Issues With Verbatim 43888

[olePigeon]

Hello.

I purchased MakeMKV and a Verbatim 43888 4K UHD drive under the impression that it would work out of the box to back up some of my Blu-Rays. It worked fine for regular Blu-Rays, but when I got to my first 4K UHD, it wouldn't work. This particular Blu-Ray is 4K UHD only, it doesn't come with a regular Blu-Ray version, otherwise I wouldn't bother.

I get a string of errors about how the disc can't be decrypted. I tried the different options for macOS V2 Key bug, but none of the made a difference.

I did a search of the forums, but I couldn't find an solution that didn't require direct messaging.

I'm using my registered copy of MakeMKV version 1.17.8 on macOS Sequoia 15.1.1. The internet option is checkboxed. Below is the drive info, and attached is the debug information. Thank you for any help.

Code: Select all

Drive Information
OS device name: /dev/rdisk4
Current profile: BD-ROM
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE BU40N
Revision: 1.05
Serial number: ...
Firmware date: 2124-04-23 13:47
Bus encryption flags: 17
Highest AACS version: 72

LibreDrive Information
Status: Possible, not yet enabled
Drive platform: MT1959

[d00zah]

Until recently, this drive came w/ a Pioneer drive, which worked 'out of the box'. The BD-RE BU40N, which is now showing up in this assembly more often, requires flashing a patched FW,

Per the Ultimate UHD Drives Flashing Guide Updated 2025:

BU40N on any Firmware directly to > BU40N 1.03MK

file: HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_BU40N-1.03-NM00000-211810241934.bin

using the procedure detailed in the 'Mac/linux commands to flash' section of the 1st post.

If you are uncomfortable with the command line, SDFtool Flasher from a friend's Windows PC is MUCH simpler. YMMV

[MrPenguin]

Code: Select all

Drive Information
OS device name: /dev/rdisk4
Current profile: BD-ROM
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE BU40N
Revision: 1.05
Serial number: ...
Firmware date: 2124-04-23 13:47
Bus encryption flags: 17
Highest AACS version: 72

LibreDrive Information
Status: Possible, not yet enabled
Drive platform: MT1959

Your current TGZ dump file isn't usable because LibreDrive has not been enabled. When you have successfully flashed your drive to enable LibreDrive, could you then attach any new TGZ dump file that MakeMKV creates please?

[olePigeon]

Thank you everyone. As this was my first post it had to be approved first. Shortly after I sent the post for review, I found the 2025 Blu-Ray Flash guide with everything I needed. Coupled with Shutter Encoder, I'm able to make quick work backing up my discs.

It would appear that my Verbatim 43888 shipped with the BU40N drive instead of the other one that's already supported. I had to use the Flash utility to upgrade the firmware. After doing that, everything worked perfectly. The USB-C version of this drive is extremely fast. I can backup a regular Blu-Ray on my Mac in just a few minutes.

As a side note for anyone else that may have had the same disconnect issue I was having: This drive appears to work fine. I had gone through half a dozen generic drives trying to get one to work, and they would all disconnect at random whenever I tried to backup a Blu-Ray. This would happen on both my Mac and my PC, even when I use a PD port or powered USB hub.

I bought this Verbatim because the pictures on Amazon showed it had an auxiliary power port, and it appeared to be compatible with MakeMKV. However, when I received it, it didn't have the power port. Amazon also changed the pictures to reflect that. So I guess it's an updated design. I have not had any connection issues, however. It would appear Verbatim uses a proper USB-C connector that allows it to pull more than 5v, eliminating the disconnect issue I was having.

[kaister]

Where did you get the Verbatim 43888?

I see people saying to get it from Amazon Germany so I simply assume all 43888 from other regions are now on BU40N drive instead of the Pioneer UD04 drive that works out of the box.

But I'm wondering whether those from Germany are switching over to the BU40N yet.