Ultimate UHD Drives Flashing Guide Updated 2024

[Tober27]

Try taking the disc out.

There's no difference with a disc out. Still just:

Drive Information
OS device name: D:
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE BU40N
Revision: DN13
Serial number: MO9K6D81503
Firmware date: 2119-07-04 14:26
Bus encryption flags: 1F
Highest AACS version: 63

No disc inserted

[Woodstock]

1.16.5 should give the LD information.

Marty, does the interface make a difference in being able to read the LD information?

[dafang7]

I read the guide and understand, "There is no “Best Drive” They are all made by LG and rebranded the drives just fit different use cases."

Maybe someone can help me with my specific use case. I have a desktop PC that I have been using to put my DVDs in Plex, and now I want to upgrade to do the same with Blu-ray and some 4k movies. I am looking at the two LG drives, WH16NS60 and WH16NS40. Do both of these accomplish that task once the firmware is flashed? Or is there a good reason to get the NS60 for $75 more?

[MartyMcNuts]

1.16.5 should give the LD information.

Marty, does the interface make a difference in being able to read the LD information?

I was on 1.16.4 still. Checked info pane before updating to 1.16.5. It looks exactly the same. See below.

Drive Information
OS device name: L:
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE BP60NB10
Revision: 1.00
Serial number: XXXXXXXXXXXX
Firmware date: 2117-11-21 17:20
Bus encryption flags: 17
Highest AACS version: 76

LibreDrive Information
Status: Enabled
Drive platform: MT1959
Firmware type: Patched (microcode access re-enabled)
Firmware version: 1.00
DVD all regions: Yes
BD raw data read: Yes
BD raw metadata read: Yes
Unrestricted read speed: Yes

No disc inserted

[Billycar11]

I read the guide and understand, "There is no “Best Drive” They are all made by LG and rebranded the drives just fit different use cases."

Maybe someone can help me with my specific use case. I have a desktop PC that I have been using to put my DVDs in Plex, and now I want to upgrade to do the same with Blu-ray and some 4k movies. I am looking at the two LG drives, WH16NS60 and WH16NS40. Do both of these accomplish that task once the firmware is flashed? Or is there a good reason to get the NS60 for $75 more?

get a WH14NS40 for cheap the only difference is the drive cant officially playback UHD but it can unofficially and rip
or BU40N for more reliability

[Tober27]

I was on 1.16.4 still. Checked info pane before updating to 1.16.5. It looks exactly the same. See below.

I uninstalled and reinstalled 1.16.4 and still no LibreDrive Information.
Any suggestions?

[Billycar11]

I was on 1.16.4 still. Checked info pane before updating to 1.16.5. It looks exactly the same. See below.

I uninstalled and reinstalled 1.16.4 and still no LibreDrive Information.
Any suggestions?

open a standard bluray and it then might show up

[Tober27]

open a standard bluray and it then might show up

No, just Drive and Disc Information:

Drive Information
OS device name: \Device\CdRom0
Current profile: BD-ROM
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE BU40N
Revision: DN13
Serial number: MO9K6D81503
Firmware date: 2119-07-04 14:26
Bus encryption flags: 1F
Highest AACS version: 76

Disc Information
Label:

etc.

[MartyMcNuts]

open a standard bluray and it then might show up

No, just Drive and Disc Information:

Drive Information
OS device name: \Device\CdRom0
Current profile: BD-ROM
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE BU40N
Revision: DN13
Serial number: MO9K6D81503
Firmware date: 2119-07-04 14:26
Bus encryption flags: 1F
Highest AACS version: 76

Disc Information
Label:

etc.

I reckon it has something to do with that weird ass DN13 firmware. Perhaps it is not recognised. Mike might need to take a look.

[Tober27]

Mike might need to take a look.

Would be much appreciated. I just got the drive and am inexperienced.
I'm hoping I don't need to return it.

[hunesco]

Hey guys, first time here, never used any Blu-ray drivers. I like to know if I can use this "combo" as external drive with my desktop.
LG BU40N, UHD Official Internal Slim Sata 9.5mm+Unitek Y-1039.

Thanks advance.

[Billycar11]

Hey guys, first time here, never used any Blu-ray drivers. I like to know if I can use this "combo" as external drive with my desktop.
LG BU40N, UHD Official Internal Slim Sata 9.5mm+Unitek Y-1039.

Thanks advance.

Yeah you can do that but you need an adapter probably better to get a case with USB that adapter you would need is sata to slimsata

[speedygonzo5]

do i have to buy a usb adapter to flash my drive? i have a core i7 8700k b365 motherboard

[Billycar11]

do i have to buy a usb adapter to flash my drive? i have a core i7 8700k b365 motherboard

No
But why an unlocked overclocking cpu on a locked non overclocking board

[Tober27]

Me from above with no LibreDrive info.
I contacted the Amazon Seller that I purchased the drive from since they advertise it is "full function UHD 4K Blu-ray playback with appropriate 3rd party software" just to ask what software they recommend as it's not working for me. Their reply:

"The 4K supports "plug and play", no need to install any driver programs.
To watch 4K blu-ray movies, your laptop must support 4K UHD, you need a blu-ray player application such as CyberLink PowerDVD. Please test it with different 4K blu-ray discs or other player software if it can't play properly.
Do not worry, I promise to resolve the problem smoothly and quickly.
Please do not file A-to-Z claim or leave negative feedback.
Looking forward to your fast reply."

After trying this, I wrote back:
"When I put a 4K disc into the drive, the drive still shows up in Windows as BD-RE Drive (D:) It does not register 4K discs.
This is the same in PowerDVD, where clicking on the drive shows "No media available"
This was the case with several 4K discs I tried. Blu-ray discs and DVDs work fine."

Then they got a bit defensive:
"It is built-in genuine LG BU50N or BU40N, which is the best 4K blu-ray drive in the world.
You can find the model number in hardware management, or in properties by right-click the optical disk icon.
It supports 4K UHD blu-ray definitely. We sold thousands pieces before.
To watch 4K blu-ray movies, your laptop must support 4K UHD, you need a blu-ray player application such as CyberLink PowerDVD.
Please test it with different 4K blu-ray discs or other player software if it can't play properly.
If the drive is defective, we'd like to send you a new replacement.
If you don't want to keep it any longer, please send it back for full refund."

The drive shows as empty when I insert a 4K disc. Hardware Management states it as: BD-RE BU40N. I'm also running Windows 11 if that makes any difference.
Any suggestions on what to do?