Ultimate UHD Drives Flashing Guide Updated 2026

[blind-s33r]

I have been trying to find an Asus BW-16D1HT to flash for about 2 months. They used to be $99, then went up to $129, then several hundred dollars, and now for the past month there is absolutely none to be had anywhere. Can anyone confirm or deny if these have been discontinued? If not, is there any idea when they will be available again. If they are gone, what is a good alternative that is readily available?

Yes it has been discontinued, its the same hardware as the lg wh16/14 series just rebranded by asus. I found that the owc mercury sells the lg wh16ns40 with their case for 179, pricy but about the only place you can still find these... if you want you can cross flash it to the asus firmware but there really isn't a point.

[Bourney0]

Thank you, Billy, I emailed you this morning.

[MartyMcNuts]

I have been trying to find an Asus BW-16D1HT to flash for about 2 months. They used to be $99, then went up to $129, then several hundred dollars, and now for the past month there is absolutely none to be had anywhere. Can anyone confirm or deny if these have been discontinued? If not, is there any idea when they will be available again. If they are gone, what is a good alternative that is readily available?

Yes, it was discontinued more than 12 months ago. Now it appears the LG drives have also been discontinued. So, basically there are no more UHD compatible (or flashable) drives being manufactured at all.

[parkerpeter]

Hello,

I have an LG BU40N drive, MakeMKV shows the following:

Drive Information
OS device name: /dev/sr0
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE BU40N
Revision: 1.05
Serial number: MZFP7MD4234
Firmware date: 2124-04-23 13:47
Bus encryption flags: 17

LibreDrive Information
Status: Possible, not yet enabled
Drive platform: MT1959

No disc inserted

I have tried to flash the 1.03 MK firmware (on Linux Mint) using the command: sudo makemkvcon f -v -d /dev/sr0 -f /tmp/sdf.bin rawflash enc -i /tmp/HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_BU40N-1.03-NM00000-211810241934.bin

I get the response "Loaded SDF.bin version 0xa3" and then nothing else, it just hangs. If I ctrl-c out and re-check the firmware it is still 1.05. Output of makemkvcon f -l is:
Found 1 drives(s)
00: dev_21:1, /dev/sr0, /dev/sr0
HL-DT-ST_BD-RE_BU40N_1.05_212404231347_MZFP7MD4234

Any guidance on what I'm doing wrong and how to proceed would be greatly appreciated.

[RFAurora]

Thank you for this guide! It and the firmware helped me out greatly! I only have two movies on UHD, but knowing that my LG drive can read them now is awesome.

[Coopervid]

Hello,

I have an LG BU40N drive, MakeMKV shows the following:

Drive Information
OS device name: /dev/sr0
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE BU40N
Revision: 1.05
Serial number: MZFP7MD4234
Firmware date: 2124-04-23 13:47
Bus encryption flags: 17

LibreDrive Information
Status: Possible, not yet enabled
Drive platform: MT1959

No disc inserted

I have tried to flash the 1.03 MK firmware (on Linux Mint) using the command: sudo makemkvcon f -v -d /dev/sr0 -f /tmp/sdf.bin rawflash enc -i /tmp/HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_BU40N-1.03-NM00000-211810241934.bin

I get the response "Loaded SDF.bin version 0xa3" and then nothing else, it just hangs. If I ctrl-c out and re-check the firmware it is still 1.05. Output of makemkvcon f -l is:
Found 1 drives(s)
00: dev_21:1, /dev/sr0, /dev/sr0
HL-DT-ST_BD-RE_BU40N_1.05_212404231347_MZFP7MD4234

Any guidance on what I'm doing wrong and how to proceed would be greatly appreciated.

This is from the guide:

or ./makemkvcon f -d '/IOBDServices/D5D25996' -f /tmp/sdf.bin rawflash enc -i /tmp/your firmware filename here
if your firmware is on the encrypted list

and you should replace /dev/sr0 with dev_21:1

[TypicalPsycho]

PM sent.

Hi all. First time poster, first time visitor, first time ripper! I have a similar spec unit to the one described in this thread (info below). I've done some reading on page 1 of this thread and don't see anything on my unit, but it looks like we can handle this in a PM. Here's my specs, TIA!

Verbatim 43888 branded

Drive Information
OS device name: \Device\CdRom0
Current profile: BD-ROM
Manufacturer: PIONEER
Product: BD-RW BDR-UD03
Revision: 1.14
Serial number:
Firmware date: 2020-06-15
Bus encryption flags: 1B
Highest AACS version: 25

LibreDrive Information
Status: Enabled
Drive platform: RS8511
Firmware name: PIONEER BDR-US03
Firmware type: Original (unpatched)
Firmware version: 1.14
DVD all regions: Yes
BD raw data read: Yes
BD raw metadata read: Yes
Unrestricted read speed: Yes

Disc Information
Label: IRON_MAN_D1
Timestamp: 2008-08-11 21:24:44
Protection: AACS v7
Data capacity: 44.0 Gb
Disc type: BD-ROM
Number of layers: 2
Channel bit length: 74,5 nm (25.0 GB max. per layer)

Was able to rip a 1080P DVD, but no go on 4k UHD. Need 4k BluRay too. Backup not available either for UHD...

[Mr_Orange]

PM sent.

Hi all. First time poster, first time visitor, first time ripper! I have a similar spec unit to the one described in this thread (info below). I've done some reading on page 1 of this thread and don't see anything on my unit, but it looks like we can handle this in a PM. Here's my specs, TIA!

Verbatim 43888 branded

Drive Information
OS device name: \Device\CdRom0
Current profile: BD-ROM
Manufacturer: PIONEER
Product: BD-RW BDR-UD03
Revision: 1.14
Serial number:
Firmware date: 2020-06-15
Bus encryption flags: 1B
Highest AACS version: 25

LibreDrive Information
Status: Enabled
Drive platform: RS8511
Firmware name: PIONEER BDR-US03
Firmware type: Original (unpatched)
Firmware version: 1.14
DVD all regions: Yes
BD raw data read: Yes
BD raw metadata read: Yes
Unrestricted read speed: Yes

Disc Information
Label: IRON_MAN_D1
Timestamp: 2008-08-11 21:24:44
Protection: AACS v7
Data capacity: 44.0 Gb
Disc type: BD-ROM
Number of layers: 2
Channel bit length: 74,5 nm (25.0 GB max. per layer)

Was able to rip a 1080P DVD, but no go on 4k UHD. Need 4k BluRay too. Backup not available either for UHD...

There's something wrong there because the Verbatim 43888 should contain a Pioneer BDR-UD04 which has native UHD support.

Note that the Pioneer models are no longer available and now the 43888 contains an LG BU40N.

[MartyMcNuts]

PM sent.

Hi all. First time poster, first time visitor, first time ripper! I have a similar spec unit to the one described in this thread (info below). I've done some reading on page 1 of this thread and don't see anything on my unit, but it looks like we can handle this in a PM. Here's my specs, TIA!

Verbatim 43888 branded

Drive Information
OS device name: \Device\CdRom0
Current profile: BD-ROM
Manufacturer: PIONEER
Product: BD-RW BDR-UD03
Revision: 1.14
Serial number:
Firmware date: 2020-06-15
Bus encryption flags: 1B
Highest AACS version: 25

LibreDrive Information
Status: Enabled
Drive platform: RS8511
Firmware name: PIONEER BDR-US03
Firmware type: Original (unpatched)
Firmware version: 1.14
DVD all regions: Yes
BD raw data read: Yes
BD raw metadata read: Yes
Unrestricted read speed: Yes

Disc Information
Label: IRON_MAN_D1
Timestamp: 2008-08-11 21:24:44
Protection: AACS v7
Data capacity: 44.0 Gb
Disc type: BD-ROM
Number of layers: 2
Channel bit length: 74,5 nm (25.0 GB max. per layer)

Was able to rip a 1080P DVD, but no go on 4k UHD. Need 4k BluRay too. Backup not available either for UHD...

There's something wrong there because the Verbatim 43888 should contain a Pioneer BDR-UD04 which has native UHD support.

Note that the Pioneer models are no longer available and now the 43888 contains an LG BU40N.

Exactly. I'd say TypicalPsycho has either a 43887 or a 43890.

[Coopervid]

PM sent.

Hi all. First time poster, first time visitor, first time ripper! I have a similar spec unit to the one described in this thread (info below). I've done some reading on page 1 of this thread and don't see anything on my unit, but it looks like we can handle this in a PM. Here's my specs, TIA!

Verbatim 43888 branded

Drive Information
OS device name: \Device\CdRom0
Current profile: BD-ROM
Manufacturer: PIONEER
Product: BD-RW BDR-UD03
Revision: 1.14
Serial number:
Firmware date: 2020-06-15
Bus encryption flags: 1B
Highest AACS version: 25

LibreDrive Information
Status: Enabled
Drive platform: RS8511
Firmware name: PIONEER BDR-US03
Firmware type: Original (unpatched)
Firmware version: 1.14
DVD all regions: Yes
BD raw data read: Yes
BD raw metadata read: Yes
Unrestricted read speed: Yes

Disc Information
Label: IRON_MAN_D1
Timestamp: 2008-08-11 21:24:44
Protection: AACS v7
Data capacity: 44.0 Gb
Disc type: BD-ROM
Number of layers: 2
Channel bit length: 74,5 nm (25.0 GB max. per layer)

Was able to rip a 1080P DVD, but no go on 4k UHD. Need 4k BluRay too. Backup not available either for UHD...

PM sent. The guys are right. This is not a 43888.

[st33lerz]

Hello, I was wondering if my Pioneer BDR-209D could be crossflashed for UHD compatibility. Firmware from 2016. Drive Info below. Thanks

Drive Information
OS device name: I:
Manufacturer: PIONEER
Product: BD-RW BDR-209D
Revision: 1.34
Serial number:
Firmware date: 2016-04-25
Bus encryption flags: 13
Highest AACS version: 81

LibreDrive Information
Status: Enabled
Drive platform: RS8600
Firmware name: PIONEER BDR-209
Firmware type: Original (unpatched)
Firmware version: 1.34/ID61
DVD all regions: Yes
BD raw data read: Yes
BD raw metadata read: Yes
Unrestricted read speed: Yes

[Coopervid]

Hello, I was wondering if my Pioneer BDR-209D could be crossflashed for UHD compatibility. Firmware from 2016. Drive Info below. Thanks

Drive Information
OS device name: I:
Manufacturer: PIONEER
Product: BD-RW BDR-209D
Revision: 1.34
Serial number:
Firmware date: 2016-04-25
Bus encryption flags: 13
Highest AACS version: 81

LibreDrive Information
Status: Enabled
Drive platform: RS8600
Firmware name: PIONEER BDR-209
Firmware type: Original (unpatched)
Firmware version: 1.34/ID61
DVD all regions: Yes
BD raw data read: Yes
BD raw metadata read: Yes
Unrestricted read speed: Yes

PM sent.

[fedeb]

HI Im new
I got from Amazon US two weeks ago and got this Verbatim.
Im on Mac can I flash there if not I can use my brother windows/ubuntu , in that case where is better to flash it?
should I use this file BU40N_1.03_MK.bin ?

Code: Select all

Drive Information
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE BU40N
Revision: 1.02
Serial number: MO5P56D3749
Firmware date: 2120-12-01 17:16
Bus encryption flags: 1F
Highest AACS version: 65

LibreDrive Information
Status: Possible (with patched firmware)
Drive platform: MT1959
Harware support: Yes
Firmware support: No
Firmware type: Original (patched version available)
Firmware version: 1.02
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)

[BlueRogue44]

Drive Information
OS device name: D:
Manufacturer: ASUS
Product: BW-16D1X-U
Revision: E113
Serial number: DHDL119818WL
Firmware date: 2020-07-21
Bus encryption flags: 1B

LibreDrive Information
Status: Enabled
Drive platform: RS8F00
Firmware name: PIONEER BDR-212T
Firmware type: Original (unpatched)
Firmware version: E113/ID76
DVD all regions: Yes
BD raw data read: Yes
BD raw metadata read: Yes
Unrestricted read speed: Yes

[RONNIEAST]

My Drive says the following in MakeMKV

Drive Information
OS device name: F:
Manufacturer: ASUS
Product: SBW-06D2X-U
Revision: A102
Serial number:
Firmware date: 2121-06-28 13:41
Bus encryption flags: 1F

LibreDrive Information
Status: Possible, not yet enabled
Drive platform: MT1959

No disc inserted

Could you assist please?