UHD capable drive - UK based

[Billycar11]

Thanks Coopervid.
What drive(s) are the 212T and 212V variants of? So confusing!

HB

212dbk ubk s12 whatever all the same

[Coopervid]

I found this article on the Pioneer 12 series (although not all variants are listed). Looks like they all have an identical drive with differing externals but with different capabilities enabled. Makes sense because as long as they don’t have Pioneer’s latest firmwares installed, they can all be cross flashed.

https://www.cdrinfo.pl/artykuly/artykul ... 12English/

I ordered another pro version from Scan to keep as my last resort backup should both my current 2 fail. It again came with a Pionner 212T drive now flashed as the UHD variant.

HB

The 212BK and 212DBK have a plastic laser lens instead of a glass lens. Not important for reading UHDs when crossflashed but writing performance on 3 and 4 layer discs is worse according to asmcom who performed tests for comparison.

Thanks Coopervid.
What drive(s) are the 212T and 212V variants of? So confusing!

HB

Like said the BK and DBK use a plastic laser lens. The Vinpower 212V has some reinforced gears compared to the others as the purpose is to duplicate discs on a large scale.

[Headbanger]

The 212BK and 212DBK have a plastic laser lens instead of a glass lens. Not important for reading UHDs when crossflashed but writing performance on 3 and 4 layer discs is worse according to asmcom who performed tests for comparison.

Thanks Coopervid.
What drive(s) are the 212T and 212V variants of? So confusing!

HB

Like said the BK and DBK use a plastic laser lens. The Vinpower 212V has some reinforced gears compared to the others as the purpose is to duplicate discs on a large scale.

Thanks so are the 212T and 212V variants of the BK/DBK and therefore also have the plastic lens or do these have a glass laser lens?

As you say won’t matter for reading discs but it may be a consideration for some who are also burning discs.

HB

[Coopervid]

I haven't analyzed which drives show as 212T. Are the ASUS limited to burn 50GB discs like the 209DBK? That would be an indication.

[Headbanger]

I haven't analyzed which drives show as 212T. Are the ASUS limited to burn 50GB discs like the 209DBK? That would be an indication.

Not sure tbh - specs don’t state max disc size.
Are you able to tell from the specs?:
https://www.asus.com/uk/motherboards-co ... /techspec/

Edit - actually they do state quadruple layer 128GB

Write Speed (max)
BD-R : 16X
BD-R(SL, M-DISC) : 4X
BD-R(DL) : 12X
BD-R(TL) : 8X
BD-R(QL) : 6X
BD-RE : 2X
DVD+R : 16X
DVD-R : 16X
DVD+R(SL, M-DISC) : 4X
DVD+RW : 8X
DVD-RW : 6X
DVD+R(DL) : 8X
DVD-R(DL) : 8X
DVD-RAM : 5X
CD-R : 40X
CD-RW : 24X

Whereas for the 212V it is limited to DL/50GB https://www.vinpowerdigital.com/product ... r-bdr-212v

So looking at the drive variant details on cdrinfo, it looks like the 212V is likely a variant of BDR-212DBK (plastic lens) and 212T is likely a variant of BDR-S12XLT (glass lens).

HB

[Coopervid]

I haven't analyzed which drives show as 212T. Are the ASUS limited to burn 50GB discs like the 209DBK? That would be an indication.

Not sure tbh - specs don’t state max disc size.
Are you able to tell from the specs?:
https://www.asus.com/uk/motherboards-co ... /techspec/

Edit - actually they do state quadruple layer 128GB

Write Speed (max)
BD-R : 16X
BD-R(SL, M-DISC) : 4X
BD-R(DL) : 12X
BD-R(TL) : 8X
BD-R(QL) : 6X
BD-RE : 2X
DVD+R : 16X
DVD-R : 16X
DVD+R(SL, M-DISC) : 4X
DVD+RW : 8X
DVD-RW : 6X
DVD+R(DL) : 8X
DVD-R(DL) : 8X
DVD-RAM : 5X
CD-R : 40X
CD-RW : 24X

Whereas for the 212V it is limited to DL/50GB https://www.vinpowerdigital.com/product ... r-bdr-212v

So looking at the drive variant details on cdrinfo, it looks like the 212V is likely a variant of BDR-212DBK (plastic lens) and 212T is likely a variant of BDR-S12XLT (glass lens).

HB

Don't bother and don't burn discs. Save the laser for reading as long as you can and store to HDD.

[Vildar]

Just got this exact drive, from scan too.
It's identical to the op's.

Any chance I could possibly get some assistance aswell?

[Billycar11]

Just got this exact drive, from scan too.
It's identical to the op's.

Any chance I could possibly get some assistance aswell?

sure just email me your drive info section see below for email

[Vildar]

I have emailed you

[Billycar11]

I have emailed you

sent you the flasher

[Vildar]

Just seen, thanks
Currently a little busy but once I'm back home I'll run it and let you know how it goes.

[Vildar]

All is good. I can now read UHD discs! Aswell as the newest Blu-ray I have from 2025. Time to backup!