.