Ultimate UHD Drives Flashing Guide Updated 2024

[TheJumper]

Hello,

I have a LG BH16NS55 which was stock on 1.03.
2 years ago I already have crossflashed it to ASUS BW-16D1HT 3.10MK firmware.
Since then its working flawless except for the sleep bug, where its making these weird reading noises and I have to recycle the disk.

If I understand it correctly the recommendation by this guide is to flash the BH16NS55 to WH16NS60 1.02MK.
Will this also fix the sleep bug? And is it possible to flash back to a LG firmware from the ASUS firmware?

Thank you very much.

[d00zah]

Hello,

I have a LG BH16NS55 which was stock on 1.03.
2 years ago I already have crossflashed it to ASUS BW-16D1HT 3.10MK firmware.
Since then its working flawless except for the sleep bug, where its making these weird reading noises and I have to recycle the disk.

If I understand it correctly the recommendation by this guide is to flash the BH16NS55 to WH16NS60 1.02MK.
Will this also fix the sleep bug? And is it possible to flash back to a LG firmware from the ASUS firmware?

Thank you very much.

From the very 1st post...

Sleep Bug:

All UHD Friendly drives have the sleep bug, this is when a UHD disk is left idle in the drive for 2 minutes. Once the drive goes to sleep, the UHD Friendly drive will no longer be able to read the disk without opening and closing the disk tray and will make horrible seeking noises until this is done.

Sleep Bug Fix:

To fix the sleep bug on a UHD Friendly drive flash firmware from an UHD Official drive like WH16NS60 DE 1.00 or 1.01MK

[TheJumper]

From the very 1st post...

Sleep Bug:

All UHD Friendly drives have the sleep bug, this is when a UHD disk is left idle in the drive for 2 minutes. Once the drive goes to sleep, the UHD Friendly drive will no longer be able to read the disk without opening and closing the disk tray and will make horrible seeking noises until this is done.

Sleep Bug Fix:

To fix the sleep bug on a UHD Friendly drive flash firmware from an UHD Official drive like WH16NS60 DE 1.00 or 1.01MK

Thank you for your fast reply.

In the first post the recommendation for my drive is to flash to the 1.02MK firmware.
SRecommended Firmware to flash for MakeMKV:
BH16NS55 on any Firmware directly to > WH16NS60 1.02MK

Because of this I wasn't sure, if the sleep bug was only fixed in the version 1.00MK or 1.01MK.

I'm going to flash the 1.02MK firmware then.

Thanks again.

[MartyMcNuts]

I have purchased the same writer and I want to downgrade the firmware so i can rip 4K UHD discs. However, I am going around in circles trying to sift through a multitude to posts on the same subject but never tracing back to the original where the links i assume can be found. So, if you can post links in your reply to it would be very much appreciated:

I need the links for:

SDFTool Flasher
BU40 1.00 Firmware

Thanks in advance,

Jim Hernandez
____________________________________________________________________________

Drive Information
OS device name: I:
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE BU40N
Revision: BU10
Serial number:
Firmware date: 2117-05-30 17:28
Bus encryption flags: 1F
Highest AACS version: 72

LibreDrive Information
Status: Enabled
Drive platform: MT1959
Firmware type: Original (unpatched)
Firmware version: 0.BU10O
DVD all regions: Yes
BD raw data read: Yes
BD raw metadata read: Yes
Unrestricted read speed: Yes

Your drive doesn't need flashing. It is already on UHD capable BU10 firmware. Just put a UHD disc in and start ripping!

[twentytwentytwo]

Hello Gents

Here's the drive that I got in the mail

Code: Select all

Drive Information
OS device name: D:
Current profile: DVD+R
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE BU40N
Revision: 1.04
Serial number: MOFL36D5703
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)

What are my firmware options for this particular drive?

I have also created a firmware dump incase one of the devs needs it.

Thanks

Edit: I couldn't wait and went ahead risking bricking this drive. I basically sidegraded to the latest MK firmware to remove the encryption and gain the ability to downgrade.
I then flashed DE v1.0 directly without moving down to 1.03, 1.02, 1.01 ect. (I just assumed this is how it must work).
Took a bit of time to realise that the SDFtool requires MakeMKV software to be installed first.
The BU40N drive is alive so thanks to eveyone who was involved in delivering these custom firmwares and the tools required foir this procedure to work.

[southerndrawl]

Is the BU40N still the recommended drive to go? Torn between the WH16NS60 + enclosure, BW-16D1HT + enclosure or a BU40N with an enclosure. Or any other recommended drive. Can't find a side by side comparison of each of these units. Want to backup movies and burn data discs for safe keeping

[Billycar11]

Is the BU40N still the recommended drive to go? Torn between the WH16NS60 + enclosure, BW-16D1HT + enclosure or a BU40N with an enclosure. Or any other recommended drive. Can't find a side by side comparison of each of these units. Want to backup movies and burn data discs for safe keeping

The only logical choices are WH14NS40 or BU40N/ other versions of it like bp60 and archgon
WH14NS40 is the cheapest and same as the WH16NS60 and Asus bw16
BU40N is most reliable

[southerndrawl]

Is the BU40N still the recommended drive to go? Torn between the WH16NS60 + enclosure, BW-16D1HT + enclosure or a BU40N with an enclosure. Or any other recommended drive. Can't find a side by side comparison of each of these units. Want to backup movies and burn data discs for safe keeping

The only logical choices are WH14NS40 or BU40N/ other versions of it like bp60 and archgon
WH14NS40 is the cheapest and same as the WH16NS60 and Asus bw16
BU40N is most reliable

Thank you for the expedited response. I have a Archgon Premium Aluminum External USB 3.0 UHD 4K Blu-Ray Writer Super Drive for PC and Mac on the way that I was contemplating returning if it isn't flashable.

Also, my laptop has an Intel i7-9750H with Nvidia GTX 1650 - That should be a compatible set up, right?

Thank you for your help! I love this forum and can't wait to be a contributing member.

[teridon]

I bought the Vantec NST-536S3-BK 5.25 case, but it came with jmicron chipset pcb version 1V00D F0901. Of course, I cannot use it to flash my WH16NS60.

Is there anything I can do? I saw someone mention the European distributor, but I'm in the US. Will Vantec (USA) replace this with another that has the "right" chipset?

[Billycar11]

I bought the Vantec NST-536S3-BK 5.25 case, but it came with jmicron chipset pcb version 1V00D F0901. Of course, I cannot use it to flash my WH16NS60.

Is there anything I can do? I saw someone mention the European distributor, but I'm in the US. Will Vantec (USA) replace this with another that has the "right" chipset?

Probably not if you can't hook it up with sata just get the owc

[MartyMcNuts]

I bought the Vantec NST-536S3-BK 5.25 case, but it came with jmicron chipset pcb version 1V00D F0901. Of course, I cannot use it to flash my WH16NS60.

Is there anything I can do? I saw someone mention the European distributor, but I'm in the US. Will Vantec (USA) replace this with another that has the "right" chipset?

As Billy said, either get the OWC enclosure or keep the Vantec and either connect drive to SATA to complete the flash or get yourself a SATA to USB powered adapter. I higly recommend the Unitek models (Y-3324 or Y-1039) as these do still work for flashing.

[choory]

Hello

I have Be16nu60 . Can i change Be16nu50 firmware?

Help me plz

[savaytse66]

After bricking an old drive, I'd like someone to confirm I am on the right track with an the Archgon Premium Aluminum External USB 3.0 UHD 4K Blu-Ray Writer Super Drive for PC and Mac, which I understand to be a BU40N. This is connected to my desktop via the two USBA ends that came with the drive. This is verified with MakeMKV:

Drive Information
OS device name: H:
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE BU40N
Revision: 1.02
Serial number: MOBL91B3954
Firmware date: 2120-12-01 17:16
Bus encryption flags: 1F
Highest AACS version: 76

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

If I am understanding the OP correctly, flashing this should be as simple as running the current version of SDFtool Flasher (v1.3.1 as of this post) and flashing HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_BU40N-1.03-NM00000-211810241934.bin from the "The all you need firmware pack" linked in the OP.

Opening the drive in SDFtool confirms (with a green check) that the platform is MTT1959 and that the drives current firmware is not Encrypted (red X).

I am just looking for confirmation that I am not missing anything. The forum has been great, and much appreciation to all those that put in the hard work preparing these guides!

[Billycar11]

After bricking an old drive, I'd like someone to confirm I am on the right track with an the Archgon Premium Aluminum External USB 3.0 UHD 4K Blu-Ray Writer Super Drive for PC and Mac, which I understand to be a BU40N. This is connected to my desktop via the two USBA ends that came with the drive. This is verified with MakeMKV:

Drive Information
OS device name: H:
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE BU40N
Revision: 1.02
Serial number: MOBL91B3954
Firmware date: 2120-12-01 17:16
Bus encryption flags: 1F
Highest AACS version: 76

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

If I am understanding the OP correctly, flashing this should be as simple as running the current version of SDFtool Flasher (v1.3.1 as of this post) and flashing HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_BU40N-1.03-NM00000-211810241934.bin from the "The all you need firmware pack" linked in the OP.

Opening the drive in SDFtool confirms (with a green check) that the platform is MTT1959 and that the drives current firmware is not Encrypted (red X).

I am just looking for confirmation that I am not missing anything. The forum has been great, and much appreciation to all those that put in the hard work preparing these guides!

that firmware is encrypted other wise your good to go

[savaytse66]

that firmware is encrypted other wise your good to go

Oh, yes, I see that now in the firmware list; I totally overlooked that. Thank you.

In that case, since I am on the 1.02 encrypted firmware currently, is it just a matter of flashing "HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_BU40N-1.03-NM00000-211810241934.bin" from "HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_BU40N-1.03-NM00000-211810241934.bin" but make sure the Encrypted Firmware box is checked in SDFtool? Or is there a different FW I should be flashing?