I guess over the years I've just gotten accustomed to most software being able to account for things like this either automatically, or by allowing the user to manually point it to the correct installation directory, and just didn't really think about that until you mentioned it was likely because MakeMKV wasn't in the default location, so thanks for that!Coopervid wrote: ↑Sun Nov 16, 2025 8:10 pmGlad you sorted it out. Being so knowledgable about all you posted, I wonder why you yourself didn't figure it out. Upgrade your C: drive with enough space and forget about all that stuff that just creates issues. That's what I would do.xunil76 wrote: ↑Sun Nov 16, 2025 7:49 pmThere are perfectly valid reasons for not installing things into the default installation directory, which is why the vast majority of program installers give you that option in the first place (MakeMKV included, mind you). I never use the default C:\Program Files or C:\Program Files (x86) locations for installing anything, except for those select few things which don't give me any option to change the installation directory (which irks me to no end).
I have a C: partition that is literally for Windows and Windows only, then a D: partition where I install everything else. This is because starting at least with Windows Vista (if not earlier), Windows has an extremely annoying tendency over time to fill up whatever free space is available on C: (I'm looking at YOU, C:\Windows\WinSxS), and installing everything else onto a separate partition prevents me from ever even being able to use up all of that space on C: with my installed apps/games, which would prevent (and has in the past prevented) Windows Updates & the like from being able to complete. I even move the Windows page file onto another partition so that is not eating up space on C:.
That said, I tried copying SDFtool Flasher directly into the root MakeMKV installation folder, as well as "...\MakeMKV\Data" (which is what the Preferences you mentioned show as the data directory), and it still doesn't work in either case.
What did work, however, was creating a Symbolic Link from my existing MakeMKV installation directory on D: into the C:\Program Files (x86) folder...so anyone else running into this issue now knows how to workaround without resorting to completely uninstalling MakeMKV and reinstalling it into the default location. Hope that helps at least a few people out there.
Seems to me that there should be an option when coming across this error to manually point the SDFtool Flasher to the MakeMKV EXE file if it can't find it on its own; that would be a much more elegant solution to the problem for those like myself who prefer not to use the default installation path.
Perhaps this could be a feature request for a future update to the tool? Admittedly I'm not a coder myself, but I really doubt that would be very difficult to achieve.
Ultimate UHD Drives Flashing Guide Updated 2026
Re: Ultimate UHD Drives Flashing Guide Updated 2025
Re: Ultimate UHD Drives Flashing Guide Updated 2025
You are welcome. Mike's software doesn't account for the user using his forehead hitting the keyboard and everything works like magic.
Re: Ultimate UHD Drives Flashing Guide Updated 2025
It's really not that unusual to have one partition for Windows and another for actual program installations. I do exactly the same as the OP. SDF Flasher is hardcoded with the default location of MakeMKV which, in itself, is not good practice so even when putting the .exe in the same folder as MakeMKV, it still doesn't work.
Marty has indicated that he might change that in the future though.
Re: Ultimate UHD Drives Flashing Guide Updated 2025
I did this also in the old days of DOS and the early Windows versions but then I changed it because I also ran in such issues from time to time when there was a non-standard location for some programs. If in any case I run out of space I just clone my C-drive to a larger SSD and use the old one for other purposes like storing video files.Mr_Orange wrote: ↑Sun Nov 16, 2025 11:15 pmIt's really not that unusual to have one partition for Windows and another for actual program installations. I do exactly the same as the OP. SDF Flasher is hardcoded with the default location of MakeMKV which, in itself, is not good practice so even when putting the .exe in the same folder as MakeMKV, it still doesn't work.
Marty has indicated that he might change that in the future though.
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skywinder21
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Fri Jul 19, 2024 9:58 pm
Re: Ultimate UHD Drives Flashing Guide Updated 2025
Worked out great! Had to try from 2 different PCs to get the drive to show up in the flasher, but it works! Thanks again!Coopervid wrote: ↑Sun Nov 16, 2025 6:16 pmPM sent.skywinder21 wrote: ↑Sun Nov 16, 2025 4:52 pmHey guys, I'm working on getting a Buffalo housed BRXL-16U3 reading UHD disks.
Looks like it's a fully repackaged Pioneed BDR-209M running BDR-212T firmware.
Drive Information
OS device name: \Device\CdRom0
Current profile: BD-ROM
Manufacturer: PIONEER
Product: BD-RW BDR-209M
Revision: 8.53
Serial number:
Firmware date: 2019-03-07
Bus encryption flags: 1B
Highest AACS version: 77
LibreDrive Information
Status: Enabled
Drive platform: RS8F00
Firmware name: PIONEER BDR-212T
Firmware type: Original (unpatched)
Firmware version: 8.53/ID52
DVD all regions: Yes
BD raw data read: Yes
BD raw metadata read: Yes
Unrestricted read speed: Yes
What do I need to do to flash it for UHD?
Thanks in advance!
Re: Ultimate UHD Drives Flashing Guide Updated 2025
Is McAffee installed on the PC where it didn't show up?skywinder21 wrote: ↑Mon Nov 17, 2025 7:03 pmWorked out great! Had to try from 2 different PCs to get the drive to show up in the flasher, but it works! Thanks again!Coopervid wrote: ↑Sun Nov 16, 2025 6:16 pmPM sent.skywinder21 wrote: ↑Sun Nov 16, 2025 4:52 pmHey guys, I'm working on getting a Buffalo housed BRXL-16U3 reading UHD disks.
Looks like it's a fully repackaged Pioneed BDR-209M running BDR-212T firmware.
Drive Information
OS device name: \Device\CdRom0
Current profile: BD-ROM
Manufacturer: PIONEER
Product: BD-RW BDR-209M
Revision: 8.53
Serial number:
Firmware date: 2019-03-07
Bus encryption flags: 1B
Highest AACS version: 77
LibreDrive Information
Status: Enabled
Drive platform: RS8F00
Firmware name: PIONEER BDR-212T
Firmware type: Original (unpatched)
Firmware version: 8.53/ID52
DVD all regions: Yes
BD raw data read: Yes
BD raw metadata read: Yes
Unrestricted read speed: Yes
What do I need to do to flash it for UHD?
Thanks in advance!![]()
Re: Ultimate UHD Drives Flashing Guide Updated 2025
Hey! Just to sum this up for everyone that would like to know more:Amos_Burton wrote: ↑Sun Nov 16, 2025 12:21 pmHi, I'm from France and having the same issue here - can you PM me ?TheBesto wrote: ↑Sun Nov 09, 2025 5:55 pmHey guys!
I'm starting to look into saving my physical blu-ray collection into a digital one in order to avoid potentially losing them in the future.
As one can notice, I ended here (coming from the LTT video from a bit more than a year ago).
As a software engineer, I'm trying to understand what's behind the scene regarding all the steps that are linked in the tutorial on first page.
I do understand the need for a drive that can read Blu-Rays (duh), but then I fall a bit short on what the flashing step is supposed to be for.
Can someone explains a bit what it does? Is it to enable 4K HDR support on drives that does not have it? Is it to enable reading protected blu-rays as if they were not? Both, something else?
Also, it seems that, at least in France, most of the drives referenced in the tutorial are not available anymore to purchase.
The only exception is the Buffalo BRUHD-PU3-BK which I do find on Amazon, but it is quite expensive.
Do you have any recommandation there? It seems that the Asmcom website that would deliver pre-flashed drives is not available at the time (getting connection errors when trying to go there).
Thanks in advance![]()
So we can discuss about it a bit
- Got myself a Verbatim 43888, as suggested by Coopervid
- Just received it yesterday
- Tested it without flashing - could not rip 4K Blu-Rays but worked for CDs / DVDs / Blu-Rays
- Flashed it (as described in main post + viewtopic.php?f=16&t=22896)
- It now works to rip 4K Blu-Rays as well
It's just a little bit picky, as there are so far multiple discs that failed (one got a corruption error, another somehow made MakeMKV have a fatal error and exit, another seems to be trying to access something he can not, ... I've not yet figured out everything, but since some of them worked, I'm confident I'll succeed with those as well in time).
Now @Amos_Burton if you wish to know more, I'll let you PM me
Re: Ultimate UHD Drives Flashing Guide Updated 2025
Wash UHDs with liquid soap before trying them.TheBesto wrote: ↑Mon Nov 17, 2025 7:51 pmHey! Just to sum this up for everyone that would like to know more:Amos_Burton wrote: ↑Sun Nov 16, 2025 12:21 pmHi, I'm from France and having the same issue here - can you PM me ?TheBesto wrote: ↑Sun Nov 09, 2025 5:55 pmHey guys!
I'm starting to look into saving my physical blu-ray collection into a digital one in order to avoid potentially losing them in the future.
As one can notice, I ended here (coming from the LTT video from a bit more than a year ago).
As a software engineer, I'm trying to understand what's behind the scene regarding all the steps that are linked in the tutorial on first page.
I do understand the need for a drive that can read Blu-Rays (duh), but then I fall a bit short on what the flashing step is supposed to be for.
Can someone explains a bit what it does? Is it to enable 4K HDR support on drives that does not have it? Is it to enable reading protected blu-rays as if they were not? Both, something else?
Also, it seems that, at least in France, most of the drives referenced in the tutorial are not available anymore to purchase.
The only exception is the Buffalo BRUHD-PU3-BK which I do find on Amazon, but it is quite expensive.
Do you have any recommandation there? It seems that the Asmcom website that would deliver pre-flashed drives is not available at the time (getting connection errors when trying to go there).
Thanks in advance![]()
So we can discuss about it a bit
- Got myself a Verbatim 43888, as suggested by Coopervid
- Just received it yesterday
- Tested it without flashing - could not rip 4K Blu-Rays but worked for CDs / DVDs / Blu-Rays
- Flashed it (as described in main post + viewtopic.php?f=16&t=22896)
- It now works to rip 4K Blu-Rays as well
It's just a little bit picky, as there are so far multiple discs that failed (one got a corruption error, another somehow made MakeMKV have a fatal error and exit, another seems to be trying to access something he can not, ... I've not yet figured out everything, but since some of them worked, I'm confident I'll succeed with those as well in time).
Now @Amos_Burton if you wish to know more, I'll let you PM me![]()
-
skywinder21
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Fri Jul 19, 2024 9:58 pm
Re: Ultimate UHD Drives Flashing Guide Updated 2025
No McAffee - just Windows Defender ... It did not show up on my Win 11 Pro, Asus laptop, but did work just fine on my Win 11 Pro HP Elitebook...Coopervid wrote: ↑Mon Nov 17, 2025 7:22 pmIs McAffee installed on the PC where it didn't show up?skywinder21 wrote: ↑Mon Nov 17, 2025 7:03 pmWorked out great! Had to try from 2 different PCs to get the drive to show up in the flasher, but it works! Thanks again!![]()
Re: Ultimate UHD Drives Flashing Guide Updated 2025
Thanks. Still looking to find the reason when the flasher doesn't fin the drive.skywinder21 wrote: ↑Mon Nov 17, 2025 9:10 pmNo McAffee - just Windows Defender ... It did not show up on my Win 11 Pro, Asus laptop, but did work just fine on my Win 11 Pro HP Elitebook...Coopervid wrote: ↑Mon Nov 17, 2025 7:22 pmIs McAffee installed on the PC where it didn't show up?skywinder21 wrote: ↑Mon Nov 17, 2025 7:03 pm
Worked out great! Had to try from 2 different PCs to get the drive to show up in the flasher, but it works! Thanks again!![]()
Re: Ultimate UHD Drives Flashing Guide Updated 2025
Hey gang, I got this Pioneer BDR-209M off eBay (although the listing and sticker claim it's a BDR-S09XLB, what's up with this phenomenon), wondering if it can be flashed for UHD. I was crossing my fingers that the firmware would be old enough, but from the looks of it the fw is pretty dang dusty!
Drive Information
OS device name: \Device\CdRom0
Current profile: BD-ROM
Manufacturer: PIONEER
Product: BD-RW BDR-209M
Revision: 1.10
Serial number:
Firmware date: 2013-09-10
Bus encryption flags: 1B
LibreDrive Information
Status: Possible, not yet enabled
Drive platform: Pioneer RS8600
Firmware version: GENE
Many thanks
Drive Information
OS device name: \Device\CdRom0
Current profile: BD-ROM
Manufacturer: PIONEER
Product: BD-RW BDR-209M
Revision: 1.10
Serial number:
Firmware date: 2013-09-10
Bus encryption flags: 1B
LibreDrive Information
Status: Possible, not yet enabled
Drive platform: Pioneer RS8600
Firmware version: GENE
Many thanks
-
Billycar11
- Posts: 5197
- Joined: Sun Aug 24, 2014 5:49 am
Re: Ultimate UHD Drives Flashing Guide Updated 2025
It can do uhd just email me that drive info section see below for emailsifaka36 wrote: ↑Sun Nov 23, 2025 6:03 pmHey gang, I got this Pioneer BDR-209M off eBay (although the listing and sticker claim it's a BDR-S09XLB, what's up with this phenomenon), wondering if it can be flashed for UHD. I was crossing my fingers that the firmware would be old enough, but from the looks of it the fw is pretty dang dusty!
Drive Information
OS device name: \Device\CdRom0
Current profile: BD-ROM
Manufacturer: PIONEER
Product: BD-RW BDR-209M
Revision: 1.10
Serial number:
Firmware date: 2013-09-10
Bus encryption flags: 1B
LibreDrive Information
Status: Possible, not yet enabled
Drive platform: Pioneer RS8600
Firmware version: GENE
Many thanks![]()
Buy a UHD drive from the guide and how to video maker: https://www.makemkv.com/forum/viewtopic ... 20&t=17831
UHD Drives Guide: https://www.makemkv.com/forum/viewtopic ... 16&t=19634
Auto flash kit $40 Email me for one Billycar5924@gmail.com
UHD Drives Guide: https://www.makemkv.com/forum/viewtopic ... 16&t=19634
Auto flash kit $40 Email me for one Billycar5924@gmail.com
-
pyrochance
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Mon Nov 24, 2025 10:14 pm
Re: Ultimate UHD Drives Flashing Guide Updated 2025
Hi there,
i am new to the forum, just starting in the hobby.
I purchased a used drive, it was supposed to be a WP50NB40, but i received a 2017 BP50NB40
I thought the WP model was supposed to be easier to flash but not sure if that really matters.
Since its already on a 1.01 firmware, do i still need to flash "BP50NB40-NB50-1.03MK" or should i go straight to " BP60NB10 1.02MK or 1.00MK" ?
im struggling with the instructions a bit. am i supposed to "Write" first the same firmware then "recovery" the same firmware?
Drive Information
OS device name: D:
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE BP50NB40
Revision: 1.01
Serial number:
Firmware date: 2117-11-23 16:15
Bus encryption flags: 17
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)
i am new to the forum, just starting in the hobby.
I purchased a used drive, it was supposed to be a WP50NB40, but i received a 2017 BP50NB40
I thought the WP model was supposed to be easier to flash but not sure if that really matters.
Since its already on a 1.01 firmware, do i still need to flash "BP50NB40-NB50-1.03MK" or should i go straight to " BP60NB10 1.02MK or 1.00MK" ?
im struggling with the instructions a bit. am i supposed to "Write" first the same firmware then "recovery" the same firmware?
Drive Information
OS device name: D:
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE BP50NB40
Revision: 1.01
Serial number:
Firmware date: 2117-11-23 16:15
Bus encryption flags: 17
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)
Re: Ultimate UHD Drives Flashing Guide Updated 2025
Use SDFTool flasher.pyrochance wrote: ↑Mon Nov 24, 2025 10:26 pmHi there,
i am new to the forum, just starting in the hobby.
I purchased a used drive, it was supposed to be a WP50NB40, but i received a 2017 BP50NB40
I thought the WP model was supposed to be easier to flash but not sure if that really matters.
Since its already on a 1.01 firmware, do i still need to flash "BP50NB40-NB50-1.03MK" or should i go straight to " BP60NB10 1.02MK or 1.00MK" ?
im struggling with the instructions a bit. am i supposed to "Write" first the same firmware then "recovery" the same firmware?
Drive Information
OS device name: D:
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE BP50NB40
Revision: 1.01
Serial number:
Firmware date: 2117-11-23 16:15
Bus encryption flags: 17
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)
viewtopic.php?f=16&t=22896&hilit=SDFTool
First flash the MK firmware to the drive.
Then look at the GIF. In the upper box during RECOVERY put the just flashed firmware again and in the lower box BU40N or BP60NB10.
-
pyrochance
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Mon Nov 24, 2025 10:14 pm
Re: Ultimate UHD Drives Flashing Guide Updated 2025
Thank you for clarifying that part! i was successful with flashing it!Coopervid wrote: ↑Tue Nov 25, 2025 10:36 amUse SDFTool flasher.pyrochance wrote: ↑Mon Nov 24, 2025 10:26 pmHi there,
i am new to the forum, just starting in the hobby.
I purchased a used drive, it was supposed to be a WP50NB40, but i received a 2017 BP50NB40
I thought the WP model was supposed to be easier to flash but not sure if that really matters.
Since its already on a 1.01 firmware, do i still need to flash "BP50NB40-NB50-1.03MK" or should i go straight to " BP60NB10 1.02MK or 1.00MK" ?
im struggling with the instructions a bit. am i supposed to "Write" first the same firmware then "recovery" the same firmware?
Drive Information
OS device name: D:
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE BP50NB40
Revision: 1.01
Serial number:
Firmware date: 2117-11-23 16:15
Bus encryption flags: 17
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)
viewtopic.php?f=16&t=22896&hilit=SDFTool
First flash the MK firmware to the drive.
Then look at the GIF. In the upper box during RECOVERY put the just flashed firmware again and in the lower box BU40N or BP60NB10.
are there any advantages to one firmware or the other for the cross flash?