Ultimate UHD Drives Flashing Guide Updated 2023

Forum for discussions about UHD-capable dives
hansolo
Posts: 20
Joined: Fri Jun 14, 2019 5:31 am

Re: Ultimate UHD Drives Guide Updated 2020

Post by hansolo »

Billycar11 wrote:
Fri Oct 16, 2020 9:16 pm
hansolo wrote:
Fri Oct 16, 2020 12:56 pm
BU40N > BU40N 1.03MK

What is the best FW for LG BU40N slim drive? Is it still 1.03MK, the latest MK or original FW 1.00? Some people seem to suggest 1.00.
If you have 1.00 leave it but I recommend 1.03 for most people because it is a simple 1 step flash and done less risk of bricking the drive 1.00 vs 1.03 in makemkv there is no difference the only advantage of 1.00 is comparability with other rippers
I just got the unit today. It had fw 1.04 on it, so I used "sdftool_flasher" to get rid of the encrypted 1.04 and replaced it with MK1.04. Drive is manufactured July 2020. I'm just test driving it with GitS US (anime) disc. Curiously, my unit does not have UltraHD Blu-ray logo on bezel but has UHD Blu-ray text written on the label on top. So I assume this is official UHD Blu-ray drive. If I understood correctly I need to dowgrade to official 1.00 if want to use Anydvd HD or any other tool than Makemkv. What if I had latest PowerDVD Ultra and all the bells and whistles regarding DRM (I don't) could I playback UHD discs with this MK1.04 firmware or does it also require downgrade to 1.00.

Seems to backup fast. It's done 18GB so far and reached 5.7X (24.6 MB/s) speed.

Max speed seems to be 6.0X (25.9 MB/s). I guess it is max for this drive model.

Full backup elapsed time 48:01 (63.34 GB, 3 layers). I wonder why Lionsgate used triple decker even though data size is less than 66 GB.
Last edited by hansolo on Thu Oct 29, 2020 2:01 pm, edited 1 time in total.
LG BH16NS55 (w/ WH16NS60 1.02MK) in external enclosure
LG BU40N (1.03MK) in external enclosure
Verbatim #43888 (Pioneer BDR-UD04 FW1.14)
KTL03
Posts: 8
Joined: Thu Oct 29, 2020 6:42 pm

Re: Ultimate UHD Drives Guide Updated 2020

Post by KTL03 »

Thanks for providing the information in either updating or crossflashing with the appropriate tools and firmwares. I was able to upgrade one WH16NS40-NS50 to the 1.05MK firmware and another to the NS60 1.03MK firmware. It's nice to see there's still some unofficial support for optical drives. 8)
Qwonset The Hutt
Posts: 1
Joined: Tue Nov 03, 2020 8:10 pm

Re: Ultimate UHD Drives Guide Updated 2020

Post by Qwonset The Hutt »

I just got a pair of LG WH16NS40 drives that were manufactured in June, 2020. They came with 1.05 firmware.

sdftool_flasher appears to succeed flashing DE_LG_WH16NS40_1.02_NS50.bin, but the firmware version displayed by MakeMKV is still 1.05. I tried the MK firmware. Same thing.

What options are there for this 1.05 factory firmware that taunts me?
Jabba, you ff, stop stalking me or I'll tell mom.
ubuntuuser
Posts: 29
Joined: Sat May 18, 2019 9:44 pm

Re: Ultimate UHD Drives Guide Updated 2020

Post by ubuntuuser »

I am unsure, if I have to update this drive:

Code: Select all

OS-Gerätename: /dev/sr0
Produzent: HL-DT-ST
Produkt: BD-RE BH16NS40
Revision: 1.03
Serienummer: xxxx
Firmware-Datum: 2115-05-26 17:14
Markierungen der Bus-Verschlüsselung: 17
Highest AACS version: 70

LibreDrive Information
Status: Enabled
Drive platform: MT1939
Firmware type: Original (unpatched)
Firmware version: 1.03
DVD all regions: Yes
BD raw data read: Yes
BD raw metadata read: Partial
Unrestricted read speed: Yes
If this drive needs an update, please give me a link how to do it? The drive is used with Linux, but I will connect it for flashing to a very old Windows 10 20.10H2 PC, Bios has no mouse configuration, so I assume UEFI is not suppored, AHCI is not enabled but IDE.
d00zah
Posts: 1414
Joined: Mon Jun 06, 2016 8:23 pm

Re: Ultimate UHD Drives Guide Updated 2020

Post by d00zah »

ubuntuuser wrote:
Wed Nov 04, 2020 1:00 am
I am unsure, if I have to update this drive:

OS-Gerätename: /dev/sr0
Produzent: HL-DT-ST
Produkt: BD-RE BH16NS40
Revision: 1.03
Serienummer: xxxx
Firmware-Datum: 2115-05-26 17:14
Markierungen der Bus-Verschlüsselung: 17
Highest AACS version: 70

LibreDrive Information
Status: Enabled
Drive platform: MT1939
Firmware type: Original (unpatched)
Firmware version: 1.03
DVD all regions: Yes
BD raw data read: Yes
BD raw metadata read: Partial
Unrestricted read speed: Yes

If this drive needs an update, please give me a link how to do it? The drive is used with Linux, but I will connect it for flashing to a very old Windows 10 20.10H2 PC, Bios has no mouse configuration, so I assume UEFI is not suppored, AHCI is not enabled but IDE.
It's too old to ever do UHD, but it's already LibreDrive enabled & as capable as it will ever be.
ubuntuuser
Posts: 29
Joined: Sat May 18, 2019 9:44 pm

Re: Ultimate UHD Drives Guide Updated 2020

Post by ubuntuuser »

It's too old to ever do UHD
It can read UHD / BD for sure, but my question is, if it can do BD-4k. In the 1st posting HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_BH16NS40-NS50 is mentioned.
Please note, the date is fantasy it does not say 2015, but 2115
Billycar11 wrote:
Mon May 27, 2019 5:20 am

New Encrypted firmware
List of Know Encrypted firmware (so far, any firmware with date in 2020 is encrypted)

Code: Select all

...
HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_BH16NS40-NS50-1.05-N000600-212005061331.bin
st4evr
Posts: 705
Joined: Tue Mar 06, 2018 11:38 pm

Re: Ultimate UHD Drives Guide Updated 2020

Post by st4evr »

ubuntuuser wrote:
Wed Nov 04, 2020 1:27 am
It's too old to ever do UHD
Ok, it appears you are confused. As it was advised above, no, it will not read/decrypt UHD content. UHD is just another acronym for 4k media content. Google is your friend if you wish to verify that.

Flashing that drive will result in a bricked drive. If you still wish to do it, go ahead, but you’ve been warned twice now.

The incompatibility of the MT1939 platform with UHD content decryption has been discussed hundreds upon hundreds of times already. Including the warning clearly listed in the first post of this guide. The search function will return hundreds of those conversations as well. And why there are two platforms with the exact same drive model distributed by drive manufacturers/distributors over many years.

https://www.makemkv.com/forum/search.ph ... rds=MT1939
d00zah
Posts: 1414
Joined: Mon Jun 06, 2016 8:23 pm

Re: Ultimate UHD Drives Guide Updated 2020

Post by d00zah »

There were 2 HW versions. This drive is a' HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_BH16NS40-NS40 drive, manufactured before Oct 2015. Check the physical label on the drive if you must, but "Drive platform: MT1939" says it all. NOT "BD-4k" (UHD) capable.

All spelled out in the 1st post of this thread.
ubuntuuser
Posts: 29
Joined: Sat May 18, 2019 9:44 pm

Re: Ultimate UHD Drives Guide Updated 2020

Post by ubuntuuser »

Ok, it appears you are confused.
Sorry, yes you are right. For some reasons I thought UHD = BD, which is not, while BD can have HD and UHD resolutions and what I wanted is UHD / 4k.

So I have to look for another drive and keep this drive as it is.
MartyMcNuts
Posts: 2460
Joined: Wed Nov 22, 2017 11:45 pm

Re: Ultimate UHD Drives Guide Updated 2020

Post by MartyMcNuts »

Qwonset The Hutt wrote:
Tue Nov 03, 2020 8:39 pm
I just got a pair of LG WH16NS40 drives that were manufactured in June, 2020. They came with 1.05 firmware.

sdftool_flasher appears to succeed flashing DE_LG_WH16NS40_1.02_NS50.bin, but the firmware version displayed by MakeMKV is still 1.05. I tried the MK firmware. Same thing.

What options are there for this 1.05 factory firmware that taunts me?
Because you are doing it wrong! 1.05 is an encrypted firmware, so you should:

Step 1: Use the SDFtool Flasher to flash WH16NS40 1.05 from the MK folder checking the "enc" box.
Step 2: Now flash whatever firmware you want to use ("enc" box unchecked.)
Cheers :D
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For UHD enabled drives (AU/NZ/SG) & DIY Single Drive Flasher (WW): https://www.uhdenableddrives.com
liquidfish
Posts: 1
Joined: Wed Nov 04, 2020 8:56 am

Re: Ultimate UHD Drives Guide Updated 2020

Post by liquidfish »

Big thank you to Billy! :D
Sodapop74
Posts: 4
Joined: Tue Feb 11, 2020 10:58 pm

Re: Ultimate UHD Drives Guide Updated 2020

Post by Sodapop74 »

For all the Europeans: this USB to SATA adapter from amazon.de has been working for me with no issues on both Windows and Mac with an ASUS BW-16D1HT that has a UHD compatible custom firmware in it. Here's a link: https://www.amazon.de/-/en/gp/product/B00N4JLNXM/
ubuntuuser
Posts: 29
Joined: Sat May 18, 2019 9:44 pm

Re: Ultimate UHD Drives Guide Updated 2020

Post by ubuntuuser »

It's too old to ever do UHD
So I have a newer drive now.

Code: Select all

Laufwerksinformation
OS-Gerätename: /dev/sr0
Produzent: ASUS
Produkt: BW-16D1HT
Revision: 3.10
Firmware-Datum: 2119-01-04 10:14
Markierungen der Bus-Verschlüsselung: 1F

LibreDrive Information
Status: Possible (with patched firmware)
Drive platform: MT1959
Harware support: Yes
Firmware support: No
Firmware type: Original (patched version available)
Firmware version: 3.10
DVD all regions: Possible (with patched firmware)
BD raw data read: Possible (with patched firmware)
BD raw metadata read: Possible (with patched firmware)
Unrestricted read speed: Possible (with patched firmware)
It is in a linux box at the moment. I will put it in a Windows 10 20H2 system with IDE installed (no AHCI) and no UEFI, connected to the master of SATA 1, system ist on SATA 0 master.

Is it normal, that I always get dates from the future like 2 1 19?

Can you please post a few lines what I have to do and what I have to download?

Am I right, that I have to flash 2 times, 1st 3.10MK and then downgrade to which version?
d00zah
Posts: 1414
Joined: Mon Jun 06, 2016 8:23 pm

Re: Ultimate UHD Drives Guide Updated 2020

Post by d00zah »

ubuntuuser wrote:
Thu Nov 05, 2020 3:33 am
It is in a linux box at the moment. I will put it in a Windows 10 20H2 system with IDE installed (no AHCI) and no UEFI, connected to the master of SATA 1, system ist on SATA 0 master.
All that is old news. If Windows detects the drive, you are good to go.
ubuntuuser wrote:
Thu Nov 05, 2020 3:33 am
Is it normal, that I always get dates from the future like 2 1 19?
Yep.
ubuntuuser wrote:
Thu Nov 05, 2020 3:33 am
Can you please post a few lines what I have to do and what I have to download?
Link to MK FW pack in 1st post of this thread. Flash w/ SDFtool Flasher (instructions included).
ubuntuuser wrote:
Thu Nov 05, 2020 3:33 am
Am I right, that I have to flash 2 times, 1st 3.10MK and then downgrade to which version?
Just 3.10MK should do.
ubuntuuser
Posts: 29
Joined: Sat May 18, 2019 9:44 pm

Re: Ultimate UHD Drives Guide Updated 2020

Post by ubuntuuser »

All that is old news. If Windows detects the drive, you are good to go.
Thanks, I asked because I use the latest Win 10 from October 2020. Any known problems with the latest Win 10?
Link to MK FW pack in 1st post of this thread. Flash w/ SDFtool Flasher (instructions included).
I remember, that SDFtool Flasher does cross flashing to LG? And at another place I read crossflashing is not recommended.
Is the needed firmware included already or do I have to download from another place, if so where?
Just 3.10MK should do.
Thanks!
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