Arrow Video UHD Discs Unreadable on UHD Friendly Drives?

[jmsalal]

I tried to play the "Flatliners" UHD Bluray, and my UHD Friendly LG drive refuses to read the disc. Trying to use VLC, DVDFab, and MPC does no good, nor does having MakeMKV open and active. The disc just isn't recognized, period. This seems strange, considering that the movie was released well over a year ago, and my drive reads discs just released within the last month. I have read some similar reports from others attempting to read UHD discs published by Arrow Video and wonder if they implement a unique form of copy protection on their discs. Of note, my disc works just fine in a PS5. Anyone have any insight? Thanks!

[MrPenguin]

I tried to play the "Flatliners" UHD Bluray, and my UHD Friendly LG drive refuses to read the disc.

Can your computer's operating system see your disk's contents? E.g. assuming you're using Windows, can you even see the disk's AACS/ directory in Windows File Explorer?

If the answer is "No" then you should try gently cleaning the disk, or maybe even using a better (Pioneer?) drive.

[Coopervid]

I tried to play the "Flatliners" UHD Bluray, and my UHD Friendly LG drive refuses to read the disc.

Can your computer's operating system see your disk's contents? E.g. assuming you're using Windows, can you even see the disk's AACS/ directory in Windows File Explorer?

If the answer is "No" then you should try gently cleaning the disk, or maybe even using a better (Pioneer?) drive.

In addition:
Flash the drive to WH16NS60 1.02. This firmware handles 3 layer discs better than friendly firmware. Wash the disc with warm water and liquid soap. Dry witha paper towel. Then wipe with a microfiber cloth as used to cleaning glasses. If that doesn't help purchase a flashed or flashable Pioneer. No retail Pioneer drive!!!!

[loucipher]

Not to be argumentative, but dear god, please do not dry with a paper towel! Use something non-abrasive, a paper towel will scratch. On the occasion I need to clean a disc, I only use silk, but anything microfiber will be better than a paper towel.

[dcoke22]

I also recommend against drying the data side of a disc with a paper towel. After I wash a disc, I lay the disc label side down on a towel and dry the data side with canned air.

[jmsalal]

I tried to play the "Flatliners" UHD Bluray, and my UHD Friendly LG drive refuses to read the disc.

Can your computer's operating system see your disk's contents? E.g. assuming you're using Windows, can you even see the disk's AACS/ directory in Windows File Explorer?

If the answer is "No" then you should try gently cleaning the disk, or maybe even using a better (Pioneer?) drive.

Yes, the drive can read any other UHD I've thrown at it up to this point. With MakeMKV running, I can see the BDMV, etc. folders within Windows File Explorer. I emailed Arrow, and they suggested I update my drive to the latest firmware, which I'm NOT about to do

[jmsalal]

I tried to play the "Flatliners" UHD Bluray, and my UHD Friendly LG drive refuses to read the disc.

Can your computer's operating system see your disk's contents? E.g. assuming you're using Windows, can you even see the disk's AACS/ directory in Windows File Explorer?

If the answer is "No" then you should try gently cleaning the disk, or maybe even using a better (Pioneer?) drive.

In addition:
Flash the drive to WH16NS60 1.02. This firmware handles 3 layer discs better than friendly firmware. Wash the disc with warm water and liquid soap. Dry witha paper towel. Then wipe with a microfiber cloth as used to cleaning glasses. If that doesn't help purchase a flashed or flashable Pioneer. No retail Pioneer drive!!!!

That is actually the firmware I flashed onto my drive. I'm on the process of trying to buy a flashed Pioneer drive now just so I can have a backup. My LG makes lots of noise when reading discs, which makes me a tad anxious.

[Coopervid]

Can your computer's operating system see your disk's contents? E.g. assuming you're using Windows, can you even see the disk's AACS/ directory in Windows File Explorer?

If the answer is "No" then you should try gently cleaning the disk, or maybe even using a better (Pioneer?) drive.

In addition:
Flash the drive to WH16NS60 1.02. This firmware handles 3 layer discs better than friendly firmware. Wash the disc with warm water and liquid soap. Dry witha paper towel. Then wipe with a microfiber cloth as used to cleaning glasses. If that doesn't help purchase a flashed or flashable Pioneer. No retail Pioneer drive!!!!

That is actually the firmware I flashed onto my drive. I'm on the process of trying to buy a flashed Pioneer drive now just so I can have a backup. My LG makes lots of noise when reading discs, which makes me a tad anxious.

Tell me your country of residence regarding getting a Pioneer.