Ultimate UHD Drives Flashing Guide Updated New Pioneer Flashing 2026

[Evil_Crab]

Hey everyone I wanted to post this on the forum to let everyone know that there is an affordable slim 4K Blu-ray optical drive that has a factory firmware that works out of the box with MakeMKV. I tested it with 4K, Blu-Ray and standard DVDs last night and it works successfully without any firmware modification.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H1HNDPCL?re ... asin_title

IF the link doesn't work you can search for the title "JOTEC Premium Aluminum 4K UHD External Blu-Ray Drive
4K Blu-ray Burner, USB 3.0 & Type C Dual Interface, Compatible with All PC & Mac Models, Support 100GB 128GB"

The manufacturer ships both BU40N BU50N models. It retails for $142.99

Thank you for the info! I tried my luck with the similar-looking drive available in Europe (https://www.amazon.nl/dp/B08PFMVSNW?ref ... asin_title) and I can confirm that it also works out of the box.

Code: Select all

Drive Information
OS device name: E:
Current profile: DVD-ROM
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE BU40N
Revision: 1.00
Serial number: MO9Q3AA4607
Firmware date: 2116-12-20 15:28
Bus encryption flags: 17

LibreDrive Information
Status: Enabled
Drive platform: MT1959
Firmware type: Original (unpatched)
Firmware version: 1.00
DVD all regions: Yes
BD raw data read: Yes
BD raw metadata read: Yes
Unrestricted read speed: Yes

[sjordi]

So what do we do with U102?
Apparently they're encrypted and difficult. I read the guide but am not sure what to do with this specific drive...
Do I go normally with firmware 1.03 and that's it?
Any link? Thanks

[Billycar11]

So what do we do with U102?
Apparently they're encrypted and difficult. I read the guide but am not sure what to do with this specific drive...
Do I go normally with firmware 1.03 and that's it?
Any link? Thanks

Email me or Marty for an automated flasher if your unsure what fw to use see email below

[sjordi]

Ok thanks,
Obviously, I'm not allowed to send private messages

Code: Select all

Drive Information
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE BU40N
Revision: U102
Serial number: MO3JCO42325
Firmware date: 2119-05-10 13:19
Bus encryption flags: 1F
Highest AACS version: 81

LibreDrive Information
Status: Possible, not yet enabled
Drive platform: MT1959

No disc inserted

[Mr417]

@jwagner

I just wanted to let you know per your posts recommendation I purchased the drive you got [https://www.amazon.com/JOTEC-Aluminum-E ... B0H1HNDPCL] which worked out of box with MakeMKV to read/rip 4K discs for you however, the one I got sent doesn't doesn't read 4K discs (doesn't see the disc in the drive but it tried to read it) nor does MakMKV recognize a 4K disc in it (it sees/plays & rip BR's with MakeMKV though) .

Here is MakeMKV's read out of the drive I received with a Blue Ray Disc loaded:

Drive Information
OS device name: E:
Current profile: BD-ROM
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE BU40N
Revision: CB04
Serial number: [Truncated]
Firmware date: 2117-05-18 20:12
Bus encryption flags: 1F
Highest AACS version: 82

LibreDrive Information
Status: Possible, not yet enabled
Drive platform: MT1959

Disc Information
Label: THE_MANDALORIAN_AND_GROGU
Timestamp: 2026-07-15 15:47:48
Protection: AACS v82
Data capacity: 44.99 Gb
Disc type: BD-ROM
Number of layers: 2
Channel bit length: 74,5 nm (25.0 GB max. per layer)

My question to you is there a setting you changed or a simple flash process you did to the drive to get it to recognize 4K disc's and have MakeMKV recognize it?

I wanted to ask before I sent it back for another one with the thinking they accidentally shipped me just a Blue-Ray disc player and not a 4K one like what I supposedly ordered.

Thanks in advance for your response

Mr. 417

Hey everyone I wanted to post this on the forum to let everyone know that there is an affordable slim 4K Blu-ray optical drive that has a factory firmware that works out of the box with MakeMKV. I tested it with 4K, Blu-Ray and standard DVDs last night and it works successfully without any firmware modification.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H1HNDPCL?re ... asin_title

IF the link doesn't work you can search for the title "JOTEC Premium Aluminum 4K UHD External Blu-Ray Drive
4K Blu-ray Burner, USB 3.0 & Type C Dual Interface, Compatible with All PC & Mac Models, Support 100GB 128GB"

The manufacturer ships both BU40N BU50N models. It retails for $142.99

In my case it handshakes with the MakeMKV status message of-

Drive Information
OS device name: /dev/rdisk4
Current profile: DVD-ROM
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE BU40N
Revision: FR07
Serial number: XXXXXXXXXXX
Firmware date: 2116-12-20 16:51
Bus encryption flags: 1F
Highest AACS version: 82

LibreDrive Information
Status: Enabled
Drive platform: MT1959
Firmware type: Original (unpatched)
Firmware version: 0.FR07J
DVD all regions: Yes
BD raw data read: Yes
BD raw metadata read: Yes
Unrestricted read speed: Yes

[Billycar11]

@jwagner

I just wanted to let you know per your posts recommendation I purchased the drive you got [https://www.amazon.com/JOTEC-Aluminum-E ... B0H1HNDPCL] which worked out of box with MakeMKV to read/rip 4K discs for you however, the one I got sent doesn't doesn't read 4K discs (doesn't see the disc in the drive but it tried to read it) nor does MakMKV recognize a 4K disc in it (it sees/plays & rip BR's with MakeMKV though) .

Here is MakeMKV's read out of the drive I received with a Blue Ray Disc loaded:

Drive Information
OS device name: E:
Current profile: BD-ROM
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE BU40N
Revision: CB04
Serial number: [Truncated]
Firmware date: 2117-05-18 20:12
Bus encryption flags: 1F
Highest AACS version: 82

LibreDrive Information
Status: Possible, not yet enabled
Drive platform: MT1959

Disc Information
Label: THE_MANDALORIAN_AND_GROGU
Timestamp: 2026-07-15 15:47:48
Protection: AACS v82
Data capacity: 44.99 Gb
Disc type: BD-ROM
Number of layers: 2
Channel bit length: 74,5 nm (25.0 GB max. per layer)

My question to you is there a setting you changed or a simple flash process you did to the drive to get it to recognize 4K disc's and have MakeMKV recognize it?

I wanted to ask before I sent it back for another one with the thinking they accidentally shipped me just a Blue-Ray disc player and not a 4K one like what I supposedly ordered.

Thanks in advance for your response

Mr. 417

Hey everyone I wanted to post this on the forum to let everyone know that there is an affordable slim 4K Blu-ray optical drive that has a factory firmware that works out of the box with MakeMKV. I tested it with 4K, Blu-Ray and standard DVDs last night and it works successfully without any firmware modification.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H1HNDPCL?re ... asin_title

IF the link doesn't work you can search for the title "JOTEC Premium Aluminum 4K UHD External Blu-Ray Drive
4K Blu-ray Burner, USB 3.0 & Type C Dual Interface, Compatible with All PC & Mac Models, Support 100GB 128GB"

The manufacturer ships both BU40N BU50N models. It retails for $142.99

In my case it handshakes with the MakeMKV status message of-

Drive Information
OS device name: /dev/rdisk4
Current profile: DVD-ROM
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE BU40N
Revision: FR07
Serial number: XXXXXXXXXXX
Firmware date: 2116-12-20 16:51
Bus encryption flags: 1F
Highest AACS version: 82

LibreDrive Information
Status: Enabled
Drive platform: MT1959
Firmware type: Original (unpatched)
Firmware version: 0.FR07J
DVD all regions: Yes
BD raw data read: Yes
BD raw metadata read: Yes
Unrestricted read speed: Yes

I have seen that drive case many times not support flashing

[sjordi]

Ok thanks,
Obviously, I'm not allowed to send private messages

Code: Select all

Drive Information
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE BU40N
Revision: U102
Serial number: MO3JCO42325
Firmware date: 2119-05-10 13:19
Bus encryption flags: 1F
Highest AACS version: 81

LibreDrive Information
Status: Possible, not yet enabled
Drive platform: MT1959

No disc inserted

Any way you DM me?

[Stefan2k22]

@jwagner

I just wanted to let you know per your posts recommendation I purchased the drive you got [https://www.amazon.com/JOTEC-Aluminum-E ... B0H1HNDPCL] which worked out of box with MakeMKV to read/rip 4K discs for you however, the one I got sent doesn't doesn't read 4K discs (doesn't see the disc in the drive but it tried to read it) nor does MakMKV recognize a 4K disc in it (it sees/plays & rip BR's with MakeMKV though) .

Here is MakeMKV's read out of the drive I received with a Blue Ray Disc loaded:

Drive Information
OS device name: E:
Current profile: BD-ROM
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE BU40N
Revision: CB04
Serial number: [Truncated]
Firmware date: 2117-05-18 20:12
Bus encryption flags: 1F
Highest AACS version: 82

LibreDrive Information
Status: Possible, not yet enabled
Drive platform: MT1959

Disc Information
Label: THE_MANDALORIAN_AND_GROGU
Timestamp: 2026-07-15 15:47:48
Protection: AACS v82
Data capacity: 44.99 Gb
Disc type: BD-ROM
Number of layers: 2
Channel bit length: 74,5 nm (25.0 GB max. per layer)

My question to you is there a setting you changed or a simple flash process you did to the drive to get it to recognize 4K disc's and have MakeMKV recognize it?

I wanted to ask before I sent it back for another one with the thinking they accidentally shipped me just a Blue-Ray disc player and not a 4K one like what I supposedly ordered.

Thanks in advance for your response

Mr. 417

Hey everyone I wanted to post this on the forum to let everyone know that there is an affordable slim 4K Blu-ray optical drive that has a factory firmware that works out of the box with MakeMKV. I tested it with 4K, Blu-Ray and standard DVDs last night and it works successfully without any firmware modification.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H1HNDPCL?re ... asin_title

IF the link doesn't work you can search for the title "JOTEC Premium Aluminum 4K UHD External Blu-Ray Drive
4K Blu-ray Burner, USB 3.0 & Type C Dual Interface, Compatible with All PC & Mac Models, Support 100GB 128GB"

The manufacturer ships both BU40N BU50N models. It retails for $142.99

In my case it handshakes with the MakeMKV status message of-

Drive Information
OS device name: /dev/rdisk4
Current profile: DVD-ROM
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE BU40N
Revision: FR07
Serial number: XXXXXXXXXXX
Firmware date: 2116-12-20 16:51
Bus encryption flags: 1F
Highest AACS version: 82

LibreDrive Information
Status: Enabled
Drive platform: MT1959
Firmware type: Original (unpatched)
Firmware version: 0.FR07J
DVD all regions: Yes
BD raw data read: Yes
BD raw metadata read: Yes
Unrestricted read speed: Yes

In my prior post in this thread I think I accidentally quoted the wrong comment. Anyway, this is the same drive I bought. I actually got 2. Anyway, apparently not all of the drives are ready right out of box as some people reported. It probably depends on the firmware revision you just happen to get. Anyway, following the instructions of Mr_Orange and Billycar11, I was able flash the 1.03mk firmware and make them both work. So, you probably need to do the same. Thanks to both Mr_Orange and Billycar11 for pointing me in the right direction.

[Billycar11]

Ok thanks,
Obviously, I'm not allowed to send private messages

Code: Select all

Drive Information
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE BU40N
Revision: U102
Serial number: MO3JCO42325
Firmware date: 2119-05-10 13:19
Bus encryption flags: 1F
Highest AACS version: 81

LibreDrive Information
Status: Possible, not yet enabled
Drive platform: MT1959

No disc inserted

Any way you DM me?

thats why my email is below to avoid the dm issue...