Pioneer BDR-211M with MakeMKV

Discussion of LibreDrive mode, compatible drives and firmwares
jaydub211
Posts: 6
Joined: Tue Feb 03, 2026 3:06 pm

Pioneer BDR-211M with MakeMKV

Post by jaydub211 »

Will Pioneer BDR-211M play UHD with the right flashing, and if so, what flashing do i use? Here is a screen shot of MakeMKV with the particulars. This is with a 1080 blu-ray inserted. It won't play the blu-ray. I get an error, which is also shown below. Not sure if it is simply because I haven't purchased the program or if there is something else going on. I don't want to purchase if I can't get the UHD going. Any input would be most helpful.

Drive Information
OS device name: \Device\CdRom0
Current profile: BD-ROM
Manufacturer: PIONEER
Product: BD-RW BDR-211M
Revision: 1.54
Serial number:
Firmware date: 2023-02-08
Bus encryption flags: 13
Highest AACS version: 63

LibreDrive Information
Status: Enabled
Drive platform: RS8800
Firmware name: PIONEER BDR-211
Firmware type: Original (unpatched)
Firmware version: 1.54/ID60
DVD all regions: Yes
BD raw data read: Yes
BD raw metadata read: Yes
Unrestricted read speed: Yes

Disc Information
Label: LOGICAL_VOLUME_ID
Timestamp: 2006-06-19 19:22:47
Protection: AACS v1
Data capacity: 16.67 Gb
Disc type: BD-ROM
Number of layers: 1
Channel bit length: 74,5 nm (25.0 GB max. per layer)

MakeMKV v1.18.3 win(x64-release) started
Using LibreDrive mode (v02.2 id=CBB356F02549)
Using direct disc access mode
Evaluation period has expired, shareware functionality unavailable.
Failed to open disc
Coopervid
Posts: 4216
Joined: Tue Feb 19, 2019 10:32 pm

Re: Pioneer BDR-211M with MakeMKV

Post by Coopervid »

jaydub211 wrote:
Tue Feb 03, 2026 4:55 pm
Will Pioneer BDR-211M play UHD with the right flashing, and if so, what flashing do i use? Here is a screen shot of MakeMKV with the particulars. This is with a 1080 blu-ray inserted. It won't play the blu-ray. I get an error, which is also shown below. Not sure if it is simply because I haven't purchased the program or if there is something else going on. I don't want to purchase if I can't get the UHD going. Any input would be most helpful.

Drive Information
OS device name: \Device\CdRom0
Current profile: BD-ROM
Manufacturer: PIONEER
Product: BD-RW BDR-211M
Revision: 1.54
Serial number:
Firmware date: 2023-02-08
Bus encryption flags: 13
Highest AACS version: 63

LibreDrive Information
Status: Enabled
Drive platform: RS8800
Firmware name: PIONEER BDR-211
Firmware type: Original (unpatched)
Firmware version: 1.54/ID60
DVD all regions: Yes
BD raw data read: Yes
BD raw metadata read: Yes
Unrestricted read speed: Yes

Disc Information
Label: LOGICAL_VOLUME_ID
Timestamp: 2006-06-19 19:22:47
Protection: AACS v1
Data capacity: 16.67 Gb
Disc type: BD-ROM
Number of layers: 1
Channel bit length: 74,5 nm (25.0 GB max. per layer)

MakeMKV v1.18.3 win(x64-release) started
Using LibreDrive mode (v02.2 id=CBB356F02549)
Using direct disc access mode
Evaluation period has expired, shareware functionality unavailable.
Failed to open disc
Your drive can't be flashed bcause the firmware on it is too new. However, your beta key has expired. Check in few days this link and apply the new beta key.

viewtopic.php?f=5&t=1053
jaydub211
Posts: 6
Joined: Tue Feb 03, 2026 3:06 pm

Re: Pioneer BDR-211M with MakeMKV

Post by jaydub211 »

Thanks for the update. So what are my options for getting / ripping UHD on my desktop PC? I assume that would mean some other model of burmer, which I don't mind purchasing. Any insight on this?
MartyMcNuts
Posts: 4638
Joined: Wed Nov 22, 2017 11:45 pm

Re: Pioneer BDR-211M with MakeMKV

Post by MartyMcNuts »

jaydub211 wrote:
Wed Feb 04, 2026 2:14 am
Thanks for the update. So what are my options for getting / ripping UHD on my desktop PC? I assume that would mean some other model of burmer, which I don't mind purchasing. Any insight on this?
Yep, get yourself another Pioneer. Check with sellers on here, although you probably won't find 5.25" drives, only external slim.
Cheers :D
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For UHD enabled drives (AU/NZ/SG + Others) & DIY Single Drive Flasher (WW): https://uhdenableddrives.com
jaydub211
Posts: 6
Joined: Tue Feb 03, 2026 3:06 pm

Re: Pioneer BDR-211M with MakeMKV

Post by jaydub211 »

what about current generation LG and Asus 5.25" internal?
Coopervid
Posts: 4216
Joined: Tue Feb 19, 2019 10:32 pm

Re: Pioneer BDR-211M with MakeMKV

Post by Coopervid »

jaydub211 wrote:
Wed Feb 04, 2026 5:32 pm
what about current generation LG and Asus 5.25" internal?
Hard to find since LG stopped also production. If - then most likely an ASUS with enclosure. Pioneers are better reader and writer but even harder to find. So check with a seller in the forum.
Toscaclarinet
Posts: 24
Joined: Mon Jun 12, 2023 7:18 pm

Re: Pioneer BDR-211M with MakeMKV

Post by Toscaclarinet »

I thought all 211 generation drives had native 4k support so the firmware issue shouldn't be a problem? Does the drive actually see 4k discs if you insert them, even if you can't get MakeMKV to read the disc at the moment (i.e. does windows explorer give the disc its name)?

Source: I have a 211EBK and it shows up as 211M in Make MKV and has 4k support without needing to cross flash. Its box advertises it as UltraHD compatible.
MartyMcNuts
Posts: 4638
Joined: Wed Nov 22, 2017 11:45 pm

Re: Pioneer BDR-211M with MakeMKV

Post by MartyMcNuts »

Toscaclarinet wrote:
Wed Feb 04, 2026 8:26 pm
I thought all 211 generation drives had native 4k support so the firmware issue shouldn't be a problem? Does the drive actually see 4k discs if you insert them, even if you can't get MakeMKV to read the disc at the moment (i.e. does windows explorer give the disc its name)?

Source: I have a 211EBK and it shows up as 211M in Make MKV and has 4k support without needing to cross flash. Its box advertises it as UltraHD compatible.
Only the UHD models. Not all models are UHD models.
Cheers :D
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For UHD enabled drives (AU/NZ/SG + Others) & DIY Single Drive Flasher (WW): https://uhdenableddrives.com
Toscaclarinet
Posts: 24
Joined: Mon Jun 12, 2023 7:18 pm

Re: Pioneer BDR-211M with MakeMKV

Post by Toscaclarinet »

MartyMcNuts wrote:
Wed Feb 04, 2026 10:20 pm
Toscaclarinet wrote:
Wed Feb 04, 2026 8:26 pm
I thought all 211 generation drives had native 4k support so the firmware issue shouldn't be a problem? Does the drive actually see 4k discs if you insert them, even if you can't get MakeMKV to read the disc at the moment (i.e. does windows explorer give the disc its name)?

Source: I have a 211EBK and it shows up as 211M in Make MKV and has 4k support without needing to cross flash. Its box advertises it as UltraHD compatible.
Only the UHD models. Not all models are UHD models.
That's the first I've heard that there were non-UHD models for that generation. AFAIK they only split the UHD and non-UHD with the 12 series. What models for the 11th gen do not have UHD? JBK, EBK and UBK all have UHD, as well as the S11 which I believe was Japan exclusive. There was no DBK until the 12th gen.
CDrinfo.pl also seems to suggest all the below have native support (https://forum.cdrinfo.pl/f107/ultra-hd- ... -pc-96907/):
Napędy Ultra HD Blu-Ray \ 4 K

Pioneer BDR-S11J-X (internal)
Pioneer BDR-S11J-BK (internal)
Pioneer BDR-211UBK (internal)
Pioneer BDR-211JBK (internal)
Pioneer BDR-211EBK (internal)
Pioneer BDR-211MBK (internal)
MartyMcNuts
Posts: 4638
Joined: Wed Nov 22, 2017 11:45 pm

Re: Pioneer BDR-211M with MakeMKV

Post by MartyMcNuts »

Toscaclarinet wrote:
Thu Feb 05, 2026 8:39 am
MartyMcNuts wrote:
Wed Feb 04, 2026 10:20 pm
Toscaclarinet wrote:
Wed Feb 04, 2026 8:26 pm
I thought all 211 generation drives had native 4k support so the firmware issue shouldn't be a problem? Does the drive actually see 4k discs if you insert them, even if you can't get MakeMKV to read the disc at the moment (i.e. does windows explorer give the disc its name)?

Source: I have a 211EBK and it shows up as 211M in Make MKV and has 4k support without needing to cross flash. Its box advertises it as UltraHD compatible.
Only the UHD models. Not all models are UHD models.
That's the first I've heard that there were non-UHD models for that generation. AFAIK they only split the UHD and non-UHD with the 12 series. What models for the 11th gen do not have UHD? JBK, EBK and UBK all have UHD, as well as the S11 which I believe was Japan exclusive. There was no DBK until the 12th gen.
CDrinfo.pl also seems to suggest all the below have native support (https://forum.cdrinfo.pl/f107/ultra-hd- ... -pc-96907/):
Napędy Ultra HD Blu-Ray \ 4 K

Pioneer BDR-S11J-X (internal)
Pioneer BDR-S11J-BK (internal)
Pioneer BDR-211UBK (internal)
Pioneer BDR-211JBK (internal)
Pioneer BDR-211EBK (internal)
Pioneer BDR-211MBK (internal)
I was just stating in general that the firmware isn't an issue if you have a UHD model. I have never really looked at the 211/S11 series as they are fairly old (released in 2017). I was only ever interested in the 212/S12 and 213/S13 series.
Cheers :D
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For UHD enabled drives (AU/NZ/SG + Others) & DIY Single Drive Flasher (WW): https://uhdenableddrives.com
jaydub211
Posts: 6
Joined: Tue Feb 03, 2026 3:06 pm

Re: Pioneer BDR-211M with MakeMKV

Post by jaydub211 »

my pioneer is capable of viewing 4k, but only with a specific version of powerdvd. Pioneer locked to the supplied powerdvd software to the drive for 4k viewing. my pc is now pretty old and doesn't pass some CyberAdvisor powerdvd tests to enable 4k including: NO intel SGX tech on CPU/motherboard (Kaby Lake 7700) and NO advanced protected audio/video path on GPU (GEForce 1070). but aside from that, according to the forum, although the drive as made in 2017, I stupidly updated the firmware whenever something came out. Live and learn I guess.

If i were to buy a new ASUS BW-16D1HT, what is the likelihood it would be flashable, either by virtue of firmware or chip presence.

What i don't understand is that MakeMKV says Libre Drive Status is Enabled.

Drive Information
OS device name: G:
Manufacturer: PIONEER
Product: BD-RW BDR-211M
Revision: 1.54
Serial number: QCDL000436WL
Firmware date: 2023-02-08
Bus encryption flags: 13
Highest AACS version: 63

LibreDrive Information
Status: Enabled
Drive platform: RS8800
Firmware name: PIONEER BDR-211
Firmware type: Original (unpatched)
Firmware version: 1.54/ID60
DVD all regions: Yes
BD raw data read: Yes
BD raw metadata read: Yes
Unrestricted read speed: Yes
Coopervid
Posts: 4216
Joined: Tue Feb 19, 2019 10:32 pm

Re: Pioneer BDR-211M with MakeMKV

Post by Coopervid »

jaydub211 wrote:
Thu Feb 05, 2026 9:46 am
my pioneer is capable of viewing 4k, but only with a specific version of powerdvd. Pioneer locked to the supplied powerdvd software to the drive for 4k viewing. my pc is now pretty old and doesn't pass some CyberAdvisor powerdvd tests to enable 4k including: NO intel SGX tech on CPU/motherboard (Kaby Lake 7700) and NO advanced protected audio/video path on GPU (GEForce 1070). but aside from that, according to the forum, although the drive as made in 2017, I stupidly updated the firmware whenever something came out. Live and learn I guess.

If i were to buy a new ASUS BW-16D1HT, what is the likelihood it would be flashable, either by virtue of firmware or chip presence.

What i don't understand is that MakeMKV says Libre Drive Status is Enabled.

Drive Information
OS device name: G:
Manufacturer: PIONEER
Product: BD-RW BDR-211M
Revision: 1.54
Serial number: QCDL000436WL
Firmware date: 2023-02-08
Bus encryption flags: 13
Highest AACS version: 63

LibreDrive Information
Status: Enabled
Drive platform: RS8800
Firmware name: PIONEER BDR-211
Firmware type: Original (unpatched)
Firmware version: 1.54/ID60
DVD all regions: Yes
BD raw data read: Yes
BD raw metadata read: Yes
Unrestricted read speed: Yes
Libredrive enabled does nor equal UHD capability. Since you were able to watch UHDs you can surely now rip UHDs and then watch them from the hard drive. Put an UHD in the drive and then click the 2nd icon from the left in Makemkv to rip it. Make sure that Makemkv has a working beta key before trying.
jaydub211
Posts: 6
Joined: Tue Feb 03, 2026 3:06 pm

Re: Pioneer BDR-211M with MakeMKV

Post by jaydub211 »

why do i now have a green target in the center of my screen no matter what app is open? Seems to have occured upon pasting the MKV license in. How do i get rid of this?
Billycar11
Posts: 5325
Joined: Sun Aug 24, 2014 5:49 am

Re: Pioneer BDR-211M with MakeMKV

Post by Billycar11 »

jaydub211 wrote:
Thu Feb 05, 2026 10:35 am
why do i now have a green target in the center of my screen no matter what app is open? Seems to have occured upon pasting the MKV license in. How do i get rid of this?
thats not makemkv man
your monitor might have an overlay for that or some software on your pc defiantly not makemkv
Buy a drive from the guide and video maker: https://www.makemkv.com/forum/viewtopic ... 20&t=17831
UHD Drive Guide: https://www.makemkv.com/forum/viewtopic ... 16&t=19634
Auto flash kit $40 Email Billycar5924@gmail.com No attachments
Coopervid
Posts: 4216
Joined: Tue Feb 19, 2019 10:32 pm

Re: Pioneer BDR-211M with MakeMKV

Post by Coopervid »

jaydub211 wrote:
Thu Feb 05, 2026 10:35 am
why do i now have a green target in the center of my screen no matter what app is open? Seems to have occured upon pasting the MKV license in. How do i get rid of this?
Never heard of such an issue. Reboot your PC and then run Makemkv and try to rip an UHD disc.
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