(Asmcom:) Pioneer UHD 4K Drives, MakeMKV Discounted Software £39.99, Worldwide Service, Excellent Service!!!

[DennisOlof]

@asmcom

I noticed you send me a PM a while back, the order got cancel. But I got my money back but I manage to get hold of a BDR-XD08 drive that ended up costing me about the same as your price. I was not interested in a UHD capable drive from the beginning.

Everything worked out in the end for me. Now I have a genuine pioneer drive for my backup needs. I am still looking to acquire one more pioneer XD drive and then if possible a Verbatim unit with a pioneer drive in it. There are plenty of LG and Verbatim slimdrive out there, they keep selling them new and from what I have noticed there is a huge demand. They keep running out of stock even though I suspect most of the units sold now is LG only devices.

Anyway I just wanted you to know.

Thanks for all your hard work making drives UHD friendly.

[Subsonic]

Edit : I deleted the post because of size image concerns shared to me in a subsequent post

[Ghostrider66]

Once again Asmcom has gone above and beyond

I ordered a second drive as a backup to the Pioneer I purchased last week and to replace the 2 fake Asus drives I got from Amazon a few years ago

I ordered a ASUS BW-16D1HT, 4K UHD Friendly 5.25" Internal Blu-ray Writer Drive, fitted to a OWC Mercury Pro USB 3.0 Full Sized Premium Enclosure with 1.00DE firmware, on Monday afternoon and it shipped the same day with an upgraded shipping tariff with UPS.

Excellent service and excellent communication through the whole process

I received the drive this morning, but due to a heavy workload, I only opened the package a short wile ago

It came in a very well packed box with the complimentary acessories, power supply and 2 packets of haribos

The first rip was a success.

I have no hesitation in recommending Asmcom, and will purchase again if I need any more drives but hopefully these 2 drives will keep me going for a good few years as these 2 new drives have cost a small fortune.

Best Regards
Flan Roberts

[Subsonic]

First experience with the XS07TS and advice

Received the drive in perfect condition, it works flawlessly !
It's all set up and ready to use.

I was a little surprised with how much you have to push the disk for the drive to start picking it up : i am used with consoles and such to barely inserting the disc and it gobbles it whole.
With this drive, you have to push it a good 2/3 of the way through. And you have to apply some mild pressure to get it there, it doesn't rip it from your hands. Just something to get used to.

After that I got to try to rip, which worked perfectly, and at this point everything is functional.

*However*

It gets hot. And LOUD.

I didn't even realize this super thin thing came with a FAN. A fan that even at max speed barely helps because in their infinite wisdom Pioneer decided there should be no vent holes. It's entirely closed.
See, the drive is fast. Really fast for something so small. Way too fucking fast.
No matter how good the optical system, this can't get away from the problem of thermals. That's just physics, you're spinning a disc really fast, it's gonna get hot.

So, I have some advice regarding how to tune your drive, differently than the questionable choice from Pioneer.


By default the XS07TS is in what i call "MegaSuicide + Kills your discs DLC" mode :
It goes at max speed, the fan screams louder than my desktop PC in a desperate and unsucessful attempt at keeping it cool, the plastic housing gets hot to the touch but the internals probably get much hotter as the disc come out of an hour long ripping session being nearly burning hot. I am certainly no expert, but i will take a guess and say I don't think that's healthy for the lifespan of neither the drive nor the discs.

As per the paper manual and the product listing webpage, you can download the Pioneer Drive utility here : https://pioneer.jp/device_e/product-e/i ... 01r_e.html
Beware : Download the Drive Utility. Not the firmware.

Using this, I selected 1) Eco Mode 2) Persistent Quiet Mode.
Check the "save to this drive" checkbox, reboot your drive.

You are now in "Actually being alive is cool" mode:
Reading speed is about halfed, the drive does still get slighlty warm to the touch as does the disc but not only is it significantly less so, the fan is now barely audible at all. You get that Pioneer quiet.

Ypur drives are worth a lot. Be careful with them. And I personally am not willing to test my chance by letting it run at the insane temps and fan speed it runs at by default. Also the noise is really annoying.

[Landspeeder_BDR]

2) Power Supply
I am not trusting my Pioneer drive with this.

Do you have a power supply recomendation that you would trust your Pioneer drive with?

Thank you

[mrsmith]

I think it’s pretty disrespectful to slate the equipment that Asmcom has provided you with. There is no better person or place to deal with when it comes to these drives. What you also seem not to grasp is the depth and breadth of a huge community that have been given first rate sales and support by Asmcom. If you are new to this community, as I was last year, be grateful for the immense work, honesty and diligence expressed to provide you with UHD Friendly drives! [mention]asmcom [/mention]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[DennisOlof]

I would like to know the size of the barrel plug.

A caliper will be able to measure this, outside and inside.

I do know that it should be 5v and 3amp because that is what the Pioneer manual states.
And that the pin is plus and the outside is minus but this is standard on everything.

[neilc.g]

First time posting, long time lurker and user of MakeMKV. I've been ripping CDs, DVDs, HD-DVDs and Blurays for a long time, but only now have I started ripping my UHDs.

I ordered a BU40N on Friday 13th, with an expected dispatch date of Friday 20th. The drive actually arrived on Monday 16th !!!! Excellent service from Asmcom. The drive was well packed, and the provided support information is very detailed.

I've ripped 1 Bluray, and 1 UHD so far, and it went flawlessly. Both took a little longer to rip than expected, but I did rip directly to my NAS, and I suspect the network connection may have been the limiting factor. I'll try ripping to a local SSD at some point, but to be honest it's more convenient ripping to the NAS, and the time taken to rip isn't critical for me.

I'm surprised at how flimsy the drive tray is - but then again, it's a long tie since I've used a slimline optical drive designed for a laptop, so maybe they've always been like that. My LG HD-DVD/Bluray and Plextor drives are far more sturdy, but they are full size drives. This isn't to say there is a problem with the drive, but worth noting that care needs to be taken with putting the disk into the drive tray.

I had really wanted a Pioneer drive, but was too slow when the shop reopened (too busy at work). If any Pioneers become available in the coming weeks, I'll try to get one as a backup / in case I encounter any troublesome UHD disks.

Thanks for the excellent service Asmcom.

[Landspeeder_BDR]

I would like to know the size of the barrel plug.

My Neiko Digital Caliper puts the PSU barrel plug (that came with the Pioneer BDR-XS07TS) at:
OD: 3.46mm
ID: 1.23mm

Please note that the ID is at the limits of what this caliper can fit into.

[asmcom]

Windows 10 / 11 – Correct Microsoft Defender Configuration for Stable MakeMKV Operation
If you are getting **“Automatic HK downloading is disabled or failed”**, **“Failed to save title …”**, random backup failures, or unstable ripping, this is usually caused by **Microsoft Defender Ransomware Protection and real-time scanning interfering with MakeMKV**. Below is the correct way to configure Windows **without disabling security**.

Important – Do NOT Disable Windows Security
Do NOT leave **Controlled Folder Access**, **Real-time Protection**, or **Firewall** turned off. The correct solution is to configure proper permissions and exclusions.

Step 1 – Ensure Controlled Folder Access Is Enabled
Go to: Windows Security → Virus & threat protection → Ransomware protection → Manage ransomware protection
Make sure: **Controlled Folder Access = ON**

Step 2 – Allow MakeMKV Through Controlled Folder Access
Still in Ransomware Protection, click **Allow an app through Controlled folder access** and allow the entire folder:
C:\Program Files (x86)\MakeMKV
This is important because on 64-bit Windows, MakeMKV uses both **32-bit and 64-bit components. Allowing the whole folder covers all components and future updates.

Step 3 – Add Microsoft Defender Exclusions (Critical)
Go to: Windows Security → Virus & threat protection → Manage settings → Exclusions → Add or remove exclusions
Add the following as **Folder exclusions**:

A) MakeMKV Key / Database Folder
C:\Users<YourUserName>.MakeMKV
This contains **_private_data.tar** (AACS / HK / certificate database). If Defender blocks this, HK downloads fail.

B) MakeMKV Program Folder
C:\Program Files (x86)\MakeMKV
Prevents Defender interfering with backend processes.

C) Rip Destination Folder (Local or Network)
Example: R:\Video\backup
This applies even to **local drives**. Without this, Defender may lock large M2TS files, causing **write errors and backup failures**.

Step 4 – Ensure Your Network Is Set to Private
If your network is set to Public, Windows applies stricter filtering which can interfere with **HK downloads and update checks**.
Go to: Settings → Network & Internet → Properties
Set: **Network profile = Private**

Optional check (PowerShell):
Get-NetConnectionProfile
Should show: **NetworkCategory : Private**

Step 5 – Reboot After Configuration
After completing all steps, **reboot Windows** to ensure Defender reloads all rules correctly.

Step 6 – Backup Your Key Database (Recommended)
Once working, back up:
C:\Users<YourUserName>.MakeMKV_private_data.tar
If Windows ever wipes it, restoring this file fixes HK instantly.

Result
With this configuration:
HK downloads work
No “Automatic HK downloading failed”
No write errors
Stable UHD backups
Full Windows security remains enabled

Final Notes
This issue can occur even when ripping to a local drive and with firewall enabled. The cause is Defender’s file write protection and scanning. The correct fix is **proper exclusions and permissions, not disabling security**. This setup has been tested on Windows 11 Pro and works reliably.

[asmcom]

2) Power Supply
I am not trusting my Pioneer drive with this.

Do you have a power supply recomendation that you would trust your Pioneer drive with?

Thank you

We have physically inspected and tested multiple units from different batches, including full PCB-level inspection and real-world load testing.

From the internal layout and component selection, this is a standard low-power flyback switch-mode power supply (SMPS) design, exactly as expected for this type of adapter.

Primary/Input Side

* Proper rectification and primary-side filtering
* Correctly rated high-voltage electrolytic capacitor
* Integrated switching controller/transistor stage
* No undersized components or poor soldering

Transformer & Isolation

* Properly insulated transformer with barrier layers
* Clear separation between primary and secondary sides
* Adequate creepage and clearance distances

Secondary/Output Side

* Branded output capacitors
* Proper secondary filtering stage
* Stable regulation circuit
* Correctly isolated LED indicator

Protection
Protection is handled internally by the controller IC and supporting components, including:

* Over-current protection (OCP)
* Over-voltage protection (OVP)
* Thermal protection (OTP)
* Current sensing and feedback loop

These protections are integrated at circuit level and are not visually obvious on compact PCBs.

Build Quality

* Clean, consistent solder joints
* No cold joints, bodge wires, or burn marks
* No compromised isolation
* No visible manufacturing defects

Overall build quality is above average for a low-power external adapter.

Electrical Testing
We have carried out oscilloscope testing under real operating load. The output shows clean, stable DC with low ripple and no abnormal spikes. Waveforms remain smooth and well within acceptable tolerances for optical drives.

Field Performance
We have supplied over 2,000 units and have used the same models internally for more than three years without any issues. In that time, we have not had a single confirmed fault, failure, safety issue, or drive-damage case attributed to these adapters.

Summary
Based on physical inspection, PCB analysis, oscilloscope testing, and long-term field data, there is nothing in this design that indicates poor engineering or unsafe operation. It is a correctly implemented SMPS with proper isolation, filtering, and integrated protection.

Speculation based purely on visual teardown without supporting measurements does not outweigh verified multi-year reliability data.

If any verified fault were ever identified, we would of course investigate it fully and take immediate corrective action.

UHD Friendly Drives Team

[asmcom]

@asmcom

I noticed you send me a PM a while back, the order got cancel. But I got my money back but I manage to get hold of a BDR-XD08 drive that ended up costing me about the same as your price. I was not interested in a UHD capable drive from the beginning.

Everything worked out in the end for me. Now I have a genuine pioneer drive for my backup needs. I am still looking to acquire one more pioneer XD drive and then if possible a Verbatim unit with a pioneer drive in it. There are plenty of LG and Verbatim slimdrive out there, they keep selling them new and from what I have noticed there is a huge demand. They keep running out of stock even though I suspect most of the units sold now is LG only devices.

Anyway I just wanted you to know.

Thanks for all your hard work making drives UHD friendly.

Hi DennisOlof,

Thank you for the update and for your kind words we really appreciate it.

At present, we do not have any Pioneer XD drives in stock and availability has been very limited recently. However, if we do manage to secure any more in the future, we will contact you directly and let you know immediately.

You are quite right that many of the slim drives currently being sold are LG-based units and genuine Pioneer-based models are becoming increasingly difficult to source.

Thanks again for your support and please feel free to contact us anytime.

Kind regards,
Asmcom
UHD Friendly Drives Team

[asmcom]

I think it’s pretty disrespectful to slate the equipment that Asmcom has provided you with. There is no better person or place to deal with when it comes to these drives. What you also seem not to grasp is the depth and breadth of a huge community that have been given first rate sales and support by Asmcom. If you are new to this community, as I was last year, be grateful for the immense work, honesty and diligence expressed to provide you with UHD Friendly drives! [mention]asmcom [/mention]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thank you, sir, for the great support. Much Appreciated.

Asmcom

[asmcom]

First time posting, long time lurker and user of MakeMKV. I've been ripping CDs, DVDs, HD-DVDs and Blurays for a long time, but only now have I started ripping my UHDs.

I ordered a BU40N on Friday 13th, with an expected dispatch date of Friday 20th. The drive actually arrived on Monday 16th !!!! Excellent service from Asmcom. The drive was well packed, and the provided support information is very detailed.

I've ripped 1 Bluray, and 1 UHD so far, and it went flawlessly. Both took a little longer to rip than expected, but I did rip directly to my NAS, and I suspect the network connection may have been the limiting factor. I'll try ripping to a local SSD at some point, but to be honest it's more convenient ripping to the NAS, and the time taken to rip isn't critical for me.

I'm surprised at how flimsy the drive tray is - but then again, it's a long tie since I've used a slimline optical drive designed for a laptop, so maybe they've always been like that. My LG HD-DVD/Bluray and Plextor drives are far more sturdy, but they are full size drives. This isn't to say there is a problem with the drive, but worth noting that care needs to be taken with putting the disk into the drive tray.

I had really wanted a Pioneer drive, but was too slow when the shop reopened (too busy at work). If any Pioneers become available in the coming weeks, I'll try to get one as a backup / in case I encounter any troublesome UHD disks.

Thanks for the excellent service Asmcom.

Hi Neil,

Thank you very much for taking the time to post such detailed feedback and for your kind words about our service it is genuinely appreciated.

We are very pleased to hear that your BU40N arrived early, was well packaged, and that your Blu-ray and UHD rips have worked flawlessly so far.

You are absolutely right that ripping directly to a NAS can sometimes be limited by network speed, so your observation there is spot on. For maximum speed, a local SSD is ideal, but as you say, convenience is often more important than a few extra minutes.

Regarding the tray, slimline laptop-style drives are unfortunately much lighter in construction than full-size desktop drives, so taking a little extra care when loading discs is always recommended, especially with UHD media.

At present, Pioneer drives are extremely limited in availability, but if we can secure more stock in the coming weeks, we will be sure to announce it.

Thank you again for your support and for choosing UHD Friendly Drives. If you ever need any help or advice, please feel free to contact us.

Kind regards,
Asmcom
UHD Friendly Drives Team

[asmcom]

Everyone is reviewing their drives, so I'll do something original and review the included accessories !

ACCESSORIES REVIEW

1) Complementary USB C to C cable



Cable is very sturdy, appears to have very good build quality.
Bends as it should, enough but not too much.
Holds the connection tight even when moved around, seems excellent for data transfer.
One of the better cables I've seen on my rudimentary testing.

It's surprisingly good considering my very bad first impressions, as there are two obvious issues when looking at the packaging.
The smaller one is the complete lack of a brand name. No clue who made that cable.

The larger problem, that some keen eyed readers may have noticed on the picture, is that all the "compliance" logos are counterfeit.

They are meant to ressemble actual compliance certifications to trick you, but are ever so slightly different as to be legally distinct.

I get that getting those certifications are expensive and stuff, but faking it is some next level shady.
Still, considering the cable seems to be not just functional but actually good, I don't mind that too much. And at worst, a faulty cable would just mess up the data transfer, it won't blow up your drive.
The power supply does not have this luxury.

2) Power Supply

First impressions are significantly better here.


We get actual brand names here, two in fact : the manufacturer and the european importer. That European importer, from a google search, specializes in helping foreign companies get their CE certification, and so here we have an actual CE logo for an actual CE certification.
That RoHS logo is still bullshit but that's a good start.

The good news sadly end here, because this power supply has the opposite problem to the cable : instead of good product/worrying packaging, we get good packaging/worrying product.



It's light. Really light.
We get a really cheap plastic housing, a cheap led with a hole pierced in it (???) and be careful not to get too close to the little holes on the underside, or you'll get to experience that very disctinc petroleum smell of cheap plastics.

The power supply is assmbled with one simple screw, removing it reveals the internals.



I don't see anything that would look like overcurrent/overvoltage/overtermperature protection, besides fuses.
I don't know what the company advertises either because I couldn't find anything about it online.
Many companies with similar names, but nothing on this one.

I am not trusting my Pioneer drive with this.

3) Haribos



They were a bit dry and probably have been sitting somewhere for a while, but they were tasty as ever and the flavors were delicious, very fruity and the right amount of acidic.
It was very yummy c:


Edit : As a precision, although this may seem pretty negative, frankly i'm not bothered by it. I don't even recall the listing advertising any of those accessories. So I see all this stuff as just free bonus on top of the stuff i actually paid for.

Stop posting large pictures of sweets and accessories. Please use a third party for artwork. You are crashing the forum with these images, which is unnecessary.

See Error codes:

We are currently unable to access the Asmcom Seller Page, and the following error is being displayed:

General Error
SQL ERROR [ mysqli ]

Disk full (/tmp/#sql-temptable-1b0923-9a90006-b7e64.MAI); waiting for someone to free some space... (errno: 28 "No space left on device") [1021]

An SQL error occurred while fetching this page. Please contact the Board Administrator if this problem persists.

Could you please delete the offending post and associated image files to free up storage and restore access?

Many thanks.

Asmcom