Ultimate UHD Drives Flashing Guide Updated 2026

[Coopervid]

You are welcome. Mike's software doesn't account for the user using his forehead hitting the keyboard and everything works like magic.

[Mr_Orange]

You are welcome. Mike's software doesn't account for the user using his forehead hitting the keyboard and everything works like magic.

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.

[Coopervid]

You are welcome. Mike's software doesn't account for the user using his forehead hitting the keyboard and everything works like magic.

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.

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.

[skywinder21]

Hey 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!

PM sent.

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]

Hey 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!

PM sent.

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!

Is McAffee installed on the PC where it didn't show up?

[TheBesto]

Hey 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

Hi, I'm from France and having the same issue here - can you PM me ? So we can discuss about it a bit

Hey! Just to sum this up for everyone that would like to know more:
- 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

[Coopervid]

Hey 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

Hi, I'm from France and having the same issue here - can you PM me ? So we can discuss about it a bit

Hey! Just to sum this up for everyone that would like to know more:
- 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

Wash UHDs with liquid soap before trying them.

[skywinder21]

PM sent.

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!

Is McAffee installed on the PC where it didn't show up?

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]

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!

Is McAffee installed on the PC where it didn't show up?

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...

Thanks. Still looking to find the reason when the flasher doesn't fin the drive.

[sifaka36]

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

[Billycar11]

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

It can do uhd just email me that drive info section see below for email

[pyrochance]

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)

[Coopervid]

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)

Use SDFTool flasher.

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]

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)

Use SDFTool flasher.

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.

Thank you for clarifying that part! i was successful with flashing it!

are there any advantages to one firmware or the other for the cross flash?

[MartyMcNuts]

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)

Use SDFTool flasher.

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.

Thank you for clarifying that part! i was successful with flashing it!

are there any advantages to one firmware or the other for the cross flash?

If you choose BU40N 1.00 firmware, you can also then use other ripping software for UHD discs if you want to.