Ultimate UHD Drives Flashing Guide Updated 2026

[crasher35]

Sorry if this has already been posted, but I just wanted to mention that I ran into issues following the initial Mac/Linux instructions because I had installed it on Linux (Pop!_OS 22.04) using flatpak. I'm still new-ish to Linux so I had to do a lot of research on how to pass the commands to a flatpak app but I thought it'd be helpful if I posted this here:

6. type "./makemkvcon f -l"

You'll want to type this instead:

Code: Select all

flatpak run --command=makemkvcon com.makemkv.MakeMKV f -l

For flatpak apps you need to call flatpak run first, then --command= and the first part of the command (makemkvcon), then the app id (com.makemkv.MakeMKV), then finally any parameters that you need to pass to that command (f -l). It's not exactly intuitive but that's how it works. It also has to be in that order. If you run flatpak run com.makemkv.MakeMKV --command=makemkvcon f -l, it ignores everything after the app id and just launches MakeMKV.

This will show your drive identifier should look similar to this ''/IOBDServices/D5D25996'
Found 1 drives(s)
00: /IOBDServices/D5D25996, /dev/rdisk3, /dev/rdisk3
HL-DT-ST_BD-RE_BU40N_1.01_211910161032_MOFK6283224

it's worth noting that my LG drive's name looked very different. I'm not sure if it was because it's a different OS or if it's because it's an LG drive and they had something else.

But this is what mine looked like:

Found 1 drives(s)
00: dev_21:0, /dev/sr0, /dev/sr0
HL-DT-ST_BD-RE__WH14NS40_1.01_000000000000_SSS0SSSSS000

Finally for the flash command:

7. to perform the flash, type "./makemkvcon f -d '/IOBDServices/D5D25996' -f /tmp/sdf.bin rawflash main -i /tmp/your firmware filename here
or ./makemkvcon f -d '/IOBDServices/D5D25996' -f /tmp/sdf.bin rawflash enc -i /tmp/your firmware filename here
if your firmware is on the encrypted list

My command ended up looking as follows:

Code: Select all

flatpak run --command=makemkvcon com.makemkv.MakeMKV f -d 'dev_21:0' -f /home/user/downloads/flash/sdf.bin rawflash enc -i /home/user/downloads/flash/HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_WH16NS60-1.02-NM00100-211810291936.bin

I ended up putting sdf.bin and the firmware binaries under my home directory because it seemed to fail to find the files under /tmp. I may have needed to elevate it with sudo first but it also could have been because flatpaks are sandboxed, so I tried it this way instead and it worked.

And actually, it turns out that flatpak only installed MakeMKV for my user account so I couldn't launch it with sudo.

YMMV but I hope this helps anyone trying to work on Linux with flatpak.

[junghe98]

Hi, I'm new to makemkv, I apologize for my stupidity. I read through the main post on the first page and think I understand what to do just want some clarification:

I just bought a BP50NB40. The back of the drive says SVC:NB52. So, the only flashing I need to do then is with the SDFtool Flasher (using the very helpful visual guide)? I just need to make sure that I don't need to follow the command line flashing at all.

[Bandito]

Hello together,

first i was thinking, flash the brand new ASUS BW Drive is now problem and then you can RIP a BR very easy with this cool Software...

But... it is not working for me...
Maybe i make a mistake, what i not seen now after one hour testing.

What i do is:

I downloaded this SDFtool Flasher (v1.3.5).zip
and The all you need firmware pack.zip
from this actually links here inside the forum.
I use this: ASUS-BW-16D1HT-3.10-WM01601-211901041014.bin

What Drive i have:
Buy a new:

ASUS
Model No: BW-161HT (BW-161HT/BLK/G/AS)
90DD0200-B20010
Manufactured: June 2021
S/N: M6D0CF05xxxx (Last 4 Numbers, i make xxxx)

I found another Number: KCC-REM-LGE-DMBH16NS40

I startet the Flash tool.
Choose the Drive.
Choose the downloaded Firmware

Radio Button was: WRITE Firmware
And i startet it and after some seconds, comes READY or FINISHED.

BEFORE I PATCHED:

The MakeMKV Software say on Info:
Produzent: ASUS
Produkt: BW-16D1HT
Revision: 3.10
Seriennummer: KLQL6DBxxxx (last 4 Numbers i make xxxx)
Firmware-Datum: 2119-01-04 10:14
Markierungen der BUS-Verschlüsselung: 1F

Libre Information:
Status: Possible (with patched firmware)
Drive Platform: MT1959
Hardware Support: Yes
Firmware support: No
Firmware Type: Original (patched version available)
Firmware Version: 3.10
DVD all regions: Possible (with patched firmware)
BW raw data read: Possible (with patched firmware)
BD raw metadata read: Possible (with patched firmware)
Unrestricted read speed: Possible (with patched firmware)


AFTER I PATCHED:

The MakeMKV Software say on Info:
Produzent: ASUS
Produkt: BW-16D1HT
Revision: 3.10
Seriennummer: KLQL6DBxxxx (last 4 Numbers i make xxxx)
Firmware-Datum: 2119-01-04 10:14
Markierungen der BUS-Verschlüsselung: 1F

Libre Information:
Status: Enabled
Drive Platform: MT1959
Firmware Type: Patched (microcode access re-enabled)
Firmware Version: 3.10
DVD all regions: Yes
BW raw data read: Yes
BD raw metadata read: Yes
Unrestricted read speed: Yes


After i rebooted the complete PC.
After i put in the BETA KEY,
i put in a UHD Disc.

The Drive is starting, but after 10min they comes the first information from the movie name...
After next 10 min the comes fault...
Something like
Error 'SCSI...

I have no Screenshot make and now Textcopy from the fault.

Thats all what i make.
I have not make a BACKUP from the old Firmware.
I don't now it was possible.
I have not done this...

When i put 4-5 BD inside, nothing will start or play in the VLC.
Nothing happens.

It is demaged now?
Can i bring it back to life?
I take the wrong tools or firmware files ?

Best regards
and many thanks for some anseres to fix my problem.

[crasher35]

Sorry if this has already been posted, but I just wanted to mention that I ran into issues following the initial Mac/Linux instructions because I had installed it on Linux (Pop!_OS 22.04) using flatpak. I'm still new-ish to Linux so I had to do a lot of research on how to pass the commands to a flatpak app but I thought it'd be helpful if I posted this here:
...

Just came back to say this didn't actually work. When I ran it, it said it completed, and weirdly I was able to rip a disc that was giving me issues before, but then I went to rip another one and it didn't work. So then, I checked the firmware info on the drive again and it hadn't actually changed.

However, I just tried compiling MakeMKV, ran makemkvcon as sudo and that still didn't work. It said "Done successfully" but MakeMKV still shows the firmware type as "Original (unpatched)" and nothing changed from when I ran makemkvcon f -l the first time to now, so I'm stuck.

[crasher35]

Hi, I'm new to makemkv, I apologize for my stupidity. I read through the main post on the first page and think I understand what to do just want some clarification:

I just bought a BP50NB40. The back of the drive says SVC:NB52. So, the only flashing I need to do then is with the SDFtool Flasher (using the very helpful visual guide)? I just need to make sure that I don't need to follow the command line flashing at all.

Reading through that guide, it sounds like that's the case.

[Bandito]

I have not done this...

When i put 4-5 BD inside, nothing will start or play in the VLC.
Nothing happens.

It is demaged now?
Can i bring it back to life?
I take the wrong tools or firmware files ?

Best regards
and many thanks for some anseres to fix my problem.

After a PC shut down over night, it will be running yesterday.

[hipsofjw]

Hey everyone,

I recently bought a slim external BU40N. I was under the impression that all these drives can be flashed to rip UHDs, so I'm a little surprised by the problems I've run into. I'm running Windows 11. Here are the drive details from MakeMKV:

Drive Information
OS device name: G:
Current profile: BD-ROM
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE BU40N
Revision: U100
Serial number: [redacted]
Firmware date: 2116-08-31 11:53
Bus encryption flags: 1F
Highest AACS version: 76


When using SDF tool Flasher I get the following error message : "The drive you have selected does not have the correct drive platform (MT1959) and cannot be flashed."

The drive seems to read UHD discs okay, the show up in Windows Explorer. Even copied an encrypted disc to a hard drive without issue.

Any advice on what I can do to make this drive work?

[jinx100]

Hi, I'm new to makemkv, I apologize for my stupidity. I read through the main post on the first page and think I understand what to do just want some clarification:

I just bought a BP50NB40. The back of the drive says SVC:NB52. So, the only flashing I need to do then is with the SDFtool Flasher (using the very helpful visual guide)? I just need to make sure that I don't need to follow the command line flashing at all.

Reading through that guide, it sounds like that's the case.

To give you more comfort junghe98, I did MartyMcNuts two step procedure to convert a new WP50NB40 into a BU40N with 1.00 firmware. It now reads UHD disks and is LibreDrive enabled.
Just read the procedure carefully. Thanks Marty, your Recovery option is true magic.

[crasher35]

Sorry if this has already been posted, but I just wanted to mention that I ran into issues following the initial Mac/Linux instructions because I had installed it on Linux (Pop!_OS 22.04) using flatpak. I'm still new-ish to Linux so I had to do a lot of research on how to pass the commands to a flatpak app but I thought it'd be helpful if I posted this here:
...

Just came back to say this didn't actually work. When I ran it, it said it completed, and weirdly I was able to rip a disc that was giving me issues before, but then I went to rip another one and it didn't work. So then, I checked the firmware info on the drive again and it hadn't actually changed.

However, I just tried compiling MakeMKV, ran makemkvcon as sudo and that still didn't work. It said "Done successfully" but MakeMKV still shows the firmware type as "Original (unpatched)" and nothing changed from when I ran makemkvcon f -l the first time to now, so I'm stuck.

Ok, I was able to figure out the issue. Nothing to do with flatpak or root or anything. I ended up running the command again using flatpak but I misunderstood something about my firmware. The firmware I was installing it was not encrypted but I was running the command as if it was. I changed the command from enc to main and it worked. Now it's showing patched.

to be clear I originally used this command:

Code: Select all

flatpak run --command=makemkvcon com.makemkv.MakeMKV f -d 'dev_21:0' -f /home/user/downloads/flash/sdf.bin rawflash enc -i /home/user/downloads/flash/HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_WH16NS60-1.02-NM00100-211810291936.bin

But I had to run this instead:

Code: Select all

flatpak run --command=makemkvcon com.makemkv.MakeMKV f -d 'dev_21:0' -f /home/user/downloads/flash/sdf.bin rawflash main -i /home/user/downloads/flash/HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_WH16NS60-1.02-NM00100-211810291936.bin

Again, I just had to change that enc to main. But otherwise, if you're running the flatpak install of MakeMKV, my original instructions work, you just need to make sure the commands match the drive and firmware you're using.

[DerGraf]

Hi everyone, a rookie located in the Germany here, in a search for my first BD ripping device.
I will rip rarely and for fun, no big batches or similar, so i'm not about to drop a big amount for the drive

This comes to my mind while I've read through this topic:
A) Verbatim Blu-Ray Slimline, 43890 = 118€ in local IT store
B) Pioneer BDR-212V on Amazon = 87€ with shipping

Or are there any better options for Germany?
TnX!

[MartyMcNuts]

Hi everyone, a rookie located in the Germany here, in a search for my first BD ripping device.
I will rip rarely and for fun, no big batches or similar, so i'm not about to drop a big amount for the drive

This comes to my mind while I've read through this topic:
A) Verbatim Blu-Ray Slimline, 43890 = 118€ in local IT store
B) Pioneer BDR-212V on Amazon = 87€ with shipping

Or are there any better options for Germany?
TnX!

Verbatim 43888

[MartyMcNuts]

Hey everyone,

I recently bought a slim external BU40N. I was under the impression that all these drives can be flashed to rip UHDs, so I'm a little surprised by the problems I've run into. I'm running Windows 11. Here are the drive details from MakeMKV:

Drive Information
OS device name: G:
Current profile: BD-ROM
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE BU40N
Revision: U100
Serial number: [redacted]
Firmware date: 2116-08-31 11:53
Bus encryption flags: 1F
Highest AACS version: 76


When using SDF tool Flasher I get the following error message : "The drive you have selected does not have the correct drive platform (MT1959) and cannot be flashed."

The drive seems to read UHD discs okay, the show up in Windows Explorer. Even copied an encrypted disc to a hard drive without issue.

Any advice on what I can do to make this drive work?

Show us the libredrive section below the section you posted above.

[hipsofjw]

Hey everyone,

I recently bought a slim external BU40N. I was under the impression that all these drives can be flashed to rip UHDs, so I'm a little surprised by the problems I've run into. I'm running Windows 11. Here are the drive details from MakeMKV:

Drive Information
OS device name: G:
Current profile: BD-ROM
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE BU40N
Revision: U100
Serial number: [redacted]
Firmware date: 2116-08-31 11:53
Bus encryption flags: 1F
Highest AACS version: 76


When using SDF tool Flasher I get the following error message : "The drive you have selected does not have the correct drive platform (MT1959) and cannot be flashed."

The drive seems to read UHD discs okay, the show up in Windows Explorer. Even copied an encrypted disc to a hard drive without issue.

Any advice on what I can do to make this drive work?

Show us the libredrive section below the section you posted above.

MakeMKV is not showing any LibreDrive information for this drive. I am on the latest version of MakeMKV.

[Billycar11]

Hey everyone,

I recently bought a slim external BU40N. I was under the impression that all these drives can be flashed to rip UHDs, so I'm a little surprised by the problems I've run into. I'm running Windows 11. Here are the drive details from MakeMKV:

Drive Information
OS device name: G:
Current profile: BD-ROM
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE BU40N
Revision: U100
Serial number: [redacted]
Firmware date: 2116-08-31 11:53
Bus encryption flags: 1F
Highest AACS version: 76


When using SDF tool Flasher I get the following error message : "The drive you have selected does not have the correct drive platform (MT1959) and cannot be flashed."

The drive seems to read UHD discs okay, the show up in Windows Explorer. Even copied an encrypted disc to a hard drive without issue.

Any advice on what I can do to make this drive work?

Show us the libredrive section below the section you posted above.

MakeMKV is not showing any LibreDrive information for this drive. I am on the latest version of MakeMKV.

Use the force flash commands

[hipsofjw]

Show us the libredrive section below the section you posted above.

MakeMKV is not showing any LibreDrive information for this drive. I am on the latest version of MakeMKV.

Use the force flash commands

Mind sending a link to those?