Ultimate UHD Drives Flashing Guide Updated 2023

Forum for discussions about UHD-capable dives
Billycar11
Posts: 3745
Joined: Sun Aug 24, 2014 5:49 am

Re: Ultimate UHD Drives Flashing Guide Updated 2021

Post by Billycar11 »

medikoo wrote:
Wed Apr 07, 2021 10:22 am
I just bought LG WH16NS60 as replacement Archgon MD-8107S-U3-UHD (which after working quite well got broken and scratched discs!).

And with with LG WH16NS60, quite often (like every 3rd rip) I observe "hash check failed" errors with UHD discs, which on second run do not reproduce in similar way (sometimes very same disc passes again without single issue, and the other time it gets even more errors). Also some discs are not recognized at all (which are scratch free and play perfectly in UHD player).

I didn't observe those issues with MD-8107S-U3-UHD. Now I wonder whether it's specificity of WH16NS60, or do I have a faulty model,or is something else wrong on my side.

I've tried two firmwares 1.03 and 1.02, no difference with both. I'm also using latest version of MakeMkv (1.16.3) - still I think that one is not that relevant to this problem.

I would love to confirm some issues (like disc discoverability) with original firmware, but afaik once I flashed MKV firmware, there's no way back (?)
The archgon is a BU40N and is the better drive just be sure not to let it move while ripping then when the BU40N'S scratch discs.
In my testing the 5.25 desktop asus and lg drives have a 25% fail rate with those hash errors
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
dlharper007
Posts: 4
Joined: Mon Apr 12, 2021 2:09 am

Re: Ultimate UHD Drives Flashing Guide Updated 2021

Post by dlharper007 »

Greetings and Good Evening,

So here's my story. I basically have 2 PC's I rip movies from (I use Plex but I also have a Kodi backup). One PC is running Windows 7 on an Intel Core i7 3770K, the other is running Windows 7 on an AMD Ryzen 5 2600. I have an LG WH16NS40 with the proper specs' on the Intel, and the Asus BW-16D1HT is on the AMD. Here are my questions and observations:
1 Neither PC will even read a 4K disc.
2 They can rip Blu-rays all day every day.
3 I do have a Windows 10 PC that I can put one of the drives in, but it is running AMD as well.

So before I pull the trigger and downgrade the firmware, I wanted to check with the brain trust on here and see if there were any gotchas.

Thanks in advance!
medikoo
Posts: 23
Joined: Thu Aug 06, 2020 4:23 pm

Re: Ultimate UHD Drives Flashing Guide Updated 2021

Post by medikoo »

Billycar11 wrote:
Wed Apr 07, 2021 8:58 pm
The archgon is a BU40N and is the better drive just be sure not to let it move while ripping then when the BU40N'S scratch discs.
In my testing the 5.25 desktop asus and lg drives have a 25% fail rate with those hash errors
Thanks @Billycar11, my experience seems to confirm that. I've just bought another BU40N, and it flawlessly backed up discs which were no go for WH16NS60. The only advantage of the latter is that it's way more silent and more solid, but if it doesn't work then there's no real value added.
dlharper007
Posts: 4
Joined: Mon Apr 12, 2021 2:09 am

Re: Ultimate UHD Drives Flashing Guide Updated 2021

Post by dlharper007 »

As a follow-up to my questions, I was going to do the Asus first. Here's the MKV info. Do I need to check the enc box?
Attachments
ASUS.jpg
ASUS.jpg (171.37 KiB) Viewed 11241 times
dlharper007
Posts: 4
Joined: Mon Apr 12, 2021 2:09 am

Re: Ultimate UHD Drives Flashing Guide Updated 2021

Post by dlharper007 »

Ok, so I went back through the pages and got the answer to my question about enc (I figured it was in there and I missed it), and so took the plunge and it seems to have worked perfect. I'm testing it now.
You guys are awesome, by the way. :D
Billycar11
Posts: 3745
Joined: Sun Aug 24, 2014 5:49 am

Re: Ultimate UHD Drives Flashing Guide Updated 2021

Post by Billycar11 »

dlharper007 wrote:
Mon Apr 12, 2021 2:42 am
Greetings and Good Evening,

So here's my story. I basically have 2 PC's I rip movies from (I use Plex but I also have a Kodi backup). One PC is running Windows 7 on an Intel Core i7 3770K, the other is running Windows 7 on an AMD Ryzen 5 2600. I have an LG WH16NS40 with the proper specs' on the Intel, and the Asus BW-16D1HT is on the AMD. Here are my questions and observations:
1 Neither PC will even read a 4K disc.
2 They can rip Blu-rays all day every day.
3 I do have a Windows 10 PC that I can put one of the drives in, but it is running AMD as well.

So before I pull the trigger and downgrade the firmware, I wanted to check with the brain trust on here and see if there were any gotchas.

Thanks in advance!
You need to downgrade the firmware first and only if you meet the requirements
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
dlharper007
Posts: 4
Joined: Mon Apr 12, 2021 2:09 am

Re: Ultimate UHD Drives Flashing Guide Updated 2021

Post by dlharper007 »

So, silly question time ... I used the SDF tool to install the Asus 16D1 MK Firmware. It took less than 20 seconds to load, and I've already ripped 2 4K discs. Do I still need to "side load" something else? I'm always "cautious" when it comes to upgrading/downgrading firmware . . . it's one of those you kinda look away and clench press the "go" button. Tomorrow I'll probably do the same for the LG drive.
Billycar11
Posts: 3745
Joined: Sun Aug 24, 2014 5:49 am

Re: Ultimate UHD Drives Flashing Guide Updated 2021

Post by Billycar11 »

dlharper007 wrote:
Tue Apr 13, 2021 1:14 am
So, silly question time ... I used the SDF tool to install the Asus 16D1 MK Firmware. It took less than 20 seconds to load, and I've already ripped 2 4K discs. Do I still need to "side load" something else? I'm always "cautious" when it comes to upgrading/downgrading firmware . . . it's one of those you kinda look away and clench press the "go" button. Tomorrow I'll probably do the same for the LG drive.
you should be good thats the point of the guide as few steps as possible to get to a firmware that works with makemkv
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
mellofone
Posts: 3
Joined: Wed Sep 11, 2019 12:45 pm

Re: Ultimate UHD Drives Flashing Guide Updated 2021

Post by mellofone »

Just purchased an Archgon MD-8107S-U3YC-UHD with the BU40N and it came with firmware 1.01. Is it a correct statement to say that I ONLY have to downgrade to 1.00 if I want to rip UHD? I haven't purchased any UHD discs yet, and a test standard Bluray worked just fine as is.

Can you flash with the Linux makemkv? I guess I'd have to find a Windows machine somewhere if I do want to downgrade :lol:
MartyMcNuts
Posts: 2434
Joined: Wed Nov 22, 2017 11:45 pm

Re: Ultimate UHD Drives Flashing Guide Updated 2021

Post by MartyMcNuts »

mellofone wrote:
Wed Apr 14, 2021 4:56 pm
Just purchased an Archgon MD-8107S-U3YC-UHD with the BU40N and it came with firmware 1.01. Is it a correct statement to say that I ONLY have to downgrade to 1.00 if I want to rip UHD? I haven't purchased any UHD discs yet, and a test standard Bluray worked just fine as is.

Can you flash with the Linux makemkv? I guess I'd have to find a Windows machine somewhere if I do want to downgrade :lol:
Correct. Downgrade straight to 1.00.

You can use the MakeMKV sdftool via command line on linux. I don't know the commands for linux off the top of my head but there are a couple of threads here about it. Otherwise, it would be very simple to do if you have access to a windows PC.
Cheers :D
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For UHD enabled drives (AU/NZ/SG) & DIY Single Drive Flasher (WW): https://www.uhdenableddrives.com
legolad
Posts: 5
Joined: Thu Apr 15, 2021 12:11 am

Re: Ultimate UHD Drives Flashing Guide Updated 2021

Post by legolad »

Hi all,

I've just bought the Archgon drive.
I understand it is a renamed LG BU40N drive.
I also understand I can use the built-in MakeMKV flasher from the command line (or via the GUI) to downgrade the Firmware to 1.00.

My confusion comes from the labeling of the firmwares. In the MKV firmware pack I see these BU40N folders:

BU40N-B-Japan-Buffalo
BU40N-FR
BU40N-N-Main
BU40N-R-Tier2-Taiwan
BU40N-U-Tier2-Non-UHD

The last folder contains a firmware file with 1.00 in the name (HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_BU40N-U100-3M01801-211910161036.bin).
The others are all 1.01, 1.04, or something else.

I don't want to mess this up. Is one of these the 1.00 firmware? Am I looking in the wrong firmware collection?

Thanks in advance!
MartyMcNuts
Posts: 2434
Joined: Wed Nov 22, 2017 11:45 pm

Re: Ultimate UHD Drives Flashing Guide Updated 2021

Post by MartyMcNuts »

legolad wrote:
Thu Apr 15, 2021 12:20 am
Hi all,

I've just bought the Archgon drive.
I understand it is a renamed LG BU40N drive.
I also understand I can use the built-in MakeMKV flasher from the command line (or via the GUI) to downgrade the Firmware to 1.00.

My confusion comes from the labeling of the firmwares. In the MKV firmware pack I see these BU40N folders:

BU40N-B-Japan-Buffalo
BU40N-FR
BU40N-N-Main
BU40N-R-Tier2-Taiwan
BU40N-U-Tier2-Non-UHD

The last folder contains a firmware file with 1.00 in the name (HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_BU40N-U100-3M01801-211910161036.bin).
The others are all 1.01, 1.04, or something else.

I don't want to mess this up. Is one of these the 1.00 firmware? Am I looking in the wrong firmware collection?

Thanks in advance!
No, the 1.00 firmware is not in the MK folder as it is the original, downgrade-enabled firmware. I've flashed heaps of these Archgon's and they all have come with 1.01. This means they can be flashed directly to DE_LG_BU40N_1.00. You can find the firmware in my DE Firmware Pack here: viewtopic.php?p=94848#p94848
Cheers :D
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For UHD enabled drives (AU/NZ/SG) & DIY Single Drive Flasher (WW): https://www.uhdenableddrives.com
legolad
Posts: 5
Joined: Thu Apr 15, 2021 12:11 am

Re: Ultimate UHD Drives Flashing Guide Updated 2021

Post by legolad »

Thanks, Marty!!! :D
ben_uk
Posts: 58
Joined: Mon Feb 01, 2021 11:41 am

Re: Ultimate UHD Drives Flashing Guide Updated 2021

Post by ben_uk »

Hey guys,

I am thinking of getting one of these drives;

LG WH14NS40, UHD Friendly Internal 5.25
LG WH16NS40, UHD Friendly Internal 5.25

Is there a guide in how to then flash these for UHD ripping? I havent done anything along these lines since about 2002 when I flashed cracked firmware to my then DVD drive to play multi-region discs.
Billycar11
Posts: 3745
Joined: Sun Aug 24, 2014 5:49 am

Re: Ultimate UHD Drives Flashing Guide Updated 2021

Post by Billycar11 »

ben_uk wrote:
Thu Apr 15, 2021 9:51 pm
Hey guys,

I am thinking of getting one of these drives;

LG WH14NS40, UHD Friendly Internal 5.25
LG WH16NS40, UHD Friendly Internal 5.25

Is there a guide in how to then flash these for UHD ripping? I havent done anything along these lines since about 2002 when I flashed cracked firmware to my then DVD drive to play multi-region discs.
first post has how to videos if you dont feel comfortable buy an automated flasher from me or Marty
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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