Ultimate UHD Drives Flashing Guide Updated 2024

[Billycar11]

Good morning. I've been successfully loading up my DVDs and Blu-Rays on an old BD-208D, but have now started hitting 4K discs it can't read. Ready to take the plunge to flash it. From my read of the threads, this should be supported?

Code: Select all

Drive Information
OS device name: D:
Manufacturer: PIONEER
Product: BD-RW BDR-208D
Revision: 1.10
Serial number: [REDACTED]
Firmware date: 2012-08-22
Bus encryption flags: 13
Highest AACS version: 81

LibreDrive Information
Status: Enabled
Drive platform: RS8301
Firmware name: PIONEER BDR-208
Firmware type: Original (unpatched)
Firmware version: 1.10/ID61
DVD all regions: Yes
BD raw data read: Yes
BD raw metadata read: Yes
Unrestricted read speed: Yes

No disc inserted

The pioneer firmware isn't included in the big pack. Appears that has to be requested, yes?

Email me for the pioneer flasher see below for info

[djshag]

First, thanks for the helpful guide, tools, and firmware. I'm about to start digitizing several hundred Blu Ray/DVDs so we can pack up all the old discs, and this firmware should allow that process to go as smoothly as possible.

Second, I thought I'd chime in to confirm that the BENFEI SATA to USB 3.0 Cable, USB 3.0 to SATA III Hard Drive Adapter (the one with the 12V/2A Power Adapter) from Amazon worked great for flashing my new WH14NS40.
https://a.co/d/396HjXw
I saw some others reference this adapter within this thread, but since it isn't explicitly listed in the "USB enclosures/sata adapters that work with optical drives and flashing" section, and the Amazon posting only mentions CD/DVD I wanted to mention it again for anyone nervous about trying something not on that list.


And finally, I also thought it might be worth warning folks against purchasing the WAVLINK USB C to Dual Bay SATA Adapter,Hard Drive Convertor with 2 USB 3.0 Ports for External 3.5/2.5 Inch SSD HDD SATA III adapter from Amazon for use with an optical drive.
https://a.co/d/396HjXw

I initially picked up the WAVLINK adapter since it provides additional capabilities that could be useful down the line, but once I received it, I found that it doesn't seem to work with the WH14NS40 at all. With it connected, the computer doesn't even recognized there's a drive attached.

The WAVLINK, above, does work fine with some SATA SSDs without a problem, so I'm hanging on to it, but don't expect to buy one to use for reading/flashing an optical drive (at least not the WH14NS40).

-L