Ultimate UHD Drives Flashing Guide Updated 2024

[Simon514]

I haven't read the 162 pages (sorry!) but at the very beginning of the thread it says that Pioneer drives are much better than LG and Asus...

I am curious to know what does much better actually means here?

Thanks!

[Billycar11]

I haven't read the 162 pages (sorry!) but at the very beginning of the thread it says that Pioneer drives are much better than LG and Asus...

I am curious to know what does much better actually means here?

Thanks!

its hard to describe but

they dont require reboot when they go into a weird mode usually from a hard to read disc.

they dont just give junk data when they hit a hard to read spot on a disc aka hash errors a pioneer can retry to read a spot lg cant because they give fake data ruining the whole rip and erroring out makemkv.

there lasers usually dont die.

they are much quieter

they seem to last longer.

alot more too but you get the idea

[Simon514]

I haven't read the 162 pages (sorry!) but at the very beginning of the thread it says that Pioneer drives are much better than LG and Asus...

I am curious to know what does much better actually means here?

Thanks!

its hard to describe but

they dont require reboot when they go into a weird mode usually from a hard to read disc.

they dont just give junk data when they hit a hard to read spot on a disc aka hash errors a pioneer can retry to read a spot lg cant because they give fake data ruining the whole rip and erroring out makemkv.

there lasers usually dont die.

they are much quieter

they seem to last longer.

alot more too but you get the idea

Thank you very much for that.

Since I often buy used discs and borrow out of print movies from the library, what you're saying is I will be better buying a Pioneer drive for less than pristine discs to rip... They seem harder to find in Canada though...

Again, thank you Monsieur!

[Billycar11]

Thank you very much for that.

Since I often buy used discs and borrow out of print movies from the library, what you're saying is I will be better buying a Pioneer drive for less than pristine discs to rip... They seem harder to find in Canada though...

Again, thank you Monsieur!

yes they are better at reading hard to read disc but please make sure your discs are clean before you put them in with used ones.

been getting alot of emails lately about this and then they either have to take the drive apart or they send it to me for a cleaning and thats not covered by warranty as its abuse

[chburnbd]

Just to confirm...

Pioneer drives with the latest firmware cant be flashed to read UHD with Makemkv?

So i'm taking my chances if I but this one? https://www.amazon.com/PIONEER-BDR-S13U ... B0BN65Q26X

Thank you.

[Billycar11]

Just to confirm...

Pioneer drives with the latest firmware cant be flashed to read UHD with Makemkv?

So i'm taking my chances if I but this one? https://www.amazon.com/PIONEER-BDR-S13U ... B0BN65Q26X

Thank you.

Yeah it fw is after 12/22 can't be flashed.

I have that exact drive with old fw see below ready to ship anywhere in the USA

[Grayman2024]

Hi there - wonder if anyone can assist me. I have a Archgon MD8107U3 drive that someone has given me which now does not work. It's a basically looks like it is bricked, the last thing they did with it was using the F/W windows tool and flashed it to See the makemkv screen shot shot. So, the drive now will pick up, but you cannot eject or effectively get it to respond. Any tips on how I get this if possible back working.

Interestingly when I try and reflash it via cmd line (I have nothing to lose as this was effectivley given to me as E-Waste) I get this
Reading input file D:\BLURAY\mk-firmware-pack-20200720\FW\MK\old\HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_BU40N-U101-MM01201-211711301153.bin
Flashing flags = 0x0 : 0 0 0 0 : ---- ---- ---- ----
Sending image in encrypted format
Drive tray is open, please close it and try again
DEBUG: Code 4278567171 at wfCw3OE9o6xoDD[;$ZOJdpeNgiQob2>_:29396644

Command produced error code 0xff05c103

Regardless of what ever firmware I try. Is this E-Waste or can it be salvaged?

Many Thanks.

[Billycar11]

Hi there - wonder if anyone can assist me. I have a Archgon MD8107U3 drive that someone has given me which now does not work. It's a basically looks like it is bricked, the last thing they did with it was using the F/W windows tool and flashed it to See the makemkv screen shot shot. So, the drive now will pick up, but you cannot eject or effectively get it to respond. Any tips on how I get this if possible back working.

Interestingly when I try and reflash it via cmd line (I have nothing to lose as this was effectivley given to me as E-Waste) I get this
Reading input file D:\BLURAY\mk-firmware-pack-20200720\FW\MK\old\HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_BU40N-U101-MM01201-211711301153.bin
Flashing flags = 0x0 : 0 0 0 0 : ---- ---- ---- ----
Sending image in encrypted format
Drive tray is open, please close it and try again
DEBUG: Code 4278567171 at wfCw3OE9o6xoDD[;$ZOJdpeNgiQob2>_:29396644

Command produced error code 0xff05c103

Regardless of what ever firmware I try. Is this E-Waste or can it be salvaged?

Many Thanks.

Try with no enc

[Grayman2024]

Sorry but had the same result. So I assume this is bricked.

[thirdgen89gta]

Just wanted to come here and say that I do not regret getting the Pioneer drive from BillyCar. It's been months since I bought it, and it hasn't missed a SINGLE disc. I will admit, it is slower, but not that much, and its worth the wait because it rips perfectly every time.

[Tristanna]

Pioneer yes, but which model?

[Billycar11]

Pioneer yes, but which model?

any of the pioneers i sell are great but i recommend the UBK overall the UX has minimal improvement for a lot more

[Phoenix0870]

I just tried one of each of these sata-usb adapters and neither worked for flashing, which was strange because it was (visually) the one Marty said he had, but the part number IS different.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00VR52ZZ0
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CK205ZG

Shall I send them back stating they don't support optical drives?

Hello.
Does this USB adapter also work for firmware flash?
Inateck USB 3.0 to SATA converter adapter for 2.5/3.5 inches drive HDD SSD

Specifications: Output Interface: USB 3.0/2.0 Power Input: 100-240V, 50/60Hz; Output: DC 12 V/2 A HDD Compatibility: All 2.5"/3.5" SATA HDDs Connection of Bluray, DVD, CD drives, DVD-ROM, CD-RW, DVD-RW, DVD+RW possible

https://www.ebay.de/itm/175131704887?_s ... 2256179279

[Coopervid]

I just tried one of each of these sata-usb adapters and neither worked for flashing, which was strange because it was (visually) the one Marty said he had, but the part number IS different.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00VR52ZZ0
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CK205ZG

Shall I send them back stating they don't support optical drives?

Hello.
Does this USB adapter also work for firmware flash?
Inateck USB 3.0 to SATA converter adapter for 2.5/3.5 inches drive HDD SSD

Specifications: Output Interface: USB 3.0/2.0 Power Input: 100-240V, 50/60Hz; Output: DC 12 V/2 A HDD Compatibility: All 2.5"/3.5" SATA HDDs Connection of Bluray, DVD, CD drives, DVD-ROM, CD-RW, DVD-RW, DVD+RW possible

https://www.ebay.de/itm/175131704887?_s ... 2256179279

Not sure. I'm sure this works even for flashing. So spend a few Euros more.

https://www.amazon.de/BENFEI-SATA-USB-K ... r=8-1&th=1

[Tristanna]

Pioneer yes, but which model?

any of the pioneers i sell are great but i recommend the UBK overall the UX has minimal improvement for a lot more

You recommend all Pioneer models and in the photos it says “Firmware v.1.03 supports for MakeMKV, AnyDVD & Leawo UHD Ripper” but nowhere does it say “DVDFab”. Does this mean that Pioneer models aren't really compatible with “DVDFab”?