Ultimate UHD Drives Flashing Guide Updated 2025

[dcoke22]

Hello
Anyone can use Pioneer BDR-X13J-S in MKVmaker?Change Rom after can’t use it to rip 4K UHD, Thanks

Drive Information
OS device name: E:
Current profile: BD-ROM
Manufacturer: PIONEER
Product: BD-RW BDR -X13U
Revision: 1.03
Firmware date: 2022-12-12
Bus encryption flags: 18
Highest AACS version: 78
LibreDrive Information
Status: Possible, not yet enabled Drive platform: Pioneer RS9401
Firmware version: ID43

There's a whole thread about recent Pioneer firmware specifically disabling MakeMKV support. At the moment, once a Pioneer drive gets on the recent firmware, you're stuck.

viewtopic.php?f=19&t=30383

[trleith]

STOP READ BEFORE FLASHING
IMPORTANT Before you flash:

• 1. Make sure your Drive was built after 2016 on label or late 2015 if you want to risk it.
  2. Drive Platform MT1959<Most important in makemkv
  3. SVC NS50+ LG only on label for NB drives NB50+
  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.
  5. Dont flash your dive if it does not meet these requirements if you do you will be unable to read all disks and unable to restore without dosflash that does not work on most modern computers

Alrighty then. (tiny bit of reformatting for readability) On Linux (inside Docker)
Note I'm using sdfTool because that's what was already in the Docker image with MakeMKV
It would be possible to put sdf.bin in there. Is it necessary?

Code: Select all

root@176acc477e6a:/usr/local/bin# ./sdftool --version
LibDriveIo/SdfTool version: 2.6
root@176acc477e6a:/usr/local/bin# ./sdftool  --drive=dev_21:2 --info
SDF.bin version: 0x0097
Drive Tool SDF present
Drive Specific SDF present
[Drive Specific SDF] Embedded Info Strings:
8000:LibreDrive Information
8013:Status
8109:Possible (with patched firmware)
[b][i]8001:Drive platform :MT1959[/i][/b]
8010:Harware support
8100:Yes
8011:Firmware support
8101:No
8002:Firmware type
8108:Original (patched version available)
8003:Firmware version:1.05
8005:DVD all regions
8109:Possible (with patched firmware)
8006:BD raw data read
8109:Possible (with patched firmware)
8007:BD raw metadata read
8109:Possible (with patched firmware)
8009:Unrestricted read speed
8109:Possible (with patched firmware)
[Drive Specific SDF] Embedded Status Message:
8096:LibreDrive mode for this drive is only possible with firmware upgrade (id=%1):36338EC9581D

Identification SDF present
[Identification SDF] Embedded Info Strings:
8000:LibreDrive Information
8013:Status
8102:Possible, not yet enabled
[b][i]8001:Drive platform :MT1959[/i][/b]
[Identification SDF] Drive autodetect string:mtk:[b][i]19:59[/i][/b]:JB8 :HL-DT-ST:BD-RE  WH16NS40 1.05:N000900:-
root@176acc477e6a:/usr/local/bin#

WH16NS40 on any Firmware directly to > WH16NS60 1.02MK

So, apparently I can do a flash to enable LibreDrive, and even though the WH16NS40 is a BDXL drive, doing this will fix the Sleep Bug because WH16NS60 is a UHD "official" drive.

First, save the existing firmware

Code: Select all

./sdftool f --device=dev_21:2 dump --out=./HL-DT-ST-BD-RE _WH16NS40-1.05-N000900.bin

Then flash the drive

Code: Select all

./sdftool f --device=dev_21:2 [b]enc[/b] --in=./HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_WH16NS60-1.03-NM00600-212005081010.bin <<== from the mk-firmware-pack-20200720

The command "enc" I am guessing at from examples. Neither is mentioned in sdftool --help

Have I got all this correct?

Thanks,

t

[n7qpp]

I just purchased a WP50NB40 from Amazon Warehouse. MKV shows this about the drive:
Drive Information
OS device name: I:
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE BU40N
Revision: 1.00
Serial number: SIK04N1UJ4914
Firmware date: 2116-12-20 15:28
Bus encryption flags: 17

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: Ye
Unrestricted read speed: Yes[/list][/list]

The sticker shows:

S/N 301HSXJ016986
ROM VER: 1.03


Joe (new to the broad)

[MartyMcNuts]

I just purchased a WP50NB40 from Amazon Warehouse. MKV shows this about the drive:
Drive Information
OS device name: I:
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE BU40N
Revision: 1.00
Serial number: SIK04N1UJ4914
Firmware date: 2116-12-20 15:28
Bus encryption flags: 17

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: Ye
Unrestricted read speed: Yes[/list][/list]

The sticker shows:

S/N 301HSXJ016986
ROM VER: 1.03


Joe (new to the broad)

It's obviously not brand new as it's already been cross-flashed!!

Have you tried a UHD disc yet?

[Billycar11]

I just purchased a WP50NB40 from Amazon Warehouse. MKV shows this about the drive:
Drive Information
OS device name: I:
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE BU40N
Revision: 1.00
Serial number: SIK04N1UJ4914
Firmware date: 2116-12-20 15:28
Bus encryption flags: 17

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: Ye
Unrestricted read speed: Yes[/list][/list]

The sticker shows:

S/N 301HSXJ016986
ROM VER: 1.03


Joe (new to the broad)

It's obviously not brand new as it's already been cross-flashed!!

Have you tried a UHD disc yet?

lol i wonder who returned that

[n7qpp]

Would there be a need to change the current firmware version? Sorry have not have the time to read all the good info yet

Joe

[Billycar11]

Would there be a need to change the current firmware version? Sorry have not have the time to read all the good info yet

Joe

Leave it as is
You got one of my reject drives

[n7qpp]

Interesting what was the reason for the rejection? I cam always return it

Joe

[Billycar11]

Interesting what was the reason for the rejection? I cam always return it

Joe

Failed my testing but I test with hard to read discs so it might be fine for you or you might find out why it was sent back

[WandStick9898]

I just got this Archgon MD-8107S-U3-UHD drive from Amazon:

Drive Information
OS device name: E:
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE BU40N
Revision: 1.02
Serial number:
Firmware date: 2120-12-01 17:16
Bus encryption flags: 1F
Highest AACS version: 77

LibreDrive Information
Status: Possible (with patched firmware)
Drive platform: MT1959
Harware support: Yes
Firmware support: No
Firmware type: Original (patched version available)
Firmware version: 1.02
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)

I'm on Windows 11 - connected from USB 3.0 to USB-C, but can switch cables if that matters.

Following this: viewtopic.php?p=74718#p74718 post,
I understand that I need to:
1 - Download the "The all you need firmware pack.zip\The all you need firmware pack\LG slim BU40N\HL_DT... 1.03...bin" [DONE]
2 - Download the latest GUI SDF tool from here: (viewtopic.php?f=16&t=22896).

In this post, I scrolled down to the MediaFire link to the latest tool, and am getting a "Can't reach that page".
The firmware pack came down just fine, but that one I can't seem to grab. Has the link changed and referenced in a different post?

With this drive, can I simply use the built in Powershell MKV Flasher instructions found here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyQV1aPlbow

Thanks in advance for any advice!

[d00zah]

...
In this post, I scrolled down to the MediaFire link to the latest tool, and am getting a "Can't reach that page".

The firmware pack came down just fine, but that one I can't seem to grab. Has the link changed and referenced in a different post?

SDFtoolFlasher link is active for me... something (AV, etc) blocking?

https://www.mediafire.com/file/rak1mk0p ... 9.zip/file

[WandStick9898]

...
In this post, I scrolled down to the MediaFire link to the latest tool, and am getting a "Can't reach that page".

The firmware pack came down just fine, but that one I can't seem to grab. Has the link changed and referenced in a different post?

SDFtoolFlasher link is active for me... something (AV, etc) blocking?

https://www.mediafire.com/file/rak1mk0p ... 9.zip/file

My bad - it must have been a local firewall thing. Got the file fine from my phone. Thanks for the quick response.

[WandStick9898]

Thanks for all the help - and it appears to have flashed successfully. I tried a couple test discs (an "older" UHD disc (The Fifth Element) and a "newer" one "All Quiet on the Western Front"). Both are giving "failed to open disc" errors.

Here's the current MakeMKV info:

Drive Information
OS device name: E:
Current profile: BD-ROM
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE BU40N
Revision: 1.03
Serial number: MO1M#######
Firmware date: 2118-10-24 19:34
Bus encryption flags: 17
Highest AACS version: 77

LibreDrive Information
Status: Enabled
Drive platform: MT1959
Firmware type: Patched (microcode access re-enabled)
Firmware version: 1.03
DVD all regions: Yes
BD raw data read: Yes
BD raw metadata read: Yes
Unrestricted read speed: Yes

Disc Information
Label: FIFTH_ELEMENT_THE
Timestamp: 2017-05-17 14:13:04
Protection: AACS2.0/C v61
Data capacity: 60.37 Gb
Disc type: BD-ROM UHD
Number of layers: 2
Bus encryption flags: 80

MakeMKV v1.17.5 win(x64-release) started
Downloading latest SDF to C:\Users\user/.MakeMKV ...
Automatic SDF downloading is disabled or failed.
Using LibreDrive mode (v06.3 id=866A98CB9C4E)
Using direct disc access mode
Loaded content hash table, will verify integrity of M2TS files.
Downloading latest HK to C:\Users\user/.MakeMKV ...
Automatic HK downloading is disabled or failed.
Saved AACS dump file as C:\Users\user/.MakeMKV/MKB20_v61_Fifth_Element_CBBF.tgz
The volume key is unknown for this disc - video can't be decrypted
Failed to open disc

My MakeMKV is 1.17.5 - updated this week. Did I miss a step? Eg, do I need to manually download the SDF and HK files?

Sorry if I'm being dense.

[d00zah]

...
MakeMKV v1.17.5 win(x64-release) started
Downloading latest SDF to C:\Users\user/.MakeMKV ...
Automatic SDF downloading is disabled or failed.
Using LibreDrive mode (v06.3 id=866A98CB9C4E)
Using direct disc access mode
Loaded content hash table, will verify integrity of M2TS files.
Downloading latest HK to C:\Users\user/.MakeMKV ...
Automatic HK downloading is disabled or failed.
Saved AACS dump file as C:\Users\user/.MakeMKV/MKB20_v61_Fifth_Element_CBBF.tgz
The volume key is unknown for this disc - video can't be decrypted
Failed to open disc

My MakeMKV is 1.17.5 - updated this week. Did I miss a step? Eg, do I need to manually download the SDF and HK files?

Sorry if I'm being dense.

Source: Fixing Volume Key is Unknown

Step one: Send the TGZ file to svq@makemkv.com so that the program's author can create a decryption key for it.

Step two: Wait a few days for the key to be created and made available in the official Hash Key file that MakeMKV downloads when needed. You won't get an email saying this has happened; you need to retry the rip occasionally.

OK, you've been waiting for a while, and no success. Worse, you see where other people are able to rip the disk you cannot, but it still defies you...

see source

[WandStick9898]

Source: Fixing Volume Key is Unknown

Ah, I wasn't aware of that post, sorry for not searching better. Looks like Geoblocking is my issue. I will whitelist that HK IP address.

Thanks again d00zah - you're the best.