Blu Ray Drives vs "UHD Friendly/Official" Drives vs Libredrive?

[herio22]

Hello everyone,

I've recently been reading up about blu ray drives via the MakeMKV forums, but I'm still having trouble parsing everything I've come across, so here's a couple things I hope people can break down.

I've heard conflicting reports about the status of Blu Ray drives being able to read UHD, and what MakeMKV's got also is a bit confusing. I get that some of the top of the line, like WH16NS60, work, but say that a few lower end ones, like the BH16NS55, can as well, or can if flashed right. Are they correct?

I'm also not too sure as to what Libredrive is and how it differs from regular blu ray ripping. Something about accessing the data from the disc directly? Is it for UHD only?

[Woodstock]

If you are only ripping DVDs and regular Bluray, you do not need a "new drive", or LibreDrive compatibility.

If you are buying new, getting a drive that supports LibreDrive will make your future easier.

If you want to rip UHD BDs, you need something that is UHD-capable, which there is a compatibility list posted here.

LibreDrive means that MakeMKV can directly control the drive. It isn't necessary for DVD or BD, but good for UHD. Not all UHD-capable drives use it, though.

There's a forum here that discusses it in depth, if you want.

[Billycar11]

Hello everyone,

I've recently been reading up about blu ray drives via the MakeMKV forums, but I'm still having trouble parsing everything I've come across, so here's a couple things I hope people can break down.

I've heard conflicting reports about the status of Blu Ray drives being able to read UHD, and what MakeMKV's got also is a bit confusing. I get that some of the top of the line, like WH16NS60, work, but say that a few lower end ones, like the BH16NS55, can as well, or can if flashed right. Are they correct?

I'm also not too sure as to what Libredrive is and how it differs from regular blu ray ripping. Something about accessing the data from the disc directly? Is it for UHD only?

there is nothing top of the line about the wh/bh14-16 series same as the asus bw16 series they are all the same drive with a firmware and sticker rebrand.

the pioneer UHD drives are much better and the BU40N and BP50/60 are not far behind