Ultimate UHD Drives Flashing Guide Updated 2024

[Baby_Groot]

Just checking whether it's possible to change the firmware on my blu-ray drives to make them UHD compatible? I have two drives (both the same) and they're MT1959 platform and manufactured after 2015 (manufactured May 2016 and the other March 2021). The drive models are the external LG BP50NB40 but with SVC code NB40.

The May 2016 drive on MakeMKV shows up as:

Drive Information:
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE BP50NB40
Revision: 1.00
Serial number: XXXXXXXXXXX
Firmware date: 2115-04-22 15:17
Bus encryption flags: 17
Highest AACS version: 76

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

& the March 2021 drive shows up on MakeMKV as:

Drive Information:
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE BP50NB40
Revision: 1.03
Serial number: XXXXXXXXXXX
Firmware date: 2120-05-07 09:17
Bus encryption flags: 17
Highest AACS version: 76

LibreDrive Information:
Status: Possible (with patched firmware)
Drive platform: MT1959
Harware support: Yes
Firmware support: No
Firmware type: Original (patched version available)
Firmware version: 1.03
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)

It's the SVC code I'm worried about (NB40) as most of the guides state to have NB50 (I think?). Can any anyone confirm whether these will work for 4K before I try something that bricks my drive?

Thanks!

The older one I am not 100% on but I do think it should be ok. If you are not afraid of bricking it, give it a try.

The 2nd one can be done, for sure. Most of the BP50NB40's I have flashed are SVC: NB40.

For UHD campatibility, these need to be cross-flashed to either BP60NB10 or BU40N firmware as the BP50NB40 firmware is not UHD capable. If you don't want to do it yourself, you can get a single drive flasher from me which is very easy to use. See my signature for the link.

Thank you, that's great!

[Wolf359]

I am having a hard time finding an enclosure that doesn't break the bank. I see the ones on the first post are all either out of stock or $$$. I don't need to be able to flash with it. Not interested in just a cable I have one. Any suggestions? Need 5.25".

[dcoke22]

I am having a hard time finding an enclosure that doesn't break the bank. I see the ones on the first post are all either out of stock or $$$. I don't need to be able to flash with it. Not interested in just a cable I have one. Any suggestions? Need 5.25".

The last enclosure I purchased was the Vantec NST-536S3-BK and it was $50 on Amazon.com (in the USA). My preferred cases, the OWC Mercury Pro cases are up to $65 it seems. I've occasionally seen these things go on sale. You might be able to find a used one. Other than a SATA to USB cable, I haven't found anything much cheaper than that lately.

[Wolf359]

IIRC I bought the Vantec case you referenced for only like $30 a year or so ago. I need another one. But I may skip it. I wonder if these are in short supply?

[Joewydiart]

Hi I have a question.
I manage to FLash my BP50NB40 SVC: NB50 drive to the following firmware: HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_BP50NB40-NB50-1.03-NM00800-212005070917.bin
Now Im able to read bluray discs and it looks like this:
Drive Information
OS device name: G:
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE BP50NB40
Revision: 1.03
Serial number:
Firmware date: 2120-05-07 09:17
Bus encryption flags: 17
Highest AACS version: 68

LibreDrive Information
Status: Enabled
Drive platform: MT1959
Firmware type: Patched (microcode access re-enabled)
Firmware version: 1.03
DVD all regions: Yes
BD raw data read: Yes
BD raw metadata read: Yes
Unrestricted read speed: Yes
I wan to be able to read and rip UHD, so does all this steps are still necessary in order to cross flash the drive?:
BP50NB40 to > BP50NB40-NB50-1.03MK then to > BP60NB10 1.02MK or 1.00MK
NB52 to > BP50NB40-NB50-1.03MK with enc > BP50NB40-NB50-1.03MK with bootloader/full flash > BP60NB10 1.00_HBD from Marty download/file.php?id=2143
if using command line add "full" after rawflash

Or do i just jump and directly flash the BP60NB10? I just dont want to brick my drive.
Thanks in advance.

[MartyMcNuts]

Hi I have a question.
I manage to FLash my BP50NB40 SVC: NB50 drive to the following firmware: HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_BP50NB40-NB50-1.03-NM00800-212005070917.bin
Now Im able to read bluray discs and it looks like this:
Drive Information
OS device name: G:
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE BP50NB40
Revision: 1.03
Serial number:
Firmware date: 2120-05-07 09:17
Bus encryption flags: 17
Highest AACS version: 68

LibreDrive Information
Status: Enabled
Drive platform: MT1959
Firmware type: Patched (microcode access re-enabled)
Firmware version: 1.03
DVD all regions: Yes
BD raw data read: Yes
BD raw metadata read: Yes
Unrestricted read speed: Yes
I wan to be able to read and rip UHD, so does all this steps are still necessary in order to cross flash the drive?:
BP50NB40 to > BP50NB40-NB50-1.03MK then to > BP60NB10 1.02MK or 1.00MK
NB52 to > BP50NB40-NB50-1.03MK with enc > BP50NB40-NB50-1.03MK with bootloader/full flash > BP60NB10 1.00_HBD from Marty download/file.php?id=2143
if using command line add "full" after rawflash

Or do i just jump and directly flash the BP60NB10? I just dont want to brick my drive.
Thanks in advance.

No, those steps are only for SVC NB52. Your drive is NB50 so since you have already flashed to BP50NB40 1.03-MK, you can now flash directly to BP60NB10 1.00-MK.

[Joewydiart]

No, those steps are only for SVC NB52. Your drive is NB50 so since you have already flashed to BP50NB40 1.03-MK, you can now flash directly to BP60NB10 1.00-MK.

Thank you. Will try now.
__________________________
It worked. Thank you!

[asmcom]

I am having a hard time finding an enclosure that doesn't break the bank. I see the ones on the first post are all either out of stock or $$$. I don't need to be able to flash with it. Not interested in just a cable I have one. Any suggestions? Need 5.25".

The last enclosure I purchased was the Vantec NST-536S3-BK and it was $50 on Amazon.com (in the USA). My preferred cases, the OWC Mercury Pro cases are up to $65 it seems. I've occasionally seen these things go on sale. You might be able to find a used one. Other than a SATA to USB cable, I haven't found anything much cheaper than that lately.

I have plenty of enclosures both OWC & Vantec 5.25"

Please email me what your requirements are?

Asmcom

uhdfriendlydrives@gmail.com

[russellsd]

Hey Folks,

Just picked up a drive and was wondering if this can flashed and if so, what firmware should I flash to. Here is the drive info:

Drive Information
OS device name: H:
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE WH14NS40
Revision: 1.05
Serial number:
Firmware date: 2120-05-06 14:44
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: 1.05
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)

Russ

[MartyMcNuts]

Hey Folks,

Just picked up a drive and was wondering if this can flashed and if so, what firmware should I flash to. Here is the drive info:

Drive Information
OS device name: H:
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE WH14NS40
Revision: 1.05
Serial number:
Firmware date: 2120-05-06 14:44
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: 1.05
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)

Russ

Yep, the recommended fw for your drive is WH16NS60 1.02-MK

[russellsd]

Awesome, and I take it that I can follow the video.

Thanks,
Russ

[Pete B]

Hi.

This is my first post. I'm hoping someone is able to help me please confirm if my external LG BD drive (manufactured Aug 2019) is able to be flashed and if so, what I need to do to get it done.

I've watched this video which makes it look pretty easy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ne3SchKN8Pg but this note on the first page of this thread has got me concerned: "4. Just because your drive is the same model number does not mean it will work, if you are unsure ask me i offer remote flashing and check everything before i flash."

So, I thought it would be prudent to check to see if it can be done with the hardware I have and if so, what I need to download and run to flash it.

Here is the drive info from MakeMKV:

Drive Information
OS device name: D:
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE BP50NB40
Revision: 1.02
Serial number: I DELETED IT FROM THIS POST AS IT'S WHAT OTHER POSTS HAD DONE.
Firmware date: 2119-05-03 15:10
Bus encryption flags: 17
Highest AACS version: 76

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

If I need to post more info, please just let me know what is needed.

Thanks.

[MartyMcNuts]

Awesome, and I take it that I can follow the video.

Thanks,
Russ

Not sure if the video is up to date or not. Anyway, as your drive comes with encrypted firmware just use SDFTool flasher and you can flash diretly to WH16NS60 1.02-MK.

[russellsd]

Ok, gottcha. Thanks.

[russellsd]

Found the SDFTool, but can you point me to the correct WH16NS60 1.02-MK?

Thanks,
Russ