Ultimate UHD Drives Flashing Guide Updated 2025

[DC-2187]

I'm looking at getting a new drive I have ordered the LG BP60NB10 slim drive which should arrive tomorrow from best buy. I was also reading up on the LG BP50NB40 slim which is cheaper at best buy? which drive would be the best one to get? i also understand that most likely whichever drive I get that flashing would be involved?

Most of my experience comes from using full size drives like the LG WH16NS40 which i been using for years now and yesterday I went to try to flash the sleep bug fix and ever since has not been able to rip on 4k disc at all. before that i did get some read errors on 4k discs but it was not as bad. so who knows what could of happened. i tested some blu rays and those ripped fine.

[Coopervid]

I'm looking at getting a new drive I have ordered the LG BP60NB10 slim drive which should arrive tomorrow from best buy. I was also reading up on the LG BP50NB40 slim which is cheaper at best buy? which drive would be the best one to get? i also understand that most likely whichever drive I get that flashing would be involved?

Most of my experience comes from using full size drives like the LG WH16NS40 which i been using for years now and yesterday I went to try to flash the sleep bug fix and ever since has not been able to rip on 4k disc at all. before that i did get some read errors on 4k discs but it was not as bad. so who knows what could of happened. i tested some blu rays and those ripped fine.

Post your Makemkv info for the NS40.

Get the BP60NB10. It's a one-time flash. The BP50NB40 is more complicated to flash.

[DC-2187]

Post your Makemkv info for the NS40.

Get the BP60NB10. It's a one-time flash. The BP50NB40 is more complicated to flash.

okay thank you for the advise.
i have posted below. this is a originally a WH16NS40 drive.

Drive Information
OS device name: D:
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE WH16NS60
Revision: 1.02
Serial number: M6FI9DE1124
Firmware date: 2118-10-29 19:36
Bus encryption flags: 17
Highest AACS version: 77

LibreDrive Information
Status: Enabled
Drive platform: MT1959
Firmware type: Patched (microcode access re-enabled)
Firmware version: 1.02
DVD all regions: Yes
BD raw data read: Yes
BD raw metadata read: Yes
Unrestricted read speed: Yes

[Coopervid]

Post your Makemkv info for the NS40.

Get the BP60NB10. It's a one-time flash. The BP50NB40 is more complicated to flash.

okay thank you for the advise.
i have posted below. this is a originally a WH16NS40 drive.

Drive Information
OS device name: D:
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE WH16NS60
Revision: 1.02
Serial number: M6FI9DE1124
Firmware date: 2118-10-29 19:36
Bus encryption flags: 17
Highest AACS version: 77

LibreDrive Information
Status: Enabled
Drive platform: MT1959
Firmware type: Patched (microcode access re-enabled)
Firmware version: 1.02
DVD all regions: Yes
BD raw data read: Yes
BD raw metadata read: Yes
Unrestricted read speed: Yes
[/quote]
The info looks good. Maybe the laser lens is polluted. In this case cleaning CD might help. But there is also a chance that the blue laser is dying.

[DC-2187]

Post your Makemkv info for the NS40.

Get the BP60NB10. It's a one-time flash. The BP50NB40 is more complicated to flash.

okay thank you for the advise.
i have posted below. this is a originally a WH16NS40 drive.

Drive Information
OS device name: D:
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE WH16NS60
Revision: 1.02
Serial number: M6FI9DE1124
Firmware date: 2118-10-29 19:36
Bus encryption flags: 17
Highest AACS version: 77

LibreDrive Information
Status: Enabled
Drive platform: MT1959
Firmware type: Patched (microcode access re-enabled)
Firmware version: 1.02
DVD all regions: Yes
BD raw data read: Yes
BD raw metadata read: Yes
Unrestricted read speed: Yes
[/quote]
The info looks good. Maybe the laser lens is polluted. In this case cleaning CD might help. But there is also a chance that the blue laser is dying.
[/quote]

oh okay could be i ripped game of thrones weeks ago and it was a pain. but i ripped a 4k movie on Saturday without no issues and then tried it again after i flashed the drive and it would not work. interesting. i been reading up on this thread and it seems like these full size UHD friendly drives have more issues with 4k discs than the official UHD drives?

[Coopervid]

Now since you have flashed official firmware it should have less issues with 3-layer discs compared to the friendly firmware. These full size LG drives are almost all quite identical (besides the additional chip in official drives) but all are of quite bad quality. One of my LGs died after a year. If your budget allows it I recommend Pioneer drives.

[DC-2187]

Now since you have flashed official firmware it should have less issues with 3-layer discs compared to the friendly firmware. These full size LG drives are almost all quite identical (besides the additional chip in official drives) but all are of quite bad quality. One of my LGs died after a year. If your budget allows it I recommend Pioneer drives.

oh i see. i was reading that those pioneer drives work out without any flashing needed? i'm not ripping 4k discs all the time. mainly i rip tv shows and those are bluray or dvd. i recently just started ripping 4k discs for any movies that i will be purchasing going forward and for me those are mainly marvel and dc movies lol and i suppose i could get a pioneer down the road. which pioneer model would be best to get?

[Coopervid]

Check page 1 of this thread. The Pioneers are listed there. Be aware that regarding full size drives the "12" models are currently being replaced with "13" models which are more expensive. If you are lucky get a "12" while still availabe. Make sure you get only the ones listed. Similar named drives like 212DBK or EBK are NOT UHD capable.

[DC-2187]

Check page 1 of this thread. The Pioneers are listed there. Be aware that regarding full size drives the "12" models are currently being replaced with "13" models which are more expensive. If you are lucky get a "12" while still availabe. Make sure you get only the ones listed. Similar named drives like 212DBK or EBK are NOT UHD capable.

got it i will check them out. thanks for the help.

[liamtoh1]

which pioneer model would be best to get?

I do not know about best, but I got the BDR-XD08UMB-S from Amazon. It just works.

[Mr_Orange]

These full size LG drives are almost all quite identical (besides the additional chip in official drives) but all are of quite bad quality. One of my LGs died after a year. If your budget allows it I recommend Pioneer drives.

This seems like a rather generalised and rash statement. As a counterpoint, I have an LG BH16NS55 (more recently cross-flashed to WH16NS60 1.02MK) that is rock solid and has ripped everything I have thrown at it including over 180 UHDs.

[Coopervid]

It is my personally experience which is very subjective. However, the sellers of drives in this forum who sold many of them state the same. Ask Billycar11 or MartyMcNuts.

[liamtoh1]

Same experience for me that my LG WH16NS40 drive (installed in my PC) stopped reading and/or ripping my BR and UHD movies. It would not even read the previously ripped discs. I purchased the Pioneer BDR-XD08UMB-S and so far it has been flawless. Keeping my fingers crossed, that it does not die after 12-15 months like the LG.

[macmasteraz]

Need a new drive and am looking at these two..

BDR-XD08UMB-S

BDR-XS07UHD

Aside from the price and slot/top loading, is there a benefit to the BDR-XD08UMB-S over the BDR-XS07UHD?

I kind of like the build and slot loading of the BDR-XS07UHD. Generally, I find top loaders to be kind of flimsy and louder.

Appreciate any input you my have!

[asmcom]

It is my personally experience which is very subjective. However, the sellers of drives in this forum who sold many of them state the same. Ask Billycar11 or MartyMcNuts.

I would agree totally with what you said Coppervid.

Asmcom