Do I need to flash my drive?

[SelenitaDelSur]

So I just got my UHD drive from Aliexpress, it comes on a generic box but inside there's a BU40N:

Code: Select all

Drive Information
OS device name: \Device\CdRom1
Current profile: BD-ROM
Manufacturer: hp HLDS
Product: BDRE BU40N
Revision: BW41
Serial number: 711CS001663
Firmware date: 2116-12-22 09:20
Bus encryption flags: 1F
Highest AACS version: 81

LibreDrive Information
Status: Enabled
Drive platform: MT1959
Firmware type: Original (unpatched)
Firmware version: 0.BW41P
DVD all regions: Yes
BD raw data read: Yes
BD raw metadata read: Yes
Unrestricted read speed: Yes

I tried reading an UHD disc and it can rip it well. I also tried playing the movie with VLC and it also works well, with the menus and all.


Do I need to flash this? Is there any advantage? I'm a bit loss about the revision types and what that means from the flashing point of view, or the OEM or not firmwares...

And one last question, if I try to play the disc with PowerDVD (I have the 22 version which plays UHDs, and I can indeed play UHD disc in folders ripped on the SSD) it tells me I need to enable Intel SGX (which I don't have because I use AMD, and also I think it's not even supported anymore) for DRM stuff. I can play the movie from the drive with VLC, but is there a way to play it with PowerDVD? I guess I need some kind of on-the-fly decoder or drm-remover or something... I've read about AnyDVD HD can do this? Or maybe the firmware thing described in guides here are precisely for that?

Thanks in advance!

[Coopervid]

Don't play from the drive. Rip and play from SSD /HDD to reduce the usage of the drive and extend its life.

AnyDVD is dead. If you need the on-the-fly decryption (not recommended!) try XReveal.

[MartyMcNuts]

So I just got my UHD drive from Aliexpress, it comes on a generic box but inside there's a BU40N:

Code: Select all

Drive Information
OS device name: \Device\CdRom1
Current profile: BD-ROM
Manufacturer: hp HLDS
Product: BDRE BU40N
Revision: BW41
Serial number: 711CS001663
Firmware date: 2116-12-22 09:20
Bus encryption flags: 1F
Highest AACS version: 81

LibreDrive Information
Status: Enabled
Drive platform: MT1959
Firmware type: Original (unpatched)
Firmware version: 0.BW41P
DVD all regions: Yes
BD raw data read: Yes
BD raw metadata read: Yes
Unrestricted read speed: Yes

I tried reading an UHD disc and it can rip it well. I also tried playing the movie with VLC and it also works well, with the menus and all.


Do I need to flash this? Is there any advantage? I'm a bit loss about the revision types and what that means from the flashing point of view, or the OEM or not firmwares...

And one last question, if I try to play the disc with PowerDVD (I have the 22 version which plays UHDs, and I can indeed play UHD disc in folders ripped on the SSD) it tells me I need to enable Intel SGX (which I don't have because I use AMD, and also I think it's not even supported anymore) for DRM stuff. I can play the movie from the drive with VLC, but is there a way to play it with PowerDVD? I guess I need some kind of on-the-fly decoder or drm-remover or something... I've read about AnyDVD HD can do this? Or maybe the firmware thing described in guides here are precisely for that?

Thanks in advance!

Don't use PowerDVD. You should use an unofficial player such as VLC, MPC-HC etc, not an official player. Best not to play the disc directly anyway, you will wear out the lasers faster. Rip it and you should be able to play the rip in whatever player you want.

[SelenitaDelSur]

Don't use PowerDVD. You should use an unofficial player such as VLC, MPC-HC etc, not an official player. Best not to play the disc directly anyway, you will wear out the lasers faster. Rip it and you should be able to play the rip in whatever player you want.

I already installed 1.03 FW found here with the tool also found here, I've read it's a better FW. I made a backup of the one that came with the drive, just in case. And no, I won't use it for playing movies, just to rip my own UHD discs and have backups, but a couple of questions though:

- Is it bad to use it as a player, just from time to time, like maybe once a year? I could MAYBE use it in a secondary home where I have no UHD player.

- Is this drive more sensitive to slightly damaged discs? I just bought a second hand BD and the first thing I did was to try and make a backup, this drive had troubles reading it so I had to use an internal BD-ROM I have and with that one I could read it easily. The discs has some wear but it works.

[Coopervid]

Don't use PowerDVD. You should use an unofficial player such as VLC, MPC-HC etc, not an official player. Best not to play the disc directly anyway, you will wear out the lasers faster. Rip it and you should be able to play the rip in whatever player you want.

I already installed 1.03 FW found here with the tool also found here, I've read it's a better FW. I made a backup of the one that came with the drive, just in case. And no, I won't use it for playing movies, just to rip my own UHD discs and have backups, but a couple of questions though:

- Is it bad to use it as a player, just from time to time, like maybe once a year? I could MAYBE use it in a secondary home where I have no UHD player.

- Is this drive more sensitive to slightly damaged discs? I just bought a second hand BD and the first thing I did was to try and make a backup, this drive had troubles reading it so I had to use an internal BD-ROM I have and with that one I could read it easily. The discs has some wear but it works.

It's OK from time to time.

The BU40 is the best LG drive. Just all the Pioneers are better. Always at least wipe the discs with a microfiber cloth. UHDs often have an invisible film even new and need to be washed with liquid soap and warm water.

[SelenitaDelSur]

It's OK from time to time.

The BU40 is the best LG drive. Just all the Pioneers are better. Always at least wipe the discs with a microfiber cloth. UHDs often have an invisible film even new and need to be washed with liquid soap and warm water.

Thanks for the advice! What I meant was, my internal drive could read a BD with minor wear but this external BU40N could not, I guess it's more sensitive to minor scratches?

[Coopervid]

It's OK from time to time.

The BU40 is the best LG drive. Just all the Pioneers are better. Always at least wipe the discs with a microfiber cloth. UHDs often have an invisible film even new and need to be washed with liquid soap and warm water.

Thanks for the advice! What I meant was, my internal drive could read a BD with minor wear but this external BU40N could not, I guess it's more sensitive to minor scratches?

The BU40N is supposed to be the best reader among the LG drives. What model is your internal drive?

[SelenitaDelSur]

The BU40N is supposed to be the best reader among the LG drives. What model is your internal drive?

CH08LS10. Interestingly enough, my internal drive cannot read almost any DVD (commercial ones).