Ultimate UHD Drives Flashing Guide Updated 2025

[Ralph P.]

I recommend downloading the Pioneer BD-Drive Utility from their website as it allows customization of the drive's performance.

Did you explore this utility? I did not find any comprehensive documentation regarding various options. I see the explanation at high level but wary of causing long term harm to the drive, by say going to "High Performance Mode". In my case, the "Setting 1" tab is disabled.

Greetings,

I have explored it. It's model specific and would more than likely not harm the drive with any of its various settings options.

[liamtoh1]

I recommend downloading the Pioneer BD-Drive Utility from their website as it allows customization of the drive's performance.

Did you explore this utility? I did not find any comprehensive documentation regarding various options. I see the explanation at high level but wary of causing long term harm to the drive, by say going to "High Performance Mode". In my case, the "Setting 1" tab is disabled.

I have explored it. It's model specific and would more than likely not harm the drive with any of its various settings options.

Thanks. I will try to explore it when I get a chance.

[ThereIs_No_Spoon]

I'm pulling out what's left of my hair.

I have an LG WP50NB40 NB52 that I'm spinning my tires on. I'm using the SDFtool Flasher v1.3.4 to flash the drive. I've tried flashing HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_BP50NB40-NB50-1.03-NM00800-212005070917.bin from the "All that you need firmware pack" to get to stage one of these steps (mainly because I ran into a roadblock sourcing "BP50NB40-NB50-1.03MK") :
NB52 to > BP50NB40-NB50-1.03MK with enc > BP50NB40-NB50-1.03MK with bootloader/full flash > BP60NB10 1.00_HBD from Marty

The only reason I figure I'm failing is that no matter what I do, and how many times I'm "successful" per SDFtool, BP60NB10 1.00_HBD never takes hold (see link below). For the life of me don't know where I'm going wrong. I'm not new to flashing devices but this is completely evading me.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/tbZiPzKSvKpxTErXA

I'm having the exact same issue with my NB52 using the same procedure. Cannot get it to BP60NB10.

There is no need for the HBD firmware anymore. To flash the WP50NB40/BP50NB40 SVC:NB52, using the latest SDFtool Flasher, follw the steps below:

1. Flash the drive to either WP50NB40 (NB50) 1.03-MK or BP50NB40 (NB50) 1.03-MK.

Now for the crossflash:

2. Select the RECOVERY option and in the pop up, select the WP50NB40 (NB50) 1.03-MK or BP50NB40 (NB50) 1.03-MK firmware that you just flashed.
3. Select either the BP60NB10 1.00-MK or BU40N 1.00 firmware in the normal drop box. Whichever one you want to use.
4. Click START

The process takes about 30-40 seconds to complete.

Just about to flash my new drive...

• LG WP50NB40, SVC: NB52, ROM VER: 1.03, Manufactured in October 2022

...and in step #3 above Marty writes that it can be flashed with either firmware:

1. BP60NB10 1.00-MK
2. BU40N 1.00

Is there any appreciable difference, features, or advantage/disadvantage between those two firmwares on this drive?

[MartyMcNuts]

I'm having the exact same issue with my NB52 using the same procedure. Cannot get it to BP60NB10.

There is no need for the HBD firmware anymore. To flash the WP50NB40/BP50NB40 SVC:NB52, using the latest SDFtool Flasher, follw the steps below:

1. Flash the drive to either WP50NB40 (NB50) 1.03-MK or BP50NB40 (NB50) 1.03-MK.

Now for the crossflash:

2. Select the RECOVERY option and in the pop up, select the WP50NB40 (NB50) 1.03-MK or BP50NB40 (NB50) 1.03-MK firmware that you just flashed.
3. Select either the BP60NB10 1.00-MK or BU40N 1.00 firmware in the normal drop box. Whichever one you want to use.
4. Click START

The process takes about 30-40 seconds to complete.

Just about to flash my new drive...

• LG WP50NB40, SVC: NB52, ROM VER: 1.03, Manufactured in October 2022

...and in step #3 above Marty writes that it can be flashed with either firmware:

1. BP60NB10 1.00-MK
2. BU40N 1.00

Is there any appreciable difference, features, or advantage/disadvantage between those two firmwares on this drive?

The BP60NB10 firmware only works with MAkeMKV & AnyDVD. The BU40N 1.00 firmware works with all ripping software.

[Coopervid]

BU40N only works with AnyDVD if Makemkv is installed.

[ThereIs_No_Spoon]

There is no need for the HBD firmware anymore. To flash the WP50NB40/BP50NB40 SVC:NB52, using the latest SDFtool Flasher, follw the steps below:

1. Flash the drive to either WP50NB40 (NB50) 1.03-MK or BP50NB40 (NB50) 1.03-MK.

Now for the crossflash:

2. Select the RECOVERY option and in the pop up, select the WP50NB40 (NB50) 1.03-MK or BP50NB40 (NB50) 1.03-MK firmware that you just flashed.
3. Select either the BP60NB10 1.00-MK or BU40N 1.00 firmware in the normal drop box. Whichever one you want to use.
4. Click START

The process takes about 30-40 seconds to complete.

Just about to flash my new drive...

• LG WP50NB40, SVC: NB52, ROM VER: 1.03, Manufactured in October 2022

...and in step #3 above Marty writes that it can be flashed with either firmware:

1. BP60NB10 1.00-MK
2. BU40N 1.00

Is there any appreciable difference, features, or advantage/disadvantage between those two firmwares on this drive?

The BP60NB10 firmware only works with MAkeMKV & AnyDVD. The BU40N 1.00 firmware works with all ripping software.

I followed the steps above and I'm ripping a UHD right now at 6.0X -- thank you!

For any other newbies that read this, I found the flasher and firmware I needed towards the end of the first post in this thread...

• the latest version of the SDFtool Flasher is obviously listed
• MK-firmware-pack has WP50NB40 (NB50) 1.03-MK and BP50NB40 (NB50) 1.03-MK for Step #1 and Step #2
• DE-firmware-pack has BU40N 1.00, and MK-firmware-pack has BP60NB10 1.00-MK (in the "old" folder) used in Step #3

Thanks again to the MakeMKV-Powers-That-Be for all the hard work!

[ThereIs_No_Spoon]

There is no need for the HBD firmware anymore. To flash the WP50NB40/BP50NB40 SVC:NB52, using the latest SDFtool Flasher, follw the steps below:

1. Flash the drive to either WP50NB40 (NB50) 1.03-MK or BP50NB40 (NB50) 1.03-MK.

Now for the crossflash:

2. Select the RECOVERY option and in the pop up, select the WP50NB40 (NB50) 1.03-MK or BP50NB40 (NB50) 1.03-MK firmware that you just flashed.
3. Select either the BP60NB10 1.00-MK or BU40N 1.00 firmware in the normal drop box. Whichever one you want to use.
4. Click START

The process takes about 30-40 seconds to complete.

Just about to flash my new drive...

• LG WP50NB40, SVC: NB52, ROM VER: 1.03, Manufactured in October 2022

...and in step #3 above Marty writes that it can be flashed with either firmware:

1. BP60NB10 1.00-MK
2. BU40N 1.00

Is there any appreciable difference, features, or advantage/disadvantage between those two firmwares on this drive?

The BP60NB10 firmware only works with MAkeMKV & AnyDVD. The BU40N 1.00 firmware works with all ripping software.

If I wanted to flash this drive back to it's original firmware to return it, would I just do that with the original firmware dump I made with SDFTool before flashing it to be UHD capable?

I did see your post with the official LG flasher for this drive, but since mine is SVC NB52 and that flasher is for SVC NB50, I thought I'd ask.

[MartyMcNuts]

Just about to flash my new drive...

• LG WP50NB40, SVC: NB52, ROM VER: 1.03, Manufactured in October 2022

...and in step #3 above Marty writes that it can be flashed with either firmware:

1. BP60NB10 1.00-MK
2. BU40N 1.00

Is there any appreciable difference, features, or advantage/disadvantage between those two firmwares on this drive?

The BP60NB10 firmware only works with MAkeMKV & AnyDVD. The BU40N 1.00 firmware works with all ripping software.

If I wanted to flash this drive back to it's original firmware to return it, would I just do that with the original firmware dump I made with SDFTool before flashing it to be UHD capable?

I did see your post with the official LG flasher for this drive, but since mine is SVC NB52 and that flasher is for SVC NB50, I thought I'd ask.

No. That dump is not really helpful as it only contains important bits of the firmware, not the complete firmware. There isn't a NB52 flasher available either.

Why return it? They are good little drives once flashed! I use one myself. I suggest using the BU40N 1.00 firmware though, as it's compatible with a wider range of ripping software.

[ThereIs_No_Spoon]

No. That dump is not really helpful as it only contains important bits of the firmware, not the complete firmware. There isn't a NB52 flasher available either.

Why return it? They are good little drives once flashed! I use one myself. I suggest using the BU40N 1.00 firmware though, as it's compatible with a wider range of ripping software.

I actually did flash the BU40N 1.00 firmware -- It worked very well.

I'm just returning it because I'm a lucky b#st#rd -- I got my hands on that drive yesterday morning, and then I was gifted a BDR-XD07UHD yesterday evening.

So, am I just out of luck for getting it back to stock firmware then?

[dcoke22]

I actually did flash the BU40N 1.00 firmware -- It worked very well.

I'm just returning it because I'm a lucky b#st#rd -- I got my hands on that drive yesterday morning, and then I was gifted a BDR-XD07UHD yesterday evening.

So, am I just out of luck for getting it back to stock firmware then?

Congrats! Personally, I have 3 different optical drives I use for ripping, including a Pioneer. My main drive rips most things most of the time, but having the other drives greatly improves my success rate for rips and reduces the pain of troublesome discs. If my 'main' drive doesn't rip it, usually one of the others will.

I recommend you keep both.

[MartyMcNuts]

No. That dump is not really helpful as it only contains important bits of the firmware, not the complete firmware. There isn't a NB52 flasher available either.

Why return it? They are good little drives once flashed! I use one myself. I suggest using the BU40N 1.00 firmware though, as it's compatible with a wider range of ripping software.

I actually did flash the BU40N 1.00 firmware -- It worked very well.

I'm just returning it because I'm a lucky b#st#rd -- I got my hands on that drive yesterday morning, and then I was gifted a BDR-XD07UHD yesterday evening.

So, am I just out of luck for getting it back to stock firmware then?

Yep, no chance of getting it back to NB52 firmware. You could put NB50 1.03 on it but I agree with dcoke22, that you should keep it. I have 4 different drives connected to my PC (1 Pioneer and 3 different LG's) that cover all of my ripping needs.

[ThereIs_No_Spoon]

No. That dump is not really helpful as it only contains important bits of the firmware, not the complete firmware. There isn't a NB52 flasher available either.

Why return it? They are good little drives once flashed! I use one myself. I suggest using the BU40N 1.00 firmware though, as it's compatible with a wider range of ripping software.

I actually did flash the BU40N 1.00 firmware -- It worked very well.

I'm just returning it because I'm a lucky b#st#rd -- I got my hands on that drive yesterday morning, and then I was gifted a BDR-XD07UHD yesterday evening.

So, am I just out of luck for getting it back to stock firmware then?

Yep, no chance of getting it back to NB52 firmware. You could put NB50 1.03 on it but I agree with dcoke22, that you should keep it. I have 4 different drives connected to my PC (1 Pioneer and 3 different LG's) that cover all of my ripping needs.

That sounds like quite the setup...I'm thinking of keeping it, tbh. But if I do return it, and want to flash the NB50 firmware, are the following steps correct?

1. Using your SDFTool, select the RECOVER option and in the pop up, select the BU40N 1.00 firmware that I flashed previously
2. Next, in the normal drop box I select the WP50NB40 (NB50) 1.03-MK that I want
3. Click START and I'm golden

Or should I use the official LG flasher to put the official NB50 firmware on it?

[MartyMcNuts]

I actually did flash the BU40N 1.00 firmware -- It worked very well.

I'm just returning it because I'm a lucky b#st#rd -- I got my hands on that drive yesterday morning, and then I was gifted a BDR-XD07UHD yesterday evening.

So, am I just out of luck for getting it back to stock firmware then?

Yep, no chance of getting it back to NB52 firmware. You could put NB50 1.03 on it but I agree with dcoke22, that you should keep it. I have 4 different drives connected to my PC (1 Pioneer and 3 different LG's) that cover all of my ripping needs.

That sounds like quite the setup...I'm thinking of keeping it, tbh. But if I do return it, and want to flash the NB50 firmware, are the following steps correct?

1. Using your SDFTool, select the RECOVER option and in the pop up, select the BU40N 1.00 firmware that I flashed previously
2. Next, in the normal drop box I select the WP50NB40 (NB50) 1.03-MK that I want
3. Click START and I'm golden

Or should I use the official LG flasher to put the official NB50 firmware on it?

Same steps, but flash WP50NB40 (NB50) 1.01-MK or 1.02-MK (not 1.03-MK) and then use the official flasher to upgrade to NB50 1.03.

[Billycar11]

Yep, no chance of getting it back to NB52 firmware. You could put NB50 1.03 on it but I agree with dcoke22, that you should keep it. I have 4 different drives connected to my PC (1 Pioneer and 3 different LG's) that cover all of my ripping needs.

That sounds like quite the setup...I'm thinking of keeping it, tbh. But if I do return it, and want to flash the NB50 firmware, are the following steps correct?

1. Using your SDFTool, select the RECOVER option and in the pop up, select the BU40N 1.00 firmware that I flashed previously
2. Next, in the normal drop box I select the WP50NB40 (NB50) 1.03-MK that I want
3. Click START and I'm golden

Or should I use the official LG flasher to put the official NB50 firmware on it?

Same steps, but flash WP50NB40 (NB50) 1.01-MK or 1.02-MK (not 1.03-MK) and then use the official flasher to upgrade to NB50 1.03.

no point flashing it but is the nb52 1.03 not out there? i have it if not
also fyi the pioneer is slower just so you know 4x vs 6x about 30 mins extra on a bd100

[ThereIs_No_Spoon]

That sounds like quite the setup...I'm thinking of keeping it, tbh. But if I do return it, and want to flash the NB50 firmware, are the following steps correct?

1. Using your SDFTool, select the RECOVER option and in the pop up, select the BU40N 1.00 firmware that I flashed previously
2. Next, in the normal drop box I select the WP50NB40 (NB50) 1.03-MK that I want
3. Click START and I'm golden

Or should I use the official LG flasher to put the official NB50 firmware on it?

Same steps, but flash WP50NB40 (NB50) 1.01-MK or 1.02-MK (not 1.03-MK) and then use the official flasher to upgrade to NB50 1.03.

no point flashing it but is the nb52 1.03 not out there? i have it if not
also fyi the pioneer is slower just so you know 4x vs 6x about 30 mins extra on a bd100

I don't think it is...I looked all around the LG support site and couldn't find it