www.makemkv.com

I'm running the elementaryOS linux distro on an older macbook I wiped years ago. I'm quite comfortable with the command line, make tools, packages, etc. but I've never flashed firmware before and actually wouldn't mind knowing a bit about how it works.

From what I've read here - a few of you seem to know a bit more on how flashing a blueray disc via command line works conceptually through code - or perhaps know of another apt package I could use. Or maybe even can just point me in a wiser more effecient direction other than 'flash firmware' keyword searches.

My brand new fresh out of box Archgon drive came with firmware 1.0.1 - which means I'll be doing a downgrade I guess.


Thanks in advance. Happy 4th M'rica

Suggested reading:

Linux native flashing

Linux How To: Flash ASUS-BW-16D1HT

Happy 4th, 2 u

Important, general do/don't notes in Ultimate UHD Drives Guide Updated 2020...

And finally, this one - viewtopic.php?f=19&t=22593

I appreciate it you guys and will check all the material out.
Depending on how things go I may need a bit more help. Hopefully not.

btw - Thanks to MakeMKV for everything.

Thanks all for the help and material. I think I'm good to go now except for two last questions


1. Regarding which Libre Firmware to use - I've narrowed them down to two.

From these two I'm unable to tell which one (if either) is ok to use.
Potential LibreDrive Firmware:
HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_BU40N-U101-MM01201-211711301153
HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_BU40N-1.01-RM00000-211712221221

2. Is there a way to tell just by looking at what info is displayed here if I should use the 'enc' flag?

--------------------------------------------
For reference: Thanks in advance. Almost there.

jfields wrote: ↑

Tue Jul 07, 2020 12:36 pm

2. Is there a way to tell just by looking at what info is displayed here if I should use the 'enc' flag?

My take, after reading over that thread, is that once a drive has been flashed w/ v1.04 (new, encrypted), it will only take an encrypted FW going forward. Since you are starting from v1.01, I'm pretty sure flashing an earlier patched FW version will not require the 'enc' flag.

"Put "enc" option (without quotes) after rawflash because if your unit comes with 1.04 it will accept only fw in encrypted format."

As to which image to flash, I'll leave that call to someone with more experience w/ that particular drive.

Alex? ( @jonghotti )

Thanks for the input @d00zah Makes sense. One would hope there wouldn't be a serious repercussion other than a command exit by leaving 'enc' out (or vice versa). Didn't want to assume that tho without asking first.

Flash it to BU40N 1.00 de

jfields wrote: ↑

Tue Jul 07, 2020 12:36 pm

Thanks all for the help and material. I think I'm good to go now except for two last questions


1. Regarding which Libre Firmware to use - I've narrowed them down to two.

From these two I'm unable to tell which one (if either) is ok to use.
Potential LibreDrive Firmware:
HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_BU40N-U101-MM01201-211711301153
HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_BU40N-1.01-RM00000-211712221221

2. Is there a way to tell just by looking at what info is displayed here if I should use the 'enc' flag?

--------------------------------------------
For reference:

Code: Select all

$ makemkvcon f --list

00: dev_21:2, /dev/sr1, /dev/sr1
  HL-DT-ST_BD-RE_BU40N_1.01_211712221221_Serial number

$ makemkvcon f -d /dev/sr1 help
MTK19xx firmware module v1.21

Code: Select all

Drive Information
OS device name: /dev/sr1
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE BU40N
Revision: 1.01
Serial number: Serial number
Firmware date: 2117-12-22 12:21
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: 1.01
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)

Thanks in advance. Almost there.

Flash with DE_BU40N_1.00 firmware. It is da bomb!

Billycar11 wrote: ↑

Tue Jul 07, 2020 7:51 pm

Flash it to BU40N 1.00 de

Awesome. That's actually the one I originally had planned on using. I couldn't find it tho which led me to default to the other two in my 2nd post. Thanks for confirming and all the work you put in!

just wanted to say this thread has been really helpful for flashing my archgon. i just have a question i flashed it to the current BU40N firmware from viewtopic.php?f=19&t=19113#p71880 which is HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_BU40N-1.04-N000500-212005061142.bin whats the differance between that one and the DE one?

Just version. Yours is 1.04, latest from 2020. The "DE" is 1.00 from 2017, . There are some (other) programs that work with 1.00 but can't with 1.04 - this is about the only reason to flash 1.00 . If you are loyal to MakeMKV, stay on 1.04

ah cool:) thanks for the good work you guys are doing