Ultimate UHD Drives Flashing Guide Updated 2024

[Coopervid]

You should have read the instructions before flashing...Search for similar f... ups and how to repair with Dosflash. I'm still unhappy with the guide here. Stronger warnings for these old drives are missing.

[user425]

Just finished; my drive now reads UHD disks!

Some notes from my experience:

- The guide doesn't easily explain where to find the drive info (the video does, but why type out instructions if you expect people to watch the video).
-- Perhaps a "load MakeMKV and check the drive panel on the right side" with a snapshot in the header post might remedy this.

- You must have MKV version 1.15.0 or newer to use the flashing method in the header instructions. Otherwise, the commands will return as not found.

- Run command prompt (cmd) as administrator. Or powershell as administrator, whichever you choose.

- For those who have spaces in their naming conventions, encase your filepath with quotation marks. For example:

Code: Select all

makemkvcon64.exe f --all-yes -d D: rawflash -i "C:\User425\Downloads\The all you need firmware pack\LG 5.25 desktop\HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_WH16NS60-1.02-NM00100-211810291936.bin"

- Restart your computer after flashing.

- Start with the "All you need firmware pack".
-- If you want a different firmware to match your drive (such as the WH14NS40 firmware instead of NS60), after you follow the 2021 guide and restart then look at the appropriate flashers listed under "Unlocked Flashers, Downgrade Enabled Firmware and MK Firmware" in the header post.

[Billycar11]

I try to flash my ASUS BW-16D1HT today. But it doesn't work anymore. Tt no longer recognizes a disc . Now I saw that it was built 2014. What can I do?

How did you miss the the red text important before you flash?

Read this and follow all the reply's follow the same steps
https://www.makemkv.com/forum/viewtopic ... 15#p104021

[pauliada]

Hello,

I just got Hitachi-LG BU40N 1.04. I have couple question before I start to experiment with flashing. For enclosure I chose Delock (Item No. 42595). I contacted Delock support and got answer from their developer that they flashed many drives (Pioneer, Hitachi, LG, ...), so this may be +1 to your guide if it works. (If not, I will order recommended Vantec, but I chose local dealer first.)
I've have spend a day searching for BU40N and going through forum, so I would be sad if I miss something and burn drive to hell.

0) Do I need to make dump of current firmware, for case that drive will need to go for warranty repair? Is there way to reverse process? For example some mechanic part failures and disk is in warranty. Can "ODD Auto Firmware Update" from Hitachi be used for this - flash clean firmware?

1) Cause firmware is encrypted, I have to use makemkvcon64.exe to flash 1.04MK.
(admin access right powershell)

Code: Select all

location\to\makemkvcon64.exe f --all-yes -d D: rawflash enc -i location\to\mk-firmware-pack-20200720\mk-firmware-pack-20200720\MK\HL-DT-ST\HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_BU40N-1.04-NM00500-212005061142.bin

2) Now I can use ("Downgrade Enabled Firmware V.2") BH14NS40_N1.00-A4_patched to go down to the 1.00 with DE_flash_HL-DT-ST_BD-RE_BU40N_BU10.bin file?

Am I missing any step? Any word is appreciated.

MakeMKV 1.15.4 for Windows

Drive Information
OS device name: D:
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE BU40N
Revision: 1.04
Serial number: MO5K79E3707
Firmware date: 2120-05-06 11:42
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: 1.04
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)

[MartyMcNuts]

Hello,

I just got Hitachi-LG BU40N 1.04. I have couple question before I start to experiment with flashing. For enclosure I chose Delock (Item No. 42595). I contacted Delock support and got answer from their developer that they flashed many drives (Pioneer, Hitachi, LG, ...), so this may be +1 to your guide if it works. (If not, I will order recommended Vantec, but I chose local dealer first.)
I've have spend a day searching for BU40N and going through forum, so I would be sad if I miss something and burn drive to hell.

0) Do I need to make dump of current firmware, for case that drive will need to go for warranty repair? Is there way to reverse process? For example some mechanic part failures and disk is in warranty. Can "ODD Auto Firmware Update" from Hitachi be used for this - flash clean firmware?

1) Cause firmware is encrypted, I have to use makemkvcon64.exe to flash 1.04MK.
(admin access right powershell)

Code: Select all

location\to\makemkvcon64.exe f --all-yes -d D: rawflash enc -i location\to\mk-firmware-pack-20200720\mk-firmware-pack-20200720\MK\HL-DT-ST\HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_BU40N-1.04-NM00500-212005061142.bin

2) Now I can use ("Downgrade Enabled Firmware V.2") BH14NS40_N1.00-A4_patched to go down to the 1.00 with DE_flash_HL-DT-ST_BD-RE_BU40N_BU10.bin file?

Am I missing any step? Any word is appreciated.

MakeMKV 1.15.4 for Windows

Drive Information
OS device name: D:
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE BU40N
Revision: 1.04
Serial number: MO5K79E3707
Firmware date: 2120-05-06 11:42
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: 1.04
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)

Once you have done the first flash using makemkvcon, just use it again to do the second flash. The command is the same, just remove the "enc" and change the firmware input.

Speaking of, the second firmware you chose is not BU40N 1.00. That firmware you mentioned is Buffalo BU10. The firmware you are looking for is DE_LG_BU40N_1.00. Standard DE firmwares are not in the MK firmware pack.

You can find it in my DE firmware pack. Link is at the bottom of my post at: https://www.makemkv.com/forum/viewtopic ... 35e#p94848

[jonghotti]

Or 1.03 I’ve been trying to get off the 1.00.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[MartyMcNuts]

Or 1.03 I’ve been trying to get off the 1.00.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

1.00 is good because it also works with other software, unlike the MK firmwares.

[Ardan]

Hi great Marty McNuts.
I have a BRUHD-PU3
Thankfully, your tool downgraded from BU12 to BU10
I'm very sorry, but I have some Interrogative so I'll ask you a question.

The contents of BRUHD-PU3 is it Hitachi-LG-BU40N?
BU11 is it friendly firmware?
I can't find the BU11 firmware, where can I find it?
Is BU40N a friendly drive up to 1.03?

[MartyMcNuts]

Hi great Marty McNuts.
I have a BRUHD-PU3
Thankfully, your tool downgraded from BU12 to BU10
I'm very sorry, but I have some Interrogative so I'll ask you a question.

The contents of BRUHD-PU3 is it Hitachi-LG-BU40N?
BU11 is it friendly firmware?
I can't find the BU11 firmware, where can I find it?
Is BU40N a friendly drive up to 1.03?

Yes
No
Not available
Not sure what you mean. BU40N 1.00 is good. 1.01-MK, 1.02-MK, 1.03-MK are ok. BU40N is an "official" UHD drive (so UHD capable but not "friendly").

[jonghotti]

Load either LG BU40N firmware v 1.00 or 1.03 on your Buffalo.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[Ardan]

Hi great Marty McNuts.
I have a BRUHD-PU3
Thankfully, your tool downgraded from BU12 to BU10
I'm very sorry, but I have some Interrogative so I'll ask you a question.

The contents of BRUHD-PU3 is it Hitachi-LG-BU40N?
BU11 is it friendly firmware?
I can't find the BU11 firmware, where can I find it?
Is BU40N a friendly drive up to 1.03?

Yes
No
Not available
Not sure what you mean. BU40N 1.00 is good. 1.01-MK, 1.02-MK, 1.03-MK are ok. BU40N is an "official" UHD drive (so UHD capable but not "friendly").

Thank you for your kind answer.

Since the contents of BRUHD-PU3 are BU40N, can the firmware of BU40N be applied to BRUHD-PU3?
If so, is there any benefit to doing so?
Isn't HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_BU40N-BN11-0M00300-211711201351.bin and HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_BU40N-U101-MM01201-211711301153.bin firmware for BRUHD-PU3?
You rated BU40N1.00 as good and 1.01-1.03 as are ok, is there any difference?

[MartyMcNuts]

Hi great Marty McNuts.
I have a BRUHD-PU3
Thankfully, your tool downgraded from BU12 to BU10
I'm very sorry, but I have some Interrogative so I'll ask you a question.

The contents of BRUHD-PU3 is it Hitachi-LG-BU40N?
BU11 is it friendly firmware?
I can't find the BU11 firmware, where can I find it?
Is BU40N a friendly drive up to 1.03?

Yes
No
Not available
Not sure what you mean. BU40N 1.00 is good. 1.01-MK, 1.02-MK, 1.03-MK are ok. BU40N is an "official" UHD drive (so UHD capable but not "friendly").

Thank you for your kind answer.

Since the contents of BRUHD-PU3 are BU40N, can the firmware of BU40N be applied to BRUHD-PU3?
If so, is there any benefit to doing so?
Isn't HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_BU40N-BN11-0M00300-211711201351.bin and HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_BU40N-U101-MM01201-211711301153.bin firmware for BRUHD-PU3?
You rated BU40N1.00 as good and 1.01-1.03 as are ok, is there any difference?

For a buffalo you can use BU10

[Ardan]

For a buffalo you can use BU10

Thank you for your clear answer.
I couldn't downgrade directly from BU12 to BU10, so
I downgraded by referring to https://www.makemkv.com/forum/viewtopic ... 16&t=23515.

HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_BU40N-BU12-OM01001-211902230922.bin does not contain the name of BUFFALO, is it the same as BU12?

[brownSys]

I currently have two LG UH12NS40 drives and they seem to work great for most UHD discs but I've found that they just cant seem to handle 3 layer discs. That said I'm looking to buy another drive that can hopefully handle 3 layers. Can anyone recommend a drive that they can confirm has worked with 3 layer discs?

Thanks

[Billycar11]

I currently have two LG UH12NS40 drives and they seem to work great for most UHD discs but I've found that they just cant seem to handle 3 layer discs. That said I'm looking to buy another drive that can hopefully handle 3 layers. Can anyone recommend a drive that they can confirm has worked with 3 layer discs?

Thanks

BU40N