www.makemkv.com

Rrobynne wrote: Thu Jan 22, 2026 5:00 pm

MartyMcNuts wrote: Mon Jan 05, 2026 4:10 am Yes, MK firmware only works with MakeMKV and Xreveal for UHD discs.

Right, so why the difference? Are these drives designed for different use-cases, operating systems, or something, or is the difference arbitrary?

MakeMKV, forums & alternative firmware (for same drive) are for backing up/ripping discs. Different software may use different methods/firmware for managing DRM/encryption, and require different firmware.

nicholfd wrote: Thu Jan 22, 2026 7:15 pm MakeMKV, forums & alternative firmware (for same drive) are for backing up/ripping discs. Different software may use different methods/firmware for managing DRM/encryption, and require different firmware.

I'm afraid this isn't clear to me, sorry. I have ripped many blu-rays and a couple of 4K discs with my current LG-BU40N drive, which is on its way out, so I know about the MakeMKV software and process. Of these new drives, which of these two firmware options works for which use-cases? I need to know which one suits my purposes to get in early when Asmcom re-opens up shop. I run Windows 11 and am looking to continue ripping BDs and UHDs as usual.

Rrobynne wrote: Thu Jan 22, 2026 11:54 pm

nicholfd wrote: Thu Jan 22, 2026 7:15 pm MakeMKV, forums & alternative firmware (for same drive) are for backing up/ripping discs. Different software may use different methods/firmware for managing DRM/encryption, and require different firmware.

I'm afraid this isn't clear to me, sorry. I have ripped many blu-rays and a couple of 4K discs with my current LG-BU40N drive, which is on its way out, so I know about the MakeMKV software and process. Of these new drives, which of these two firmware options works for which use-cases? I need to know which one suits my purposes to get in early when Asmcom re-opens up shop. I run Windows 11 and am looking to continue ripping BDs and UHDs as usual.

MK firmware only works with MakeMKV and Xreveal for UHD discs, so make your choice based on what software you use to tip UHD discs. Anything other than the 2 mentioned applications require non MK firmware for UHD discs.

MartyMcNuts wrote: Fri Jan 23, 2026 12:31 am MK firmware only works with MakeMKV and Xreveal for UHD discs, so make your choice based on what software you use to tip UHD discs. Anything other than the 2 mentioned applications require non MK firmware for UHD discs.

Great, thank you.

Hi ya'll.

I'm eagerly awaiting the reopening of Asmcom. My two 4K players are starting to show their age, and I'd like a reliable player to back up the rest of my collection and for upcoming movies.

Hello Asmcom,

How is it going?

I was wondering if you have internal 5,25" drive available, otherwise I have to look somewhere else unfortunately.

The uhdfriendlydrives site is updated but shows all listings as out of stock. Is this because they're still setting up for February or did I already miss the re-opening sale?

Rrobynne wrote: Sat Jan 31, 2026 12:56 am The uhdfriendlydrives site is updated but shows all listings as out of stock. Is this because they're still setting up for February or did I already miss the re-opening sale?

That's also what I'm wondering, as I'd like to buy a drive as well. My guess is the former, though. Especially since there hasn't been a post from Asmcom yet. I'm sure we'll be fine.

Has anyone done shopping from this site before here in the forums ?

Was wondering what payment options you can use etc ?

Is all done through the site or are there some special things to know about ?

I would guess they are still working on getting the site up again, question is how much hardware they have left ?

DennisOlof wrote: Sat Jan 31, 2026 1:23 pm I would guess they are still working on getting the site up again, question is how much hardware they have left ?

But on the bright side, at least this means Asmcom is now safely out of hospital .

Hi Asmcom

I have an ASUS BW-16D1HT for last 3 years. Do you offer the option just to get the firmware files and tools to flash the drives DIY and pay of course

Hello,
As drives are listed on the website and sales would start soon - I wanted to clarify which ones to choose for 4k UHD. Is there a reason that there's a huge price difference between drives and am I right to assume that it's due to reliability? If so, which is an easy plug and play solution for an external drive. Please help as I'm new to all this. Thanks

A few pages before it was mentioned that asmcom had to go to hospital in late 2024. So it will be uncertain that he will reopen before end of January 2025. However it seems that the shop reopened for some time in November. Hopefully nothing worse happened to him, he usually frequently responds to this topic.

Oh, I am so sorry for that. Was unaware he was in hospital. I hope it was nothing serious.

I have no problem buying older hardware like say s11 drive as long as I can get my hand on a genuine pioneer drive. And then ride out the chaos and hope that the market for hardware and optical discs calm done and becomes stable. Probably a niche market then but as long as you can source hardware and discs I am ok with that. Prices will probably be high but that is to be expected.

https://shop.uhdfriendlydrives.co.uk/

Website Reopening Notice

Our website will re-open on Wednesday, 4th February 2026 at 9:00am.

We are currently awaiting delivery of our final shipment of genuine Pioneer UHD-friendly drives, which is expected to clear customs and arrive on Monday, 2nd or Tuesday, 3rd February 2026, ahead of the website reopening.

We currently have the following Pioneer UHD-friendly models available:

• BDR-XD08EMB-S
• BDR-XD08/S
• BDR-XS07TS

Current Market Situation

The UHD-capable optical drive market has changed significantly. Pioneer has discontinued almost all optical drive production, and remaining stock worldwide is now extremely limited. Once existing inventory is sold, these drives will not be manufactured again, and sourcing new genuine Pioneer UHD-friendly drives will no longer be possible.

Why Pioneer Drives

Pioneer optical drives are widely regarded as the highest-quality Blu-ray drives ever produced, particularly for UHD use. They offer:

• Superior build quality
• More reliable mechanisms
• Far more consistent and stable firmware behaviour

This is why Pioneer drives have become the preferred choice for UHD collectors and archivists worldwide.

Recommended Models

These are the only remaining genuine Pioneer models we will have available. All units are fully tested and confirmed UHD-friendly:

• Pioneer BDR-XS07TS
• Pioneer BDR-XD08EMB-S
• Pioneer BDR-XD08/S

Although these are external slimline drives, they use the same high-quality Pioneer mechanisms and firmware that made the internal models so reliable and highly sought after.

Availability

We strongly recommend purchasing while stock is still available. Once our remaining Pioneer inventory is sold, we will not be able to restock. Customers may then be forced to rely on second-hand or unverified drives, which carry significant compatibility and reliability risks.

Pricing Notice

Due to the extreme scarcity of genuine Pioneer UHD-friendly drives, distributor pricing for the final remaining stock has increased substantially. This is entirely outside of our control. We have absorbed as much of this increase as possible; however, some adjustment in pricing is unavoidable.
While these drives now command a premium, this is very likely the last opportunity to purchase new, fully tested, precision-engineered Pioneer 4K Blu-ray drives of this calibre. Once sold, they will not be available again.

Kind regards,
Asmcom
UHD Friendly Drives Team