WH14NS40

[d00zah]

Sounds like you flashed an NS40 (old, incompatible hardware) w/ an NS50 FW. It would have reported something like this prior to flashing:

viewtopic.php?f=19&t=21705#p86894

Note response in next post.

And...

"IMPORTANT Before you flash:

1. Make sure your Drive was built after 2015
2. Drive Platform MT1959<Most important
3. SVC NS50+ LG only
4. Just because your drive is the same model number does not mean it will work, if you are unsure ask me i offer remote flashing and check everything before i flash.
5. Dont flash your dive if it does not meet these requirements if you do you will be unable to read all disks and unable to restore without dosflash that does not work on most modern computers"

from the definitive guide:

viewtopic.php?f=16&t=19634

[zimberto]

Every desktop drive I have ever gotten with 1.04, WH16NS60 1.02mk has always worked

Just to be 100% clear, you are talking about a single flash using that firmware and the modified Asus flasher and it's done? Or is there an intermediate/subsequent flash required? Im not sure what is the most current approach.

[Billycar11]

Just to be 100% clear, you are talking about a single flash using that firmware and the modified Asus flasher and it's done? Or is there an intermediate/subsequent flash required? Im not sure what is the most current approach.
[/quote]

The most current approach is listed in my UHD guide.
But yes just 1 flash for that forward and drive if you use makemkv

[zimberto]

Thanks Billy.

[zimberto]

you said I need to download that file where can I find it

As Billy advised, pay attention to the pinned posts and guides at the top of each forum. You need to do your part and Read. They provide helpful information and answers to these common answers.

viewtopic.php?f=19&t=19113

I've just spent a couple of days messing with my BR drive using this site as a guide. I can tell you that coming cold to the subject it's far from clear what needs to be done and which resources to use. There is a mix of recent, not-so-recent, even-less-recent, and plain old old information on various topics. Take tfunk's question as an example...

There are various MK firmware packs available, the most recent being 20200720. If you look in there for WH16NS60 you'll see one file under "MK\HL-DT-ST\WH16NS60\" which is version 1.03 . This is not version 1.02MK that people are recommending... so where is that? It took me quite a while to find it under "MK\old\". It doesn't have the "MK" at the end and isn't in an organized folder structure like the latest firmwares. I'll also point out that most of these firmware files do not have an obvious release year in the name (important for the "enc" flag), so while some people will look at "HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_WH16NS60-1.03-NM00600-212005081010.bin" and see immediately that is a 2020 file, the rest of us will be "Uh?". And yeah, what exactly is an SVC code, and what does it mean if my drive doesn't have one? Do ASUS drives have SVC codes or is it only LG drives? And if I flash a WH14NS40 with WH16NS60 firmware what does that mean? Are all these drives made the same and just have different firmware, or can a WH16NS60 really r/w faster than a WH14NS40 and I'm just pushing my luck? I could go on, but as each question gets answered it invariably just spawns another that isn't answered there and then.

Today I received my order of a WH14NS40 from Amazon and I had it flashed to a UHD Friendly WH16NS60 in about 2 minutes flat. However that was only so quick and easy because I had spent 2 days before that trying to flash another drive which was not playing so nice. There is so much on this site that really should just be deleted, or marked with a big red OBSOLETE with a link to a single/current/simple article on flashing a drive. I can see a little of that happening but it hasn't gone far enough IMHO.

And I know it sounds like I'm bitchin' but I'm not (really). I am super appreciative for all the time and effort some of the guys put in here. So thank you!!

And BTW, on the subject of which firmware to use... use the one for your drive... not some other model. I found this out the hard way when ripping a UHD disc. The WH16NS60 firmware on my new WH14NS40 drive resulted in a lot of errors and ultimate rip failure. When I switched to the correct firmware for the drive I got zero errors. I'm guessing but maybe it's a bit like CPUs where they bin the drives according to their top speed. There's always a chance you'll get a lower model that performs better than its spec but if it doesn't then you need to be satisfied with what you paid for.

[adnaanusa]

Hi Guys / Billy

recently got LG Electronics 14x SATA Blu-ray Internal Rewriter without Software, Black (WH14NS40) from amazon after reading one review which mentioned the firmware version downgrade allowed the person to make the drive play 4k discs.

I got it in the hopes it may be easy.. just researching about it stumbled that drives with loaded firmware are being sold here too hugh

will I be able to make this drive which I bought to play 4k UHD discs? and make it played from CyberLink Power DVD ? if so what do I need to do?

I tried to flash it to DE_flash_HL-DT-ST_BD-RE_WH14NS40_1.02_NS50.bin / DE_flash_HL-DT-ST_BD-RE_WH16NS40_1.02_NS50 gives checksum error saw someone in this same thread mentioned they got lucky to downgrade but it was a 2 step process so I tried to downgrade to HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_WH14NS40-NS50-1.03-NM00600-211711211658.bin / HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_WH14NS40-NS50-1.04-NM01201-211901041351 / HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_BH16NS55-1.04-NM01701-211901041342 none worked either.

Appreciate your help.

Thank You very much

here are the details I see about the drive.

Drive Information
OS device name: P:
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE WH14NS40
Revision: 1.05
Serial number:
Firmware date: 2120-05-06 14:44
Bus encryption flags: 17

LibreDrive Information
Status: Possible (with patched firmware)
Drive platform: MT1959
Harware support: Yes
Firmware support: No
Firmware type: Original (patched version available)
Firmware version: 1.05
DVD all regions: Possible (with patched firmware)
BD raw data read: Possible (with patched firmware)
BD raw metadata read: Possible (with patched firmware)

[Billycar11]

Drive Information
OS device name: P:
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE WH14NS40
Revision: 1.05
Serial number:
Firmware date: 2120-05-06 14:44
Bus encryption flags: 17

LibreDrive Information
Status: Possible (with patched firmware)
Drive platform: MT1959
Harware support: Yes
Firmware support: No
Firmware type: Original (patched version available)
Firmware version: 1.05
DVD all regions: Possible (with patched firmware)
BD raw data read: Possible (with patched firmware)
BD raw metadata read: Possible (with patched firmware)

you have encrypted firmware use the enc option with makemkv or the sdf tool and check the enc box and flash the recommended firmware from the guide it can be found in the all you need firmware pack.
guide: https://www.makemkv.com/forum/viewtopic ... 16&t=19634

if you dont feel comfortable doing it contact me about an automated self flash kit

[adnaanusa]

you said I need to download that file where can I find it

As Billy advised, pay attention to the pinned posts and guides at the top of each forum. You need to do your part and Read. They provide helpful information and answers to these common answers.

https://www.makemkv.com/forum/viewtopic ... 19&t=19113

I've just spent a couple of days messing with my BR drive using this site as a guide. I can tell you that coming cold to the subject it's far from clear what needs to be done and which resources to use. There is a mix of recent, not-so-recent, even-less-recent, and plain old old information on various topics. Take tfunk's question as an example...

There are various MK firmware packs available, the most recent being 20200720. If you look in there for WH16NS60 you'll see one file under "MK\HL-DT-ST\WH16NS60\" which is version 1.03 . This is not version 1.02MK that people are recommending... so where is that? It took me quite a while to find it under "MK\old\". It doesn't have the "MK" at the end and isn't in an organized folder structure like the latest firmwares. I'll also point out that most of these firmware files do not have an obvious release year in the name (important for the "enc" flag), so while some people will look at "HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_WH16NS60-1.03-NM00600-212005081010.bin" and see immediately that is a 2020 file, the rest of us will be "Uh?". And yeah, what exactly is an SVC code, and what does it mean if my drive doesn't have one? Do ASUS drives have SVC codes or is it only LG drives? And if I flash a WH14NS40 with WH16NS60 firmware what does that mean? Are all these drives made the same and just have different firmware, or can a WH16NS60 really r/w faster than a WH14NS40 and I'm just pushing my luck? I could go on, but as each question gets answered it invariably just spawns another that isn't answered there and then.

Today I received my order of a WH14NS40 from Amazon and I had it flashed to a UHD Friendly WH16NS60 in about 2 minutes flat. However that was only so quick and easy because I had spent 2 days before that trying to flash another drive which was not playing so nice. There is so much on this site that really should just be deleted, or marked with a big red OBSOLETE with a link to a single/current/simple article on flashing a drive. I can see a little of that happening but it hasn't gone far enough IMHO.

And I know it sounds like I'm bitchin' but I'm not (really). I am super appreciative for all the time and effort some of the guys put in here. So thank you!!

And BTW, on the subject of which firmware to use... use the one for your drive... not some other model. I found this out the hard way when ripping a UHD disc. The WH16NS60 firmware on my new WH14NS40 drive resulted in a lot of errors and ultimate rip failure. When I switched to the correct firmware for the drive I got zero errors. I'm guessing but maybe it's a bit like CPUs where they bin the drives according to their top speed. There's always a chance you'll get a lower model that performs better than its spec but if it doesn't then you need to be satisfied with what you paid for.

Hi

so can you provide what you did and how to make WH14NS40 read UHD discs?

I just purchase last week this drive and here is the info about it.. did you also get 1.05 firware drive ? Appreciate your help if you can provide what you did I also tried few files from that old directory ( mk-firmware-pack-20200720\MK\old ) but they didn't work for me.


Drive Information
OS device name: P:
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE WH14NS40
Revision: 1.05
Serial number:
Firmware date: 2120-05-06 14:44
Bus encryption flags: 17

LibreDrive Information
Status: Possible (with patched firmware)
Drive platform: MT1959
Harware support: Yes
Firmware support: No
Firmware type: Original (patched version available)
Firmware version: 1.05
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)

No disc inserted


Thanks

[adnaanusa]

Drive Information
OS device name: P:
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE WH14NS40
Revision: 1.05
Serial number:
Firmware date: 2120-05-06 14:44
Bus encryption flags: 17

LibreDrive Information
Status: Possible (with patched firmware)
Drive platform: MT1959
Harware support: Yes
Firmware support: No
Firmware type: Original (patched version available)
Firmware version: 1.05
DVD all regions: Possible (with patched firmware)
BD raw data read: Possible (with patched firmware)
BD raw metadata read: Possible (with patched firmware)

you have encrypted firmware use the enc option with makemkv or the sdf tool and check the enc box and flash the recommended firmware from the guide it can be found in the all you need firmware pack.
guide: https://www.makemkv.com/forum/viewtopic ... 16&t=19634

if you dont feel comfortable doing it contact me about an automated self flash kit

Thanks, Billy, appreciate it.. wow you are awesome replied back so quickly appreciate it.. and Thanks for the tip.. I ran it and seems it worked even though at the end I got an error message.. so my main question is even if the drive is now able to open and see UHD drives ... how can I make the movie play from the drive which software I have to use? clearly, Power DVD is not working .. it gives the error "cannot play this content as it is corrupted " BS

tried vlc and it gave an error too.. so all this firmware allows is to make Mkv file of the UHD drive to rip the disc and watch it?




PS C:\Program Files (x86)\MakeMKV> .\makemkvcon64.exe f --all-yes -d P: rawflash enc -i C:\Users\XXXX\Downloads\files\WH16NS60-1.02.bin ( was I supposed to use WH14NS40 1.02 file? )

Reading input file C:\Users\XXXX\Downloads\files\WH16NS60-1.02.bin
Flashing flags = 0x0 : 0 0 0 0 : ---- ---- ---- ----
Sending image in encrypted format
Current Drive ID: HL-DT-ST_BD-RE__WH14NS40_1.05_212005061444_XXXXXX
Ready to write drive flash memory. (auto confirmed)
Operation started: Sending flash image to drive
100% Operation finished
Operation started: Programming flash
100% Operation finished

Program Flash NG 06/29/00

Command produced error code 0x8f062900
PS C:\Program Files (x86)\MakeMKV>



from mkv software it shows as downgraded

Drive Information
OS device name: P:
Current profile: BD-ROM
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE WH16NS60
Revision: 1.02
Serial number:
Firmware date: 2118-10-29 19:36
Bus encryption flags: 17
Highest AACS version: 68

LibreDrive Information
Status: Enabled
Drive platform: MT1959
Firmware type: Patched (microcode access re-enabled)
Firmware version: 1.02
DVD all regions: Yes
BD raw data read: Yes
BD raw metadata read: Yes
Unrestricted read speed: Yes

Disc Information
Label: TOY_STORY_4
Timestamp: 2019-08-01 10:48:26
Data capacity: 55.82 Gb
Disc type: BD-ROM UHD
Number of layers: 2
Bus encryption flags: 80




Thanks

[Billycar11]

from mkv software it shows as downgraded

Drive Information
OS device name: P:
Current profile: BD-ROM
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE WH16NS60
Revision: 1.02
Serial number:
Firmware date: 2118-10-29 19:36
Bus encryption flags: 17
Highest AACS version: 68

LibreDrive Information
Status: Enabled
Drive platform: MT1959
Firmware type: Patched (microcode access re-enabled)
Firmware version: 1.02
DVD all regions: Yes
BD raw data read: Yes
BD raw metadata read: Yes
Unrestricted read speed: Yes

Disc Information
Label: TOY_STORY_4
Timestamp: 2019-08-01 10:48:26
Data capacity: 55.82 Gb
Disc type: BD-ROM UHD
Number of layers: 2
Bus encryption flags: 80

Thanks

your good to go leave the firmware as it is WH16NS60 fw is better.
you wont be able t watch with powerdvd you can only watch unofficially or rip the movies
to watch unofficially just check the vlc integration in makemkv and then in vlc select open disc bluray

[st4evr]

Thanks, Billy, appreciate it.. wow you are awesome replied back so quickly appreciate it.. and Thanks for the tip.. I ran it and seems it worked even though at the end I got an error message.. so my main question is even if the drive is now able to open and see UHD drives ... how can I make the movie play from the drive which software I have to use? clearly, Power DVD is not working .. it gives the error "cannot play this content as it is corrupted " BS

tried vlc and it gave an error too.. so all this firmware allows is to make Mkv file of the UHD drive to rip the disc and watch it?

You are looking for “decryption on the fly”. Read this:

https://www.makemkv.com/forum/viewtopic ... ion#p98033

And what’s linked therein.

[adnaanusa]

from mkv software it shows as downgraded

Drive Information
OS device name: P:
Current profile: BD-ROM
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE WH16NS60
Revision: 1.02
Serial number:
Firmware date: 2118-10-29 19:36
Bus encryption flags: 17
Highest AACS version: 68

LibreDrive Information
Status: Enabled
Drive platform: MT1959
Firmware type: Patched (microcode access re-enabled)
Firmware version: 1.02
DVD all regions: Yes
BD raw data read: Yes
BD raw metadata read: Yes
Unrestricted read speed: Yes

Disc Information
Label: TOY_STORY_4
Timestamp: 2019-08-01 10:48:26
Data capacity: 55.82 Gb
Disc type: BD-ROM UHD
Number of layers: 2
Bus encryption flags: 80

Thanks

your good to go leave the firmware as it is WH16NS60 fw is better.
you wont be able t watch with powerdvd you can only watch unofficially or rip the movies
to watch unofficially just check the vlc integration in makemkv and then in vlc select open disc bluray

Thank You Billy, appreciate it.

Thanks st4evr

[adnaanusa]

damn, this is not good. did the makemkv and vlc integration and got this output...is this because the drive speed is low? I get a pixellated video and it hangs in between .. I have always played my movies through pc and I like it and PowerDVD allows or does the sound output so well I didn't buy a standalone blu ray player etc .. with 4k i am not seeing any proper UHD pc drive if there is any please let me know which can be used along with power DVD.. but my guess it will cost a fortune? i saw somewhere to use UHD drive in pc even the pc needs to be updated to a certain intel generation processor or the motherboard... not sure if that is true.. i usually liked PowerDVD than vlc not sure why.. lol I liked how it outputs sound from the speakers... especially dialogue coming out of all speakers.. with standalone players it only comes from the center speaker.

Anyway, I am not liking this.. i got 4k UHD player but don't like how the sound is staged from my receiver to the speakers .. is there a way to move the drive back to its firmware I am thinking to just return this drive.. not sure yet will try few things with vlc and see if I can get a smooth picture with a proper lip/dialog sync ..

Thanks

[Billycar11]

what is your cpu gpu and display?
i think its because your pc does not support h.265 decoding

i saw somewhere to use UHD drive in pc even the pc needs to be updated to a certain intel generation processor or the motherboard... not sure if that is true..

Anyway, I am not liking this.. i got 4k UHD player but don't like how the sound is staged from my receiver to the speakers .. is there a way to move the drive back to its firmware I am thinking to just return this drive.. not sure yet will try few things with vlc and see if I can get a smooth picture with a proper lip/dialog sync ..

Thanks

it is true you need a specific cpu and motherboard for official UHD playback in powerdvd

[st4evr]

damn, this is not good. did the makemkv and vlc integration and got this output...is this because the drive speed is low? I get a pixellated video and it hangs in between .. I have always played my movies through pc and I like it and PowerDVD allows or does the sound output so well I didn't buy a standalone blu ray player etc .. with 4k i am not seeing any proper UHD pc drive if there is any please let me know which can be used along with power DVD.. but my guess it will cost a fortune? i saw somewhere to use UHD drive in pc even the pc needs to be updated to a certain intel generation processor or the motherboard... not sure if that is true.. i usually liked PowerDVD than vlc not sure why.. lol I liked how it outputs sound from the speakers... especially dialogue coming out of all speakers.. with standalone players it only comes from the center speaker.

1. As Billy advised your GPU needs to be capable of processing h.265. Also, yes, for full legitimate/legal UHD BD playback on PC straight from disc on official licensed players like PowerDVD without bypassing AACS protection(s) you need a fully SGX capable/compatible PC. The details as to what that means are are all listed in PowerDVD’s website and Google will provide thousands of detailed discussions on that as well. That horse has been beaten to death already a thousand times over, so no need to get into the details yet again here.

2. Look at software AnyDVD HD (again, Google is your friend) and see if that option is viable to you. They support on the fly decryption of some UHD content playback alongside PowerDVD. They have their own active support forum as well.