Issues with BRAND NEW Archgon-8170 w/ BU40N and UHD Discs

[fiftysquiggly]

Hello all,

A little bit of a disclaimer - I am quite new here. This is my first time attempting to rip UHD DVDs. I've spent, however, the past couple of days researching the process and as someone with at least a modicum of computer literacy I thought the process to be *somewhat* straightforward.

That being said I have the full UHD set of Game of Thrones that I am trying to rip with MakeMKV and a newly purchased Archagon UHD drive that, according to MakeMKV, has a BU40M in it and I am having some problems.

It is first worth noting that BOTH the disc set and drive are essentially new. I bought the disc set a year or two ago but it has been sitting on a shelf untouched and unused until now. The Archgon BU40N is of course also brand new - I just received it yesterday.

I went through the flash procedure and flashed the BU40N to firmware version 1.03MK (that was the firmware included in the "The all you need firmware pack" for the drive). After flashing I inserted the first disc of season 1 and ripped it without a hitch - no problem. Then I inserted disc 2 and all the problems started. The drive would recognize the disc but when I went to rip it it would produce a myriad of errors.

Sometimes it would be "Scsi error - HARDWARE ERROR:TIMEOUT ON LOGICAL UNIT", sometimes "Scsi error - ILLEGAL REQUEST:INVALID FIELD IN CDB". Other times it would be "The source file '/BDMV/STREAM/00045.m2ts' is corrupt or invalid at offset 27856896" or "MEDIUM ERROR:L-EC UNCORRECTABLE ERROR". So I tried Disc 3 and ran into the same problem. It will recognize the disc, begin to read and rip, and then at some random point inevitably fail with some random errors.

I've tried updating the firmware to the newer 1.04MK but am running into the same problems. I am now attempting to simply copy the files from the disc to a new folder using Windows explorer to attempt to rip from backup and I've noticed a couple things while doing so. In the middle of copying files over the copy process will sometimes slow to a crawl and then the drive just shuts itself off. If I unplug the drive, plug it back in, and then resume the copy process the copy process will resume until the next random slow down and shut off. Secondly, I opened MakeMKV to get some details about the drive itself while using Windows Explorer to copy files over and immediately upon doing so the drive crashed and shut off. It looks like multiple programs trying to access the drive will cause it to crash and shut off.

So far this is seeming to be drive-related to me but the drive is literally brand new and I am new to this process as well. Does anyone have any thoughts on what is most likely causing this? Is it possibly an issue with the firmware itself, not the drive or discs? If it is the drive is there a way for me to flash it back to the original firmware so that I can return it to seller? I spent $124 on Amazon for this drive literally two days ago.

[MartyMcNuts]

Hello all,

A little bit of a disclaimer - I am quite new here. This is my first time attempting to rip UHD DVDs. I've spent, however, the past couple of days researching the process and as someone with at least a modicum of computer literacy I thought the process to be *somewhat* straightforward.

That being said I have the full UHD set of Game of Thrones that I am trying to rip with MakeMKV and a newly purchased Archagon UHD drive that, according to MakeMKV, has a BU40M in it and I am having some problems.

It is first worth noting that BOTH the disc set and drive are essentially new. I bought the disc set a year or two ago but it has been sitting on a shelf untouched and unused until now. The Archgon BU40N is of course also brand new - I just received it yesterday.

I went through the flash procedure and flashed the BU40N to firmware version 1.03MK (that was the firmware included in the "The all you need firmware pack" for the drive). After flashing I inserted the first disc of season 1 and ripped it without a hitch - no problem. Then I inserted disc 2 and all the problems started. The drive would recognize the disc but when I went to rip it it would produce a myriad of errors.

Sometimes it would be "Scsi error - HARDWARE ERROR:TIMEOUT ON LOGICAL UNIT", sometimes "Scsi error - ILLEGAL REQUEST:INVALID FIELD IN CDB". Other times it would be "The source file '/BDMV/STREAM/00045.m2ts' is corrupt or invalid at offset 27856896" or "MEDIUM ERROR:L-EC UNCORRECTABLE ERROR". So I tried Disc 3 and ran into the same problem. It will recognize the disc, begin to read and rip, and then at some random point inevitably fail with some random errors.

I've tried updating the firmware to the newer 1.04MK but am running into the same problems. I am now attempting to simply copy the files from the disc to a new folder using Windows explorer to attempt to rip from backup and I've noticed a couple things while doing so. In the middle of copying files over the copy process will sometimes slow to a crawl and then the drive just shuts itself off. If I unplug the drive, plug it back in, and then resume the copy process the copy process will resume until the next random slow down and shut off. Secondly, I opened MakeMKV to get some details about the drive itself while using Windows Explorer to copy files over and immediately upon doing so the drive crashed and shut off. It looks like multiple programs trying to access the drive will cause it to crash and shut off.

So far this is seeming to be drive-related to me but the drive is literally brand new and I am new to this process as well. Does anyone have any thoughts on what is most likely causing this? Is it possibly an issue with the firmware itself, not the drive or discs? If it is the drive is there a way for me to flash it back to the original firmware so that I can return it to seller? I spent $124 on Amazon for this drive literally two days ago.

Firmware is not the issue. Put it back on BU40N 1.03. 1.04 is not as good.

CLEAN THE DISCS!!!!! This is very important with brand new discs and especially with the GoT boxset (they are pretty bad quality discs in this set (also the LotR boxset)) as 99.9% of the time they have some residue on them from manufacturing. Sometimes this residue can't even be seen by the naked eye.

Also, ensure you are using either USB-C or USB-A ports on the motherboard (not case ports) or a self-powered USB hub (30w+). If using USB-A cable and it has 2 plugs, ensure they are both connected to USB ports.

[fiftysquiggly]

Firmware is not the issue. Put it back on BU40N 1.03. 1.04 is not as good.

CLEAN THE DISCS!!!!! This is very important with brand new discs and especially with the GoT boxset (they are pretty bad quality discs in this set (also the LotR boxset)) as 99.9% of the time they have some residue on them from manufacturing. Sometimes this residue can't even be seen by the naked eye.

Also, ensure you are using either USB-C or USB-A ports on the motherboard (not case ports) or a self-powered USB hub (30w+). If using USB-A cable and it has 2 plugs, ensure they are both connected to USB ports.

Hi Marty,

Thank you for the information. I didn't think about that and I've been worried to clean the discs out of fear of somehow smudging/scratching/damaging them more considering how fickle they seem to be.

This is probably a silly question but if you don't mind me asking what is your recommended method for cleaning UHD discs? I tried water and a microfiber cloth but that didn't work well. Is there a particular solution you recommend like isopropyl alcohol?

Thanks!

[MartyMcNuts]

Firmware is not the issue. Put it back on BU40N 1.03. 1.04 is not as good.

CLEAN THE DISCS!!!!! This is very important with brand new discs and especially with the GoT boxset (they are pretty bad quality discs in this set (also the LotR boxset)) as 99.9% of the time they have some residue on them from manufacturing. Sometimes this residue can't even be seen by the naked eye.

Also, ensure you are using either USB-C or USB-A ports on the motherboard (not case ports) or a self-powered USB hub (30w+). If using USB-A cable and it has 2 plugs, ensure they are both connected to USB ports.

Hi Marty,

Thank you for the information. I didn't think about that and I've been worried to clean the discs out of fear of somehow smudging/scratching/damaging them more considering how fickle they seem to be.

This is probably a silly question but if you don't mind me asking what is your recommended method for cleaning UHD discs? I tried water and a microfiber cloth but that didn't work well. Is there a particular solution you recommend like isopropyl alcohol?

Thanks!

Personally, I have never had to do any more than a simple wipe down with a microfiber cloth.

Some people, try that first. If it doesn't help, they then try a more thorough clean by using soapy water and a microfiber cloth, patting it dry with another microfiber cloth then letting it sit overnight to ensure it is fully dry.

I have also heard of others using something like glasses cleaner spray and a microfiber cloth.

Then again, if none of these methods help, as I said, that is one of the worst quality UHD disc set around and you simply may have bad discs. I don't have the GoT or LotR boxsets as neither of them interest me at all, so just going off the many threads I have read about them.

Sometimes another drive may help get a successful read. This is why most of us have more than 1 drive. I have 3 different model Pioneer drives and 2 LG drives put away for emergency use. The Pioneer's are awesome and haven't yet had to use the LG's in over 3 years! (I had the LG's before we could use Pioneer's. Once I switched, I have never looked back!)

[fiftysquiggly]

Firmware is not the issue. Put it back on BU40N 1.03. 1.04 is not as good.

CLEAN THE DISCS!!!!! This is very important with brand new discs and especially with the GoT boxset (they are pretty bad quality discs in this set (also the LotR boxset)) as 99.9% of the time they have some residue on them from manufacturing. Sometimes this residue can't even be seen by the naked eye.

Also, ensure you are using either USB-C or USB-A ports on the motherboard (not case ports) or a self-powered USB hub (30w+). If using USB-A cable and it has 2 plugs, ensure they are both connected to USB ports.

Hi Marty,

Thank you for the information. I didn't think about that and I've been worried to clean the discs out of fear of somehow smudging/scratching/damaging them more considering how fickle they seem to be.

This is probably a silly question but if you don't mind me asking what is your recommended method for cleaning UHD discs? I tried water and a microfiber cloth but that didn't work well. Is there a particular solution you recommend like isopropyl alcohol?

Thanks!

Personally, I have never had to do any more than a simple wipe down with a microfiber cloth.

Some people, try that first. If it doesn't help, they then try a more thorough clean by using soapy water and a microfiber cloth, patting it dry with another microfiber cloth then letting it sit overnight to ensure it is fully dry.

I have also heard of others using something like glasses cleaner spray and a microfiber cloth.

Then again, if none of these methods help, as I said, that is one of the worst quality UHD disc set around and you simply may have bad discs. I don't have the GoT or LotR boxsets as neither of them interest me at all, so just going off the many threads I have read about them.

Sometimes another drive may help get a successful read. This is why most of us have more than 1 drive. I have 3 different model Pioneer drives and 2 LG drives put away for emergency use. The Pioneer's are awesome and haven't yet had to use the LG's in over 3 years! (I had the LG's before we could use Pioneer's. Once I switched, I have never looked back!)

Thanks again for your reply. I was able to get MOST of the discs ripped - there are just 4 out of the set that I couldn't get ripped. I bought an BP50NB40 to see if a new drive might perform better but it seems that the BP50NB40 I bought simply wont read UHD discs at all... I followed the recommended flash path but no dice so I suppose I will have to return it.

Looking at your flashing guide new Pioneer drives no longer work, do they? I was thinking about getting a Pioneer drive but then remembered reading in the guide that newer ones don't work with the MK firmware.

Thanks!

[fiftysquiggly]

Whelp - I guess this answers my question regarding the Pioneer drives:
viewtopic.php?f=16&t=37848

Picking one up off of Amazon now!

[MartyMcNuts]

Whelp - I guess this answers my question regarding the Pioneer drives:
viewtopic.php?f=16&t=37848

Picking one up off of Amazon now!

Yes, it looks like it will happen eventually. Still might be another year or 2 yet ..

[Coopervid]

Whelp - I guess this answers my question regarding the Pioneer drives:
viewtopic.php?f=16&t=37848

Picking one up off of Amazon now!

Yes, it looks like it will happen eventually. Still might be another year or 2 yet ..

I don't think so. I guess he was holding back until it was announced that Pioneer leaves the business. Among other issues to avoid the cat and mouse game with new altered encryption.

[MartyMcNuts]

Whelp - I guess this answers my question regarding the Pioneer drives:
viewtopic.php?f=16&t=37848

Picking one up off of Amazon now!

Yes, it looks like it will happen eventually. Still might be another year or 2 yet ..

I don't think so. I guess he was holding back until it was announced that Pioneer leaves the business. Among other issues to avoid the cat and mouse game with new altered encryption.

Mike's been working on it for over 2 years now and may have finally made some progress.

Granted, it should be easier now that Pioneer are out of the game and no need to worry about updates but their firmware encryption changes in December 2022 has been a massive headache.

So yeah it'll happen but still might be a little while.

[Coopervid]

Yes, it looks like it will happen eventually. Still might be another year or 2 yet ..

I don't think so. I guess he was holding back until it was announced that Pioneer leaves the business. Among other issues to avoid the cat and mouse game with new altered encryption.

Mike's been working on it for over 2 years now and may have finally made some progress.

Granted, it should be easier now that Pioneer are out of the game and no need to worry about updates but their firmware encryption changes in December 2022 has been a massive headache.

So yeah it'll happen but still might be a little while.

May the force be with him