Ultimate UHD Drives Flashing Guide Updated 2025

[CharlyTheSneaky]

If the Pioneer drives are new, then they will almost assuredly come with firmware that's too new to support LibreDrive and thus they won't be able to rip 4K UHDs.

I was mainly saying that *people* said the drives were "too new" if I buy from Amazon there is no way of knowing if it will be ripable?
Are ALL Pioneer drives (still) affected by this Feb 23 driver updates? Are there any none affected?

The easiest way to get a new Pioneer drive with older, compatible firmware is to buy from a seller, Asmcom in the case of Europe.

I will look into this thoroughly thank you!

Also one last question, there is no way to know if a drive is ripable unless it's bought from a trusted source or in your hands right?

Thanks for clearing up a few things,
Cheers

[Coopervid]

If I were buying a new drive today, preferably external, what would be the best option for a drive I can safely flash? I was looking at the Asus BW-16D1X-U, but it appear that they have started coming with newer firmware that is preventing flashing? I was also looking at a BP50NB40 that is currently on sale locally.

Your country of residence? Do you prefer a Pioneer or LG? Pioneer is recommended.

Hey there,

If I may bump on here, I have the oportunity to buy the LG-BU40N or other pioneer drives as follows : BDR-213-EBK / BDR-212-DBK / BDR-S13-EBK (I haven't seen them in recommanded drives)
They're around the same price where I live (France) and I was curious if Pioneers were more worth it. I've seen that some are too recent and therefore unable to rip properly.

Thank you to anyone who may provide further guidance,
Charly

Let me know your country of residence. You will then receive a PM.

[CharlyTheSneaky]

Let me know your country of residence. You will then receive a PM.

Hey there,
I'm French,

Cheers

[Coopervid]

Let me know your country of residence. You will then receive a PM.

Hey there,
I'm French,

Cheers

PM sent.

[GlossedOver]

Thanks for the info everyone, I ended up finding a different device that at least has the original unpatched firmware. Was wondering if it can do UHD as well?

Drive Information
OS device name: D:
Manufacturer: PIONEER
Product: BD-RW BDR-XD05
Revision: 3.10
Serial number: ...
Firmware date: 2017-06-22
Bus encryption flags: 1B

LibreDrive Information
Status: Enabled
Drive platform: RS8232
Firmware name: PIONEER BDR-XD05
Firmware type: Original (unpatched)
Firmware version: 3.10/ID34
DVD all regions: Yes
BD raw data read: Yes
BD raw metadata read: Yes
Unrestricted read speed: Yes

[dcoke22]

If the Pioneer drives are new, then they will almost assuredly come with firmware that's too new to support LibreDrive and thus they won't be able to rip 4K UHDs.

I was mainly saying that *people* said the drives were "too new" if I buy from Amazon there is no way of knowing if it will be ripable?
Are ALL Pioneer drives (still) affected by this Feb 23 driver updates? Are there any none affected?

The easiest way to get a new Pioneer drive with older, compatible firmware is to buy from a seller, Asmcom in the case of Europe.

I will look into this thoroughly thank you!

Also one last question, there is no way to know if a drive is ripable unless it's bought from a trusted source or in your hands right?

Thanks for clearing up a few things,
Cheers

It is my understanding that it is all Pioneer drives that are affected. If you buy a new Pioneer drive from pretty much any retail shop, it'll come with the new firmware. It has been long enough that all the old stock is gone.
You have to either get a drive from a trusted source or have some way to verify the firmware level.

[nukmasta]

Buffalo BRUHD-PU3-BK

Hi all, I think I need to Flash to an LG drive and THEN to BU40N as I have the BU14?



I try and flash with this:


But I get this:


What am I missing here?

[MartyMcNuts]

Buffalo BRUHD-PU3-BK

Hi all, I think I need to Flash to an LG drive and THEN to BU40N as I have the BU14?



I try and flash with this:


But I get this:


What am I missing here?

Ensure there is no disc in the drive and the tray is closed.

[nukmasta]

Buffalo BRUHD-PU3-BK

Hi all, I think I need to Flash to an LG drive and THEN to BU40N as I have the BU14?



I try and flash with this:


But I get this:


What am I missing here?

Ensure there is no disc in the drive and the tray is closed.

Yup I had a disc in im a dummy. Thank you for your response and all that you do Marty! It worked! Is that all I need to do? Done deal now? I saw other threads about putting back the Buffalo/BU40N FW per instructions? What are the benefits of moving it back from the initial flash?

EDIT: I took a chance and recovered to BU10 from the ultimate drive pack. If I understand correctly, the .mk FW is only to unlock Libre. To get full features of the drive you need to flash back to the FW. Correct me if im wrong!!!

If anyone comes across this in 2025 for a Buffalo BRUHD-PU3-BK straight from Japan here is how to unlock your UHD drive in 3 easy steps:

-Download Flash tool + Ultimate FW pack.
-WRITE the DE_LG_BU40N_1.03_MK FW to the drive (Ensure no disc is in the drive or its open)
-RECOVER the drive to DE_Buffalo_BRUHD-PU3_BU10 (Ensure to pick DE_LG_BU40N_1.03_MK first as existing driver. THEN pick DE_Buffalo_BRUHD-PU3_BU10 second)

[kapqa]

the pionieer drives with "bluray-ultraHD" label on it, are those already "libredrive" and work out of box with make-mkv?


thanks.

[Coopervid]

the pionieer drives with "bluray-ultraHD" label on it, are those already "libredrive" and work out of box with make-mkv?


thanks.

No, not anymore since Dec. 2022. Tell me your country of residence for "Pioneer options".

[kapqa]

IT

[Coopervid]

IT

PM sent.

[havok2022]

Looking for a new drive that can ideally rip 4K UHD BRDs, and I need an external option ideally with USB and possibly eSATA as well. USB is a bit of a must though. I'm located in the US. It didn't seem like any of the inventory in the original post were external.

[MartyMcNuts]

Looking for a new drive that can ideally rip 4K UHD BRDs, and I need an external option ideally with USB and possibly eSATA as well. USB is a bit of a must though. I'm located in the US. It didn't seem like any of the inventory in the original post were external.

Use an enclosure or SATA to USB powered adapter to use the internal desktop drives externally.