Just scored a Buffalo-branded Pioneer BDR-209M

[Intermodiate]

Given that Pioneer drives continue to be resolutely recommended despite being scarce as hens teeth, I wanted to share that I just purchased two Buffalo MediaStation BRXL-16U3 external drives and one was a Pioneer. The seller was "Woot" on Amazon. Probably old stock/overstock? The drive info:

Drive Information
OS device name: D:
Manufacturer: PIONEER
Product: BD-RW BDR-209M
Revision: 8.53
Serial number: Herpity
Firmware date: 2019-03-07
Bus encryption flags: 1B
Highest AACS version: 66

LibreDrive Information
Status: Enabled
Drive platform: RS8F00
Firmware name: PIONEER BDR-212T
Firmware type: Original (unpatched)
Firmware version: 8.53/ID52
DVD all regions: Yes
BD raw data read: Yes
BD raw metadata read: Yes
Unrestricted read speed: Yes

No disc inserted

And...

Drive Information
OS device name: D:
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE BH16NS58
Revision: 1.02
Serial number: Derpity
Firmware date: 2119-02-23 09:35
Bus encryption flags: 1F
Highest AACS version: 66

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

No disc inserted

YMMV. Good luck if you decide to spin the wheel on it.

Unrelated - MakeMKV asked me to email the LG firmware to support@makemkv.com, which I did. Should I wait before trying to flash it?

[Coopervid]

Given that Pioneer drives continue to be resolutely recommended despite being scarce as hens teeth, I wanted to share that I just purchased two Buffalo MediaStation BRXL-16U3 external drives and one was a Pioneer. The seller was "Woot" on Amazon. Probably old stock/overstock? The drive info:

Drive Information
OS device name: D:
Manufacturer: PIONEER
Product: BD-RW BDR-209M
Revision: 8.53
Serial number: Herpity
Firmware date: 2019-03-07
Bus encryption flags: 1B
Highest AACS version: 66

LibreDrive Information
Status: Enabled
Drive platform: RS8F00
Firmware name: PIONEER BDR-212T
Firmware type: Original (unpatched)
Firmware version: 8.53/ID52
DVD all regions: Yes
BD raw data read: Yes
BD raw metadata read: Yes
Unrestricted read speed: Yes

No disc inserted

And...

Drive Information
OS device name: D:
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE BH16NS58
Revision: 1.02
Serial number: Derpity
Firmware date: 2119-02-23 09:35
Bus encryption flags: 1F
Highest AACS version: 66

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

No disc inserted

YMMV. Good luck if you decide to spin the wheel on it.

Unrelated - MakeMKV asked me to email the LG firmware to support@makemkv.com, which I did. Should I wait before trying to flash it?

PM sent for your Pioneer. The LG can be flashed to LG WH16 NS60 1.02.

[Intermodiate]

I introduced your flasher to my Buffalo drive. They seemed to hit it off! They had a little chat. It wasn't long but it must have impressed my drive because after its nap it seems to be a new person. Thank you.

Drive Information
OS device name: D:
Manufacturer: PIONEER
Product: BD-RW BDR-S12U
Revision: 1.02
Serial number: Herpity
Firmware date: 2022-03-07
Bus encryption flags: 1B
Highest AACS version: 81

LibreDrive Information
Status: Enabled
Drive platform: RS8F01
Firmware name: PIONEER BDR-212T
Firmware type: Original (unpatched)
Firmware version: 1.02/ID43
DVD all regions: Yes
BD raw data read: Yes
BD raw metadata read: Yes
Unrestricted read speed: Yes

No disc inserted

Do you have any recommendations for changing the settings? Or would you just leave them alone?
Specifically I'm wondering if any of these meaningfully impact longevity or read performance/reliability.

bdr-settings1.png (9.02 KiB) Viewed 412 times

[Intermodiate]

The LG went well too - thanks.

Drive Information
OS device name: D:
Current profile: BD-ROM
Manufacturer: HL-DT-ST
Product: BD-RE WH16NS60
Revision: 1.02
Serial number: Derpity
Firmware date: 2118-10-29 19:36
Bus encryption flags: 17
Highest AACS version: 81

LibreDrive Information
Status: Enabled
Drive platform: MT1959
Firmware type: Patched (microcode access re-enabled)
Firmware version: 1.02
DVD all regions: Yes
BD raw data read: Yes
BD raw metadata read: Yes
Unrestricted read speed: Yes

No disc inserted

I don't actually have any UHD discs yet, so I didn't test that. The Pioneer started reading 1080p BDs a lot faster after the flash. The LG seems the same.