Ultimate UHD Drives Flashing Guide Updated 2025

[Coopervid]

Hi there,

i am new to the forum, just starting in the hobby.

I purchased a used drive, it was supposed to be a WP50NB40, but i received a 2017 BP50NB40
I thought the WP model was supposed to be easier to flash but not sure if that really matters.
Since its already on a 1.01 firmware, do i still need to flash "BP50NB40-NB50-1.03MK" or should i go straight to " BP60NB10 1.02MK or 1.00MK" ?

im struggling with the instructions a bit. am i supposed to "Write" first the same firmware then "recovery" the same firmware?

Drive Information
OS device name: D:
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE BP50NB40
Revision: 1.01
Serial number:
Firmware date: 2117-11-23 16:15
Bus encryption flags: 17

LibreDrive Information
Status: Possible (with patched firmware)
Drive platform: MT1959
Harware support: Yes
Firmware support: No
Firmware type: Original (patched version available)
Firmware version: 1.01
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)

Use SDFTool flasher.

viewtopic.php?f=16&t=22896&hilit=SDFTool

First flash the MK firmware to the drive.

Then look at the GIF. In the upper box during RECOVERY put the just flashed firmware again and in the lower box BU40N or BP60NB10.

[pyrochance]

Hi there,

i am new to the forum, just starting in the hobby.

I purchased a used drive, it was supposed to be a WP50NB40, but i received a 2017 BP50NB40
I thought the WP model was supposed to be easier to flash but not sure if that really matters.
Since its already on a 1.01 firmware, do i still need to flash "BP50NB40-NB50-1.03MK" or should i go straight to " BP60NB10 1.02MK or 1.00MK" ?

im struggling with the instructions a bit. am i supposed to "Write" first the same firmware then "recovery" the same firmware?

Drive Information
OS device name: D:
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE BP50NB40
Revision: 1.01
Serial number:
Firmware date: 2117-11-23 16:15
Bus encryption flags: 17

LibreDrive Information
Status: Possible (with patched firmware)
Drive platform: MT1959
Harware support: Yes
Firmware support: No
Firmware type: Original (patched version available)
Firmware version: 1.01
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)

Use SDFTool flasher.

viewtopic.php?f=16&t=22896&hilit=SDFTool

First flash the MK firmware to the drive.

Then look at the GIF. In the upper box during RECOVERY put the just flashed firmware again and in the lower box BU40N or BP60NB10.

Thank you for clarifying that part! i was successful with flashing it!

are there any advantages to one firmware or the other for the cross flash?

[MartyMcNuts]

Hi there,

i am new to the forum, just starting in the hobby.

I purchased a used drive, it was supposed to be a WP50NB40, but i received a 2017 BP50NB40
I thought the WP model was supposed to be easier to flash but not sure if that really matters.
Since its already on a 1.01 firmware, do i still need to flash "BP50NB40-NB50-1.03MK" or should i go straight to " BP60NB10 1.02MK or 1.00MK" ?

im struggling with the instructions a bit. am i supposed to "Write" first the same firmware then "recovery" the same firmware?

Drive Information
OS device name: D:
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE BP50NB40
Revision: 1.01
Serial number:
Firmware date: 2117-11-23 16:15
Bus encryption flags: 17

LibreDrive Information
Status: Possible (with patched firmware)
Drive platform: MT1959
Harware support: Yes
Firmware support: No
Firmware type: Original (patched version available)
Firmware version: 1.01
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)

Use SDFTool flasher.

viewtopic.php?f=16&t=22896&hilit=SDFTool

First flash the MK firmware to the drive.

Then look at the GIF. In the upper box during RECOVERY put the just flashed firmware again and in the lower box BU40N or BP60NB10.

Thank you for clarifying that part! i was successful with flashing it!

are there any advantages to one firmware or the other for the cross flash?

If you choose BU40N 1.00 firmware, you can also then use other ripping software for UHD discs if you want to.

[pyrochance]

Use SDFTool flasher.

viewtopic.php?f=16&t=22896&hilit=SDFTool

First flash the MK firmware to the drive.

Then look at the GIF. In the upper box during RECOVERY put the just flashed firmware again and in the lower box BU40N or BP60NB10.

Thank you for clarifying that part! i was successful with flashing it!

are there any advantages to one firmware or the other for the cross flash?

If you choose BU40N 1.00 firmware, you can also then use other ripping software for UHD discs if you want to.

Oh thats definitely is a good option for compatibility! thank you both for your assistance!

This drive being used is a bit finicky since its been heavily used (didn't realize it wasn't new when purchased)
So I also just picked up a new BW-16D1X-U with LG drive that i successfully flashed to the Asus BW-16D1HT 3.10MK firmware.
im assuming this one will only work with MakeMKV then?

[notthatjoe]

I'm in the same boat as everyone else in this thread.

Drive Information
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE BP50NB40
Revision: 1.03
Serial number:
Firmware date: 2120-05-07 09:17
Bus encryption flags: 17
Highest AACS version: 82

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

Despite: macmini@Joes-Mac-mini MacOS % ./makemkvcon f -d '/IOBDServices/C9AD9D07' -f /tmp/sdf.bin rawflash enc -i /tmp/DE_LG_BP60NB10_1.00_MK_HBD.bin

Reading input file /tmp/DE_LG_BP60NB10_1.00_MK_HBD.bin
Flashing flags = 0x0 : 0 0 0 0 : ---- ---- ---- ----
Sending image in encrypted format
Current Drive ID: HL-DT-ST_BD-RE_BP50NB40_1.03_212005070917_SIM21LCF82740
Using USB chipset workaround for Desktop drive handshake
Ready to write drive flash memory.
Type "yes" to continue, "no" to abort
yes
Operation started: Sending flash image to drive
100% Operation finished
Operation started: Programming flash
100% Operation finished
Done successfully

Any help is appreciated guys.

[MartyMcNuts]

Thank you for clarifying that part! i was successful with flashing it!

are there any advantages to one firmware or the other for the cross flash?

If you choose BU40N 1.00 firmware, you can also then use other ripping software for UHD discs if you want to.

Oh thats definitely is a good option for compatibility! thank you both for your assistance!

This drive being used is a bit finicky since its been heavily used (didn't realize it wasn't new when purchased)
So I also just picked up a new BW-16D1X-U with LG drive that i successfully flashed to the Asus BW-16D1HT 3.10MK firmware.
im assuming this one will only work with MakeMKV then?

For UHD discs, yeah, MakeMKV and Xreveal.

[Coopervid]

I'm in the same boat as everyone else in this thread.

Drive Information
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE BP50NB40
Revision: 1.03
Serial number:
Firmware date: 2120-05-07 09:17
Bus encryption flags: 17
Highest AACS version: 82

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

Despite: macmini@Joes-Mac-mini MacOS % ./makemkvcon f -d '/IOBDServices/C9AD9D07' -f /tmp/sdf.bin rawflash enc -i /tmp/DE_LG_BP60NB10_1.00_MK_HBD.bin

Reading input file /tmp/DE_LG_BP60NB10_1.00_MK_HBD.bin
Flashing flags = 0x0 : 0 0 0 0 : ---- ---- ---- ----
Sending image in encrypted format
Current Drive ID: HL-DT-ST_BD-RE_BP50NB40_1.03_212005070917_SIM21LCF82740
Using USB chipset workaround for Desktop drive handshake
Ready to write drive flash memory.
Type "yes" to continue, "no" to abort
yes
Operation started: Sending flash image to drive
100% Operation finished
Operation started: Programming flash
100% Operation finished
Done successfully

Any help is appreciated guys.

You need to flash with the RECOVERY option and SDFTool as shown in the GIF using a Windows VM.

viewtopic.php?f=16&t=22896&hilit=sdftool

[OfficerTux]

Hi guys,

I have a very old drive here and I was wondering if you could make it read UHD discs with the right firmware:

Drive Information
OS device name: G:
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE BE12LU30
Revision: 1.01
Serial number: K97AA490213
Firmware date: 2011-07-07 12:34:56

LibreDrive Information
Status: Possible, might be supported in future, but not likely soon
Drive platform: RS1013
Firmware version: 1.01-C0

Since I assume this will not work, I had a look at the supported drives with USB (I would like to have an external drive, all my SATA ports are used). Unfortunately they are all impossible to get or very expensive in my country (Germany). One I can get for a reasonable price is the BP55EB40 (https://www.mindfactory.de/product_info ... 14949.html). I did find it in the "encrypted firmware" list:

Code: Select all

HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_BP55EB40-NB50-1.03-N000800-212005070924.bin

but it is not listed as a supported device. Can I use the BP55EB40? If so, which firmware do I have to flash?

Thanks a lot in advance!
Jannik

[Coopervid]

Hi guys,

I have a very old drive here and I was wondering if you could make it read UHD discs with the right firmware:

Drive Information
OS device name: G:
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE BE12LU30
Revision: 1.01
Serial number: K97AA490213
Firmware date: 2011-07-07 12:34:56

LibreDrive Information
Status: Possible, might be supported in future, but not likely soon
Drive platform: RS1013
Firmware version: 1.01-C0

Since I assume this will not work, I had a look at the supported drives with USB (I would like to have an external drive, all my SATA ports are used). Unfortunately they are all impossible to get or very expensive in my country (Germany). One I can get for a reasonable price is the BP55EB40 (https://www.mindfactory.de/product_info ... 14949.html). I did find it in the "encrypted firmware" list:

Code: Select all

HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_BP55EB40-NB50-1.03-N000800-212005070924.bin

but it is not listed as a supported device. Can I use the BP55EB40? If so, which firmware do I have to flash?

Thanks a lot in advance!
Jannik

Better get this Verbatim. It contains a BU40N.

https://www.amazon.de/Verbatim-Blu-ray- ... 0cfb8&th=1