Ultimate UHD Drives Flashing Guide Updated 2026

[MartyMcNuts]

I tried Win11+SDFtool, same error-can’t decrypt a disc (WB). BU40N is from Germany, any difference with FW?
I’ll try another disc tomorrow

I've never heard of country/source of the drive mattering for firmware.

What is the Mfg/model of the USB drive you purchased, as sold retail? What was on the box? Are you sure it was a BU40N drive internally?

Do you have 2 x USB or 1 x USB + 1 x power connections to the drive? 4K/UHD require more power than audio/DVD/Blu-Ray. Single USB ports/connections typically cannot supply enough power to a drive for 4K/UHD.

That’s it-more power to it.
My friend has the 43888 and he said he could rip 4K with one usb cable.
I bought 43888, hoping it would Pioneer but I lost the lottery-BU40N.
Thanks for reminding me about the power supply.
I’ll try that tomorrow.
Thank you again

Your issue is not firmware related (unless using Linux). You have flashed the drive and the info looks fine. What happens when you insert a UHD disc? If the disc does not even show in MakeMKV,

1. Clean the disc.
2. Always insert the disc and let the OS initialise it first before you open up MakeMKV.

If you are using Linux, it is recommended to use firmware BU40N 1.00.

Also, it is best to use USB ports direct from the motherboard, USB-C if possible or use an AC self-powered USB hub of at least 24w. Do not use case ports for optical drives as they often have poor quality wiring and may not provide enough constant power.

Now, if you get an error or the disc won't decrypt, copy and paste the log window text.

[B12ian]

I've never heard of country/source of the drive mattering for firmware.

What is the Mfg/model of the USB drive you purchased, as sold retail? What was on the box? Are you sure it was a BU40N drive internally?

Do you have 2 x USB or 1 x USB + 1 x power connections to the drive? 4K/UHD require more power than audio/DVD/Blu-Ray. Single USB ports/connections typically cannot supply enough power to a drive for 4K/UHD.

That’s it-more power to it.
My friend has the 43888 and he said he could rip 4K with one usb cable.
I bought 43888, hoping it would Pioneer but I lost the lottery-BU40N.
Thanks for reminding me about the power supply.
I’ll try that tomorrow.
Thank you again

Your issue is not firmware related (unless using Linux). You have flashed the drive and the info looks fine. What happens when you insert a UHD disc? If the disc does not even show in MakeMKV,

1. Clean the disc.
2. Always insert the disc and let the OS initialise it first before you open up MakeMKV.

If you are using Linux, it is recommended to use firmware BU40N 1.00.

Also, it is best to use USB ports direct from the motherboard, USB-C if possible or use an AC self-powered USB hub of at least 24w. Do not use case ports for optical drives as they often have poor quality wiring and may not provide enough constant power.

Now, if you get an error or the disc won't decrypt, copy and paste the log window text.

UPDATE: It works. With an AC adapter plugged in.
Makes me wonder if my friend has USB C to Micro B(I have USB A to Micro B)
im satisfied on "why it didn’t work with UHD's” question. Learned a mistake.
I will suggest my friend who has 43888, using the AC adapter



To answer your question:

What happens when you insert a UHD disc?

Reading a disc would be taking like 7 minutes. The disc would be visible and says

Code: Select all

Can't read AACS VID from disc - most likely current AACS host certificate is revoked by your drive
Downloading latest HK to /Users/bxxxxx/Library/MakeMKV ...
Saved AACS dump file as /Users/bxxxx/Library/MakeMKV/MKB20_v77_A_Nightmare_on_Elm_Street_410F.tgz
LibreDrive compatible drive is required to open this disc - video can't be decrypted.
Failed to open disc

Thanks everyone who guided me through this!
Happy ripping

[austincummings0324]

Hi all,

I just got into the world of blu ray ripping and I'm not gonna like, I have no idea what I'm doing even after I read through the main post . I just bought a new BU50NB40 drive that has NB52 for some of its code or whatever (I saw that was important somewhere). My current question(s) is I have only just now plugged it in for the first time and its firmware says its from 2006. It came with a dvd that said OEM on it that I assume is firmware but do I have to update it to the latest firmware for the official drive before flashing it or can I just start flashing it? Also I saw in the SDF forum that this posts to that there was a complication with recent NB52 drives so can someone be so kind as to explain that part for me as I would be very grateful for it!

[MartyMcNuts]

Hi all,

I just got into the world of blu ray ripping and I'm not gonna like, I have no idea what I'm doing even after I read through the main post . I just bought a new BU50NB40 drive that has NB52 for some of its code or whatever (I saw that was important somewhere). My current question(s) is I have only just now plugged it in for the first time and its firmware says its from 2006. It came with a dvd that said OEM on it that I assume is firmware but do I have to update it to the latest firmware for the official drive before flashing it or can I just start flashing it? Also I saw in the SDF forum that this posts to that there was a complication with recent NB52 drives so can someone be so kind as to explain that part for me as I would be very grateful for it!

Copy/paste the MakeMKV drive info and libredrive info sections.

[comadose]

Where is the firmware for Pioneer BDR drives please? I have three slim ones, an XD08, an XD05, and an XS06.

[Billycar11]

Where is the firmware for Pioneer BDR drives please? I have three slim ones, an XD08, an XD05, and an XS06.

Already emailed you

[comadose]

You asked for $80 for the flashers, but I've seen posts saying that the firmware is free and I don't need a script, I can do it myself. Thanks anyway.

[nicholfd]

You asked for $80 for the flashers, but I've seen posts saying that the firmware is free and I don't need a script, I can do it myself. Thanks anyway.

Firmware for many drives/models/firmware are freely available right here on the forums - do your own research as this may not apply to your models.

Other firmware for some Pioneer models were never released to the public. They are only available from other sources, who may request a fee.

[comadose]

I've got one 4k disc, so $80 isn't really worth it. I'll keep looking for a free firmware file, or a 4k capable drive.

[Tenma]

Does this firmware allow other media players to read UHD discs from the flashed drive or does it only work with MakeMKV?

[Mr_Orange]

You asked for $80 for the flashers, but I've seen posts saying that the firmware is free and I don't need a script, I can do it myself. Thanks anyway.

Firmware for many drives/models/firmware are freely available right here on the forums - do your own research as this may not apply to your models.

Other firmware for some Pioneer models were never released to the public. They are only available from other sources, who may request a fee.

I have to say that I think the semi-secret 'email for a flasher' and demanding money is a bit off. I never liked it and especially now that all the Pioneers are out of production and their prices, assuming one can find genuine stock, have gone through the roof.

Users have paid for a drive, many have paid for MakeMKV, paid for their discs so being held to ransom by a stranger on the internet doesn't sit well.

[nicholfd]

You asked for $80 for the flashers, but I've seen posts saying that the firmware is free and I don't need a script, I can do it myself. Thanks anyway.

Firmware for many drives/models/firmware are freely available right here on the forums - do your own research as this may not apply to your models.

Other firmware for some Pioneer models were never released to the public. They are only available from other sources, who may request a fee.

I have to say that I think the semi-secret 'email for a flasher' and demanding money is a bit off.
.
.
Users have paid for a drive, many have paid for MakeMKV, paid for their discs so being held to ransom by a stranger on the internet doesn't sit well.

I have to say that people on the internet demanding things for free, that others put effort into (new/modified firmware) is a bit off.

Don't like it, reverse engineer/design your own firmware & give it away! That'll show them!

BTW - I don't sell or design firmware. And the firmware/flash that is not publicly available for free is not from MakeMKV nor is the payment to MakeMKV. And folks discs aren't being held for ransom. They paid for the disc to watch it on a player and no one is preventing that.

[Billycar11]

I have to say that I think the semi-secret 'email for a flasher' and demanding money is a bit off. I never liked it and especially now that all the Pioneers are out of production and their prices, assuming one can find genuine stock, have gone through the roof.

Users have paid for a drive, many have paid for MakeMKV, paid for their discs so being held to ransom by a stranger on the internet doesn't sit well.

well its not mine to release i paid for a license to use it and worked with the dev on it
there will be more good news for pioneers 12/22+ im working on that myself there are only a few i dont think i can do as there is no public fw at all like the asus ud03 with new fw there are a few others but we will see
likely still wont be free but will hopefully be a 1 click flasher like the pioneer flasher i sell

[austincummings0324]

Hi all,

I just got into the world of blu ray ripping and I'm not gonna like, I have no idea what I'm doing even after I read through the main post . I just bought a new BU50NB40 drive that has NB52 for some of its code or whatever (I saw that was important somewhere). My current question(s) is I have only just now plugged it in for the first time and its firmware says its from 2006. It came with a dvd that said OEM on it that I assume is firmware but do I have to update it to the latest firmware for the official drive before flashing it or can I just start flashing it? Also I saw in the SDF forum that this posts to that there was a complication with recent NB52 drives so can someone be so kind as to explain that part for me as I would be very grateful for it!

Copy/paste the MakeMKV drive info and libredrive info sections.

Hi Marty,

I just looked at the drive info in my normal desktop settings to get this info. When I tried to open up the beta version of makemkv it said that it was too old and that I would need a registration key to continue. Unfortunately, I don't have the extra money until next pay day to purchase an makemkv license. Sorry to keep you waiting that long. I do appreciate you trying to help!

[nicholfd]

Hi all,

I just got into the world of blu ray ripping and I'm not gonna like, I have no idea what I'm doing even after I read through the main post . I just bought a new BU50NB40 drive that has NB52 for some of its code or whatever (I saw that was important somewhere). My current question(s) is I have only just now plugged it in for the first time and its firmware says its from 2006. It came with a dvd that said OEM on it that I assume is firmware but do I have to update it to the latest firmware for the official drive before flashing it or can I just start flashing it? Also I saw in the SDF forum that this posts to that there was a complication with recent NB52 drives so can someone be so kind as to explain that part for me as I would be very grateful for it!

Copy/paste the MakeMKV drive info and libredrive info sections.

Hi Marty,

I just looked at the drive info in my normal desktop settings to get this info. When I tried to open up the beta version of makemkv it said that it was too old and that I would need a registration key to continue. Unfortunately, I don't have the extra money until next pay day to purchase an makemkv license. Sorry to keep you waiting that long. I do appreciate you trying to help!

New versions of MakeMKV are free to download from the main page: https://www.makemkv.com

New "Beta" monthly license keys are regularly available in the forums: viewtopic.php?f=5&t=1053