Ultimate UHD Drives Flashing Guide Updated 2025

[goestoeleven]

Hi gang. Newb here and very late to the party. There are hundreds of pages here, so I hope you'll forgive the question and help a brother out:

Just picked up an LG drive from OWC. It's not currently reading UHD disks, even though the techs there said it could.

Here's what MakeMKV is reporting:

Drive Information
OS device name: \Device\CdRom1
Current profile: BD-ROM
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE BH16NS40
Revision: 1.05
Serial number: <redacted>
Firmware date: 2120-05-06 13:31
Bus encryption flags: 17
Highest AACS version: 81

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)

Out of the box it can read BD Audio disks, but it can't see UHD disks. It also seems to not be able to read the MLP tracks on DVD-Audio disks (just the DD content). Is there a firmware I can use to make both UHD and DVD-A ripping possible?

I'm reasonably technical and can follow a procedure if I've got the right tools.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Hi! were you able to get it flashed? I have the same drive

Yes, with help from Billy I am in business! Money well spent!

[sevoflurane]

ANother newbie here, though I am a long standing MakeMKV user and have been an avid ripper of CDs, DVDs of all types and SACDs for years. I have only one UHD BD, and am wondering if the following drive would be capable of ripping it so I can play the rip on my 4K TV.

Drive Information
OS device name: E:
Manufacturer: PIONEER
Product: BD-RW BDR-209M
Revision: 8.11
Serial number: redacted.
Firmware date: 2014-01-16
Bus encryption flags: 1B
Highest AACS version: 82

LibreDrive Information
Status: Enabled
Drive platform: RS8600
Firmware name: PIONEER BDR-209
Firmware type: Original (unpatched)
Firmware version: 8.11/ID52
DVD all regions: Yes
BD raw data read: Yes
BD raw metadata read: Yes
Unrestricted read speed: Yes

No disc inserted.

Note that the drive is in a Buffalo enclosure and was marketed at a BRXL 16U3. I have seen comments here stating that some Buffalo enclosures prevent flashing, and could remove the drive and rehouse it in the Icy Box enclosure that currently houses an older LG BD drive used for CD ripping.

I think the last time I flashed the firmware of an optical drive was over 20 years ago to make it region free, so I am somewhat out of practice. I will keep on reading the vast amount of information on this forum to educate myself further, but if anyone knows and has a quick answer it would be much appreciated!

[Coopervid]

ANother newbie here, though I am a long standing MakeMKV user and have been an avid ripper of CDs, DVDs of all types and SACDs for years. I have only one UHD BD, and am wondering if the following drive would be capable of ripping it so I can play the rip on my 4K TV.

Drive Information
OS device name: E:
Manufacturer: PIONEER
Product: BD-RW BDR-209M
Revision: 8.11
Serial number: redacted.
Firmware date: 2014-01-16
Bus encryption flags: 1B
Highest AACS version: 82

LibreDrive Information
Status: Enabled
Drive platform: RS8600
Firmware name: PIONEER BDR-209
Firmware type: Original (unpatched)
Firmware version: 8.11/ID52
DVD all regions: Yes
BD raw data read: Yes
BD raw metadata read: Yes
Unrestricted read speed: Yes

No disc inserted.

Note that the drive is in a Buffalo enclosure and was marketed at a BRXL 16U3. I have seen comments here stating that some Buffalo enclosures prevent flashing, and could remove the drive and rehouse it in the Icy Box enclosure that currently houses an older LG BD drive used for CD ripping.

I think the last time I flashed the firmware of an optical drive was over 20 years ago to make it region free, so I am somewhat out of practice. I will keep on reading the vast amount of information on this forum to educate myself further, but if anyone knows and has a quick answer it would be much appreciated!

PM sent.

[WackaYoshida]

I think the last time I flashed the firmware of an optical drive was over 20 years ago to make it region free, so I am somewhat out of practice. I will keep on reading the vast amount of information on this forum to educate myself further, but if anyone knows and has a quick answer it would be much appreciated!

I'm very much in the same boat. If anyone's willing to assist me on this, do let me know. Here's some info on my drive:

Drive Information
OS device name: F:
Current profile: BD-ROM
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE BP71N
Revision: 1.01
Serial number: SIK01L3MC2102
Firmware date: 2120-09-07 11:43
Bus encryption flags: 1F
Highest AACS version: 82

LibreDrive Information
Status: Possible (with patched firmware)
Drive platform: MT1959
Harware support: Yes
Firmware support: No
Firmware type: Original (patched version available)
Firmware version: 1.01
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)

[sevoflurane]

ANother newbie here, though I am a long standing MakeMKV user and have been an avid ripper of CDs, DVDs of all types and SACDs for years. I have only one UHD BD, and am wondering if the following drive would be capable of ripping it so I can play the rip on my 4K TV.

Drive Information
OS device name: E:
Manufacturer: PIONEER
Product: BD-RW BDR-209M
Revision: 8.11
Serial number: redacted.
Firmware date: 2014-01-16
Bus encryption flags: 1B
Highest AACS version: 82

LibreDrive Information
Status: Enabled
Drive platform: RS8600
Firmware name: PIONEER BDR-209
Firmware type: Original (unpatched)
Firmware version: 8.11/ID52
DVD all regions: Yes
BD raw data read: Yes
BD raw metadata read: Yes
Unrestricted read speed: Yes

No disc inserted.

Note that the drive is in a Buffalo enclosure and was marketed at a BRXL 16U3. I have seen comments here stating that some Buffalo enclosures prevent flashing, and could remove the drive and rehouse it in the Icy Box enclosure that currently houses an older LG BD drive used for CD ripping.

I think the last time I flashed the firmware of an optical drive was over 20 years ago to make it region free, so I am somewhat out of practice. I will keep on reading the vast amount of information on this forum to educate myself further, but if anyone knows and has a quick answer it would be much appreciated!

PM sent.

Many thanks. I have gone from the UHD BD not even being recognised to ripping it in a matter of minutes.

[MartyMcNuts]

I think the last time I flashed the firmware of an optical drive was over 20 years ago to make it region free, so I am somewhat out of practice. I will keep on reading the vast amount of information on this forum to educate myself further, but if anyone knows and has a quick answer it would be much appreciated!

I'm very much in the same boat. If anyone's willing to assist me on this, do let me know. Here's some info on my drive:

Drive Information
OS device name: F:
Current profile: BD-ROM
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE BP71N
Revision: 1.01
Serial number: SIK01L3MC2102
Firmware date: 2120-09-07 11:43
Bus encryption flags: 1F
Highest AACS version: 82

LibreDrive Information
Status: Possible (with patched firmware)
Drive platform: MT1959
Harware support: Yes
Firmware support: No
Firmware type: Original (patched version available)
Firmware version: 1.01
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)

If this is a slim drive (Buffalo maybe?) it would be a LG BU40N. If so, you can flash it to BU40N 1.03-MK

[WackaYoshida]

If this is a slim drive (Buffalo maybe?) it would be a LG BU40N.
[/quote]

It's a slim drive, Japanese Logitec. The name on the box says "LBD-LPWAWU3ND Series". It's an ultra-HD drive capable of CD, DVD and BD ripping. This one to be exact: https://www.logitec.co.jp/products/blur ... /index.php

If so, you can flash it to BU40N 1.03-MK
[/quote]

Roger that! Where can I find this firmware? And how do I perform the flashing in question?