Ultimate UHD Drives Flashing Guide Updated 2026

[drknight71]

Hi guys,

Just bought an OWC Mercury Pro and according to this it needs modification to work? Also is it compatible with a Pioneer 211M 1.54 firmware? Thanks

The OWC chassis doesn't care about the drive Mfg or firmware.

The "modification" is mechanical. When you put the longer (Pioneer) drive in the chassis, you'll see that the drive can't be inserted far enough for the chassis/drive screw holes to line up properly. You merely need to bend the OWC chassis sheetmetal mounting tabs slightly toward the front of the chassis to get the screw holes to line up.

Thanks,
Frank

Thats good to know but as I understand based on previous use of others is that the 1.54 firmware has an issue with most SATA adapters and only works effectively if connected via a Sata cable or using a Benfei adapter. So last night i took apart an old Venus DS enclosure that was usb 2.0 spec and modded it by sneaking that benfei adapter in there with a sata extension cable such that using the power delivery system of the enclosure instead there by upgrading the chassis to usb 3.0 standard. Will use the OWC with an old LG drive instead.

Thanks

[nicholfd]

Hi guys,

Just bought an OWC Mercury Pro and according to this it needs modification to work? Also is it compatible with a Pioneer 211M 1.54 firmware? Thanks

The OWC chassis doesn't care about the drive Mfg or firmware.

The "modification" is mechanical. When you put the longer (Pioneer) drive in the chassis, you'll see that the drive can't be inserted far enough for the chassis/drive screw holes to line up properly. You merely need to bend the OWC chassis sheetmetal mounting tabs slightly toward the front of the chassis to get the screw holes to line up.

Thanks,
Frank

Thats good to know but as I understand based on previous use of others is that the 1.54 firmware has an issue with most SATA adapters and only works effectively if connected via a Sata cable or using a Benfei adapter. So last night i took apart an old Venus DS enclosure that was usb 2.0 spec and modded it by sneaking that benfei adapter in there with a sata extension cable such that using the power delivery system of the enclosure instead there by upgrading the chassis to usb 3.0 standard. Will use the OWC with an old LG drive instead.

Thanks

You misunderstand the issue with SATA adapters. It has nothing to do with drive firmware. It's the crappy SATA adapters that do not fully implement the SATA standard. The OWC enclosure has always had very well working SATA -> USB internals.

USB 3.x vs. USB 2.x gains you nothing for ripping discs - ripping speeds are limited by drives/firmware. 4x-6x is the max you will get, and USB 2.x is faster than that.

[nicholfd]

Hi guys im new in here. i was wondering regarding the LG WH14NS40 i have since 2012 and its been almost unused (about 20 bluray disc played and 10 recorded)

I wanted to know if i can use it or not for UHD backups. I found this in here but wanted to know how to flash it in this case

LG WH14NS40, UHD Friendly Internal 5.25 sata | Rip speed 8x BD 66 ~45 mins BD 100 ~1 hour if flashed properly other wise 6x rips speed and slower then BU40N

Thanks a lot!

Copy/paste the MakeMKV drive info.

[MartyMcNuts]

Hi guys im new in here. i was wondering regarding the LG WH14NS40 i have since 2012 and its been almost unused (about 20 bluray disc played and 10 recorded)

I wanted to know if i can use it or not for UHD backups. I found this in here but wanted to know how to flash it in this case

LG WH14NS40, UHD Friendly Internal 5.25 sata | Rip speed 8x BD 66 ~45 mins BD 100 ~1 hour if flashed properly other wise 6x rips speed and slower then BU40N

Thanks a lot!

I'd say not as only models manufactured from 2016 and have the MT1959 drive platform are UHD capable. Anyway, copy and paste the MakeMKV drive info and libredrive info text sections for confirmation.

[NoMoreSorry]

Hello, I am new here, wondering if my drive can be flashed to UHD. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Code: Select all

Manufacturer: ASUS
Product: SBW-06D5H-U
Revision: E102
Serial number: DDDL291769WL
Firmware date: 2023-04-20
Bus encryption flags: 1B

LibreDrive Information
Status: Enabled
Drive platform: RS8511
Firmware name: PIONEER BDR-US03
Firmware type: Original (unpatched)
Firmware version: E102/ID26
DVD all regions: Yes
BD raw data read: Yes
BD raw metadata read: Yes
Unrestricted read speed: Yes

[Billycar11]

Hello, I am new here, wondering if my drive can be flashed to UHD. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Code: Select all

Manufacturer: ASUS
Product: SBW-06D5H-U
Revision: E102
Serial number: DDDL291769WL
Firmware date: 2023-04-20
Bus encryption flags: 1B

LibreDrive Information
Status: Enabled
Drive platform: RS8511
Firmware name: PIONEER BDR-US03
Firmware type: Original (unpatched)
Firmware version: E102/ID26
DVD all regions: Yes
BD raw data read: Yes
BD raw metadata read: Yes
Unrestricted read speed: Yes

sure email me that info and
all others email me no need to post your info here publicly just reach out to me directly
see below for email