Flashing Pioneer drives

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Coopervid
Posts: 4853
Joined: Tue Feb 19, 2019 10:32 pm

Flashing Pioneer drives

#1 Post by Coopervid » Tue Sep 29, 2026 5:31 pm

Hi,

most of the regular forum visitors might know me. New members might not.

LG / ASUS / Buffalo drive can be flashed by tools available free in this forum. Pioneer drives can't since the tool, even freeware, is not publicly available. For reasons I will not elaborate here.There are two members in this forum who can provide the tool. One of them is me. I don't charge for it. I only ask for a (small) donation after sending. Now this tool - BDRFlash- is Freeware but only works for pre 12/22 firmware. The other person who provides pre 12/22 firmware has an autoflasher that uses BDRFlash in the background and charges $40. Some time ago $20 what was still Ok. This person also has a monopoly solution until recently to flash post 12/22 drives and charges $200 for that service that always bothered me.

There's a new guy in town. Trevor. He invited me to test his new flasher for post 12/22 drives for free. He charges usually $29.99 per drive. So I decided to bite the bullet. I have a 212DBK drive that I flashed to S12U 1.02 for reading UHDs. The drive worked and works perfectly. My thought: I flash it to S12U 1.05 with the official flasher. It will still be supported by Mike's November 2025 update and still be Libredrive compatible and read UHDs. So if a flash goes wrong and the drive isn't bricked I will still be OK. The only risk was that Trevor's flasher might brick the drive.

I flashed to S12U 1.05 with the official Pioneer flasher and then tried Trevor's flasher. To make a long story short: It was successfully flashed back to pre 12/22 1.02 firmware!!!

The flashing process takes about 6 min.

Trevor's flasher is hereby recommended and a bargain compared to what was available until now.

Here's a link to his site:

https://research.trev.bot

And some more experiences with his tool:

viewtopic.php?t=42445
Last edited by Coopervid on Wed Sep 30, 2026 7:09 pm, edited 2 times in total.

zittrig
Posts: 436
Joined: Sat Jan 09, 2021 5:45 pm

Re: Flashing Pioneer drives

#2 Post by zittrig » Tue Sep 29, 2026 6:38 pm

Yes, first positive experience here too.

Billycar11
Posts: 6389
Joined: Sun Aug 24, 2014 5:49 am

Re: Flashing Pioneer drives

#3 Post by Billycar11 » Tue Sep 29, 2026 10:49 pm

12/22+ pioneer flashing is now free for personal use
all you have to do is email me
it will be added to official guide soon
Buy a drive from the guide and video maker: viewtopic.php?t=17831
UHD Drive Guide: viewtopic.php?t=19634
Auto flash kit $40 Email Billycar5924@gmail.com No attachments

Coopervid
Posts: 4853
Joined: Tue Feb 19, 2019 10:32 pm

Re: Flashing Pioneer drives

#4 Post by Coopervid » Wed Sep 30, 2026 7:05 pm

Coopervid wrote: Tue Sep 29, 2026 5:31 pm Hi,

most of the regular forum visitors might know me. New members might not.

LG / ASUS / Buffalo drive can be flashed by tools available free in this forum. Pioneer drives can't since the tool, even freeware, is not publicly available. For reasons I will not elaborate here.There are two members in this forum who can provide the tool. One of them is me. I don't charge for it. I only ask for a (small) donation after sending. Now this tool - BDRFlash- is Freeware but only works for pre 12/22 firmware. The other person who provides pre 12/22 firmware has an autoflasher that uses BDRFlash in the background and charges $40. Some time ago $20 what was still Ok. This person also has a monopoly solution until recently to flash post 12/22 drives and charges $200 for that service that always bothered me.

There's a new guy in town. Trevor. He invited me to test his new flasher for post 12/22 drives for free. He charges usually $29.99 per drive. So I decided to bite the bullet. I have a 212DBK drive that I flashed to S12U 1.02 for reading UHDs. The drive worked and works perfectly. My thought: I flash it to S12U 1.05 with the official flasher. It will still be supported by Mike's November 2025 update and still be Libredrive compatible and read UHDs. So if a flash goes wrong and the drive isn't bricked I will still be OK. The only risk was that Trevor's flasher might brick the drive.

I flashed to S12U 1.05 with the official Pioneer flasher and then tried Trevor's flasher. To make a long story short: It was successfully flashed back to pre 12/22 1.02 firmware!!!

The flashing process takes approx. 6 min.

Trevor's flasher is hereby recommended and a bargain compared to what was available until now.

Here's a link to his site:

https://research.trev.bot

And some more experiences with his tool:

viewtopic.php?t=42445

Coopervid
Posts: 4853
Joined: Tue Feb 19, 2019 10:32 pm

Re: Flashing Pioneer drives

#5 Post by Coopervid » Wed Sep 30, 2026 7:06 pm

Coopervid wrote: Tue Sep 29, 2026 5:31 pm Hi,

most of the regular forum visitors might know me. New members might not.

LG / ASUS / Buffalo drive can be flashed by tools available free in this forum. Pioneer drives can't since the tool, even freeware, is not publicly available. For reasons I will not elaborate here.There are two members in this forum who can provide the tool. One of them is me. I don't charge for it. I only ask for a (small) donation after sending. Now this tool - BDRFlash- is Freeware but only works for pre 12/22 firmware. The other person who provides pre 12/22 firmware has an autoflasher that uses BDRFlash in the background and charges $40. Some time ago $20 what was still Ok. This person also has a monopoly solution until recently to flash post 12/22 drives and charges $200 for that service that always bothered me.

There's a new guy in town. Trevor. He invited me to test his new flasher for post 12/22 drives for free. He charges usually $29.99 per drive. So I decided to bite the bullet. I have a 212DBK drive that I flashed to S12U 1.02 for reading UHDs. The drive worked and works perfectly. My thought: I flash it to S12U 1.05 with the official flasher. It will still be supported by Mike's November 2025 update and still be Libredrive compatible and read UHDs. So if a flash goes wrong and the drive isn't bricked I will still be OK. The only risk was that Trevor's flasher might brick the drive.

I flashed to S12U 1.05 with the official Pioneer flasher and then tried Trevor's flasher. To make a long story short: It was successfully flashed back to pre 12/22 1.02 firmware!!!

The flashing process take approx. 6 min

Trevor's flasher is hereby recommended and a bargain compared to what was available until now.

Here's a link to his site:

https://research.trev.bot

And some more experiences with his tool:

viewtopic.php?t=42445

KoLibre
Posts: 2
Joined: Fri Oct 02, 2026 11:52 pm

Re: Flashing Pioneer drives

#6 Post by KoLibre » Sat Oct 03, 2026 12:01 am

Hello Coopervid, I would like to request the BDRFlash tool, if you don't charge for it as you wrote. Thanks!

Coopervid
Posts: 4853
Joined: Tue Feb 19, 2019 10:32 pm

Re: Flashing Pioneer drives

#7 Post by Coopervid » Sat Oct 03, 2026 9:59 am

KoLibre wrote: Sat Oct 03, 2026 12:01 am Hello Coopervid, I would like to request the BDRFlash tool, if you don't charge for it as you wrote. Thanks!
You need to post your Makemkv info for your drive.

KoLibre
Posts: 2
Joined: Fri Oct 02, 2026 11:52 pm

Re: Flashing Pioneer drives

#8 Post by KoLibre » Sat Oct 03, 2026 4:04 pm

Coopervid wrote: Sat Oct 03, 2026 9:59 am
KoLibre wrote: Sat Oct 03, 2026 12:01 am Hello Coopervid, I would like to request the BDRFlash tool, if you don't charge for it as you wrote. Thanks!
You need to post your Makemkv info for your drive.
I do not have the drive yet, but all information except the serial number on the label matches with the one agent_x007 posted here about:
viewtopic.php?p=202739#p202739

I will check weather the firmware version on the drive is still old enough before I try flashing it, of course.

Does that help?
Last edited by KoLibre on Tue Oct 06, 2026 1:12 pm, edited 3 times in total.

Coopervid
Posts: 4853
Joined: Tue Feb 19, 2019 10:32 pm

Re: Flashing Pioneer drives

#9 Post by Coopervid » Sat Oct 03, 2026 4:21 pm

KoLibre wrote: Sat Oct 03, 2026 4:04 pm
Coopervid wrote: Sat Oct 03, 2026 9:59 am
KoLibre wrote: Sat Oct 03, 2026 12:01 am Hello Coopervid, I would like to request the BDRFlash tool, if you don't charge for it as you wrote. Thanks!
You need to post your Makemkv info for your drive.
I do not have the drive yet, but all information except the serial number on the label matches with the one agent_x007 posted here about:
viewtopic.php?p=202739#p202739

I will check weather the firmware version on the drive is still old enough before I try flashing it, of course.

Does that help?
C'mon! Get the drive and post its info. I will send the flasher then.

topcat
Posts: 1
Joined: Sat Oct 03, 2026 5:05 pm

Re: Flashing Pioneer drives

#10 Post by topcat » Sat Oct 03, 2026 5:08 pm

Hello, this is my drive information. not sure if it matters but it is an external drive over USB! wondering if it can be flashed for 4k discs!

Drive Information
Manufacturer: ASUS
Product: BW-16D1H-U
Revision: E116
Firmware date: 2020-07-21
Bus encryption flags: 1B
Highest AACS version: 81

LibreDrive Information
Status: Enabled
Drive platform: RS8F00
Firmware name: PIONEER BDR-212T
Firmware type: Original (unpatched)
Firmware version: E116/ID71
DVD all regions: Yes
BD raw data read: Yes
BD raw metadata read: Yes
Unrestricted read speed: Yes

Billycar11
Posts: 6389
Joined: Sun Aug 24, 2014 5:49 am

Re: Flashing Pioneer drives

#11 Post by Billycar11 » Sat Oct 03, 2026 9:58 pm

topcat wrote: Sat Oct 03, 2026 5:08 pm Hello, this is my drive information. not sure if it matters but it is an external drive over USB! wondering if it can be flashed for 4k discs!

Drive Information
Manufacturer: ASUS
Product: BW-16D1H-U
Revision: E116
Firmware date: 2020-07-21
Bus encryption flags: 1B
Highest AACS version: 81

LibreDrive Information
Status: Enabled
Drive platform: RS8F00
Firmware name: PIONEER BDR-212T
Firmware type: Original (unpatched)
Firmware version: E116/ID71
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 just reach out to me directly
see below for email
Buy a drive from the guide and video maker: viewtopic.php?t=17831
UHD Drive Guide: viewtopic.php?t=19634
Auto flash kit $40 Email Billycar5924@gmail.com No attachments

Coopervid
Posts: 4853
Joined: Tue Feb 19, 2019 10:32 pm

Re: Flashing Pioneer drives

#12 Post by Coopervid » Sun Oct 04, 2026 9:59 am

topcat wrote: Sat Oct 03, 2026 5:08 pm Hello, this is my drive information. not sure if it matters but it is an external drive over USB! wondering if it can be flashed for 4k discs!

Drive Information
Manufacturer: ASUS
Product: BW-16D1H-U
Revision: E116
Firmware date: 2020-07-21
Bus encryption flags: 1B
Highest AACS version: 81

LibreDrive Information
Status: Enabled
Drive platform: RS8F00
Firmware name: PIONEER BDR-212T
Firmware type: Original (unpatched)
Firmware version: E116/ID71
DVD all regions: Yes
BD raw data read: Yes
BD raw metadata read: Yes
Unrestricted read speed: Yes
PM sent.

XdarknidjaX
Posts: 1
Joined: Sun Oct 04, 2026 1:12 pm

Re: Flashing Pioneer drives

#13 Post by XdarknidjaX » Sun Oct 04, 2026 1:20 pm

Hello Coopervid,

I have a spare Pioneer drive, is it possible to flash this for 4k?

Drive informatie
Naam OS-apparaat: F:
Fabrikant: PIONEER
Product: BD-RW BDR-208D
Revisie: 1.50
Firmware datum: 2015-09-24
Bus encryptie flags: 13
Highest AACS version: 64

LibreDrive Information
Status: Enabled
Drive platform: RS8301
Firmware name: PIONEER BDR-208
Firmware type: Original (unpatched)
Firmware version: 1.50/ID61
DVD all regions: Yes
BD raw data read: Yes
BD raw metadata read: Yes
Unrestricted read speed: Yes

Coopervid
Posts: 4853
Joined: Tue Feb 19, 2019 10:32 pm

Re: Flashing Pioneer drives

#14 Post by Coopervid » Mon Oct 05, 2026 12:00 pm

XdarknidjaX wrote: Sun Oct 04, 2026 1:20 pm Hello Coopervid,

I have a spare Pioneer drive, is it possible to flash this for 4k?

Drive informatie
Naam OS-apparaat: F:
Fabrikant: PIONEER
Product: BD-RW BDR-208D
Revisie: 1.50
Firmware datum: 2015-09-24
Bus encryptie flags: 13
Highest AACS version: 64

LibreDrive Information
Status: Enabled
Drive platform: RS8301
Firmware name: PIONEER BDR-208
Firmware type: Original (unpatched)
Firmware version: 1.50/ID61
DVD all regions: Yes
BD raw data read: Yes
BD raw metadata read: Yes
Unrestricted read speed: Yes
PM sent.

KoLibre
Posts: 2
Joined: Fri Oct 02, 2026 11:52 pm

Re: Flashing Pioneer drives

#15 Post by KoLibre » Tue Oct 06, 2026 12:28 pm

Coopervid wrote: Sat Oct 03, 2026 4:21 pm
KoLibre wrote: Sat Oct 03, 2026 4:04 pm
Coopervid wrote: Sat Oct 03, 2026 9:59 am

You need to post your Makemkv info for your drive.
I do not have the drive yet, but all information except the serial number on the label matches with the one agent_x007 posted here about:
viewtopic.php?p=202739#p202739

I will check weather the firmware version on the drive is still old enough before I try flashing it, of course.

Does that help?
C'mon! Get the drive and post its info. I will send the flasher then.
Here is my Makemkv drive information (I have my drive now and this is what Makemkv reported when I connected it):

Code: Select all

Drive Information
OS device name: /dev/sr0
Manufacturer: PIONEER
Product: BD-RW BDR-UD02D
Revision: 1.02
Firmware date: 2014-02-10
Bus encryption flags: 1B

LibreDrive Information
Status: Possible, not yet enabled
Drive platform: Pioneer RS8410
Firmware version: ID84
I guess it is okay to redact the serial number since the others are doing it too?
Last edited by KoLibre on Tue Oct 06, 2026 12:40 pm, edited 1 time in total.