ASUS BW-16D1HT - MFG Dec 2024 but firmware 3.02? Could this be a fake / shell-swap / patched? (New User)

BreezyCarp · Post by **BreezyCarp** » Fri Jul 03, 2026 9:11 am

Hi everyone,

Recently I got myself an ASUS BW-16D1HT drive, and I found something strange. The drive looks pretty new, but for some reason it's on firmware 3.02 dated November 24, 2017. So I'm a bit worried there might be something fishy going on with this unit. If this is genuine, does it mean nothing needs to be done? I would really appreciate it if you could help me out.

Here's some info (see attached pictures for more details):

Drive Information
OS device name: E:
Manufacturer: ASUS
Revision:3.02
Product: BW-16D1HT
Serial number:KLF0CBE2320
Firmware date:2117-11-24 14:13
Bus encryption flags: 1F

LibreDrive Information
Status: Enabled
Drive platform: MT1959
Firmware type: Original(unpatched)
Firmware version:3.02
DVD all regions: Yes
BD raw data read: Yes
BD raw metadata read: Yes
Unrestricted read speed: Yes

tomty89 · Post by **tomty89** » Fri Jul 03, 2026 12:41 pm

Was it sold as unused / brand new? If not then it's not exactly surprising that it was flashed with DE firmware or maybe even OmniDrive.

Code: Select all

something fishy

Well better test it with at least one UHD BD before you can't return it. Not exactly sure if you can tell it is really MT1959 with just the LibreDrive information.

RibShark · Post by **RibShark** » Fri Jul 03, 2026 10:17 pm

There are a lot of counterfeit drives from China at the moment that are probably pieced together with spare parts. Tells are:

Incorrect or inconsistent fonts on the labels.
For desktop drives, biggest tell is if the circular sticker at the top has an large indent directly around it (fake for MT1959 drives) rather than instead having four small dimples some distance away from the sticker (real). Note that some real, non-MT1959 drives, have the large indent too.
For desktop drives, the rectangular sticker having "INTERFACE CONNECOTOR" (fake) at the bottom instead of "INTERFACE CONNECTOR" (real).
For desktop drives, the rectangular sticker having "DVD FORMAT|LOGO" (fake) rather than "DVD FORMAT/LOGO" (real).
For desktop drives, having no black stamped serial on the back panel (can be hard to see since it's black on black), real drives have serial stamped in black ink.
For ASUS drives, the drive having a manufacturing date above 2020 but the address listed as "Li-Te Rd.,Peitou,Taipei" (fake if >2020); real drives made later than then have the address listed as "Lide Rd.,Beitou,Dist.," instead (real).
For the BU40N/BU50N, the KCC ID being listed as "KCC-REM-LGE-BU40N" rather than "KCC-REM-HLD-BU40N".
For the BU40N, there should be a 1/3 of a circle indent around the bottom left of the sticker (real); if this is absent the drive is fake. The BU50N and other slim drives may lack this indent even on real drives however.
For slim USB drives, the LG logo on the top of the casing being misaligned to the text next to it.

Not all fakes will have all of these problems, but I've not seen a fake that doesn't have at least one of them. If you are still unsure a picture of your drive will likely clear up whether it is legitimate or not.

OneDay · Post by **OneDay** » Sat Jul 04, 2026 12:49 am

Here are example of real and fake and if it is legit MT1959

If you don't see this is on the back by the power sata ports its not a MT1959 UHD friendly drive - Next is the legit drive - Next is the Chinese knock off

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QPu43o ... sp=sharing

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1oJMRec ... sp=sharing

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HNw0jj ... sp=sharing

BreezyCarp · Post by **BreezyCarp** » Sat Jul 04, 2026 4:34 am

RibShark wrote: Fri Jul 03, 2026 10:17 pm There are a lot of counterfeit drives from China at the moment that are probably pieced together with spare parts. Tells are:

Incorrect or inconsistent fonts on the labels.

For desktop drives, biggest tell is if the circular sticker at the top has an large indent directly around it (fake for MT1959 drives) rather than instead having four small dimples some distance away from the sticker (real). Note that some real, non-MT1959 drives, have the large indent too.

For desktop drives, the rectangular sticker having "INTERFACE CONNECOTOR" (fake) at the bottom instead of "INTERFACE CONNECTOR" (real).

For desktop drives, the rectangular sticker having "DVD FORMAT|LOGO" (fake) rather than "DVD FORMAT/LOGO" (real).

For desktop drives, having no black stamped serial on the back panel (can be hard to see since it's black on black), real drives have serial stamped in black ink.

For ASUS drives, the drive having a manufacturing date above 2020 but the address listed as "Li-Te Rd.,Peitou,Taipei" (fake if >2020); real drives made later than then have the address listed as "Lide Rd.,Beitou,Dist.," instead (real).

For the BU40N/BU50N, the KCC ID being listed as "KCC-REM-LGE-BU40N" rather than "KCC-REM-HLD-BU40N".

For the BU40N, there should be a 1/3 of a circle indent around the bottom left of the sticker (real); if this is absent the drive is fake. The BU50N and other slim drives may lack this indent even on real drives however.

For slim USB drives, the LG logo on the top of the casing being misaligned to the text next to it.

Not all fakes will have all of these problems, but I've not seen a fake that doesn't have at least one of them. If you are still unsure a picture of your drive will likely clear up whether it is legitimate or not.

BreezyCarp · Post by **BreezyCarp** » Sat Jul 04, 2026 4:52 am

OneDay wrote: Sat Jul 04, 2026 12:49 am Here are example of real and fake and if it is legit MT1959

If you don't see this is on the back by the power sata ports its not a MT1959 UHD friendly drive - Next is the legit drive - Next is the Chinese knock off

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QPu43o ... sp=sharing

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1oJMRec ... sp=sharing

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HNw0jj ... sp=sharing

Yeah, I saw that. Thanks.
https://i.imgur.com/cdfG1tb.jpeg

www.makemkv.com

ASUS BW-16D1HT - MFG Dec 2024 but firmware 3.02? Could this be a fake / shell-swap / patched? (New User)

ASUS BW-16D1HT - MFG Dec 2024 but firmware 3.02? Could this be a fake / shell-swap / patched? (New User)

Re: ASUS BW-16D1HT - MFG Dec 2024 but firmware 3.02? Could this be a fake / shell-swap / patched? (New User)

Re: ASUS BW-16D1HT - MFG Dec 2024 but firmware 3.02? Could this be a fake / shell-swap / patched? (New User)

Re: ASUS BW-16D1HT - MFG Dec 2024 but firmware 3.02? Could this be a fake / shell-swap / patched? (New User)

Re: ASUS BW-16D1HT - MFG Dec 2024 but firmware 3.02? Could this be a fake / shell-swap / patched? (New User)

Re: ASUS BW-16D1HT - MFG Dec 2024 but firmware 3.02? Could this be a fake / shell-swap / patched? (New User)