Custom firmware pack with LibreDrive patches
Posted: Fri Mar 15, 2019 2:37 pm
Fundamentally, in order for LibreDrive to work, the drive should allow modification of drive microcode in memory. At the time of this writing LibreDrive mode is enabled for about 200 different drive/firmware variations. For most drive models and firmware versions no action is required - the firmware provides an interface (so-called vendor commands) to update the running microcode in drive memory.
Unfortunately these commands are disabled in latest firmware versions, so firmware update is required in order to enable LibreDrive support - either as firmware downgrade, or as firmware upgrade to a patched version.
For the moment two patched firmware types are available:
"DE" firmware
This is an official firmware image with a single byte changed, so this firmware can be flashed over the latest firmware. The changed byte enables firmware downgrade. No other changes are made to firmware image. This is a good option to downgrade a firmware and get back the features that were available in previous versions, when previous firmware versions are available.
"MK" firmware
This is a custom firmware made by MakeMKV team. MK firmware is a patched official firmware image, with changes as minimal as possible, only to enable LibreDrive support. The MK firmware has the following properties:
Official firmwares released in 2020 introduced additional "encrypted" downgrade check. The official firmware accepts only encrypted images for upgrade. MK patch removes that - MK firmware accepts upgrade images in clear form and can be downgraded with any "ordinary" flasher. In order to perform initial flash of MK firmware over the stock "encrypted" version, one has to use sdftool flasher with "enc" option - the sdftool MTK flasher would encrypt the firmware image before sending it to the drive.
The latest MK firmware pack is available for download at https://www.makemkv.com/download/mk-fir ... 200720.zip .
(this topic will be updated with detailed flashing instructions later)
Please note that there are different drives with exactly the same name but with different hardware. For example BH16NS40 and BH16NS40-NS50 are different models. Another example - there are many different BU40 models - Taiwan, USA Japan and Europe. If unsure, do not flash, and wait for LibreDrive flasher app to be released.
For now, feel free to update, if you know what you are doing. The images are very safe - you can't brick your drive if using "drive self-update" method. Please pay close attention for the drive model - the patched flasher allows a cross-flash and will happily let you change your drive model. This might be not exactly what you want.
Unfortunately these commands are disabled in latest firmware versions, so firmware update is required in order to enable LibreDrive support - either as firmware downgrade, or as firmware upgrade to a patched version.
For the moment two patched firmware types are available:
"DE" firmware
This is an official firmware image with a single byte changed, so this firmware can be flashed over the latest firmware. The changed byte enables firmware downgrade. No other changes are made to firmware image. This is a good option to downgrade a firmware and get back the features that were available in previous versions, when previous firmware versions are available.
"MK" firmware
This is a custom firmware made by MakeMKV team. MK firmware is a patched official firmware image, with changes as minimal as possible, only to enable LibreDrive support. The MK firmware has the following properties:
- Made from the latest available official firmware.
- Re-enabled vendor commands to update microcode in memory.
- Re-enabled ability to read UHD discs (if drive was capable, and disabled in firmware).
- Removed firmware downgrade check (if present in firmware).
- Removed firmware "encrypted" downgrade check (if present in firmware).
- No other changes.
Official firmwares released in 2020 introduced additional "encrypted" downgrade check. The official firmware accepts only encrypted images for upgrade. MK patch removes that - MK firmware accepts upgrade images in clear form and can be downgraded with any "ordinary" flasher. In order to perform initial flash of MK firmware over the stock "encrypted" version, one has to use sdftool flasher with "enc" option - the sdftool MTK flasher would encrypt the firmware image before sending it to the drive.
The latest MK firmware pack is available for download at https://www.makemkv.com/download/mk-fir ... 200720.zip .
(this topic will be updated with detailed flashing instructions later)
Please note that there are different drives with exactly the same name but with different hardware. For example BH16NS40 and BH16NS40-NS50 are different models. Another example - there are many different BU40 models - Taiwan, USA Japan and Europe. If unsure, do not flash, and wait for LibreDrive flasher app to be released.
For now, feel free to update, if you know what you are doing. The images are very safe - you can't brick your drive if using "drive self-update" method. Please pay close attention for the drive model - the patched flasher allows a cross-flash and will happily let you change your drive model. This might be not exactly what you want.