Asus BW-16D1HT 3.03

[mfraz74]

Finally got round to installing my new Asus BW-16D1HT drive today, I presume the 3.03 is the firmware version?

LibreDrive Information
Status: Possible (with patched firmware)
Drive platform: MT1959
Harware support: Yes
Firmware support: No
Firmware type: Original (patched version available)
Firmware version: 3.03
DVD all regions: Possible (with patched firmware)
BD raw data read: Possible (with patched firmware)
BD raw metadata read: Possible (with patched firmware)
Unrestricted read speed: Possible (with patched firmware)

When I start to rip a blu-ray, I see this in the logs:
MakeMKV v1.14.3 linux(x64-release) started
Using direct disc access mode
LibreDrive firmware support is not yet available for this drive (id=AFD1721A73BF)

I am running Ubuntu 18.10, is there any chance this drive will be able to rip UHDs?

[SamuriHL]

Yes, but, you will need to either downgrade it to 3.02 with a downgrade enabled firmware bin or use the MK 3.03 version Mike has created. See here:

viewtopic.php?f=19&t=19113

Also it will need to be flashed in Windows. A WinPE usb stick will suffice.

[mfraz74]

What software other than WinPE do I need to upgrade to MK 3.03?

[MartyMcNuts]

What software other than WinPE do I need to upgrade to MK 3.03?

The ASUS windows flasher + firmware

viewtopic.php?f=16&t=18933

and/or the MK firmware (see previous post from SamuriHL) if you want to stay on 3.03 firmware.

[SamuriHL]

Right, in either case as Marty said you need to use a patched Windows flasher and the firmware bin in a Windows environment. I've seen a Mac user do it in a Windows VM under VirtualBox so that's an option, too. Whatever is easiest to get a Windows environment up and running long enough to run the flasher, select the drive, select the firmware bin file, and then flash it. I've left my drive on the MK 3.03 version and that has all functionality (UHD friendly) completely restored. So for this drive, that's a very decent option.

WARNING: DO NOT upgrade the drive to the new 3.10 firmware that ASUS just released. Doing so will (for now) remove the ability to downgrade and remove LibreDrive compatibility. Until Mike has a chance to patch that firmware, but, there's ZERO benefit in upgrading to it anyway. Stick with the MK 3.03 or DE 3.02 and you'll be good to go.

[John310]

Hi
Im thinking about buying this drive for my pc tower. Is the Asus BW-16D1HT a good reliable drive and is it a compatible LibreDrive?

Thanks
John310

[SamuriHL]

As long as you have a proper firmware on the drive, then yes it's LibreDrive compatible. And yes, it's a very good drive. I've been using mine for over a year and some change now. It works very well.

[John310]

As long as you have a proper firmware on the drive, then yes it's LibreDrive compatible. And yes, it's a very good drive. I've been using mine for over a year and some change now. It works very well.

if I get go ahead with this drive can the firmware be changed to maker it LibreDrive Compatible? is it a solid drive for ripping as well as burning DVD and Blu-Rays?

Thank
John310

[SamuriHL]

I'm going to give a caveat answer to your question. ASSUMING it comes with 3.03 then making it LibreDrive compatible is fairly academic at this point. I'd use the patched Windows flasher and flash Mike's MK 3.03 on it and be done. My caveat is that if it comes with 3.10 that ASUS just released, it may take a bit of time before Mike can release an MK version because that is not downgrade enabled so you can't go back to 3.02 or MK 3.03 if it ships with that version. That being said, that version just got released in the past week or so. Most likely you'll end up with a drive that has 3.03 on it and you should be good to go. As for your other questions, yes, it's very solid in ripping and I've had no issues with the BD-R/E's I've burned on it but I don't often burn media....and I use Verbatim media from Japan when I do.

[John310]

I'm going to give a caveat answer to your question. ASSUMING it comes with 3.03 then making it LibreDrive compatible is fairly academic at this point. I'd use the patched Windows flasher and flash Mike's MK 3.03 on it and be done. My caveat is that if it comes with 3.10 that ASUS just released, it may take a bit of time before Mike can release an MK version because that is not downgrade enabled so you can't go back to 3.02 or MK 3.03 if it ships with that version. That being said, that version just got released in the past week or so. Most likely you'll end up with a drive that has 3.03 on it and you should be good to go. As for your other questions, yes, it's very solid in ripping and I've had no issues with the BD-R/E's I've burned on it but I don't often burn media....and I use Verbatim media from Japan when I do.

Thanks for all the information. it sounds like this Drive will be useful to me so I have now ordered it. I will see how it goes when It arrives.

Many Thanks again to everyone
John310

[SamuriHL]

Great, good luck! Let us know if you need any assistance when you get it.

[computermoose44]

Hey Guys,
I am having similar trouble as the OP, same drive, same firmware. I first tried flashing with the new MK 3.03 firmware. MakeMKV still says
MakeMKV v1.14.3 win(x64-release) started
Using direct disc access mode
Saved SD dump file as C:\Users\School/.MakeMKV/dump_SD_BEBB0710929BC4F2D5A3.tgz
Downloading latest SDF to C:\Users\School/.MakeMKV ...
Automatic SDF downloading is disabled or failed.
Downloading latest HK to C:\Users\School/.MakeMKV ...
Automatic HK downloading is disabled or failed.
Saved AACS dump file as C:\Users\School/.MakeMKV/MKB20_v61_Fantastic_Beasts_and_Where_to_Find_Them_8C29.tgz
LibreDrive compatible drive is required to open this disc - video can't be decrypted.
Failed to open disc

I also tried to downgrade to 3.02 DE as suggested by the forums.
Same result. Any ideas?

Thanks

[MartyMcNuts]

Hey Guys,
I am having similar trouble as the OP, same drive, same firmware. I first tried flashing with the new MK 3.03 firmware. MakeMKV still says
MakeMKV v1.14.3 win(x64-release) started
Using direct disc access mode
Saved SD dump file as C:\Users\School/.MakeMKV/dump_SD_BEBB0710929BC4F2D5A3.tgz
Downloading latest SDF to C:\Users\School/.MakeMKV ...
Automatic SDF downloading is disabled or failed.
Downloading latest HK to C:\Users\School/.MakeMKV ...
Automatic HK downloading is disabled or failed.
Saved AACS dump file as C:\Users\School/.MakeMKV/MKB20_v61_Fantastic_Beasts_and_Where_to_Find_Them_8C29.tgz
LibreDrive compatible drive is required to open this disc - video can't be decrypted.
Failed to open disc

I also tried to downgrade to 3.02 DE as suggested by the forums.
Same result. Any ideas?

Thanks

You need to make sure that "Allow contacting web server for updates" is enabled (ticked) in Preferences (General tab).

[SamuriHL]

And that you have no firewall rules blocking it. We've seen both issues lately.

[mfraz74]

What software other than WinPE do I need to upgrade to MK 3.03?

The ASUS windows flasher + firmware

viewtopic.php?f=16&t=18933

and/or the MK firmware (see previous post from SamuriHL) if you want to stay on 3.03 firmware.

Thought I'd have a go first at running the software under Wine, but I get:
I can't issue command through SPTI

Any idea what this means?