Newbie looking for a new drive...

[alninek]

Hello everyone!

I hope I'm not Off Topic! If I am, I ask the admins to delete or move this post to the appropriate section!

My Pioneer BDR-208D recently stopped working. I used it to burn data Blu-rays and watch a few movies on my PC. Now I'm looking for a new Pioneer burner to replace my 208 (I've always had a good experience with Pioneer burners), and I stumbled upon a Reddit discussion explaining how some of the newer drives don't read 4K discs...

Meanwhile, I searched online, but it seems that Blu-ray burners are becoming increasingly rare and almost impossible to buy.

So I’m asking the experts here:

1 What is the best drive on the market that reads UHD and burns data reliably?
2 Which drive has the best quality/price ratio?
3 Once the drive is purchased, is it possible to flash the firmware so that it can read UHD Blu-ray discs?
4 Where can I get the modified firmware?
5 From what I've read on the forum, it seems like the firmware discussed here is not 'official,' so could it void any potential warranty?

Thanks in advance for your patience and any replies!

[Woodstock]

I've just updated the topic at the HEAD OF THIS FORUM to use "2024" instead of 2023 in its title, since people can't seem to find it. It's now "Ultimate UHD Drives Flashing Guide Updated 2024" to be more obvious.

The first message explains all the details you've asked about, and more.

[alninek]

I've just updated the topic at the HEAD OF THIS FORUM to use "2024" instead of 2023 in its title, since people can't seem to find it. It's now "Ultimate UHD Drives Flashing Guide Updated 2024" to be more obvious.

The first message explains all the details you've asked about, and more.

Thank so much for your answer!

I tried to send email to:

Billy: Billycar5924@gmail.com
He says that sell only in US

and to:

asmcom: uhdfriendlydrives@gmail.com
They haven't answered me, probably due to health problem as I read here in forum

[MartyMcNuts]

I've just updated the topic at the HEAD OF THIS FORUM to use "2024" instead of 2023 in its title, since people can't seem to find it. It's now "Ultimate UHD Drives Flashing Guide Updated 2024" to be more obvious.

The first message explains all the details you've asked about, and more.

Thank so much for your answer!

I tried to send email to:

Billy: Billycar5924@gmail.com
He says that sell only in US

and to:

asmcom: uhdfriendlydrives@gmail.com
They haven't answered me, probably due to health problem as I read here in forum

What is your location? I have shipped to many places around the world. Check my signature.

[alninek]

What is your location? I have shipped to many places around the world. Check my signature.

I'm writing from Italy
I tought about BDR-S13E(U or J)-X model...with the correct firmware! ...at a right price! ....do you suggest other models?
A few questions for you please:

1. What is the best drive on the market that reads UHD and burns data reliably?
2. Which drive has the best quality/price ratio?
3. Once the drive is purchased, is it possible to flash the firmware so that it can read UHD Blu-ray discs?
4. Where can I get the modified firmware?
5. From what I've read on the forum, it seems like the firmware discussed here is not 'official,' so could it void any potential warranty?
6. Do you give any warranty on drive you sell?
7. do you have any?
8. do you ship in Italy?
9. what about custom tax?
10. what is the price of drive + shipping + customs?


Thanks in advance for your patience and any replies!
…and sorry for my poor English

[MartyMcNuts]

What is your location? I have shipped to many places around the world. Check my signature.

I'm writing from Italy
I tought about BDR-S13E(U or J)-X model...with the correct firmware! ...at a right price! ....do you suggest other models?
A few questions for you please:

1. What is the best drive on the market that reads UHD and burns data reliably?
2. Which drive has the best quality/price ratio?
3. Once the drive is purchased, is it possible to flash the firmware so that it can read UHD Blu-ray discs?
4. Where can I get the modified firmware?
5. From what I've read on the forum, it seems like the firmware discussed here is not 'official,' so could it void any potential warranty?
6. Do you give any warranty on drive you sell?
7. do you have any?
8. do you ship in Italy?
9. what about custom tax?
10. what is the price of drive + shipping + customs?


Thanks in advance for your patience and any replies!
…and sorry for my poor English

PM sent.

[alninek]

PM sent.

thank so much.... i read that and answered

anybody knows what are the official pioneer firmware version which allow UHD discs reading for following drive?

BDR-S13JBK
BDR-S13J-X
BDR-213JBK

This is official Pioneer firmware download page:
https://pioneer.jp/device_e/product-e/i ... 01r_e.html

BDR-S13UBK / S13EBK / S13CBK
latest version seems to be 1.05
Once updated to version 1.05, this drive will not revert to older firmware versions.

BDR-213ULBK(BDR-2213) / BDR-213EBK / BDR-213CBK
latest version seems to be 1.05
Once updated to version 1.05, this drive will not revert to older firmware versions.

so... if I found a 1.03 versione... am I right to read UHD discs?

[MartyMcNuts]

PM sent.

thank so much.... i read that and answered

anybody knows what are the official pioneer firmware version which allow UHD discs reading for following drive?

BDR-S13JBK
BDR-S13J-X
BDR-213JBK

1.02 I think for the 213JBK and 1.03 for the other 2 models but you won't find any with the older firmware in any stores. The only way to get one with the older firmware is from a seller on this forum.

[alninek]

1.02 I think for the 213JBK and 1.03 for the other 2 models but you won't find any with the older firmware in any stores. The only way to get one with the older firmware is from a seller on this forum.

So... How the sellers here can find drive with 1.02 or 1.03 version if there's none sell it... out there?

sorry for my question but I didn't know about UHD issue... and in my life I've always bought "official drive" in "official shops"

[MartyMcNuts]

1.02 I think for the 213JBK and 1.03 for the other 2 models but you won't find any with the older firmware in any stores. The only way to get one with the older firmware is from a seller on this forum.

So... How the sellers here can find drive with 1.02 or 1.03 version if there's none sell it... out there?

sorry for my question but I didn't know about UHD issue... and in my life I've always bought "official drive" in "official shops"

We have our sources/ways.

[alninek]

I see...

i was wondering if is possible to "downgrade" with a custom firmware a drive already bought that unfortunately has the "wrong" firmware...

is there ihere any "custom" firmware to buy?

[MartyMcNuts]

I see...

i was wondering if is possible to "downgrade" with a custom firmware a drive already bought that unfortunately has the "wrong" firmware...

is there ihere any "custom" firmware to buy?

Not if the firmware is dated Dec 2022 or newer.