Ultimate UHD Drives Flashing Guide Updated 2023

Forum for discussions about UHD-capable dives
Tober27
Posts: 26
Joined: Wed Nov 10, 2021 11:27 am

Re: Ultimate UHD Drives Flashing Guide Updated 2021

Post by Tober27 »

Me from above with no LibreDrive info.
I contacted the Amazon Seller that I purchased the drive from since they advertise it is "full function UHD 4K Blu-ray playback with appropriate 3rd party software" just to ask what software they recommend as it's not working for me. Their reply:

"The 4K supports "plug and play", no need to install any driver programs.
To watch 4K blu-ray movies, your laptop must support 4K UHD, you need a blu-ray player application such as CyberLink PowerDVD. Please test it with different 4K blu-ray discs or other player software if it can't play properly.
Do not worry, I promise to resolve the problem smoothly and quickly.
Please do not file A-to-Z claim or leave negative feedback.
Looking forward to your fast reply."

After trying this, I wrote back:
"When I put a 4K disc into the drive, the drive still shows up in Windows as BD-RE Drive (D:) It does not register 4K discs.
This is the same in PowerDVD, where clicking on the drive shows "No media available"
This was the case with several 4K discs I tried. Blu-ray discs and DVDs work fine."

Then they got a bit defensive:
"It is built-in genuine LG BU50N or BU40N, which is the best 4K blu-ray drive in the world.
You can find the model number in hardware management, or in properties by right-click the optical disk icon.
It supports 4K UHD blu-ray definitely. We sold thousands pieces before.
To watch 4K blu-ray movies, your laptop must support 4K UHD, you need a blu-ray player application such as CyberLink PowerDVD.
Please test it with different 4K blu-ray discs or other player software if it can't play properly.
If the drive is defective, we'd like to send you a new replacement.
If you don't want to keep it any longer, please send it back for full refund."

The drive shows as empty when I insert a 4K disc. Hardware Management states it as: BD-RE BU40N. I'm also running Windows 11 if that makes any difference.
Any suggestions on what to do?
Billycar11
Posts: 3766
Joined: Sun Aug 24, 2014 5:49 am

Re: Ultimate UHD Drives Flashing Guide Updated 2021

Post by Billycar11 »

Tober27 wrote:
Thu Nov 25, 2021 12:33 am
Me from above with no LibreDrive info.
I contacted the Amazon Seller that I purchased the drive from since they advertise it is "full function UHD 4K Blu-ray playback with appropriate 3rd party software" just to ask what software they recommend as it's not working for me. Their reply:

"The 4K supports "plug and play", no need to install any driver programs.
To watch 4K blu-ray movies, your laptop must support 4K UHD, you need a blu-ray player application such as CyberLink PowerDVD. Please test it with different 4K blu-ray discs or other player software if it can't play properly.
Do not worry, I promise to resolve the problem smoothly and quickly.
Please do not file A-to-Z claim or leave negative feedback.
Looking forward to your fast reply."

After trying this, I wrote back:
"When I put a 4K disc into the drive, the drive still shows up in Windows as BD-RE Drive (D:) It does not register 4K discs.
This is the same in PowerDVD, where clicking on the drive shows "No media available"
This was the case with several 4K discs I tried. Blu-ray discs and DVDs work fine."

Then they got a bit defensive:
"It is built-in genuine LG BU50N or BU40N, which is the best 4K blu-ray drive in the world.
You can find the model number in hardware management, or in properties by right-click the optical disk icon.
It supports 4K UHD blu-ray definitely. We sold thousands pieces before.
To watch 4K blu-ray movies, your laptop must support 4K UHD, you need a blu-ray player application such as CyberLink PowerDVD.
Please test it with different 4K blu-ray discs or other player software if it can't play properly.
If the drive is defective, we'd like to send you a new replacement.
If you don't want to keep it any longer, please send it back for full refund."

The drive shows as empty when I insert a 4K disc. Hardware Management states it as: BD-RE BU40N. I'm also running Windows 11 if that makes any difference.
Any suggestions on what to do?
it depends on the BU40N some dont natively support UHD but can after flashed show us your makemkv drive info section i may be able to tell from the firmware revision anything from 1.00-1.04 you should see the disc same for BU10-13 but firmware link frn7 and BN10-13 wont show UHD discs.
another way to tell is does the BU40N have the UHD logo on the front of the drive? but this can be misleading some without the logo are still official UHD.
Buy a UHD drive from the guide and how to video maker: https://www.makemkv.com/forum/viewtopic ... 20&t=17831
UHD Drives Guide: https://www.makemkv.com/forum/viewtopic ... 16&t=19634
Auto flash kit $25 Email me for one Billycar5924@gmail.com
Tober27
Posts: 26
Joined: Wed Nov 10, 2021 11:27 am

Re: Ultimate UHD Drives Flashing Guide Updated 2021

Post by Tober27 »

Sadly no UHD logo on the device, which did worry me, but the description and Manufacturer assuring me it is UHD capable.

Drive Information
OS device name: D:
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE BU40N
Revision: DN13
Serial number: MO9K6D81503
Firmware date: 2119-07-04 14:26
Bus encryption flags: 1F
Highest AACS version: 76

No LibreDrive Information showing up.

More info here as this is what I purchased:
https://www.amazon.com.au/gp/product/B07ZXY1SD2

Anything else, let me know. I'm new here so may have missed something.
Billycar11
Posts: 3766
Joined: Sun Aug 24, 2014 5:49 am

Re: Ultimate UHD Drives Flashing Guide Updated 2021

Post by Billycar11 »

yeah that's the wrong firmware that's why it can be flashed if you follow the guide but it does not support official UHD playback only unofficial if you are looking for official playback return it and get the archgon i have linked.
if you dont feel like doing the guide you can email me or marty for an automated flash kit for $25
Buy a UHD drive from the guide and how to video maker: https://www.makemkv.com/forum/viewtopic ... 20&t=17831
UHD Drives Guide: https://www.makemkv.com/forum/viewtopic ... 16&t=19634
Auto flash kit $25 Email me for one Billycar5924@gmail.com
Tober27
Posts: 26
Joined: Wed Nov 10, 2021 11:27 am

Re: Ultimate UHD Drives Flashing Guide Updated 2021

Post by Tober27 »

What are the benefits to official playback vs unofficial when flashed? Or is the same at that point?
I like the device physically, and it'd be a hassle to return it.
Thanks
Billycar11
Posts: 3766
Joined: Sun Aug 24, 2014 5:49 am

Re: Ultimate UHD Drives Flashing Guide Updated 2021

Post by Billycar11 »

Tober27 wrote:
Thu Nov 25, 2021 1:38 am
What are the benefits to official playback vs unofficial when flashed? Or is the same at that point?
I like the device physically, and it'd be a hassle to return it.
Thanks
the truth of it is unofficial is actually more reliable once setup.
the official always has weird problems with sgx and crap and randomly stops working even though it should just work if you meet the requirements.

with unofficial you will have issues with titles with fake playlists but that is very few on UHD i think for now there is only one and thats midway.
other than that they are the same once working
Buy a UHD drive from the guide and how to video maker: https://www.makemkv.com/forum/viewtopic ... 20&t=17831
UHD Drives Guide: https://www.makemkv.com/forum/viewtopic ... 16&t=19634
Auto flash kit $25 Email me for one Billycar5924@gmail.com
Tober27
Posts: 26
Joined: Wed Nov 10, 2021 11:27 am

Re: Ultimate UHD Drives Flashing Guide Updated 2021

Post by Tober27 »

Billycar11 wrote:
Thu Nov 25, 2021 1:35 am
yeah that's the wrong firmware that's why it can be flashed if you follow the guide
I'll check it out and see how complicated it seems.
Sorry for being clueless, but where is the guide to flashing it? Is it just the first post in this thread?
dcoke22
Posts: 2560
Joined: Wed Jul 22, 2020 11:25 pm

Re: Ultimate UHD Drives Flashing Guide Updated 2021

Post by dcoke22 »

Tober27 wrote:
Thu Nov 25, 2021 1:48 am
I'll check it out and see how complicated it seems.
Sorry for being clueless, but where is the guide to flashing it? Is it just the first post in this thread?
Yep, first post in this thread.
Tober27
Posts: 26
Joined: Wed Nov 10, 2021 11:27 am

Re: Ultimate UHD Drives Flashing Guide Updated 2021

Post by Tober27 »

dcoke22 wrote:
Thu Nov 25, 2021 1:45 pm
Yep, first post in this thread.
Thanks. At first look, I don't quite get it, so may have to pay the guys for the kit.
I'll have another look later though.
Mr_Orange
Posts: 143
Joined: Sun Jul 14, 2019 6:11 am

Re: Ultimate UHD Drives Flashing Guide Updated 2021

Post by Mr_Orange »

Use GUI SDF Tool - viewtopic.php?f=16&t=22896
Tober27
Posts: 26
Joined: Wed Nov 10, 2021 11:27 am

Re: Ultimate UHD Drives Flashing Guide Updated 2021

Post by Tober27 »

Mr_Orange wrote:
Fri Nov 26, 2021 1:18 am
Use GUI SDF Tool - viewtopic.php?f=16&t=22896
Okay... I think this makes sense to me.
I just need the right firmware bin file? And I run WRITE with that, and that's all I need to do?

EDIT:
So I got the "The all you need firmware pack". I'm guessing the "LG slim BU40N" suits my drive, so the
"HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_BU40N-1.03-NM00000-211810241934" is what I should use.

Is this correct and safe to do? Or is it outdated?

I also see mentioned the bin files:
HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_BU40N-1.04-N000500-212005061142.bin
HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_BU40N-BN13-0002300-212009251104.bin

Sorry if obvious questions. Am new to all this.
Last edited by Tober27 on Fri Nov 26, 2021 3:05 am, edited 1 time in total.
Billycar11
Posts: 3766
Joined: Sun Aug 24, 2014 5:49 am

Re: Ultimate UHD Drives Flashing Guide Updated 2021

Post by Billycar11 »

Tober27 wrote:
Fri Nov 26, 2021 2:47 am
Mr_Orange wrote:
Fri Nov 26, 2021 1:18 am
Use GUI SDF Tool - viewtopic.php?f=16&t=22896
Okay... I think this makes sense to me.
I just need the right firmware bin file? And I run WRITE with that, and that's all I need to do?

Where are the firmware bin files, and how do I know which one to use?
I'm guessing one of these, based on my drive?
HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_BU40N-1.04-N000500-212005061142.bin
HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_BU40N-BN13-0002300-212009251104.bin

Sorry if obvious questions. Am new to all this.
first page BU40N 1.03mk on any BU40N one flash and done get the all you need firmware pack
Buy a UHD drive from the guide and how to video maker: https://www.makemkv.com/forum/viewtopic ... 20&t=17831
UHD Drives Guide: https://www.makemkv.com/forum/viewtopic ... 16&t=19634
Auto flash kit $25 Email me for one Billycar5924@gmail.com
Tober27
Posts: 26
Joined: Wed Nov 10, 2021 11:27 am

Re: Ultimate UHD Drives Flashing Guide Updated 2021

Post by Tober27 »

Billycar11 wrote:
Fri Nov 26, 2021 3:00 am
first page BU40N 1.03mk on any BU40N one flash and done get the all you need firmware pack
Thank you. Was adding to my post before I saw this response.
Will run with it.
Tober27
Posts: 26
Joined: Wed Nov 10, 2021 11:27 am

Re: Ultimate UHD Drives Flashing Guide Updated 2021

Post by Tober27 »

Billycar11 wrote:
Fri Nov 26, 2021 3:00 am
first page BU40N 1.03mk on any BU40N one flash and done get the all you need firmware pack
So when I press START it seems nothing happens.

MT1959 Platform:
Encrypted Firmware:

both have red X

"Ready..." doesn't change.
Billycar11
Posts: 3766
Joined: Sun Aug 24, 2014 5:49 am

Re: Ultimate UHD Drives Flashing Guide Updated 2021

Post by Billycar11 »

Tober27 wrote:
Fri Nov 26, 2021 3:23 am
Billycar11 wrote:
Fri Nov 26, 2021 3:00 am
first page BU40N 1.03mk on any BU40N one flash and done get the all you need firmware pack
So when I press START it seems nothing happens.

MT1959 Platform:
Encrypted Firmware:

both have red X

"Ready..." doesn't change.
you selected the firmware?
Buy a UHD drive from the guide and how to video maker: https://www.makemkv.com/forum/viewtopic ... 20&t=17831
UHD Drives Guide: https://www.makemkv.com/forum/viewtopic ... 16&t=19634
Auto flash kit $25 Email me for one Billycar5924@gmail.com
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