Ultimate UHD Drives Flashing Guide Updated 2023

[Billycar11]

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?

Yeah

[MartyMcNuts]

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!

Yeah, that drive contains the new encrypted version using the old firmware name. In SDFtool Flasher, click the red X to change it to a green tick and you can then flash it.

[southerndrawl]

Would I follow the same procedure with my unit, I believe it may be encrypted.

Code: Select all

Drive Information
OS device name: D:
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE BU40N
Revision: 1.01
Serial number: 
Firmware date: 2119-10-16 10:32
Bus encryption flags: 1F

LibreDrive Information
Status: Possible (with patched firmware)
Drive platform: MT1959
Harware support: Yes
Firmware support: No
Firmware type: Original (patched version available)
Firmware version: 1.01
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)

No disc inserted

[Billycar11]

Would I follow the same procedure with my unit, I believe it may be encrypted.

Code: Select all

Drive Information
OS device name: D:
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE BU40N
Revision: 1.01
Serial number: 
Firmware date: 2119-10-16 10:32
Bus encryption flags: 1F

LibreDrive Information
Status: Possible (with patched firmware)
Drive platform: MT1959
Harware support: Yes
Firmware support: No
Firmware type: Original (patched version available)
Firmware version: 1.01
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)

No disc inserted

No it not listed in the guide I keep it pretty updated
if you guys are unsure you should get an automated flasher from me or Marty

[southerndrawl]

Would I follow the same procedure with my unit, I believe it may be encrypted.

Code: Select all

Drive Information
OS device name: D:
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE BU40N
Revision: 1.01
Serial number: 
Firmware date: 2119-10-16 10:32
Bus encryption flags: 1F

LibreDrive Information
Status: Possible (with patched firmware)
Drive platform: MT1959
Harware support: Yes
Firmware support: No
Firmware type: Original (patched version available)
Firmware version: 1.01
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)

No disc inserted

No it not listed in the guide I keep it pretty updated
if you guys are unsure you should get an automated flasher from me or Marty

Apologies for not reading the guide thoroughly. It looks like I can either go and flash HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_BU40N-1.03-NM00000-211810241934.bin using SDFtool Flasher (v1.3.1)

or Downgrading

using BH14NS40_N1.00-A4_patched.exe and loading / flashing DE_LG BU40N_1.00.bin

or

Custom 1.04MK firmware from Here BU40N-MAIN\HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_BU40N-1.04-NM00500-212005061142.bin - would I use SDFtool Flasher (v1.3.1) or BH14NS40_N1.00-A4_patched.exe

which route would y'all suggest? is there a benefit with any of these option?

Y'all are amazing!

[MartyMcNuts]

Would I follow the same procedure with my unit, I believe it may be encrypted.

Code: Select all

Drive Information
OS device name: D:
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE BU40N
Revision: 1.01
Serial number: 
Firmware date: 2119-10-16 10:32
Bus encryption flags: 1F

LibreDrive Information
Status: Possible (with patched firmware)
Drive platform: MT1959
Harware support: Yes
Firmware support: No
Firmware type: Original (patched version available)
Firmware version: 1.01
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)

No disc inserted

No it not listed in the guide I keep it pretty updated
if you guys are unsure you should get an automated flasher from me or Marty

Apologies for not reading the guide thoroughly. It looks like I can either go and flash HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_BU40N-1.03-NM00000-211810241934.bin using SDFtool Flasher (v1.3.1)

or Downgrading

using BH14NS40_N1.00-A4_patched.exe and loading / flashing DE_LG BU40N_1.00.bin

or

Custom 1.04MK firmware from Here BU40N-MAIN\HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_BU40N-1.04-NM00500-212005061142.bin - would I use SDFtool Flasher (v1.3.1) or BH14NS40_N1.00-A4_patched.exe

which route would y'all suggest? is there a benefit with any of these option?

Y'all are amazing!

Use SDFtool Flasher and flash DE_LG_BU40N_1.00.

[southerndrawl]

No it not listed in the guide I keep it pretty updated
if you guys are unsure you should get an automated flasher from me or Marty

Apologies for not reading the guide thoroughly. It looks like I can either go and flash HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_BU40N-1.03-NM00000-211810241934.bin using SDFtool Flasher (v1.3.1)

or Downgrading

using BH14NS40_N1.00-A4_patched.exe and loading / flashing DE_LG BU40N_1.00.bin

or

Custom 1.04MK firmware from Here BU40N-MAIN\HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_BU40N-1.04-NM00500-212005061142.bin - would I use SDFtool Flasher (v1.3.1) or BH14NS40_N1.00-A4_patched.exe

which route would y'all suggest? is there a benefit with any of these option?

Y'all are amazing!

Use SDFtool Flasher and flash DE_LG_BU40N_1.00.

Thank you!!! I think what confused me is the multitude of available firmwares and not being able to differentiate the benefits amongst each and every one.

I did do a firmware dump/backup just in case if I need to return the drive to the manufacturer. Definitely will be buying another drive for my desktop.

This is what makemkv shows:

Code: Select all

Drive Information
OS device name: D:
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE BU40N
Revision: 1.00
Serial number: 
Firmware date: 2116-12-20 15:28
Bus encryption flags: 17

LibreDrive Information
Status: Enabled
Drive platform: MT1959
Firmware type: Original (unpatched)
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

[myriadpro86]

I am having a problem flashing the downgraded firmware to this drive so that it can read UHD disks. I have this drive installed in a NexStar VanTec case.

I see these errors when trying to use the SDF flash tool and also my MakeMKV info:

[MartyMcNuts]

I am having a problem flashing the downgraded firmware to this drive so that it can read UHD disks. I have this drive installed in a NexStar VanTec case.

I see these errors when trying to use the SDF flash tool and also my MakeMKV info:

What drive?
What model Vantec and what revision?

There are no images shown.

[myriadpro86]

I am sorry about that. Here are the images:

MakeMKV Info:


Error 1 (SDF Tool):


Error 2 (SDF Tool):

[myriadpro86]

I am having a problem flashing the downgraded firmware to this drive so that it can read UHD disks. I have this drive installed in a NexStar VanTec case.

I see these errors when trying to use the SDF flash tool and also my MakeMKV info:

What drive?
What model Vantec and what revision?

There are no images shown.

The model of the Vantec is NST-53653-BK.

[Billycar11]

I am having a problem flashing the downgraded firmware to this drive so that it can read UHD disks. I have this drive installed in a NexStar VanTec case.

I see these errors when trying to use the SDF flash tool and also my MakeMKV info:

What drive?
What model Vantec and what revision?

There are no images shown.

The model of the Vantec is NST-53653-BK.

We are investigating work around for this but for now you will have to get the owc case to flash it or do it directly with sata

[Billycar11]

The model of the Vantec is NST-53653-BK.

Actually you don't need to buy the other ones the makemkv developer already found a workaround should be available in a few days

[myriadpro86]

The model of the Vantec is NST-53653-BK.

Actually you don't need to buy the other ones the makemkv developer already found a workaround should be available in a few days

I'm so glad you said this, because I had read in the guide there was a certain model of the Vantec that wasn't flashable, and I was thinking I had bought that version. But glad there is a workaround being worked on.

[runnernorth]

Hi all
could you please help me a bit, I have a new lg BH16NS55, with fw 1.05, which I would like to downgrade/ flash, but my problem is thatI do not understand the guide to do the flashing on mac....
I have read the the guide, and it says:

Mac/linux commands to flash.

1. download sdf.bin
2. download the all you need firmware pack

3. Extract the file you need for your drive from the all you need firmware pack pick from the recommended firmware section.

4. then in terminal on the Mac
copy sdf.bin and the firmware file extracted from theall you need firmware pack into /tmp folder.

5. in terminal change directory "cd /Applications/MakeMKV.app/Contents/MacOS"

6. type "./makemkvcon f -l"

But where do I find the sdf.bin ?
even better, is there a flashing tool for mac I could use, instead of writing commands ?