Ultimate UHD Drives Flashing Guide Updated 2026

[zaybdr]

Would you be able to help me too? I also have a similar drive. Details below:
Would the below be able to be flashed to do UHD

Drive Information
OS device name: D:
Manufacturer: PIONEER
Product: BD-RW BDR-209M
Revision: 1.50
Serial number: RGDL025205WL
Firmware date: 2017-12-21
Bus encryption flags: 1B
Highest AACS version: 76

LibreDrive Information
Status: Possible, not yet enabled
Drive platform: Pioneer RS8601
Firmware version: GENE

No disc inserted

[Coopervid]

Would you be able to help me too? I also have a similar drive. Details below:
Would the below be able to be flashed to do UHD

Drive Information
OS device name: D:
Manufacturer: PIONEER
Product: BD-RW BDR-209M
Revision: 1.50
Serial number: RGDL025205WL
Firmware date: 2017-12-21
Bus encryption flags: 1B
Highest AACS version: 76

LibreDrive Information
Status: Possible, not yet enabled
Drive platform: Pioneer RS8601
Firmware version: GENE

No disc inserted

PM sent.

[zaybdr]

PM sent.

Thank you. I was able to get the UHD disc to be recognised.

[slimman]

Drive Information
OS device name: D:
Manufacturer: PIONEER
Product: BD-RW BDR-208D
Revision: 1.10
Serial number:
Firmware date: 2012-08-22
Bus encryption flags: 13
Highest AACS version: 56

LibreDrive Information
Status: Enabled
Drive platform: RS8301
Firmware name: PIONEER BDR-208
Firmware type: Original (unpatched)
Firmware version: 1.10/ID61
DVD all regions: Yes
BD raw data read: Yes
BD raw metadata read: Yes
Unrestricted read speed: Yes

Is it possible to make it a UHD drive? Many thanks

[zittrig]

I've a curious handling with a CH12NS40.

It had the original fw 1.00 installed which was 4k friendly and worked with MakeMKV.

But that drive I normaly flash to WH16NS60 1.02MK. But with the WH16NS60 1.02MK no 4K disc will be recognized in Windows (before opening MakeMKV). Trying, trying, trying, stop trying itself. CD/DVD no problem, normal BD ....... not tested. Just occurs to me

With the CH12NS40 1.03MK the drive recognize 4K discs but get very warm and breaks up ripping of 3-layer disc after about 75%.

With fw BC-12D2HT 3.11MK is all fine. Multiple tested.

Doesn't make sense to me....

[Schachma]

I was able to acquire a similar drive to the ones previously mentioned and also wanted to see if it can be flashed for UHD and if someone would be able to help, it already says LibreDrive enabled. Thank you in advance!

Drive Information
OS device name: D:
Current profile: CD-ROM
Manufacturer: PIONEER
Product: BD-RW BDR-209D
Revision: 1.50
Serial number:
Firmware date: 2017-12-21
Bus encryption flags: 13

LibreDrive Information
Status: Enabled
Drive platform: RS8601
Firmware name: PIONEER BDR-209
Firmware type: Original (unpatched)
Firmware version: 1.50/ID61
DVD all regions: Yes
BD raw data read: Yes
BD raw metadata read: Yes
Unrestricted read speed: Yes

[Coopervid]

I've a curious handling with a CH12NS40.

It had the original fw 1.00 installed which was 4k friendly and worked with MakeMKV.

But that drive I normaly flash to WH16NS60 1.02MK. But with the WH16NS60 1.02MK no 4K disc will be recognized in Windows (before opening MakeMKV). Trying, trying, trying, stop trying itself. CD/DVD no problem, normal BD ....... not tested. Just occurs to me

With the CH12NS40 1.03MK the drive recognize 4K discs but get very warm and breaks up ripping of 3-layer disc after about 75%.

With fw BC-12D2HT 3.11MK is all fine. Multiple tested.

Doesn't make sense to me....

Well, I guess this is a combo, not a BD-writer. Maybe therefore it only likes combo firmware. And LG drives are not good readers concerning 3-layer discs.

[zittrig]

Yes, it's a combo, like the ASUS BC-12D2HT / BC-12B1ST also. But this combo is the first which has problems with the WH16NS60 1.02MK, I had four or fives of CH12NS40 in the past. An with the fw of the BC-12D2HT it has no problems with the same 3-layer discs.

Could it be, that the blue laser is dying (again ) and the fw WH16NS60 1.02MK needs more power than other firmware?

[Coopervid]

Yes, it's a combo, like the ASUS BC-12D2HT / BC-12B1ST also. But this combo is the first which has problems with the WH16NS60 1.02MK, I had four or fives of CH12NS40 in the past. An with the fw of the BC-12D2HT it has no problems with the same 3-layer discs.

Could it be, that the blue laser is dying (again ) and the fw WH16NS60 1.02MK needs more power than other firmware?

Did you clean the laser lens? A dying laser is a possibility. Since the other drives worked with the WH16NS60 firmware I don't think It's a power related issue that is caused by the firmware.

[zittrig]

Yes lenses are cleaned (with alcohol) several times.

OK, then I'll write it off as a curiosity. Happy with a working drive.

Thank you.

[slimman]

Hi, I have this blu ray drive. Is it possible to make it a UHD drive

Drive Information
OS device name: D:
Manufacturer: PIONEER
Product: BD-RW BDR-208D
Revision: 1.10
Serial number:
Firmware date: 2012-08-22
Bus encryption flags: 13
Highest AACS version: 56

LibreDrive Information
Status: Enabled
Drive platform: RS8301
Firmware name: PIONEER BDR-208
Firmware type: Original (unpatched)
Firmware version: 1.10/ID61
DVD all regions: Yes
BD raw data read: Yes
BD raw metadata read: Yes
Unrestricted read speed: Yes

Thanks a lot!

[tyme2tb]

It will make your 209 a S11 / 211.

Thank you it works perfect, and I can now rip UHD disks

[therobin]

Hi, I just got in a BU40N. I just want to make sure I am have the right command to flash this drive correctly.

Drive Information
OS device name: /dev/sr0
Current profile: BD-ROM
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE BU40N
Revision: FR07
Serial number:
Firmware date: 2118-01-22 15:36
Bus encryption flags: 1F

LibreDrive Information
Status: Possible (with patched firmware)
Drive platform: MT1959
Harware support: Yes
Firmware support: No
Firmware type: Original (patched version available)
Firmware version: 0.FR07J
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)

No disc inserted

I assume encryption flag line means this is encrpted firmware. According to the guide, I believe the following is the correct command line to flash directly to 1.03MK (firmware from the all you need zip) under linux:

Code: Select all

makemkvcon f -d /dev/sr0 -f sdf.bin rawflash enc -i HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_BU40N-1.03-NM00000-211810241934.bin

Am I good to proceed?

[Sam88]

Hello,

I just purchased a Verbatim 43888, because it was frequently suggested.
Can you tell me if it is flashable and which Firmware to use?

Drive Information
OS device name: E:
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BDDVDRW GGC-H20L
Revision: 1.02
Serial number: ...
Firmware date: 2007-12-27 12:34:56
Highest AACS version: 77

LibreDrive Information
Status: Possible, might be supported in future, but not likely soon
Drive platform: RS1013
Firmware version: 1.02-

Not possible.

I am sorry, I had the wrong drive selected.
That's why I couldn't find the right firmware in the instructions.
This is the right one now:

Drive Information
OS device name: F:
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE BU40N
Revision: 1.05
Serial number: XXXXXXXXXXXX
Firmware date: 2124-04-23 13:47
Bus encryption flags: 17
Highest AACS version: 77

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

When following the first post it should be possible with this firmware, right?
BU40N on any Firmware directly to > BU40N 1.03MK

[Coopervid]

Correct.