Ultimate UHD Drives Flashing Guide Updated 2026

[MartyMcNuts]

Hello all,

I have a problem in that my drive simply won't work with 4K discs. It reads all other types, but not 4K discs.
It also disconnects from the PC briefly every time it tries to read the disc. Could this be another problem? However, this only happens with 4K discs.

Here is the mkv information:
Drive Information
OS device name: E:
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE BU40N
Revision: 1.03
Serial number: MO9P6390032
Firmware date: 2118-10-24 19:34
Bus encryption flags: 17
Highest AACS version: 18

LibreDrive Information
Status: Enabled
Drive platform: MT1959
Firmware type: Patched (microcode access re-enabled)
Firmware version: 1.03
DVD all regions: Yes
BD raw data read: Yes
BD raw metadata read: Yes
Unrestricted read speed: Yes

Probably not getting enough power. Use ports direct from the motherboard (USB-C if possible, otherwise USB-A 3+) or an AC self-powered hub of at least 30w. Do not use case ports.

[Th3Color]

Hello all,

I have a problem in that my drive simply won't work with 4K discs. It reads all other types, but not 4K discs.
It also disconnects from the PC briefly every time it tries to read the disc. Could this be another problem? However, this only happens with 4K discs.

Here is the mkv information:
Drive Information
OS device name: E:
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE BU40N
Revision: 1.03
Serial number: MO9P6390032
Firmware date: 2118-10-24 19:34
Bus encryption flags: 17
Highest AACS version: 18

LibreDrive Information
Status: Enabled
Drive platform: MT1959
Firmware type: Patched (microcode access re-enabled)
Firmware version: 1.03
DVD all regions: Yes
BD raw data read: Yes
BD raw metadata read: Yes
Unrestricted read speed: Yes

Probably not getting enough power. Use ports direct from the motherboard (USB-C if possible, otherwise USB-A 3+) or an AC self-powered hub of at least 30w. Do not use case ports.

Thanks for the confirmation. It was a usb extansion that coused the error. Everything is working now.

[Billycar11]

guide updated info about UHD pioneers now working with latest FW

[sero12]

Hello at all,

I have a problem in that my drive simply won't work with 4K discs. It reads all other types of disks, but not 4K discs.


Drive Information
OS device name: F:
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE BH16NS55
Revision: 1.02
Serial number:
Firmware date: 2115-12-11 14:40
Bus encryption flags: 17

LibreDrive Information
Status: Enabled
Drive platform: MT1959
Firmware type: Original (unpatched)
Firmware version: 1.02
DVD all regions: Yes
BD raw data read: Yes
BD raw metadata read: Yes
Unrestricted read speed: Yes

[zittrig]

Have a good look into the very first post in this thread.

Use the SDF Flashing Tool for flashing directly to firmware LG WH16NS60 1.02MK.

You can find the download link for the tool and the firmware pack also there ----> viewtopic.php?f=16&t=22896

Try it.

[nonchu]

Forgive me if this isn't the correct place to say this or if its not usful but I've found that this adapter worked with makemkv and doesn't show the drive as generic, at least with my BU40N and a slimline adapter.

https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B07SCY623F ... asin_title

[Carlangas]

Hi gang. Newb here and very late to the party. There are hundreds of pages here, so I hope you'll forgive the question and help a brother out:

Just picked up an LG drive from OWC. It's not currently reading UHD disks, even though the techs there said it could.

Here's what MakeMKV is reporting:

Drive Information
OS device name: \Device\CdRom1
Current profile: BD-ROM
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE BH16NS40
Revision: 1.05
Serial number: <redacted>
Firmware date: 2120-05-06 13:31
Bus encryption flags: 17
Highest AACS version: 81

LibreDrive Information
Status: Possible (with patched firmware)
Drive platform: MT1959
Harware support: Yes
Firmware support: No
Firmware type: Original (patched version available)
Firmware version: 1.05
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)

Out of the box it can read BD Audio disks, but it can't see UHD disks. It also seems to not be able to read the MLP tracks on DVD-Audio disks (just the DD content). Is there a firmware I can use to make both UHD and DVD-A ripping possible?

I'm reasonably technical and can follow a procedure if I've got the right tools.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Hi! were you able to get it flashed? I have the same drive

[zittrig]

Yes, it can be flashed.

Just have a look to my post from yesterday, 6.58 PM.

But post your drive information also before doing some flashing. Drive platform is MT1959 also?

[TheBesto]

Hey guys!
I'm starting to look into saving my physical blu-ray collection into a digital one in order to avoid potentially losing them in the future.
As one can notice, I ended here (coming from the LTT video from a bit more than a year ago).

As a software engineer, I'm trying to understand what's behind the scene regarding all the steps that are linked in the tutorial on first page.
I do understand the need for a drive that can read Blu-Rays (duh), but then I fall a bit short on what the flashing step is supposed to be for.
Can someone explains a bit what it does? Is it to enable 4K HDR support on drives that does not have it? Is it to enable reading protected blu-rays as if they were not? Both, something else?

Also, it seems that, at least in France, most of the drives referenced in the tutorial are not available anymore to purchase.
The only exception is the Buffalo BRUHD-PU3-BK which I do find on Amazon, but it is quite expensive.
Do you have any recommandation there? It seems that the Asmcom website that would deliver pre-flashed drives is not available at the time (getting connection errors when trying to go there).

Thanks in advance

[Coopervid]

Hey guys!
I'm starting to look into saving my physical blu-ray collection into a digital one in order to avoid potentially losing them in the future.
As one can notice, I ended here (coming from the LTT video from a bit more than a year ago).

As a software engineer, I'm trying to understand what's behind the scene regarding all the steps that are linked in the tutorial on first page.
I do understand the need for a drive that can read Blu-Rays (duh), but then I fall a bit short on what the flashing step is supposed to be for.
Can someone explains a bit what it does? Is it to enable 4K HDR support on drives that does not have it? Is it to enable reading protected blu-rays as if they were not? Both, something else?

Also, it seems that, at least in France, most of the drives referenced in the tutorial are not available anymore to purchase.
The only exception is the Buffalo BRUHD-PU3-BK which I do find on Amazon, but it is quite expensive.
Do you have any recommandation there? It seems that the Asmcom website that would deliver pre-flashed drives is not available at the time (getting connection errors when trying to go there).

Thanks in advance

Buy a Verbatim 43888, 43889 or 43890. They contain a LG BU40N that can be flashed.

https://www.amazon.fr/-/en/VERBATIM-Sli ... 103&sr=8-6

[xwmkf]

As a software engineer, I'm trying to understand what's behind the scene regarding all the steps that are linked in the tutorial on first page.
I do understand the need for a drive that can read Blu-Rays (duh), but then I fall a bit short on what the flashing step is supposed to be for.
Can someone explains a bit what it does? Is it to enable 4K HDR support on drives that does not have it? Is it to enable reading protected blu-rays as if they were not? Both, something else?

I believe both; my understanding is that:

• having a firmware that's recognized by libredrive makes handling the AACS decryption better

• "cross-flashing" a drive to another firmware can allow it to read UHD/4k discs where it couldn't read them before

• in general flashing a drive can accomplish both of the above

Also, it seems that, at least in France, most of the drives referenced in the tutorial are not available anymore to purchase.
The only exception is the Buffalo BRUHD-PU3-BK which I do find on Amazon, but it is quite expensive.
Do you have any recommandation there? It seems that the Asmcom website that would deliver pre-flashed drives is not available at the time (getting connection errors when trying to go there).

It's not a lot different in the US (and possibly globally); lots of drives are hard to find. I can't recommend anything for France. In the US the BP50NB40 is the only one I've found reliably from retail (and then, only Best Buy).

[TheBesto]

Thanks for the replies and suggestions.

I've ordered a Verbatim 43888, I'll keep you posted when I receive it and made my first ripping tests!

[goestoeleven]

Hi gang. Newb here and very late to the party. There are hundreds of pages here, so I hope you'll forgive the question and help a brother out:

Just picked up an LG drive from OWC. It's not currently reading UHD disks, even though the techs there said it could.

Here's what MakeMKV is reporting:

Drive Information
OS device name: \Device\CdRom1
Current profile: BD-ROM
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE BH16NS40
Revision: 1.05
Serial number: <redacted>
Firmware date: 2120-05-06 13:31
Bus encryption flags: 17
Highest AACS version: 81

LibreDrive Information
Status: Possible (with patched firmware)
Drive platform: MT1959
Harware support: Yes
Firmware support: No
Firmware type: Original (patched version available)
Firmware version: 1.05
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)

Out of the box it can read BD Audio disks, but it can't see UHD disks. It also seems to not be able to read the MLP tracks on DVD-Audio disks (just the DD content). Is there a firmware I can use to make both UHD and DVD-A ripping possible?

I'm reasonably technical and can follow a procedure if I've got the right tools.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Hi! were you able to get it flashed? I have the same drive

Yes, with help from Billy I am in business! Money well spent!

[sevoflurane]

ANother newbie here, though I am a long standing MakeMKV user and have been an avid ripper of CDs, DVDs of all types and SACDs for years. I have only one UHD BD, and am wondering if the following drive would be capable of ripping it so I can play the rip on my 4K TV.

Drive Information
OS device name: E:
Manufacturer: PIONEER
Product: BD-RW BDR-209M
Revision: 8.11
Serial number: redacted.
Firmware date: 2014-01-16
Bus encryption flags: 1B
Highest AACS version: 82

LibreDrive Information
Status: Enabled
Drive platform: RS8600
Firmware name: PIONEER BDR-209
Firmware type: Original (unpatched)
Firmware version: 8.11/ID52
DVD all regions: Yes
BD raw data read: Yes
BD raw metadata read: Yes
Unrestricted read speed: Yes

No disc inserted.

Note that the drive is in a Buffalo enclosure and was marketed at a BRXL 16U3. I have seen comments here stating that some Buffalo enclosures prevent flashing, and could remove the drive and rehouse it in the Icy Box enclosure that currently houses an older LG BD drive used for CD ripping.

I think the last time I flashed the firmware of an optical drive was over 20 years ago to make it region free, so I am somewhat out of practice. I will keep on reading the vast amount of information on this forum to educate myself further, but if anyone knows and has a quick answer it would be much appreciated!

[Coopervid]

ANother newbie here, though I am a long standing MakeMKV user and have been an avid ripper of CDs, DVDs of all types and SACDs for years. I have only one UHD BD, and am wondering if the following drive would be capable of ripping it so I can play the rip on my 4K TV.

Drive Information
OS device name: E:
Manufacturer: PIONEER
Product: BD-RW BDR-209M
Revision: 8.11
Serial number: redacted.
Firmware date: 2014-01-16
Bus encryption flags: 1B
Highest AACS version: 82

LibreDrive Information
Status: Enabled
Drive platform: RS8600
Firmware name: PIONEER BDR-209
Firmware type: Original (unpatched)
Firmware version: 8.11/ID52
DVD all regions: Yes
BD raw data read: Yes
BD raw metadata read: Yes
Unrestricted read speed: Yes

No disc inserted.

Note that the drive is in a Buffalo enclosure and was marketed at a BRXL 16U3. I have seen comments here stating that some Buffalo enclosures prevent flashing, and could remove the drive and rehouse it in the Icy Box enclosure that currently houses an older LG BD drive used for CD ripping.

I think the last time I flashed the firmware of an optical drive was over 20 years ago to make it region free, so I am somewhat out of practice. I will keep on reading the vast amount of information on this forum to educate myself further, but if anyone knows and has a quick answer it would be much appreciated!

PM sent.