SDFtool Flasher

[ArifHubble23]

Many thanks!

[Jnyfive]

I wanted to create a written document that I could follow in the future for flashing the firmware for LG BP50NB40 SVC:NB52. (I really like this drive and may purchase another one.)

I followed the animated GIF video information for details.
I later saw another fellow on Youtube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2oIsrTIShI) flashed his final version to “DE_LG_BU40N_1.03_MK.bin”

Should I be on “DE_LG_BU40N_1.03_MK.bin” or “DE_LG_BU40N_1.00.bin”?
(If I should be on the first, what is the best way to get there from the second?)

Thank you for your help!

SDFtool Flasher for LG BP50NB40 SVC:NB52
viewtopic.php?f=16&t=22896

11-1-2025

To Update this LG BP50NB40 (NB52) Slim Portable Optical Drive to be able to read Ultra HD Blu-ray 4K discs follow these instructions and video. (I converted the animated GIF to a MP4 video file for easier viewing so I could start and stop it.)

Go to the link above and download both the current "SDFtool Flasher" and "All You Need Firmware Pack". Once both are unzipped and the Flasher tool running:

=================================
"UPDATE - 21/12/2021:
The latest version of the SDFtool Flasher has a checkbox option to flash the boot loader with the main firmware to the drive, although, currently there's really no need to use it.

For the moment, to flash the BP50NB40 SVC:NB52, using the latest SDFtool Flasher, follow the steps below:

1. Flash the drive to BP50NB40 (NB50) 1.03-MK."
=======================================
MY INTERPRETATION OF ABOVE:
Run the SDFtool Flasher tool.
Select the drive to be flashed from the top "Please select a Drive" pulldown box.

It will look something like this
(but with your drive letter and serial number):
H: HL-DT-ST_BD-RE_BP50NB40_1.03_212107081603_SIK04NAG90606

Then select the firmware to be flashed from the bottom "Please select a Firmware to Write" pulldown box:
DE_LG_BP50NB40-NB50_1.03_MK.bin

The "MT1959 Platform:" has a Green Checkmark.
The "Encrypted Firmware:" has a Green Checkmark.
The "Include boot loader?" Is NOT checked (and I didn't check it.)
"WRITE Firmware" Blue circle selected.

Click "START" button and wait till it is completely finished.
(Onscreen information will keep you informed the whole time of the progress and the success.) When it is completely finished the SDFtool Flasher tool will reset itself with no drive or firmware selected.


====================================
"Now for the crossflash:

2. Select the RECOVERY option and in the pop up, select the BP50NB40 (NB50) 1.03-MK firmware that you just flashed.
3. Select the BP60NB10 1.00-MK or BU40N 1.00 firmware in the normal drop box.
4. Click START"
=====================================
MY INTERPRETATION OF ABOVE CROSSFLASH:

Select the optical drive again in the top box:
H: HL-DT-ST_BD-RE_BP50NB40_1.03_212005070917_SIK04NAG90606

Click on the "RECOVER Drive" option, and a popup window will open up. The top of this purple colored box will say "Select the drive's currently installed (wrong) firmware file..."
You will select "DE_LG_BP50NB40-NB50_1.03_MK.bin" and click on "Open" button.

Now click on the bottom "Please select a Firmware to Write" pulldown box. (It will say at the top of this purple box "Select a firmware file to write...")
Select "DE_LG_BU40N_1.00.bin" and click "Open" button.

Verify the following:
The "MT1959 Platform:" has a Green Checkmark.
The "Encrypted Firmware:" has Red X.
The "Include boot loader?" Is NOT checked (and I didn't check it.)
"RECOVER Drive" Blue circle selected.

Click "START" button and wait till it is completely finished.

(Onscreen information will keep you informed the whole time of the progress and the success.) When it is completely finished the SDFtool Flasher tool will reset itself with no drive or firmware selected. You can now click "EXIT" button to finish.

==================================
10-29-2025 Purchased from Best Buy.
LG - 8x External USB 2.0 Blu-ray Disc Double-Layer DVD±RW/CD-RW Disc Rewriter - Black
Model: BP50NB40 SKU: 9243009
Purchase Date: Oct 29, 2025
Total: $112.86
===============================
Key features:
External - Connects VIA USB 2.0.
Silent Play Reduces Noise from Disc Spin During Movie Playback.
Supports BDXL (100GB Triple Layer) Disc.
Jamless Play Smooths Out Playback of Damaged Blu-ray or DVD Discs.
Max. 6X BD-R Read and Write Capability / Max. 8X DVD±R Write Speed.
=====================================
BEFORE FIRMWARE UPDATED
Drive Information
OS device name: H:
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE BP50NB40
Revision: 1.03
Serial number: xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Firmware date: 2121-07-08 16:03
Bus encryption flags: 17
Highest AACS version: 72

LibreDrive Information
Status: Possible (with patched firmware)
Drive platform: MT1959
Harware support: Yes
Firmware support: No
Firmware type: Original (patched version available)
Firmware version: 1.03
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)

==========================================
AFTER FIRMWARE UPDATED
Drive Information
OS device name: E:
Current profile: BD-ROM
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE BU40N
Revision: 1.00
Serial number: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Firmware date: 2116-12-20 15:28
Bus encryption flags: 17
Highest AACS version: 72

LibreDrive Information
Status: Enabled
Drive platform: MT1959
Firmware type: Original (unpatched)
Firmware version: 1.00
DVD all regions: Yes
BD raw data read: Yes
BD raw metadata read: Yes
Unrestricted read speed: Yes

Disc Information
Label: THE_GREATEST_SHOWMAN
Timestamp: 2018-02-26 13:05:17
Protection: AACS2.0/C v61
Data capacity: 58.52 Gb
Disc type: BD-ROM UHD
Number of layers: 2
Bus encryption flags: 80

Hi, I followed the steps but I only see DE_LG_BP50NB40-NB50_1.01_MK_HBD and DE_LG_BP60NB10_1.00_MK_HBD from the Hybrid Firmware for BP50NB40 zip file. I do not see the 1.03_MK file. I found the "alll you need firmware pack" and HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_BP50NB40-NB50-1.03-NM00800-212005070917 is there but no 1.03_MK. Which is to be used? My drive is manufactured 10/2025 and came with a 1.03 firmware.

[MartyMcNuts]

I wanted to create a written document that I could follow in the future for flashing the firmware for LG BP50NB40 SVC:NB52. (I really like this drive and may purchase another one.)

I followed the animated GIF video information for details.
I later saw another fellow on Youtube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2oIsrTIShI) flashed his final version to “DE_LG_BU40N_1.03_MK.bin”

Should I be on “DE_LG_BU40N_1.03_MK.bin” or “DE_LG_BU40N_1.00.bin”?
(If I should be on the first, what is the best way to get there from the second?)

Thank you for your help!

SDFtool Flasher for LG BP50NB40 SVC:NB52
viewtopic.php?f=16&t=22896

11-1-2025

To Update this LG BP50NB40 (NB52) Slim Portable Optical Drive to be able to read Ultra HD Blu-ray 4K discs follow these instructions and video. (I converted the animated GIF to a MP4 video file for easier viewing so I could start and stop it.)

Go to the link above and download both the current "SDFtool Flasher" and "All You Need Firmware Pack". Once both are unzipped and the Flasher tool running:

=================================
"UPDATE - 21/12/2021:
The latest version of the SDFtool Flasher has a checkbox option to flash the boot loader with the main firmware to the drive, although, currently there's really no need to use it.

For the moment, to flash the BP50NB40 SVC:NB52, using the latest SDFtool Flasher, follow the steps below:

1. Flash the drive to BP50NB40 (NB50) 1.03-MK."
=======================================
MY INTERPRETATION OF ABOVE:
Run the SDFtool Flasher tool.
Select the drive to be flashed from the top "Please select a Drive" pulldown box.

It will look something like this
(but with your drive letter and serial number):
H: HL-DT-ST_BD-RE_BP50NB40_1.03_212107081603_SIK04NAG90606

Then select the firmware to be flashed from the bottom "Please select a Firmware to Write" pulldown box:
DE_LG_BP50NB40-NB50_1.03_MK.bin

The "MT1959 Platform:" has a Green Checkmark.
The "Encrypted Firmware:" has a Green Checkmark.
The "Include boot loader?" Is NOT checked (and I didn't check it.)
"WRITE Firmware" Blue circle selected.

Click "START" button and wait till it is completely finished.
(Onscreen information will keep you informed the whole time of the progress and the success.) When it is completely finished the SDFtool Flasher tool will reset itself with no drive or firmware selected.


====================================
"Now for the crossflash:

2. Select the RECOVERY option and in the pop up, select the BP50NB40 (NB50) 1.03-MK firmware that you just flashed.
3. Select the BP60NB10 1.00-MK or BU40N 1.00 firmware in the normal drop box.
4. Click START"
=====================================
MY INTERPRETATION OF ABOVE CROSSFLASH:

Select the optical drive again in the top box:
H: HL-DT-ST_BD-RE_BP50NB40_1.03_212005070917_SIK04NAG90606

Click on the "RECOVER Drive" option, and a popup window will open up. The top of this purple colored box will say "Select the drive's currently installed (wrong) firmware file..."
You will select "DE_LG_BP50NB40-NB50_1.03_MK.bin" and click on "Open" button.

Now click on the bottom "Please select a Firmware to Write" pulldown box. (It will say at the top of this purple box "Select a firmware file to write...")
Select "DE_LG_BU40N_1.00.bin" and click "Open" button.

Verify the following:
The "MT1959 Platform:" has a Green Checkmark.
The "Encrypted Firmware:" has Red X.
The "Include boot loader?" Is NOT checked (and I didn't check it.)
"RECOVER Drive" Blue circle selected.

Click "START" button and wait till it is completely finished.

(Onscreen information will keep you informed the whole time of the progress and the success.) When it is completely finished the SDFtool Flasher tool will reset itself with no drive or firmware selected. You can now click "EXIT" button to finish.

==================================
10-29-2025 Purchased from Best Buy.
LG - 8x External USB 2.0 Blu-ray Disc Double-Layer DVD±RW/CD-RW Disc Rewriter - Black
Model: BP50NB40 SKU: 9243009
Purchase Date: Oct 29, 2025
Total: $112.86
===============================
Key features:
External - Connects VIA USB 2.0.
Silent Play Reduces Noise from Disc Spin During Movie Playback.
Supports BDXL (100GB Triple Layer) Disc.
Jamless Play Smooths Out Playback of Damaged Blu-ray or DVD Discs.
Max. 6X BD-R Read and Write Capability / Max. 8X DVD±R Write Speed.
=====================================
BEFORE FIRMWARE UPDATED
Drive Information
OS device name: H:
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE BP50NB40
Revision: 1.03
Serial number: xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Firmware date: 2121-07-08 16:03
Bus encryption flags: 17
Highest AACS version: 72

LibreDrive Information
Status: Possible (with patched firmware)
Drive platform: MT1959
Harware support: Yes
Firmware support: No
Firmware type: Original (patched version available)
Firmware version: 1.03
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)

==========================================
AFTER FIRMWARE UPDATED
Drive Information
OS device name: E:
Current profile: BD-ROM
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE BU40N
Revision: 1.00
Serial number: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Firmware date: 2116-12-20 15:28
Bus encryption flags: 17
Highest AACS version: 72

LibreDrive Information
Status: Enabled
Drive platform: MT1959
Firmware type: Original (unpatched)
Firmware version: 1.00
DVD all regions: Yes
BD raw data read: Yes
BD raw metadata read: Yes
Unrestricted read speed: Yes

Disc Information
Label: THE_GREATEST_SHOWMAN
Timestamp: 2018-02-26 13:05:17
Protection: AACS2.0/C v61
Data capacity: 58.52 Gb
Disc type: BD-ROM UHD
Number of layers: 2
Bus encryption flags: 80

Hi, I followed the steps but I only see DE_LG_BP50NB40-NB50_1.01_MK_HBD and DE_LG_BP60NB10_1.00_MK_HBD from the Hybrid Firmware for BP50NB40 zip file. I do not see the 1.03_MK file. I found the "alll you need firmware pack" and HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_BP50NB40-NB50-1.03-NM00800-212005070917 is there but no 1.03_MK. Which is to be used? My drive is manufactured 10/2025 and came with a 1.03 firmware.

No, don't use those old HBD firmwares I made years ago.

HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_BP50NB40-NB50-1.03-NM00800-212005070917 is 1.03-MK. It's much easier to say MK than NM008........

Just get the firmware pack from the first post of the SDFtool Flasher thread.

[merlinthesage]

Hi, I also purchased 2 Verbatim Slimline drives

Looking at the drives on MKV it looks like both are encrypted and I have tried to use the DE_LG_BU40N_1.03_MK.bin but both say that it isn't a MT1959 Platform, but MKV says they are. I will post both drive info

Drive Information
OS device name: J:
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE BU40N
Revision: 1.02
Serial number:
Firmware date: 2120-12-01 17:16
Bus encryption flags: 1F

LibreDrive Information
Status: Possible (with patched firmware)
Drive platform: MT1959
Harware support: Yes
Firmware support: No
Firmware type: Original (patched version available)
Firmware version: 1.02
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)

No disc inserted

Drive Information
OS device name: K:
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE BU40N
Revision: 1.05
Serial number:
Firmware date: 2124-04-23 13:47
Bus encryption flags: 17

LibreDrive Information
Status: Possible, not yet enabled
Drive platform: MT1959

No disc inserted

I know I am new to the forum and this could be a stupid question, but Why won't this work? and how do I go about making it work? Thanks

[zittrig]

There are no Not-MT1959-plattforms with the BU40N available.

Checked it with another cable oder with another USB port? Also you can try to extract the drive carefully and try an USB to Mini-SATA adapter for the flashing process.

[merlinthesage]

So looking at it. On my desktop with other cables and all it still does that. But just got on my laptop and it worked fine. And now it is patched. Makes me wonder what on my desktop was messing with it.

[nicholfd]

So looking at it. On my desktop with other cables and all it still does that. But just got on my laptop and it worked fine. And now it is patched. Makes me wonder what on my desktop was messing with it.

Do you possibly have an another/internal drive on your desktop & maybe were not selecting the correct drive?

[XrayDoc88]

I have a LG WH16NS40 previously flashed to read UHD discs that has stopped showing up in Windows 11 File Explorer. It is still present in the BIOS and has an error listed in Device Manager. My suspicion is that the firmware may have got corrupted when my computer froze while ripping. Is there any way to flash the firmware again when it doesn't have a drive letter in File Explorer? I downloaded the SDFtool Flasher and it doesn't see the drive.

[d00zah]

I have a LG WH16NS40 previously flashed to read UHD discs that has stopped showing up in Windows 11 File Explorer. It is still present in the BIOS and has an error listed in Device Manager. My suspicion is that the firmware may have got corrupted when my computer froze while ripping. Is there any way to flash the firmware again when it doesn't have a drive letter in File Explorer? I downloaded the SDFtool Flasher and it doesn't see the drive.

Try... remove power from the drive. If internal, power down the PC for a few second & restart. Sometimes things get confused.

MIGHT also be worthwhile to delete the failed device from DM & let Windows re-detect on next boot (or, 'scan for hardware changes')..

[XrayDoc88]

Thanks, but I've already done both of those suggestions and it is still hosed.

[XrayDoc88]

I don't know if this information will be useful to someone else in the future, but I stand corrected with my previous statement. I had already uninstalled my LG drive in Device Manager more than once and rebooted. Each time, the same error was listed in Device Manager and the drive did not show up in File Explorer. This last time I tried the same uninstall, but then shut down the computer for about 2 minutes. When I manually turned the computer back on, everything was fixed! I've always treated rebooting as the same thing as shutting off and turning back on. But apparently they are slightly different. I guess a reboot keeps power to the motherboard, where a shut down completely removes power. Whatever had corrupted my LG drive was fixed by simply completely removing power and starting up again!

Thanks d00zah!

[d00zah]

In the realm of electronics, a power cycle can often be downright magical. Glad you got it sorted.

[kaysee]

Is there a list of which LG and ASUS desktop drives can have their firmware cross-flashed to each other? A typical scenario is when considering a given LG model and whether it could be cross-flashed with ASUS firmware to disable jamless playback.

[Coopervid]

Is there a list of which LG and ASUS desktop drives can have their firmware cross-flashed to each other? A typical scenario is when considering a given LG model and whether it could be cross-flashed with ASUS firmware to disable jamless playback.

No list. MT1959 drives can all be crossflashed as long you flash full size to full size and slim to slim and never vice versa! So each full size can be flashed to ASUS full size, NS60 or NS58 to do disc quality scans.

[kaysee]

What platform would be expected for an LG UH12NS30 manufactured 12/2015? This is based on the label without MakeMKV information.