All Pioneer drives will be LibreDrive supported

[Coopervid]

Lithium based products have taken over these applications almost entirely.

from the factory pioneer uses clear lube likely silicone lithium grease is usually white

So we mostly do not need to grease anything inside these drives right - Thanks

Np. Compared to applications for automotive etc. these drives only work far less hours.

[SamuriHL]

I finally got around to cross-flashing the new 212v drive I got off Amazon. Given that Pioneer has gotten out of the drive business, maybe it's time to discuss the unique properties of these older 212 based drives being cross-flashed to 212ubk (and probably 512 firmware, as well I'd wager). They work perfectly as LibreDrives for UHD. Awesome little drives. We already know this. However, one of the neat properties is that they "forget" how to bus encrypt discs all on their own. No LibreDrive required for such magic. This allows you to make ISO images directly off the disc without having to do anything else. Works for Blu-ray and UHD.

[Billycar11]

So we mostly do not need to grease anything inside these drives right - Thanks

Correct it would be many years before it's needed

[bird333]

I finally got around to cross-flashing the new 212v drive I got off Amazon. Given that Pioneer has gotten out of the drive business, maybe it's time to discuss the unique properties of these older 212 based drives being cross-flashed to 212ubk (and probably 512 firmware, as well I'd wager). They work perfectly as LibreDrives for UHD. Awesome little drives. We already know this. However, one of the neat properties is that they "forget" how to bus encrypt discs all on their own. No LibreDrive required for such magic. This allows you to make ISO images directly off the disc without having to do anything else. Works for Blu-ray and UHD.

Can you explain how one does this? What software is used, etc?

[SamuriHL]

This allows you to make ISO images directly off the disc without having to do anything else. Works for Blu-ray and UHD.

Can you explain how one does this? What software is used, etc?

Use whatever software you want if you have one of these cross-flashed drives. I use ImgBurn for the purpose a lot of times. The point is that if you have one of these fun drives, there's no bus encryption to worry about so you can use whatever you want to created a protected ISO. Remember, it makes a PROTECTED image which still has to be decrypted.

[VA1DER]

Can you explain how one does this? What software is used, etc?

Use whatever software you want

I think he meant what software do you use to cross flash it.

[Coopervid]

Can you explain how one does this? What software is used, etc?

Use whatever software you want

I think he meant what software do you use to cross flash it.

Nah. He's good and I helped him to flash his drive.

[SamuriHL]

Can you explain how one does this? What software is used, etc?

Use whatever software you want

I think he meant what software do you use to cross flash it.

They were very specific in what they quoted.

Sent from my SM-S938U1 using Tapatalk

[Mr. Red]

Hi all, new to Ripping and it's more so a question of the hardware and this is my first post here. Pls bear in mind that I'm currently located in Germany and will be using the drive with my M2 MBP.

Being where I am there was little choice of what external optical drive is available to be purchased and it was really only this Verbatim #43888 model (an older model) via Amazon.de that could be purchased.

Through this websites I learned that it came with either an LG or Pioneer drive inside the Verbatim housing. The drive arrived and it's an LG, came with native region code 1 (the US) and that it was likely destined for the US as the EU market likely predominately shipped with a Pioneer. I did read somewhere that folks from the US have used Amazon Germany to order, to ensure they received the Pioneer.

I could send it back and hope for the best to get the Pioneer in the Amazon sweep stakes.

To those in the know, the Pioneer is meant to be a LibreDrive, making it easier to use out of the box for ripping? I spoke to Verbatim EU today and they also put forward that Pioneer hasn't updated the Firmware for quite some time and back in 2022/2023 an update killed many capabilities. Tech support also mention they rather get more complaints for ripping with the Pioneer due to the Firmware update. Also I sporadically read a mention of on the make MKV forum. I did find a site with instructions of flashing Libre Firmware onto the LG I have.

As you can tell I'm a newcomer to this and still in a return window. To those familiar with this model and choice of internals, please weigh in if the Pioneer or the LG (I have) is the better option to go for and sorry this post got lengthy.

Since Pioneer stopped the production of BD drives, it's very unlikely that you will find a Pioneer drive in a new Verbatim 43888. Maybe on a shop that doesn't sell much of them and has old stock.
If it has to be a Pioneer, asmcom delivers into the EU: viewtopic.php?f=20&t=19387
Or you flash the LG BU40N to make it LibreDrive compatible: viewtopic.php?f=16&t=19634

Region code shouldn't matter for ripping, but can be changed a few times if you also want to use the drive for normal media playback.

[CalicoSkies]

My spare Pioneer BDR-212V drive is flashed and stored away now! I have one in my PC already (which I bought in October), and recently I bought another from Amazon as a spare. I just plugged it in and flashed it with the LibreDrive firmware and packed it back up in the box, so it's ready to be used when needed.

I think this has been a great drive so far. I'd recommend getting one while they're still available:
Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08R89FN61

After flashing, it appears as a BDR-S12U 1.02 and firmware name "PIONEER BDR-212T":