Ultimate UHD Drives Flashing Guide Updated 2024

[Billycar11]

So i followed these steps

UPDATE - 21/12/2021:
The latest version of the SDFtool Flasher has a checkbox option to flash the boot loader with the main firmware to the drive. This is useful for the newer BP50NB40 with SVC: NB52. It's also possible that other newer models may require this option later on. We will all work it out together as we go!!

For the moment, to flash the BP50NB40 SVC:NB52, using the latest SDFtool Flasher, follw the steps below:

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

Now for the crossflash:

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

from viewtopic.php?f=16&t=22896 this post
I did not use the flash the bootloader checkbox at any step however...

I selected BP60NB10 1.00-MK and I can read and rip regular blu-ray but cant do anything or even detect UHD blu-rays. is that because i need to use BU40N 1.00? If so what steps do I take to flash that without bricking my drive?

Follow my guide steps exactly that's why I made it it in post 1

[STI_MECE]

for anyone else needing to this, I have an LG WH14NS40. The instructions werent clear here, but I had to do everything via command line (run as admin) first.

The path that is shown in the first post isnt right for windows 11 anyways, here is my command after cd'ing into the MakeMKV folder.

note the space at the very beginning too " .\makemkvcon64.exe f --all-yes -d D: rawflash enc -i "C:\Users\DELETE\Downloads\The all you need firmware pack\The all you need firmware pack\LG 5.25 desktop\HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_WH16NS60-1.02-NM00100-211810291936.bin""

so more concisely, .\makemkvcon64.exe f --all-yes -d D: rawflash enc i "insert path here and put quotes around it"

If you are on windows 11 there is a copy to path button if you right click the file you want, look at the bottom for "show more options" then closely scan for "copy to path.

its helpful to use notepad before doing into cmd because you can adjust your formatting easier and quicker

[leo708]

If I get the BDR-S13U-X or BDR-S13UBK with firmware after Dec 2022, does it mean they're not flashable to version that can rip UHD Discs?

If so, I'll just get the Asus BW-16D1HT.

[cpumdhb55]

Time to give back here. I bought the LG WH16NS40 Super Multi Blue Internal SATA 16x Blu-ray Disc Rewriter from Amazon for $69.00 about a week ago. After first flashing the correct firmware found in the all in one file pack referenced in this forum I found that I did not tick all of the correct options in SDFTool. The drive survived this goof but all of my attempts to rip resulted in MakeMKV failures with multiple log errors and the rip process just stopping at roughly 1/3 to 1/2 way through. Some of the disks would not read at all. This also resulted in locking Windows up to the point of having to hard reset. This falls under RTFQ big time. I''m now getting 7.5X speeds after reflashing correctly with zero problems. I'm lucky that I did choose the right firmware and that it was a seemingly minor mistake. Obviously 0200 is not the right time to attempt these things!

[Billycar11]

If I get the BDR-S13U-X or BDR-S13UBK with firmware after Dec 2022, does it mean they're not flashable to version that can rip UHD Discs?

If so, I'll just get the Asus BW-16D1HT.

No you can't flash it after Dec 2022 you would have to buy a preflashed one from us

[leo708]

If I get the BDR-S13U-X or BDR-S13UBK with firmware after Dec 2022, does it mean they're not flashable to version that can rip UHD Discs?

If so, I'll just get the Asus BW-16D1HT.

No you can't flash it after Dec 2022 you would have to buy a preflashed one from us

Understood, thanks.

[SH0D4N]

I have an ASUS BW-16D1HT drive, but DVD rip speeds is slow.
It went fast from 0.5x to 4x, but then from there it slowly climbed to 7.8x speed. (6.1GB + 61MB + 180MB took ~13.5 minutes)
Have I missed something?

Code: Select all

Current profile: DVD-ROM
Manufacturer: ASUS
Product: BW-16D1HT
Revision: 3.10
Firmware date: 2119-01-04 10:14
Bus encryption flags: 1F

LibreDrive Information
Status: Enabled
Drive platform: MT1959
Firmware type: Patched (microcode access re-enabled)
Firmware version: 3.10
DVD all regions: Yes
BD raw data read: Yes
BD raw metadata read: Yes
Unrestricted read speed: Yes

Disc Information
Label: DVD
Timestamp: 2013-10-30 11:12:01
Data capacity: 6.46 Gb
Disc type: DVD-ROM
Disc size: 120mm
Maximum read rate: 10.08 Mbps [1x]
Number of layers: 2 (OTP)

[d00zah]

I have an ASUS BW-16D1HT drive, but DVD rip speeds is slow.
It went fast from 0.5x to 4x, but then from there it slowly climbed to 7.8x speed. (6.1GB + 61MB + 180MB took ~13.5 minutes)
Have I missed something?

Same guidance applies...

viewtopic.php?f=16&t=31071

[SH0D4N]

I have an ASUS BW-16D1HT drive, but DVD rip speeds is slow.
It went fast from 0.5x to 4x, but then from there it slowly climbed to 7.8x speed. (6.1GB + 61MB + 180MB took ~13.5 minutes)
Have I missed something?

Same guidance applies...

viewtopic.php?f=16&t=31071

Tried cleaning the disc.
I am using OWC Mercury Pro enclosure, if that affects the rip speed.

[baneling]

hey everyone, I've been ripping for the last few weeks and now when I launch makemkv it says the application is too old and tells me to download the newest version. but there is no newer version. I have version 1.17.4. so I uninstall it and reinstall it and enter the registration code but it says the same thing. What do I do?

[Billycar11]

hey everyone, I've been ripping for the last few weeks and now when I launch makemkv it says the application is too old and tells me to download the newest version. but there is no newer version. I have version 1.17.4. so I uninstall it and reinstall it and enter the registration code but it says the same thing. What do I do?

The free beta key is expired it will be updated soon might take a few days.

If you buy it it won't have this issue https://www.makemkv.com/buy/

[d00zah]

What do I do?

Wait for Mike to post the new beta key. This happens every ~2 months for users who haven't purchased a permanent key.

FAQ about BETA and PERMANENT keys.

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=31101

[baneling]

hey everyone, I've been ripping for the last few weeks and now when I launch makemkv it says the application is too old and tells me to download the newest version. but there is no newer version. I have version 1.17.4. so I uninstall it and reinstall it and enter the registration code but it says the same thing. What do I do?

The free beta key is expired it will be updated soon might take a few days.

If you buy it it won't have this issue https://www.makemkv.com/buy/

ok thanks

[stikves]

Double checking...

Since, I have recently bricked my previous drive: viewtopic.php?f=16&t=31107

I want to double check everything.

I got myself a replacement BP50NB40, and I am on the Mac. The drive is recognized correctly:

Code: Select all

Drive Information
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE BP50NB40
Revision: 1.03
Serial number: <snip>
Firmware date: 2121-07-08 16:03
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: 1.03
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)

No disc inserted

Seen from the command line

Code: Select all

$ ./makemkvcon f -l
Found 1 drives(s)
00: /IOBDServices/6AA4CD8F
  HL-DT-ST_BD-RE_BP50NB40_1.03_xxxxxxx_yyyyyy

Are these the steps I should follow:

Code: Select all

$ ./makemkvcon f -d /IOBDServices/6AA4CD8F -f ~/Downloads/sdf.bin rawflash -i ~/Downloads/The\ all\ you\ need\ firmware\ pack/LG\ slim\ BP50NB40-NB50/HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_BP50NB40-NB50-1.03-NM00800-212005070917.bin

Anything else that I need to worry about? Is this encrypted?

[stikves]

Update: Was finally able to replace the firmware on my BP50NB40

Followed the viewtopic.php?f=16&t=22896&start=705 on my older PC.

Unfortunately the UI is extremely confusing. The "recover" has the pull down clicked twice, first for the previous BIOS and then the new one. No wonder this thing did not work on the first try. (Seeing many others have the same issue, I have a minor sense of relief for not being the only one).

Anyway, if I could, I would recommend changing the UI to two separate pull downs on the recovery option. It will solve a lot of headache for a lot of people. Nevertheless thanks for the software.