SDF update November 2025

[Mr_Orange]

What is the current status of the BDR-212DBK 5.25" internal drive?

[MartyMcNuts]

What is the current status of the BDR-212DBK 5.25" internal drive?

As far as I am aware, all 212DBK's still have firmware that is pre 12/2022 so can be cross-flashed (unless someone has updated it).

[clichekhfan]

My BDR-XS07 has become enabled when it was not before, at least on windows. My verbatim BU4ON says possible, not yet enabled which is the same as before.

I have screenshots and firmware dumps. https://drive.proton.me/urls/P3BWP401SM#UqwsC9OveAVr

[Mr_Orange]

What is the current status of the BDR-212DBK 5.25" internal drive?

As far as I am aware, all 212DBK's still have firmware that is pre 12/2022 so can be cross-flashed (unless someone has updated it).

Thanks. Does the cross-flashing involve an additional cost?

Are there any other Pioneer 5.25" internal drives worth keeping an eye out for?

[MartyMcNuts]

What is the current status of the BDR-212DBK 5.25" internal drive?

As far as I am aware, all 212DBK's still have firmware that is pre 12/2022 so can be cross-flashed (unless someone has updated it).

Thanks. Does the cross-flashing involve an additional cost?

Are there any other Pioneer 5.25" internal drives worth keeping an eye out for?

Yes, $25.00 I believe. Ask Billycar11.

All 5.25" Pioneer models are extremley difficult to get and appear to be unavailable pretty much everwhere.

[MartyMcNuts]

My BDR-XS07 has become enabled when it was not before, at least on windows. My verbatim BU4ON says possible, not yet enabled which is the same as before.

I have screenshots and firmware dumps. https://drive.proton.me/urls/P3BWP401SM#UqwsC9OveAVr

The Verbatim contains a LG BU40N. These must be flashed to enable LibreDrive and UHD readability.

The SDF update and out of the box libredrive support is only for Pioneer drives.

[clichekhfan]

My BDR-XS07 has become enabled when it was not before, at least on windows. My verbatim BU4ON says possible, not yet enabled which is the same as before.

I have screenshots and firmware dumps. https://drive.proton.me/urls/P3BWP401SM#UqwsC9OveAVr

The Verbatim contains a LG BU40N. These must be flashed to enable LibreDrive and UHD readability.

The SDF update and out of the box libredrive support is only for Pioneer drives.

Is that something billy can do? my BU4ON is rev 1.05, firmware 2014-04-23. any drive that I can upgrade to UHD would definitely be worth it.

[MartyMcNuts]

My BDR-XS07 has become enabled when it was not before, at least on windows. My verbatim BU4ON says possible, not yet enabled which is the same as before.

I have screenshots and firmware dumps. https://drive.proton.me/urls/P3BWP401SM#UqwsC9OveAVr

The Verbatim contains a LG BU40N. These must be flashed to enable LibreDrive and UHD readability.

The SDF update and out of the box libredrive support is only for Pioneer drives.

Is that something billy can do? my BU4ON is rev 1.05, firmware 2014-04-23. any drive that I can upgrade to UHD would definitely be worth it.

You can flash it yourself or contact Billycar11 or see my signature.

[mike admin]

Few notes about UHD and cross-flashing

- I'm not the person who wrote the crossflash tool, although I know all the details about the process.
- Currently the flashing process is quite fragile, in many senses. It carries a risk of bricking the drive and it (ab)uses certain firmware vulnerabilities, which being fixed would make life much harder going forward.
- Technically, it is possible to crossflash any drive with any firmware version. There is no public or private tool to do so for 2022+ firmwares.
- We are evaluating all options, including enabling UHD access without firmware flash. It is still unknown if this is possible at all.

My take is that UHD access will be enabled eventually, one way or another. When and how will this happen - I do not know yet.

[Mr_Orange]

Few notes about UHD and cross-flashing

- I'm not the person who wrote the crossflash tool, although I know all the details about the process.
- Currently the flashing process is quite fragile, in many senses. It carries a risk of bricking the drive and it (ab)uses certain firmware vulnerabilities, which being fixed would make life much harder going forward.
- Technically, it is possible to crossflash any drive with any firmware version. There is no public or private tool to do so for 2022+ firmwares.
- We are evaluating all options, including enabling UHD access without firmware flash. There is still unknown if this is possible at all.

My take it that UHD access will be enabled eventually, one way or another. When and how will this happen - I do not know yet.

Thank you, that's really helpful background information to share.

Given the scarcity of Pioneer drives, their (now) inflated prices, the proliferation of Chinese sellers on eBay (I smell fakes but could be wrong) and the flashing risk, I think I'll just pick up another LG BH16NS55 to go with the Verbatim (Pioneer) 43888 that I have. My last one served me well for 6-7 years.