https://shop.uhdfriendlydrives.co.uk/
Asmcom’s USB Stable Power 5VDC Connector Loom and Major Stock Update
Last updated: 5th March 2026
Our website will remain temporarily offline until mid-April 2026 while we prepare a significant new inventory release and implement several technical improvements designed to deliver the best possible performance and reliability from the final generation of Hitachi-LG Data Storage UHD drives.
We are pleased to confirm that we have successfully secured a large bulk order of Hitachi-LG Data Storage (HLDS) optical drives, including production units dated September through December 2025. These drives are believed to be among the final production runs manufactured prior to the official end-of-line (EOL) of these models.
Newly acquired stock includes
Hitachi BP55EB40 Revision 4 hardware
Hitachi BU40N Revision 4 hardware with updated internal components
The latest BU40N Revision 4 hardware incorporates refinements to the internal PCB layout, power regulation and drive control sections. These improvements enhance mechanical tolerance control and rotational stability, helping to reduce the likelihood of circular surface marking on certain disc types.
Extensive validation testing
Over the past three months we have been carrying out extensive real-world testing of host-powered optical drives across a wide range of systems, including Mac Mini computers, compact PCs, Microsoft Surface devices and other low-power USB platforms.
During testing we deliberately applied heavy load conditions to the USB subsystem while the optical drives were operating. This included simultaneous USB device activity such as external hard drive transfers, phone charging, printing, scanning and other bus-powered devices drawing current from the same host controller.
Under these stress conditions we observed that some systems can experience small but measurable voltage dips on the 5V USB power rail. While these variations are typically within specification, optical drives performing high-speed UHD reading can be sensitive to such fluctuations, which in certain environments may lead to occasional read instability or error recovery events.
To further investigate this behaviour we modified several test units and supplied regulated external 5VDC power directly to the drive power rail. This allowed us to isolate the drive from fluctuations on the host USB bus while maintaining normal USB data communication.
The results were extremely positive. With a stable regulated supply connected, the drives demonstrated excellent voltage stability regardless of USB system load, even when the host ports were heavily stressed with multiple devices. Disc reading performance remained consistent and predictable, with improved tolerance to demanding workloads.
This testing confirmed that stable power delivery can significantly enhance the consistency of host-powered optical drives, particularly when connected to smaller modern computers where USB power regulation may vary depending on system activity.
Introducing Asmcom’s USB Stable Power 5VDC Connector Loom
To our knowledge this is the first optical drive USB cable specifically engineered to stabilise USB power delivery for UHD optical drives.
Figure 1: Asmcom’s USB Stable Power 5VDC Connector Loom showing the additional 5VDC female barrel connector for optional regulated external power.
Based on these findings we have developed a new accessory designed specifically to enhance the performance of host-powered optical drives.
Asmcom’s USB Stable Power 5VDC Connector Loom provides the ability to optionally supply regulated external 5VDC power directly to the drive cable while maintaining full USB data connectivity.
As shown in Figure 1, the loom incorporates an additional 5VDC 3.5 mm x 1.35 mm female barrel connector which allows a regulated power supply to stabilise the drive’s power rail while the USB connection continues to handle data communication with the host system.
The design incorporates:
USB 3.0 Micro-B connection to the drive
USB-A connection for data and host power
Additional 5VDC 3.5 mm x 1.35 mm female barrel connector for optional regulated external power
Additional USB Type A to Type C adaptor will be available for customers with C connectors on their devices
This configuration allows the drive to operate normally from the USB host while also enabling connection of a regulated 5VDC 2A power supply when maximum stability is required.
The result is extremely stable drive operation, even on systems where USB bus power may fluctuate during heavy device activity.
Because this type of cable does not currently exist commercially, we have commissioned a custom tooling production run and are currently having 2,000 units manufactured specifically for use with our host-powered optical drive solutions.
These looms will initially support USB Micro-B optical drive platforms, and we are also developing additional versions for other host-powered drive interfaces including native USB Type-C configurations.
Why the website will remain closed until April
We have decided to delay reopening the site so that we can complete:
Final validation testing of the new drive batches
Integration of the new USB Stable Power 5VDC Connector Loom
Preparation of upgraded product kits and documentation
Inventory system updates for the upcoming release
Our goal is to ensure that when the website reopens, customers will receive the most refined and reliable solution possible for these final generation UHD optical drives.
Full availability details and product listings will be published once the site reopens.
Thank you for your continued support.
Asmcom
UHD Friendly Drives Team
MakeMKV Licenses Cost £39.99
OWC Mercury Pro 3.2 Full Sized Enclosures on Special. 20% Discount
We have the latest USB 3.2 OWC Enclosures with 20% off the URL below. We are also an OWC Reseller.
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Our website will re-open on Wednesday, 4th February 2026 at 9:00am.
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 - sold out
• Pioneer BDR-XD08EMB-S - sold out
• Pioneer BDR-XD08/S - sold out
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
Special Notice for US Customers & Import Duty:
Important: New $12 International Collect on Delivery (ICOD) Fee for U.S. Customers
UPS has introduced a new $12 USD ICOD (International Collect on Delivery) Fee for shipments to the United States if duties, taxes, or other government-related charges ("Duties") are not paid prior to delivery.
This fee will be collected directly from the recipient at the time of delivery. This will be an additional fee on top of any import duty that is liable for the US. It is impossible for us to know what import duty is for every state in the US, so please check this out.
How to Avoid Paying the Fee on Delivery
To avoid the $12 ICOD fee, recipients can prepay Duties online before delivery using one of the following methods:
• Apple Pay
• Google Pay
• Credit card (Visa, Mastercard, or Discover)
Prepayment can be made through the UPS Import Payment Processing Application (IPPA).
Ensure Accurate Contact Details Are Provided
To receive the prepayment notification and secure payment link, it's essential that the following recipient details are entered correctly when placing your order:
• Full name
• Email address
• Phone number
Please double-check these details to avoid delays or unexpected charges.
Both recipients and shippers are responsible for providing accurate contact information to ensure a smooth delivery process.
A payment link will also be available through the tracking page on UPS.com, enabling recipients to pay in advance and avoid the ICOD Fee.
**Warranty Policy — this policy supersedes any previous posts**
As you may know, Pioneer has unfortunately ceased global manufacturing and official support for optical drives. **UHD Friendly Drives are no longer able to offer direct manufacturer support or warranty for Pioneer Blu-ray drives.**
That said, our commitment to you remains unchanged. Here’s how we’ll continue to assist:
**12-Month Customer Support**
For any Pioneer Blu-ray optical drives purchased from us, we offer 12 months of customer support, which includes troubleshooting assistance, setup guidance, and technical help for any issues that may arise during this period. We're here for you!
**30-Day Money-Back Guarantee**
If you're not completely satisfied with your Pioneer Blu-ray Writer Drive for any reason, we offer a 30-day money-back guarantee. You can return the product within 30 days of receipt for a full refund, provided the product is in its original condition, including all packaging and accessories. While Pioneer's direct warranty support is no longer available, we remain confident in the reliability of these drives, which have earned their reputation as top-tier products.
We understand that this change may be disappointing, and we want to emphasise that Pioneer Blu-ray optical drives are incredibly reliable and of the highest quality. We highly recommend them to anyone who has not yet experienced the exceptional performance of these products. They continue to be one of the best choices in the market for those seeking superior optical drive performance.
Thank you for being so understanding and for continuing to trust us. If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out. We're here to support you every step of the way!
If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out.
Kind regards,
**Asmcom**
UHD Friendly Drives Team.
Note: Special Offer for MakeMKV Forum Members!!! Hitachi BP55 Super Slim External Blu-ray Drive. You must use the weblinks below, or you will not get the offer.
Important
Important Usage Recommendation: To preserve the lifespan of your Blu-ray drive, we do not recommend using it for direct playback of movie discs. Continuous playback can lead to premature laser wear. Our drives are ripping-optimised, not for use as regular movie players.
Instead, use trusted third-party software like MakeMKV to convert your 4K discs into a digital file or ISO container, which is a more reliable and drive-friendly solution for playback on your device. Once ripped, your content can be viewed repeatedly without further stressing the drive.
Let’s be smart about it:
Don’t use your drive for playback. The laser will wear out.
These drives are built for ripping, not repeated movie watching.
Use MakeMKV to create a digital copy. Then play it all you want, guilt-free and drive-friendly.
In short: Use your drive like it’s a tool, not a television.
[/color]BP55EB40WBU40NCC1-00DE - Drive with Carry Case Option. Hitachi BP55 Super Slim External Blu-ray Drive with Hitachi BP60-NB10 firmware BU40N 1-00DE, " 1-00DE Supports: DVDfab, MakeMKV, Xreveal Pro & AnyDVDHD, Drive with Carry Case Option". External Super-Slim USB 2.0 / 3.0 Compatible, Firmware 1-00mk, Reads 4K UHD Discs, Libre-Drive Friendly Drive with Carry Case Option. Costs £129.99 Plus Postage
[/b] - [/color]BP55EB40WBU40ND1-00DE - Drive Only Option. Hitachi BP55 Super Slim External Blu-ray Drive with Hitachi BP60-NB10 firmware BU40N 1-00DE, " 1-00DE Supports: DVDfab, MakeMKV, Xreveal Pro & AnyDVDHD, Drive Only Option". External Super-Slim USB 2.0 / 3.0 Compatible, Firmware 1-00mk, Reads 4K UHD Discs, Libre-Drive Friendly Drive Only. Costs £119.99 Plus Postage
[/color]BP55EB40WBU40NCC1-00MK - Drive with Carry Case Option. Hitachi BP55 Super Slim External Blu-ray Drive with Hitachi BP60-NB10 firmware 1-00MK, " 1-00MK Supports: MakeMKV, Xreveal Pro & AnyDVDHD, Drive with Carry Case Option". External Super-Slim USB 2.0 / 3.0 Compatible, Firmware 1-00mk, Reads 4K UHD Discs, Libre-Drive Friendly Drive with Carry Case Option. Costs £129.99 Plus Postage
[/color]BP55EB40WBU40ND1-00MK - Drive Only Option. Hitachi BP55 Super Slim External Blu-ray Drive with Hitachi BP60-NB10 firmware 1-00MK, " 1-00MK Supports: MakeMKV, Xreveal Pro & AnyDVDHD, Drive Only Option". External Super-Slim USB 2.0 / 3.0 Compatible, Firmware 1-00mk, Reads 4K UHD Discs, Libre-Drive Friendly Drive Only. Costs £119.99 Plus Postage
. Thanks Harry