Ultimate UHD Drives Flashing Guide Updated 2026

[Woodstock]

The question is really, why would you need to flash it?

UHD didn't start shipping until almost two years after this drive was built, so it doesn't add anything to your capabilities.

[G.P.L.]

Hello everybody,

The Abyss UHD disc toasted my ASUS BW-16D1HT drive that I've had working for over 3 years. My system recognizes the drive (internally and externally), but no type of disc can be read. I'm thinking that something happened with the optics inside the drive.

So, I bought another ASUS BW-16D1HT internal drive. It comes with firmware 3.11.

-----------------------------------------------
Drive Information
OS device name: \Device\CdRom0
Current profile: BD-ROM
Manufacturer: ASUS
Product: BW-16D1HT
Revision: 3.11
Serial number: KL9N7ED3329
Firmware date: 2120-12-01 17:59
Bus encryption flags: 1F
Highest AACS version: 81

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

I tried to downgrade the firmware to DE_ASUS_BW-16D1HT_3.02.bin and then 3.01 with ASUS_ODD_FW_Changer_(Modified).exe, but each time I got the error:

Updating Failure #5.

Then I tried using SDFtool Flasher.exe (as well as the older version) with the same .bin file for 3.02, but it gave me the error:

Command produced error code #0xff056103

I'm using Windows 7 64-bit, and the drive is connected internally. The .exe files were Run As Administrator.

I'd be very grateful for any advice that is available.

Thanks.

Gary

[dcoke22]

The very first post in this thread is maintained and has a section titled "Recommended Firmware to flash for MakeMKV:"

And in there is says: Asus BW-16D1HT on any Firmware directly to > Asus BW-16D1HT 3.10MK

I think the 3.11 firmware is encrypted, so you've got to go to 3.10MK first. You can go to 3.02 or whatever after going to 3.10MK. The SDFtool is the recommended tool to use.

BTW, if buying a new drive today, buying a Pioneer drive with an older, supported firmware from a seller in your region is the way to go.

[G.P.L.]

Thanks for the reply.

I did see that post, but I couldn't find the 3.10 .bin file.

Any idea where it is?

It didn't come with the .zip file that contained the SDFtool Flasher.exe and 3.02 .bin files.

[dcoke22]

Thanks for the reply.

I did see that post, but I couldn't find the 3.10 .bin file.

Any idea where it is?

It didn't come with the .zip file that contained the SDFtool Flasher.exe and 3.02 .bin files.

It is in the first post. There's a section titled "Unlocked Flashers, Downgrade Enabled Firmware and MK Firmware:"

The first link in there is called "The all you need firmware pack".

[Exc3l]

Hello All!

I see in the beginning of the post it mentions that the Pioneer drives do not work unless they come with an older version of hardware.

Later on in the post though it says they are now supported by MakeMKV.

Am I now able to just purchase one off of Amazon or is it still recommended to purchase a preflashed item from a seller?

[G.P.L.]

Thanks for the reply.

I did see that post, but I couldn't find the 3.10 .bin file.

Any idea where it is?

It didn't come with the .zip file that contained the SDFtool Flasher.exe and 3.02 .bin files.

It is in the first post. There's a section titled "Unlocked Flashers, Downgrade Enabled Firmware and MK Firmware:"

The first link in there is called "The all you need firmware pack".

Excellent!

Thank you very much! It worked perfectly.

In fact, I went and bought a second drive as a backup, and downgraded it as well.

I'm now in the process of ripping True Lies to test it out. So far, so good!

[Billycar11]

Hello All!

I see in the beginning of the post it mentions that the Pioneer drives do not work unless they come with an older version of hardware.

Later on in the post though it says they are now supported by MakeMKV.

Am I now able to just purchase one off of Amazon or is it still recommended to purchase a preflashed item from a seller?

Pioneers with new fw do not work you would need to buy one from a seller that has them with old firmware

[jayper]

It looks like the Vantec NST-510S3-BK 9.5mm slim sata case has been discontinued. Is there another good recommended case for the LG BU40N?

[asmcom]

It looks like the Vantec NST-510S3-BK 9.5mm slim sata case has been discontinued. Is there another good recommended case for the LG BU40N?

It has not been discontinued in Europe.

Asmcom

[jayper]

It looks like the Vantec NST-510S3-BK 9.5mm slim sata case has been discontinued. Is there another good recommended case for the LG BU40N?

Does anyone know if this might work?

https://www.amazon.com/Vantec-Slim-Opti ... r=8-4&th=1

[asmcom]

It looks like the Vantec NST-510S3-BK 9.5mm slim sata case has been discontinued. Is there another good recommended case for the LG BU40N?

Does anyone know if this might work?

https://www.amazon.com/Vantec-Slim-Opti ... r=8-4&th=1

Slim case has not been discontinued, we gave plenty and more on order.

Asmcom

[jayper]

According to the Vantec USA site, it has been discontinued.

https://www.vantecusa.com/products_deta ... -+Products

Either way, I am not looking to debate whether or not it is discontinued.

I am trying to understand if this would work with the LG BU40N - https://www.amazon.com/Vantec-Slim-Opti ... r=8-4&th=1

[MartyMcNuts]

According to the Vantec USA site, it has been discontinued.

https://www.vantecusa.com/products_deta ... -+Products

Either way, I am not looking to debate whether or not it is discontinued.

I am trying to understand if this would work with the LG BU40N - https://www.amazon.com/Vantec-Slim-Opti ... r=8-4&th=1

No, as the BU40N is 9.5mm

[jayper]

Understood, thanks very much.