Ultimate UHD Drives Flashing Guide Updated 2023

[BBQ-Thunder]

BU40N > BU40N 1.03MK

What is the best FW for LG BU40N slim drive? Is it still 1.03MK, the latest MK or original FW 1.00? Some people seem to suggest 1.00.

If you have 1.00 leave it but I recommend 1.03 for most people because it is a simple 1 step flash and done less risk of bricking the drive 1.00 vs 1.03 in makemkv there is no difference the only advantage of 1.00 is comparability with other rippers

I am still a little new here so perhaps I am missing something. But it seems the latest image for the BU40N is the MK folder is 1.04, specifically "HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_BU40N-1.04-NM00500-212005061142". I am not finding a 1.03 image, is this correct?

[Billycar11]

BU40N > BU40N 1.03MK

What is the best FW for LG BU40N slim drive? Is it still 1.03MK, the latest MK or original FW 1.00? Some people seem to suggest 1.00.

If you have 1.00 leave it but I recommend 1.03 for most people because it is a simple 1 step flash and done less risk of bricking the drive 1.00 vs 1.03 in makemkv there is no difference the only advantage of 1.00 is comparability with other rippers

I am still a little new here so perhaps I am missing something. But it seems the latest image for the BU40N is the MK folder is 1.04, specifically "HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_BU40N-1.04-NM00500-212005061142". I am not finding a 1.03 image, is this correct?

Old folder

[ctishman]

Hey folks,

I've got a WH16NS40 running original/unpatched 1.02, and am considering reflashing it to WH16NS60 1.02MK per page 1 of this guide. However, I'm caught up on the third "IMPORTANT Before you flash" step:

Code: Select all

3. SVC NS50+ LG only

I can't figure out what this means. Can someone explain it?

Thanks!

[st4evr]

Hey folks,

I've got a WH16NS40 running original/unpatched 1.02, and am considering reflashing it to WH16NS60 1.02MK per page 1 of this guide. However, I'm caught up on the third "IMPORTANT Before you flash" step:

Code: Select all

3. SVC NS50+ LG only

I can't figure out what this means. Can someone explain it?

Thanks!

Google and forum search function are your friends. There are hundreds of existing discussions detailing/explaining that requirement. See the links below for some examples:

https://www.makemkv.com/forum/search.ph ... Ns50+label

https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C9BK ... s-wiz-serp

In short, look for it in the physical drive label.

[ctishman]

Thank you very much! I'll take a look.

[d00zah]

Hey folks,

I've got a WH16NS40 running original/unpatched 1.02, and am considering reflashing it to WH16NS60 1.02MK per page 1 of this guide. However, I'm caught up on the third "IMPORTANT Before you flash" step:

Code: Select all

3. SVC NS50+ LG only

I can't figure out what this means. Can someone explain it?

Thanks!

https://www.makemkv.com/forum/viewtopic ... 110#p95891

[Pliny_The_Elder]

I would like to let everyone know that the Inateck USB 3.0 to SATA adaptor (model UA1001) works for flashing firmware (confirmed by flashing 3.10MK to my Asus 16D1HT). Have had it peak at around 12 speed max for reads so far.

I managed to get it for £14 on a lightning deal, but usually £18 https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07HPYY1PP

[Coopervid]

Billy,

if I now understand the statement right on page 1:

Newer encrypted firmwares must be flashed with the appropriate firmware using the same firmware revision level flashing with the enc box checked.

What I didn't understand - but it seems so (please confirm!) - latest versions before encryption was implemented MUST be flashed FIRST with either ASUS BW-16D1HT 3.10MK or LG WH16NS60 1.02MK before any other drive specific other firmware can be flashed. If so - please update your guide to make this a MANDATORY for flashing.

[MartyMcNuts]

Billy,

if I now understand the statement right on page 1:

Newer encrypted firmwares must be flashed with the appropriate firmware using the same firmware revision level flashing with the enc box checked.

What I didn't understand - but it seems so (please confirm!) - latest versions before encryption was implemented MUST be flashed FIRST with either ASUS BW-16D1HT 3.10MK or LG WH16NS60 1.02MK before any other drive specific other firmware can be flashed. If so - please update your guide to make this a MANDATORY for flashing.

The second bit is not true. You can do what Billy suggests or you can do exactly the same as with the encrypted firmwares but without the "enc".

So, if you have a new WH14NS40 with 1.04 firmware, you can flash WH14NS40 1.04-MK, then any other firmware you want. A new WH16NS40 with 1.04 can be flashed with WH16NS40 1.04-MK, a new BH16NS55 with 1.04 can be flashed with BH16NS55 1.04-MK firmware etc..

I always recommend people to flash the MK equivalent of their current firmware, then flash whatever they want to use. It saves a lot of confusion this way.

[Billycar11]

Billy,

if I now understand the statement right on page 1:

Newer encrypted firmwares must be flashed with the appropriate firmware using the same firmware revision level flashing with the enc box checked.

Not exactly but they need the newer downgrade enable checks disabled so that's WH16NS60 1.02 WH16/14NS40 1.04 and asus 3.10. all those mk firmwares have the additional downgrade checks disabled. That guy we were trying to help was trying to flash WH16NS40 1.03mk and that's never going to work

What I didn't understand - but it seems so (please confirm!) - latest versions before encryption was implemented MUST be flashed FIRST with either ASUS BW-16D1HT 3.10MK or LG WH16NS60 1.02MK before any other drive specific other firmware can be flashed. If so - please update your guide to make this a MANDATORY for flashing.

Again not exactly but it make it easy to flash to WH16NS60 1.02mk or Asus 3.10mk as it will work for every downgrade type or even an upgrade flash. sure it won't work for anydvd but most people use makemkv who read this guide. And it is only 1 flash less chance for something to go wrong.
[/quote]

[Coopervid]

Thanks for your answers Marty and Billy!

Well - I don't think that it comes across that way in the guide on page 1. Therefore also my misinterpretation. If possible, the guide should clarify this, e.g. with your examples mentioned.

[Hannssoni]

Can I use my device to rip Uhd Bluray's: Buffalo BRXL-PT6U2VB EU

Drive Information
OS device name: \Device\CdRom1
Current profile: BD-ROM
Manufacturer: BUFFALO
Product: Optical Drive
Revision: 1.00
Serial number: ********
Bus encryption flags: 1B
Highest AACS version: 65

!!!! Doesn't show LibreDrive Information at all !!!

Do I need to Flash this or is it impossible with my current device?

[Billycar11]

Can I use my device to rip Uhd Bluray's: Buffalo BRXL-PT6U2VB EU

Drive Information
OS device name: \Device\CdRom1
Current profile: BD-ROM
Manufacturer: BUFFALO
Product: Optical Drive
Revision: 1.00
Serial number: ********
Bus encryption flags: 1B
Highest AACS version: 65

!!!! Doesn't show LibreDrive Information at all !!!

Do I need to Flash this or is it impossible with my current device?

Impossible the eu version of that drive is not a BU40N

[Hannssoni]

Can I use my device to rip Uhd Bluray's: Buffalo BRXL-PT6U2VB EU

Drive Information
OS device name: \Device\CdRom1
Current profile: BD-ROM
Manufacturer: BUFFALO
Product: Optical Drive
Revision: 1.00
Serial number: ********
Bus encryption flags: 1B
Highest AACS version: 65

!!!! Doesn't show LibreDrive Information at all !!!

Do I need to Flash this or is it impossible with my current device?

Impossible the eu version of that drive is not a BU40N

Too bad Thanks for the fast reply

[hansolo]

BU40N > BU40N 1.03MK

What is the best FW for LG BU40N slim drive? Is it still 1.03MK, the latest MK or original FW 1.00? Some people seem to suggest 1.00.

If you have 1.00 leave it but I recommend 1.03 for most people because it is a simple 1 step flash and done less risk of bricking the drive 1.00 vs 1.03 in makemkv there is no difference the only advantage of 1.00 is comparability with other rippers

I just got the unit today. It had fw 1.04 on it, so I used "sdftool_flasher" to get rid of the encrypted 1.04 and replaced it with MK1.04. Drive is manufactured July 2020. I'm just test driving it with GitS US (anime) disc. Curiously, my unit does not have UltraHD Blu-ray logo on bezel but has UHD Blu-ray text written on the label on top. So I assume this is official UHD Blu-ray drive. If I understood correctly I need to dowgrade to official 1.00 if want to use Anydvd HD or any other tool than Makemkv. What if I had latest PowerDVD Ultra and all the bells and whistles regarding DRM (I don't) could I playback UHD discs with this MK1.04 firmware or does it also require downgrade to 1.00.

Seems to backup fast. It's done 18GB so far and reached 5.7X (24.6 MB/s) speed.

Max speed seems to be 6.0X (25.9 MB/s). I guess it is max for this drive model.

Full backup elapsed time 48:01 (63.34 GB, 3 layers). I wonder why Lionsgate used triple decker even though data size is less than 66 GB.