Recommended drives (2019)

[MG_NYC]

I was considering buying a BluRay drive, mostly for ripping and writing. After starting to research this, it sounds like the question of model is not simple. Apparently some of the recommendations from last year are no longer valid, due to changes in firmware, etc.

I'd like to avoid re-flashing firmware. Prefer an off-the-shelf drive if possible. Are there recommendations for anything currently available from Amazon or Newegg?

[MartyMcNuts]

I was considering buying a BluRay drive, mostly for ripping and writing. After starting to research this, it sounds like the question of model is not simple. Apparently some of the recommendations from last year are no longer valid, due to changes in firmware, etc.

I'd like to avoid re-flashing firmware. Prefer an off-the-shelf drive if possible. Are there recommendations for anything currently available from Amazon or Newegg?

If you don't want UHD capability, then any drive will do and won't need a firmware adjustment.

If you do want UHD capability, every drive currently available has 'non UHD friendly' firmware so will require either downgrading using either "DE" firmware or the "MK" firmware from Mike.

Popular drives are:

Official UHD Drives:
LG WH16NS60
LG BU40N

UHD Friendly Drives:
LG WH16NS40 (SVC NS50)
LG WH14NS40 (SVC NS50)
LG BH16NS55
ASUS BW-16D1HT

Good luck!!

[Billycar11]

You need to Downgrade or buy a preflashed one to read UHDs

My Recommended Drives are

1. LG WH16NS60 Fastest and no sleep bug and can playback UHD in official software if you meet requirements.
2. LG WH14NS40 SVC NS50 ONLY Best Value
3. Asus BW-16D1HT 2016+ to be safe, some 2015
4. WH16NS40 SVC NS50 ONLY
5. LG BU40N no sleep bug and can playback UHD in official software if you meet requirements.do not crossflash to a desktop drive

All of these Drives are great and the ones with the sleep bug can be fixed by flashing WH16NS60 firmware to them that also makes them as fast as the WH16NS60.

I pretty much only sell 2 drives now even though i offer them all because The WH14NS40 is such a great value and the WH16NS60 does everything you could ever want.

[MG_NYC]

I'm pretty technical (software engineer) but this is outside my realm of expertise. I had not heard about the 'sleep bug' etc.

It sounds like pre-configured drives may be the easiest approach if they are available. Is that the case with the WH14NS40? (I'm not sure what SVC NS50 ONLY means either... flash version perhaps?)

In any case, thanks to both of you for the informed replies!

[Billycar11]

I'm pretty technical (software engineer) but this is outside my realm of expertise. I had not heard about the 'sleep bug' etc.

It sounds like pre-configured drives may be the easiest approach if they are available. Is that the case with the WH14NS40? (I'm not sure what SVC NS50 ONLY means either... flash version perhaps?)

In any case, thanks to both of you for the informed replies!

The sleep bug won't let the drive read disks if they are idle for 2 mins or so you need to open and close tray killer for playback if you pause not that bad for riping

I do sell preflashed drives in the USA see here: viewtopic.php?f=16&t=17831

Ns50 is like a sub model of the hardware inside it is just to the right of the model number on LG drives

All drives but bu40n and WH16NS60 have the sleep bug that are compatible

[OneHungryPoboy]

1. LG WH16NS60 Fastest and no sleep bug and can playback UHD in official software if you meet requirements.

is the WH16NS60 the only drive that currently does 16x read? The specs on the rest seem to indicate they are only 6x, if I'm reading things correctly.

[jonghotti]

is the WH16NS60 the only drive that currently does 16x read? The specs on the rest seem to indicate they are only 6x, if I'm reading things correctly.

Depending on your size preference the LG WH16NS60 with original firmware version 1.00 reads (rips) at 8x is currently tied the LG BU40N slim drive (running it's original version 1.00, rips at 6x, and ships in a righteous little enclosure) for THE drive to have right now. Do not accept cheaper substitutes when shopping for slim drives, look for the UHD blu ray logo on the bezel and if it's not there, just pass.
Two different enclosures for the WH16NS60 are available as well as a very affordable powered SATA > USB adapater.

One picture of the finished products, options are available.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1aX1jO ... 89QCsIz4V0

alexcoluzzi32@gmail.com email or text 650-720-1869

[kingston12]

Depending on your size preference the LG WH16NS60 with original firmware version 1.00 reads (rips) at 8x is currently tied the LG BU40N slim drive (running it's original version 1.00, rips at 6x, and ships in a righteous little enclosure) for THE drive to have right now. Do not accept cheaper substitutes when shopping for slim drives, look for the UHD blu ray logo on the

I was looking at the BU40N on Amazon.co.uk and it doesn't have the UHD logo on the bezel in the photo. Does this mean it is an older version?

[Dave77]

Depending on your size preference the LG WH16NS60 with original firmware version 1.00 reads (rips) at 8x is currently tied the LG BU40N slim drive (running it's original version 1.00, rips at 6x, and ships in a righteous little enclosure) for THE drive to have right now. Do not accept cheaper substitutes when shopping for slim drives, look for the UHD blu ray logo on the

I was looking at the BU40N on Amazon.co.uk and it doesn't have the UHD logo on the bezel in the photo. Does this mean it is an older version?

Just noticed that myself, did you find out for certain?

[kingston12]

Depending on your size preference the LG WH16NS60 with original firmware version 1.00 reads (rips) at 8x is currently tied the LG BU40N slim drive (running it's original version 1.00, rips at 6x, and ships in a righteous little enclosure) for THE drive to have right now. Do not accept cheaper substitutes when shopping for slim drives, look for the UHD blu ray logo on the

I was looking at the BU40N on Amazon.co.uk and it doesn't have the UHD logo on the bezel in the photo. Does this mean it is an older version?

Just noticed that myself, did you find out for certain?

Not yet. I might just order it to try it out.

[jonghotti]

Depending on your size preference the LG WH16NS60 with original firmware version 1.00 reads (rips) at 8x is currently tied the LG BU40N slim drive (running it's original version 1.00, rips at 6x, and ships in a righteous little enclosure) for THE drive to have right now. Do not accept cheaper substitutes when shopping for slim drives, look for the UHD blu ray logo on the

I was looking at the BU40N on Amazon.co.uk and it doesn't have the UHD logo on the bezel in the photo. Does this mean it is an older version?

Yes, probably used or refurbished, will have to be flashed and will work to rip. Or maybe it won’t. You’ll definitely get what you pay for.


Ask me for a 4K “UHD Friendly” Blu Ray drive to try before you buy!

[Heliosone]

I'm building a PMS/Storage server in a 4U chassis and was wondering if there are any slim drives that would be a good option preferably UHD friendly as I do want 4K UHD rips.

[Billycar11]

I'm building a PMS/Storage server in a 4U chassis and was wondering if there are any slim drives that would be a good option preferably UHD friendly as I do want 4K UHD rips.

BU40N

[jonghotti]

Yes for slim drives the BU40N can’t be beat. I have them in stock for sale with immediate fulfillment, no waiting.

If Billy has not already taken care of you feel free to drop me a line at

alexcoluzzi32@gmail.com

As far as full sized drives go the ASUS bw-16d1ht is the hands down winner and also in stock at my place!

Email is above or text me at (650) 850-2442

[12NightRider34]

I'm considering the "ASUS BW-16D1H-U Pro Extreme 16X USB 3.0 Blu-Ray Writer" https://www.mwave.com.au/product/asus-b ... er-ab84784 for UHD ripping. Does anyone have any experience flashing it? It seems to be a close cousin to the recommended ASUS BW-16D1HT. Do I need any special connections to do firmware updates or is the USB connection fine? Thanks in anticipation.