Attemping to flash LG BP55EB40 on macOS

[MacNick]

I'm using an LG BP55EB40 with MakeMKV and tried flashing its firmware to make it LibreDrive-enabled. Since its firmware is version 1.02 (bought it like this), it's not enabled out of the box. Using information found in this post (thank you!), I thought it should be pretty much straightforward. I have, however, not been able to get it done. Does anyone have an idea?

My equipment:

• MakeMKV v1.15.1 [darwin(x64-release)]
• current sdf.070.bin consumed by MakeMKV
• mk-firmware-pack-20200415
• MacBook Air 2019 running macOS 10.15.4
• LG BP55EB40 connected via USB (in its original slim enclosure, no disc inserted this time but disks have been opened and imported with it already in the past)

My steps taken:

1) I copied the firmware file from the mk pack into my home directory:

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cp Downloads/mk-firmware-pack-20200415/MK/HL-DT-ST/BP55EB40-NB50/HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_BP55EB40-NB50-1.01-NM00200-211711231626.bin ~/firmware.bin

2) Then I extracted the sdf_0000006d.bin into my home directory:

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cp /Applications/MakeMKV.app/Contents/Resources/appdata.tar ~
tar -xvf appdata.tar sdf_0000006d.bin

3) Then I extracted the drive identifier:

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/Applications/MakeMKV.app/Contents/MacOS/makemkvcon f -l
Found 1 drives(s)
00: IOBDServices:6615f96ab4409f5a:HL-DT-ST BD-RE BP55EB40 1.02
  HL-DT-ST_BD-RE_BP55EB40_1.02_211905031515_SIK01K3ND5125

4) Then I tried to flash the drive:

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/Applications/MakeMKV.app/Contents/MacOS/makemkvcon f -d 'IOBDServices:6615f96ab4409f5a:HL-DT-ST BD-RE BP55EB40 1.02' -f sdf_0000006d.bin rawflash main -i firmware.bin 
No drive tool logic found in SDF.bin
Internal error 0x8d000000

Steps taken to isolate the problem:

First, I tried to replace the sdf_0000006d.bin with the current sdf.070.bin from this thread. Same error (No drive tool logic found in SDF.bin Internal error 0x8d000000) persists.

Then I did a search for the specific error given (No drive tool logic) and found it mentioned in this thread. There is, however, no obvious solution mentioned (or I'm too much of a newbie to understand it, I'm afraid).

Weird thing is that MakeMKV does not show any LibreDrive information in its application window. This has happened for other people as well, although not for this specific drive and with no apparent solution. I have no clue as to why that may be. Perhaps it's related to the flashing problem? See screenshot attached.

Any help would be very much appreciated.

[Grauhaar]

The "sdf_0000006d.bin" is not the firmware for flashing. This is only the interface for MakeMKV to the flashed drive, to establsih the libredrive functionality after Libredrive is enabled.

You must use the file from the Firmware package to enable Libredrive that MakMKV can later load the Libredrive functions (SDF_xxx.bin) into the drive during startup.

[MacNick]

You must use the file from the Firmware package to enable Libredrive that MakMKV can later load the Libredrive functions (SDF_xxx.bin) into the drive during startup.

I see, thank you. Then how do I do that? By omitting the sdf-part from the command, therefore using only the following?

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/Applications/MakeMKV.app/Contents/MacOS/makemkvcon f -d 'IOBDServices:6615f96ab4409f5a:HL-DT-ST BD-RE BP55EB40 1.02' rawflash main -i firmware.bin 

[Grauhaar]

As told, instead of "-f sdf_0000006d.bin" you must use the correct "HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_BP55EB40-NB50-1.01-NM00200-211711231626.bin" file (the exact name or version can now be different, I have only a older firmware package) for your drive from the Firmware package (downloaded by you in Step 1).

[MacNick]

As told, instead of "-f sdf_0000006d.bin" you must use the correct "HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_BP55EB40-NB50-1.01-NM00200-211711231626.bin" file (the exact name or version can now be different, I have only a older firmware package) for your drive from the Firmware package (downloaded by you in Step 1).

Please bear with me, but I still don't get it. If I leave out "sdf_0000006d.bin", I get an error:

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/Applications/MakeMKV.app/Contents/MacOS/makemkvcon f -d 'IOBDServices:6615f96ab4409f5a:HL-DT-ST BD-RE BP55EB40 1.02' -f rawflash main -i firmware.bin 
Unable to load sdf.bin
Internal error 0xffffffff

If I use the exact HL-DT...-file (which I renamed "firmware.bin" in step 1 for simplicity but also tried everything with the original filename now, to no avail), it tells me it needs the SDF.bin:

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$ /Applications/MakeMKV.app/Contents/MacOS/makemkvcon f -d 'IOBDServices:6615f96ab4409f5a:HL-DT-ST BD-RE BP55EB40 1.02' -f firmware.bin rawflash main -i firmware.bin
Unable to load sdf.bin
Internal error 0xffffffff
$ /Applications/MakeMKV.app/Contents/MacOS/makemkvcon f -d 'IOBDServices:6615f96ab4409f5a:HL-DT-ST BD-RE BP55EB40 1.02' -f firmware.bin
Unable to load sdf.bin
Internal error 0xffffffff

What am I doing wrong? And is there a documentation for the flash tool in makemkvcon? It's not here, or in the "--help"-option and there is no manpage available.

[TeddyRaspin]

You have to use the command -f to specify the SDF.bin file path.

[MacNick]

You have to use the command -f to specify the SDF.bin file path.

Thank you, but that doesn't do the trick. I run the command from ~ as my working directory, so sdf_0000006d.bin is in the same directory and therefore needs no path. Adding one doesn't change the error message:

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$ /Applications/MakeMKV.app/Contents/MacOS/makemkvcon f -d 'IOBDServices:6615f96ab4409f5a:HL-DT-ST BD-RE BP55EB40 1.02' -f ~/sdf_0000006d.bin rawflash main -i firmware.bin
No drive tool logic found in SDF.bin
Internal error 0x8d000000

[TeddyRaspin]

sdf_0000006d.bin is an obsolete sdf version. You have to use the latest one.

[MacNick]

sdf_0000006d.bin is an obsolete sdf version. You have to use the latest one.

As a matter of fact, that was the first step I took to isolate the problem. Still no dice:

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$ /Applications/MakeMKV.app/Contents/MacOS/makemkvcon f -d 'IOBDServices:ab2469af92270e3c:HL-DT-ST BD-RE BP55EB40 1.02' -f sdf.070.bin rawflash main -i firmware.bin
No drive tool logic found in SDF.bin
Internal error 0x8d000000

[mike admin]

1. You can use any drive OS name or drive Id for "-d" option. On Mac all OS names are ugly, so drive id is more convinient

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/Applications/MakeMKV.app/Contents/MacOS/makemkvcon f -d HL-DT-ST_BD-RE_BP55EB40_1.02_211905031515_SIK01K3ND5125 -f sdf.070.bin rawflash main -i firmware.bin

2. Enable full verbose mode and see if the SDF is picked up

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/Applications/MakeMKV.app/Contents/MacOS/makemkvcon f -v -v -v -d HL-DT-ST_BD-RE_BP55EB40_1.02_211905031515_SIK01K3ND5125 -f sdf.070.bin --info

3. If it is, try flashing in verbose mode and post the output

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/Applications/MakeMKV.app/Contents/MacOS/makemkvcon f -v -v -v -d HL-DT-ST_BD-RE_BP55EB40_1.02_211905031515_SIK01K3ND5125 -f sdf.070.bin rawflash main -i firmware.bin

[mike admin]

Oh, and there is a bug in 1.15.1 that if SDF.bin has junk at end then sdftool will fail to load it. Just to be safe, please download the latest sdf manually http://makemkv.com/svq/sdf.bin

[MacNick]

Thanks a lot, mike, for your help! Love the work you're doing.

It seems like all the SDF files load. I tested it with four different versions:

1) sdf.bin = downloaded from makemkv.com/svq/sdf.bin
2) sdf.070.bin = downloaded from this thread
3) sdf_0000006d.bin = extracted from appdata.tar (MakeMKV 1.15.1, after it having consumed the SDF from (1) and opened a disk)
4) sdf_0000006d.basedon070.bin = extracted from appdata.tar (MakeMKV 1.15.1, after it having consumed the SDF from (2) and opened a disk)

They all produce the same output, none seems to contain drive specific logic:

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$ /Applications/MakeMKV.app/Contents/MacOS/makemkvcon f -v -v -v -d HL-DT-ST_BD-RE_BP55EB40_1.02_211905031515_SIK01K3ND5125 -f sdf.bin --info
Found sdf.bin version 0x3e at sdf.bin
Loaded SDF.bin version 0x3e
No drive-specific logic found in SDF.bin
SDF.bin version: 0x003E

Drive Tool SDF not present

Drive Specific SDF not present

Identification SDF present

$ /Applications/MakeMKV.app/Contents/MacOS/makemkvcon f -v -v -v -d HL-DT-ST_BD-RE_BP55EB40_1.02_211905031515_SIK01K3ND5125 -f sdf.070.bin --info
Found sdf.bin version 0x70 at sdf.070.bin
Loaded SDF.bin version 0x70
No drive-specific logic found in SDF.bin
SDF.bin version: 0x0070

Drive Tool SDF not present

Drive Specific SDF not present

Identification SDF present

$ /Applications/MakeMKV.app/Contents/MacOS/makemkvcon f -v -v -v -d HL-DT-ST_BD-RE_BP55EB40_1.02_211905031515_SIK01K3ND5125 -f sdf_0000006d.bin --info
Found sdf.bin version 0x6d at sdf_0000006d.bin
Loaded SDF.bin version 0x6d
No drive-specific logic found in SDF.bin
SDF.bin version: 0x006D

Drive Tool SDF not present

Drive Specific SDF not present

Identification SDF present

$ /Applications/MakeMKV.app/Contents/MacOS/makemkvcon f -v -v -v -d HL-DT-ST_BD-RE_BP55EB40_1.02_211905031515_SIK01K3ND5125 -f sdf_0000006d.basedon070.bin --info
Found sdf.bin version 0x6d at sdf_0000006d.basedon070.bin
Loaded SDF.bin version 0x6d
No drive-specific logic found in SDF.bin
SDF.bin version: 0x006D

Drive Tool SDF not present

Drive Specific SDF not present

Identification SDF present

Therefore, flashing also fails with the usual error message in all four cases:

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$ /Applications/MakeMKV.app/Contents/MacOS/makemkvcon f -v -v -v -d HL-DT-ST_BD-RE_BP55EB40_1.02_211905031515_SIK01K3ND5125 -f sdf.bin rawflash main -i firmware.bin
Found sdf.bin version 0x3e at sdf.bin
Loaded SDF.bin version 0x3e
No drive tool logic found in SDF.bin
Internal error 0x8d000000

$ /Applications/MakeMKV.app/Contents/MacOS/makemkvcon f -v -v -v -d HL-DT-ST_BD-RE_BP55EB40_1.02_211905031515_SIK01K3ND5125 -f sdf.070.bin rawflash main -i firmware.bin
Found sdf.bin version 0x70 at sdf.070.bin
Loaded SDF.bin version 0x70
No drive tool logic found in SDF.bin
Internal error 0x8d000000

$ /Applications/MakeMKV.app/Contents/MacOS/makemkvcon f -v -v -v -d HL-DT-ST_BD-RE_BP55EB40_1.02_211905031515_SIK01K3ND5125 -f sdf_0000006d.bin rawflash main -i firmware.bin
Found sdf.bin version 0x6d at sdf_0000006d.bin
Loaded SDF.bin version 0x6d
No drive tool logic found in SDF.bin
Internal error 0x8d000000

$ /Applications/MakeMKV.app/Contents/MacOS/makemkvcon f -v -v -v -d HL-DT-ST_BD-RE_BP55EB40_1.02_211905031515_SIK01K3ND5125 -f sdf_0000006d.basedon070.bin rawflash main -i firmware.bin
Found sdf.bin version 0x6d at sdf_0000006d.basedon070.bin
Loaded SDF.bin version 0x6d
No drive tool logic found in SDF.bin
Internal error 0x8d000000

Do you have another idea what I could try?

Oh, and there is a bug in 1.15.1 that if SDF.bin has junk at end then sdftool will fail to load it. Just to be safe, please download the latest sdf manually http://makemkv.com/svq/sdf.bin

If I interpret the results correctly, that seems to be precisely what happens, right? MakeMKV doesn't consume the sdf.070.bin: The version number in the appdata.tar remains the same (0x6d) so the content is the original one from makemkv.com/svq/sdf.bin which was imported earlier?

[mike admin]

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$ /Applications/MakeMKV.app/Contents/MacOS/makemkvcon f -v -v -v -d HL-DT-ST_BD-RE_BP55EB40_1.02_211905031515_SIK01K3ND5125 -f sdf.bin rawflash main -i firmware.bin
Found sdf.bin version 0x3e at sdf.bin
Loaded SDF.bin version 0x3e

This is not a latest sdf.bin from site. You have an ancient sdf.bin, probably swapped download or something. To be absolutely sure - download from this link http://www.makemkv.com/sdf.bin (should be the same file), then pass the file using -f switch. Your target is to see "found sdf v76" message. The latest sdf is v76.
In theory, all you need to do, is to have this sdf.bin in your home folder.

Also, v70 should work as well, but for some reason it doesn't in your case. Please post the output of --info for v76, and if that fails - for v70.

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/Applications/MakeMKV.app/Contents/MacOS/makemkvcon f -v -v -v -d HL-DT-ST_BD-RE_BP55EB40_1.02_211905031515_SIK01K3ND5125 -f sdf.bin --info

[MacNick]

This is not a latest sdf.bin from site. You have an ancient sdf.bin, probably swapped download or something. To be absolutely sure - download from this link http://www.makemkv.com/sdf.bin (should be the same file), then pass the file using -f switch. Your target is to see "found sdf v76" message. The latest sdf is v76.
In theory, all you need to do, is to have this sdf.bin in your home folder.

Sorry, I have no clue how that got mixed up. I re-downloaded it, renamed it "sdf.downloaded.bin" and it now identifies as v76. However, the application still states that no drive tool logic is contained within (what exactly does that mean?):

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$ /Applications/MakeMKV.app/Contents/MacOS/makemkvcon f -v -v -v -d HL-DT-ST_BD-RE_BP55EB40_1.02_211905031515_SIK01K3ND5125 -f sdf.downloaded.bin rawflash main -i firmware.bin
Found sdf.bin version 0x76 at sdf.downloaded.bin
Loaded SDF.bin version 0x76
No drive tool logic found in SDF.bin
Internal error 0x8d000000

Also, v70 should work as well, but for some reason it doesn't in your case. Please post the output of --info for v76, and if that fails - for v70.

Same result, unfortunately:

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$ /Applications/MakeMKV.app/Contents/MacOS/makemkvcon f -v -v -v -d HL-DT-ST_BD-RE_BP55EB40_1.02_211905031515_SIK01K3ND5125 -f sdf.downloaded.bin --info
Found sdf.bin version 0x76 at sdf.downloaded.bin
Loaded SDF.bin version 0x76
No drive-specific logic found in SDF.bin
SDF.bin version: 0x0076

Drive Tool SDF not present

Drive Specific SDF not present

Identification SDF present

$ /Applications/MakeMKV.app/Contents/MacOS/makemkvcon f -v -v -v -d HL-DT-ST_BD-RE_BP55EB40_1.02_211905031515_SIK01K3ND5125 -f sdf.070.bin --info
Found sdf.bin version 0x70 at sdf.070.bin
Loaded SDF.bin version 0x70
No drive-specific logic found in SDF.bin
SDF.bin version: 0x0070

Drive Tool SDF not present

Drive Specific SDF not present

Identification SDF present

[mike admin]

I re-downloaded it, renamed it "sdf.downloaded.bin" and it now identifies as v76.

You did everything right. This is a bug, sorry. Please check PM in a bit.

However, the application still states that no drive tool logic is contained within (what exactly does that mean?):
Some explanation is here viewtopic.php?f=19&t=18856#p72110

All flashing logic is data-driven. The flashing tool is a "program" that is embedded in sdf.bin. This way you can use the old MakeMKV and get support for latest drives in firmwares. At lest in theory.