LG BP55EB40 v1.20 - Cannot flash as it's not MT1959?

[Parallax Abstraction]

Hey all.

I just acquired a new LG BP55EB40 Svc EB52 that I wanted to flash with LibreDrive. I followed the process in the first post (including installing MakeMKV 1.18.4 instead of 2.0) but SDFTool Flasher 1.3.6 is saying this drive can't be flashed because it's not an MT1959 platform device. I'm a bit confused as it is an EB52 SVC Code drive but I also noticed it shows as Revision 1.20 in MakeMKV and it was also manufactured in May of 2026 so I'm wondering if this is a new variant that suddenly can't be flashed. I hope not. I've done some looking around and can't find anything about this drive revision at all really, much less it being compatible or not with LibreDrive.

Here's the drive info:

OS device name: F:
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE BP55EB40
Revision: 1.20
Serial number: <Redacted>
Bus encryption flags: 1B

Anyone seen this? Thanks!

[OneDay]

Check this post viewtopic.php?t=42497
This might be your problem

[Parallax Abstraction]

I saw that thread and dismissed it because his drive info from MakeMKV was different than mine but re-reading it, yeah, that might be it. Ugh, I hope not. This drive came with all the packaging and looked legit but was also sold as "open box". The seller has good reviews though. I'll try to crack it open tonight and see what I can find. Mine, I hope it's not counterfeit.

[Parallax Abstraction]

Check this post viewtopic.php?t=42497
This might be your problem

You were right. The drive actually in the enclosure is a Panasonic UJ262 manufactured in March, 2013. I guess they flashed firmware on it to display different values.

This seller has a stellar reputation on eBay too but yeah, clearly a scam. I'll be returning it. What a big pile of suck.

[Parallax Abstraction]

Well, I guess the eBay seller either knows they're screwing people and didn't want to be reported to eBay or they also got screwed themselves. I submitted a return request and despite saying they don't take returns, they issued a full refund within a couple hours with no message attached and aren't asking for the drive back. So yay, free 13 year old Panasonic USB Blu-ray drive for me! Assuming the thing even works. Left them negative feedback anyway.

If you're looking on eBay, avoid seller ebl-2377. They've either sock puppeted their high feedback rating or have just turned evil recently.

I found another seller who claims to be selling a bunch of the LG drives new in box but with a suspiciously low shipping rate. DM'd them and asked them to confirm in writing that they are new and factory fresh. If they say yes, I can use that as proof if it's another liar. Otherwise, I'll keep looking I guess.

[zittrig]

Can you open the enclosure and having a look at the installed drive?

[Parallax Abstraction]

Yeah, see above. I did and they swapped the LG drive with a Panasonic model from 2013, clearly hoping I wouldn't notice and undoubtedly selling the LG on to someone else. The seller said they don't take returns but when I demanded one, they refunded me without question and don't want the drive back.

[zittrig]

Ah, ok, that's a total rip-off.

[Parallax Abstraction]

Aaaaand I got scammed again. Bought another drive from another seller who claimed in the listing that they were new in box. I even DM'd him, told him I'd been scammed once already and asked him to confirm it was new and he said yes. Same thing! 13 year old Panasonic drive swapped in and flashed with modded firmware. Like, what did this idiot think was going to happen? He knew I'd find out!

Does anyone have a reliable source to buy these drives or other ones that are LibreDrive and 4K compatible? I've been on eBay for 26 years and literally the only two times I've been scammed were on these drives. I'm clearly not going to find a legit one on there.

[Billycar11]

Aaaaand I got scammed again. Bought another drive from another seller who claimed in the listing that they were new in box. I even DM'd him, told him I'd been scammed once already and asked him to confirm it was new and he said yes. Same thing! 13 year old Panasonic drive swapped in and flashed with modded firmware. Like, what did this idiot think was going to happen? He knew I'd find out!

Does anyone have a reliable source to buy these drives or other ones that are LibreDrive and 4K compatible? I've been on eBay for 26 years and literally the only two times I've been scammed were on these drives. I'm clearly not going to find a legit one on there.

please name and shame the seller here : viewtopic.php?t=42623

[Parallax Abstraction]

With pleasure!

[MartyMcNuts]

Aaaaand I got scammed again. Bought another drive from another seller who claimed in the listing that they were new in box. I even DM'd him, told him I'd been scammed once already and asked him to confirm it was new and he said yes. Same thing! 13 year old Panasonic drive swapped in and flashed with modded firmware. Like, what did this idiot think was going to happen? He knew I'd find out!

Does anyone have a reliable source to buy these drives or other ones that are LibreDrive and 4K compatible? I've been on eBay for 26 years and literally the only two times I've been scammed were on these drives. I'm clearly not going to find a legit one on there.

LG and Pioneer no longer manufacture drives. The last batch of Pioneer drives was early 2024 and the last LG batch was late 2025. LG are now only fulfilling their OEM orders for ASUS, Verbatim, Buffalo, Archgon etc. They no longer produce any LG branded drives. You might be able to find one (new old stock) in a brick and mortar store (that may also have an online store), otherwise check with the sellers on this forum.

[Parallax Abstraction]

That's weird because both of these drives I bought had what looked like original LG labels on the enclosures that said they were made in May of 2026. I suppose the scammers could have been replacing the labels too but they looked legit. So most of the other models people talk about from those other brands are just LG drives in disguise? I know Pioneer were out of the game. I do have a Pioneer 3.5" drive that a friend gave me a couple years ago. I haven't looked if it's LibreDrive compatible but the drive I'm looking at I want to not only be able to read 4K movies after flashing but also needs to be on the compatibility list for PCSX3. The LG was but I know they don't support any Pioneer models.

[MartyMcNuts]

That's weird because both of these drives I bought had what looked like original LG labels on the enclosures that said they were made in May of 2026. I suppose the scammers could have been replacing the labels too but they looked legit. So most of the other models people talk about from those other brands are just LG drives in disguise? I know Pioneer were out of the game. I do have a Pioneer 3.5" drive that a friend gave me a couple years ago. I haven't looked if it's LibreDrive compatible but the drive I'm looking at I want to not only be able to read 4K movies after flashing but also needs to be on the compatibility list for PCSX3. The LG was but I know they don't support any Pioneer models.

Yeah, the slim external Verbatim's, ASUS's, Buffalo's should all be LG BU40N drives. For how long, who knows but I don't expect it to be for much longer.