Ultimate UHD Drives Flashing Guide Updated 2026

[Billycar11]

My Verbatim/Pioneer 35888 shit the bed a few days ago and now I'm looking for something more durable. I've had it for just under two years and it's already stopped reading discs. They spin and it sounds like it's supposed to, but neither the OS nor MakeMKV sees anything

I'll be buying and flashing myself or having my friend in Delaware doing the flashing. Just looking for suggestions for an external drive that plays well with MacOS and doesn't break after reading a few hundred discs.

try cleaning the lasers
but if that dont work i recommend the pioneer s13UBK i sell with old fw see below.
i only 1 state away from DE so shipping would be very fast im in PA right near the DE boarder

[Naiera]

Tried cleaning and now it's making weird noises

[offerbk1]

So looking at the main post I see "PSA now most Pioneers come with new fw that prevents them from be crossflashed or downgraded do not buy one for UHD at this time"
What does it mean "Most"? Is there a
Pioneer UHD drive I can buy today from amamzon/directily from Pioneer that will allow me to RIP my collection? I prefer an external drive.
For example, BDR-XS07UHD https://usa.pioneer/collections/optical ... dr-xs07uhd
Thanks!

[JohnDoe]

[SOLVED]
Hello,
I just bought my first Blu ray optical drive, model: LG BD-RE BU40N. I want to rip 4k and 1080p blu ray's with it. How can I make it do that?

And why does it not show libredrive information in Makemkv?
"
Drive Information
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE BU40N
Revision: 1.05
Serial number: [redacted]
Firmware date: 2124-04-23 13:47
Bus encryption flags: 17

No disc inserted
"

[MartyMcNuts]

So looking at the main post I see "PSA now most Pioneers come with new fw that prevents them from be crossflashed or downgraded do not buy one for UHD at this time"
What does it mean "Most"? Is there a
Pioneer UHD drive I can buy today from amamzon/directily from Pioneer that will allow me to RIP my collection? I prefer an external drive.
For example, BDR-XS07UHD https://usa.pioneer/collections/optical ... dr-xs07uhd
Thanks!

The only Pioneer models you can buy direct from stores/Amazon etc that can work/can possibly be downgraded are the Pioneer BDR-212DBK, BDR-212V and the Verbatim 43888 (contains a BDR-UD04 inside).

All other Pioneer models come with too new a firmware version and do not work. If you want a different model, the only chance you have of getting one is t ocheck with the sellers on this forum as they may have some available with older, compatible firmware. viewforum.php?f=20

[EdgarQ]

I've just joined the forum, this is my first post! I'd just like to thank @Billycar11 for your help in kindly, quickly, comprehensively getting me up to speed with hardware and software. I am really thrilled with the results, and appreciate your work to build this community.

[KhanSW]

Apologies in advance, but I am still a little confused. I have a LG BP50NB40 v52 and I'm 100% sure of how to proceed.

Do I run the GUI SDF tool and then just flash the HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_BP50NB40-NB50-1.03-NM00800-212005070917.bin file?

or do I follow the instructions listed on the GUI SDF tool thread listed Update 21/12/2021 and do the following:

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

Common sense tells me to follow the newest info which would lead me to only having to flash the one file as stated on the main thread but is it really that simple?

I don't want to brick my new device so any insight that helps is much appreciated but if your just going to post "read the thread" I have and I'm still confused as it links to older threads that seem to contradict what the main thread states. I know it must be simple to someone that has already done this but for a total newbie it is not.

Best regards,
KhanSW

ps: here is the info regarding my drive as provided by the MakeMKV beta:

Code: Select all

Drive Information
OS device name: G:
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE BP50NB40
Revision: 1.03
Serial number: [redacted]
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

[KhanSW]

I'm pretty sure my previous post can be disregarded. As I continued to read more I found a secondary "All you need firmware pack (MartyMcNuts)" which had the files listed for the second option listed above. I just followed that procedure and everything appears to have updated and cross-flashed properly. Its not reflecting as Product: BD-RE BU40N Revision 1.00

All Libredrive Information reflects all options as yes.

[film75347]

Evening, all. I have a Pioneer BDR-XS07UHD with a manufacturing date of August 2021. Would be most grateful if someone could advise as steps I need to follow to be able to use MakeMKV to create files from UHD discs. Many thank!

[JedediahLeland]

Greetings, was hoping for some assistance with a drive that abruptly stopped ripping UHD discs. I have tried multiple discs (including discs that have worked in the past) and basic troublingshooting (i.e., cleaning discs, trying multiple discs, power cycling my computer and external drive) to no avail.

Drive:
OWC Mercury Pro OWCMR3UBDRW16
LG WH16NS40 flashed to WH16NS60 1.02MK

I have successfully ripped DVDs, Blu-rays, and UHD discs for quite some time. Was hoping for some assistance. Thanks.

Code: Select all

Drive Information
OS device name: E:
Current profile: BD-ROM
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE WH16NS60
Revision: 1.02
Serial number: M6EJ4BE4945
Firmware date: 2118-10-29 19:36
Bus encryption flags: 17
Highest AACS version: 77

LibreDrive Information
Status: Enabled
Drive platform: MT1959
Firmware type: Patched (microcode access re-enabled)
Firmware version: 1.02
DVD all regions: Yes
BD raw data read: Yes
BD raw metadata read: Yes
Unrestricted read speed: Yes

Here are some example errors I have gotten (edited down for clarity). Log file is "too large to attach"

Code: Select all

DEBUG: Code 2 at >{`y(>CqW-`Fca0ypbVz:121263475
DBG ASSERT: +RTn"I5se'TH+}\j!EZ#3AV0M3,,@6uHss!)"w%bMysj/:Y*BrgpDBR at hijnaX{Xh8"!jVD5f:tCE:121262946
DEBUG: Code 2 at >{`y(>CqW-`Fca0ypbVz:29394758
DEBUG: Code 3 at >{`y(>CqW-`Fca0ypbVz:29394758
The source file '/BDMV/STREAM/00029.m2ts' is corrupt or invalid at offset 36841451520, attempting to work around
DEBUG: Code 4 at >{`y(>CqW-`Fca0ypbVz:29394758

Code: Select all

Too many AV synchronization issues in file '/BDMV/STREAM/00029.m2ts' (title #-) , future messages will be printed only to log file

Code: Select all

LIBMKV_TRACE: Exception: Error while reading input
Failed to save title 2 to file C:/Users/###/Documents/MakeMKV/title_t02.mkv
Encountered 2 errors of type 'HashCheck Error' - see http://www.makemkv.com/errors/hashcheck/...
0 titles saved, 1 failed

[Billycar11]

Greetings, was hoping for some assistance with a drive that abruptly stopped ripping UHD discs. I have tried multiple discs (including discs that have worked in the past) and basic troublingshooting (i.e., cleaning discs, trying multiple discs, power cycling my computer and external drive) to no avail.

You already did most of this but

Power cycle drive for 5 mins unplug to make sure.
Clean discs
Replace discs
Clean drive
Replace drive with pioneer with old fw

[JedediahLeland]

You already did most of this but

Power cycle drive for 5 mins unplug to make sure.
Clean discs
Replace discs
Clean drive
Replace drive with pioneer with old fw

Thanks. I was hoping there might be some other options before unscrewing the enclosure or replacing the drive.

I stumbled across this thread and was wondering if you had thoughts on whether this is an option?

Relatedly, is there any possibility this is a firmware issue that can be resolved by flashing to a different version?

[Billycar11]

You already did most of this but

Power cycle drive for 5 mins unplug to make sure.
Clean discs
Replace discs
Clean drive
Replace drive with pioneer with old fw

Thanks. I was hoping there might be some other options before unscrewing the enclosure or replacing the drive.

I stumbled across this thread and was wondering if you had thoughts on whether this is an option?

Relatedly, is there any possibility this is a firmware issue that can be resolved by flashing to a different version?

you can try both wont hurt it anymore than it is.
but yeah there's a reason i stopped selling the lg desktop drives back in 2019 i lost so much money on those offering a 1 year warranty to customers.

[Wall.E]

Hi,

Quick questions: I've carefully read this guide, but I'm still a bit confused when it comes to flashing the drive.

I've recently purchased an Asus BW-16D1HT.
So...
- it has been built after 2016
- it's the MT1959 platform
- I have the 3.11 firmware so it's encrypted

But now...

Question 1 : should I follow this instruction...

Unlocked Flashers, Downgrade Enabled Firmware and MK Firmware:

The only flasher anyone should be using now is Martys SDF GUI it now has built in safety's still check out the requirements and follow the recommending firmware but it shouldn't let you brick an old drive and should detect if the firmware is encrypted automatically

or should I go via this one ?

How To Flash Videos and commands:

New Updated guide for all Drives and firmware including encrypted firmware: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyQV1aPlbow
1. Open cmd as admin

2. Navigate to makemkvs install directory by default on 64 bit systems it is here: cd "C:\Program Files (x86)\MakeMKV"

3. If you have a listed encrypted firmware you must use this command: makemkvcon64.exe f --all-yes -d “ your drive letter here Example: D”: rawflash enc -i “path to your firmware Example: C:\Users\Billy\Downloads\Downgrade-Enabled-Firmware\Auto-Flash\LG-Desktop-NS60-sleep-fix\WH16NS60-1.02-MK.bin”

4. If you have unencrypted firmware use this command: makemkvcon64.exe f --all-yes -d “ your drive letter here Example: D”: rawflash -i “path to your firmware Example: C:\Users\Billy\Downloads\Downgrade-Enabled-Firmware\Auto-Flash\LG-Desktop-NS60-sleep-fix\WH16NS60-1.02-MK.bin”

5. Remove my examples and quotes ”” when you run the commands

I have a feeling I should go for SDFtool Flasher but I would like to be 100% sure, as I'm confused that there's no warning saying the How-To Flash Videos and commands is now outdated. Or maybe I'm missing something.

Question 2 : in this guide it's written that I should flash direct the 3.10MK firmware.
But on the SDFtool Flasher page it's written that "If your desktop drive has encrypted firmware, flash WH16NS60 1.02-MK first"
viewtopic.php?f=16&t=22896

My guess is that this sentence is only applying if we have a HL-DT-ST drive. Indeed the "Encrypted Firmware" contains only HL-DT-ST drives. So I have a feeling the list has not been updated and the instruction to go for the "WH16NS60 1.02-MK first" as well.

Thanks for your help!

[dcoke22]

Quick questions: I've carefully read this guide, but I'm still a bit confused when it comes to flashing the drive.

I've recently purchased an Asus BW-16D1HT.
So...
- it has been built after 2016
- it's the MT1959 platform
- I have the 3.11 firmware so it's encrypted

But now...

Question 1 :

SDFtool Flasher only runs on Windows. If you're on Windows, it is what you should use. The command line instructions are for Linux or macOS.