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Drive Firmware Compatibility

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Davy edited this page Jul 9, 2026 · 3 revisions

Drive & Firmware Compatibility Table

English | 中文

This page consolidates which HLDS (Hitachi-LG Data Storage) MT1959-based optical drives can be flashed with which firmware, and where to get each firmware. There are two main firmware families in active use:

Firmware family Base firmware Target drives Primary use case
OmniDrive ASUS BW-16D1HT 3.02 / LG BU40N 1.00 JB8/JB9 desktop & slim MT1959 drives Disc preservation/dumping (Redump) — lead-in/lead-out, raw sectors, game disc reading
MK firmware Various (WH16NS60 1.02, BW-16D1HT 3.10, BU40N 1.03, etc.) Same MT1959 drives UHD Blu-ray ripping with MakeMKV (LibreDrive)

Both families run on the same hardware. The difference is which features they unlock. OmniDrive focuses on complete disc reading for preservation; MK firmware focuses on UHD ripping compatibility and LibreDrive features for MakeMKV.

Source key (used in the tables below):

Compatibility prerequisites

Before consulting the tables, confirm your drive meets all of these:

  1. MT1959 platform — MakeMKV must report Drive platform: MT1959. If it reports MT1939, the drive is based on the older MT1939 chip and is not compatible with OmniDrive or most MK firmware. [R] [B]
  2. Manufacturing date ≥ late 2015 — Drives manufactured 2015 or earlier are likely the older JB7/JBC5 platform and are incompatible. Check the sticker on the drive. [R] [B]
  3. PCB code JB8 (2015.05.08) or JB9 (2015.09.03) — For desktop/half-height drives. JB7 (2011.11.17) and JBC5 (2012.05.02) are not compatible with OmniDrive. [R] [R-O]
  4. SVC code NS50/NS52 (desktop) or NB50/NB52 (slim external) — If present on the sticker. NS40/NB40 usually indicates the older incompatible model. [R] [B]

Half-height (desktop) drives — flash with ASUS BW-16D1HT firmware

These drives cross-flash to firmware based on ASUS BW-16D1HT 3.02 (OmniDrive) or ASUS BW-16D1HT 3.10-MK / WH16NS60 1.02-MK (MK firmware).

Drive model PCB OmniDrive MK firmware Notes Source
ASUS BW-16D1HT JB8 ✅ ASUS 3.02 OmniDrive 3.10-MK → 3.02 (DE) "PRO" variant is identical. "a" suffix (Chinese relabel) may be incompatible JB7. Circular-top drives may be JB7. 3.11 stock firmware is encrypted — flash 3.10-MK with enc first. [R] [R-O] [B] [F2]
ASUS BW-16D1HT PRO JB8 ✅ same as above same as above Identical to BW-16D1HT. [R] [B]
ASUS BC-12D2HT JB8 ✅ ASUS 3.02 OmniDrive 3.10-MK → 3.02 (DE) BD reader only (cannot burn BD). Older models cannot be flashed. Requires cross-flashing. [R] [R-O]
ASUS BC-12B1ST b JB8 ✅ ASUS 3.02 OmniDrive 3.10-MK → 3.02 (DE) BD reader only. Older models cannot be flashed. Requires cross-flashing. [R] [R-O]
ASUS BW-16D1X-U JB8 ✅ ASUS 3.02 OmniDrive 3.10-MK → 3.02 (DE) External USB. Must be LG BH50N variant internally. Drives made before 2025 may be the incompatible Pioneer BDR-212T variant. [R]
LG WH16NS60 JB9 ✅ ASUS 3.02 OmniDrive WH16NS60 1.02-MK (direct) JB9-based — can flash directly to OmniDrive or MK firmware without intermediate steps. [R] [R-O] [B] [F1]
LG BH16NS60 JB9 ✅ ASUS 3.02 OmniDrive WH16NS60 1.02-MK (direct) JB9-based. [R] [R-O]
LG WH16NS40 JB8 ✅ ASUS 3.02 OmniDrive WH16NS60 1.02-MK Only newer models (JB8) can be flashed. 1.05 stock is encrypted — flash 1.05-MK or use enc flag. [R] [B] [F1]
LG BH16NS40 JB8 ✅ ASUS 3.02 OmniDrive WH16NS60 1.02-MK Only newer models. [R] [R-O]
LG WH14NS40 JB8 ✅ ASUS 3.02 OmniDrive WH16NS60 1.02-MK Only newer models. SVC code must be NS50. [R] [B]
LG BH14NS40 JB8 ✅ ASUS 3.02 OmniDrive — Only newer models. [R] [R-O]
LG BH16NS55 JB8 ✅ ASUS 3.02 OmniDrive WH16NS60 1.02-MK 1.05 stock is encrypted. [R] [B] [F1]
LG BH16NS50 JB8 ✅ ASUS 3.02 OmniDrive — Older models (2015, v0495) untested. [R] [R-O]
LG BH14NS50 JB8 ✅ ASUS 3.02 OmniDrive — [R]
LG BH14NS58 JB8 ✅ ASUS 3.02 OmniDrive — [R] [R-O]
LG BH16NS58 JB8 ✅ ASUS 3.02 OmniDrive — [R] [R-O]
LG WH16NS58 JB8 ✅ ASUS 3.02 OmniDrive — [R]
LG UH12NS40 JB8 ✅ ASUS 3.02 OmniDrive WH16NS60 1.02-MK BD reader only. Requires cross-flashing. [R] [B]
LG CH12NS40 JB8 ✅ ASUS 3.02 OmniDrive — BD reader only. Requires cross-flashing. [R]
LG BH40N JB8 ✅ ASUS 3.02 OmniDrive — Only newer models. Also rebadged by Dell/HP/Lenovo. [R]
LG BH50N JB8 ✅ ASUS 3.02 OmniDrive — [R] [R-O]
LG BH-A10AME JB8 ⚠️ untested — Uncommon drive, should be compatible but untested. [R]

Older JB7/JBC5 drives (not OmniDrive-compatible)

These drives cannot use OmniDrive. Some can still be flashed with older firmware for scrambled-mode dumping with Redumper/DiscImageCreator. [R-O]

Drive model PCB Recommended firmware Source
ASUS BW-12B1ST a JB7 1.00 [R-O]
LG BH14NS40 (older) JB7 1.00 [R-O]
LG BH16NS40 (older) JB7 1.03 [R-O]
LG WH14NS40 (older) JB7 1.03 [R-O]
LG WH16NS40 (older) JB7 — [R-O]
HP BH40L (A2HH) JB7 untested [R-O]
HP BH40N (A2HH) JBC5 — [R-O]
LG CH12NS30 JBC5 untested [R-O]
LG UH12NS30 JBC5 untested [R-O]
LG CH12NS38 JBC5 untested [R-O]

Slim drives — flash with LG BU40N firmware

These drives cross-flash to firmware based on LG BU40N 1.00 (OmniDrive) or BU40N 1.03-MK (MK firmware).

Drive model OmniDrive MK firmware Notes Source
LG BU40N ✅ BU40N 1.00 OmniDrive BU40N 1.03-MK (direct) Internal slim. Includes OEM variants (HP, Dell). 1.02+ stock is encrypted — use enc flag. [R] [B] [F1]
LG BU50N ✅ BU40N 1.00 OmniDrive BU40N 1.03-MK Internal slim. [R]
LG BP71N ✅ BU40N 1.00 OmniDrive BU40N 1.03-MK Internal slim. [R]
LG BP50NB40 ✅ BU40N 1.00 OmniDrive (two-step) BP50NB40-NB50 1.03-MK → BP60NB10 1.02-MK External USB. Must have SVC NB50 or NB52. NB40 = incompatible BU20N. Two-step: flash NB50 1.03-MK first, then RECOVER → BU40N OmniDrive. [R] [B] [M]
LG WP50NB40 ✅ BU40N 1.00 OmniDrive (two-step) BP50NB40-NB50 1.03-MK → BP60NB10 1.02-MK External USB. Must have SVC NB50 or NB52. Same two-step process as BP50NB40. [R] [B]
LG BP55EB40 ✅ BU40N 1.00 OmniDrive (two-step) — External USB. Must have SVC EB50 or EB52. EB40 = incompatible BU20N. Same two-step process. [R]
LG BP60NB10 ⚠️ untested BP60NB10 1.02-MK (direct) External USB. Must have SVC NB10 or NB12. OmniDrive support untested. [R] [B]
Archgon MD-8107-U3 ✅ BU40N 1.00 OmniDrive BU40N 1.03-MK External USB, BU40N internally. Enclosure may not be compatible — remove internal BU40N and use a different enclosure/cable if needed. [R]
ASUS SBW-06D5H-U ✅ BU40N 1.00 OmniDrive BU40N 1.03-MK External USB, BU50N internally. Must be newer LG BU50N variant. Pre-2025 = incompatible Pioneer BDR-US03. [R]
Buffalo BRUHD-PU3-BK ✅ BU40N 1.00 OmniDrive BU40N 1.03-MK External USB, BU40N internally. Enclosure may interfere with inquiry data but OmniDrive still works. [R] [B]
Buffalo BRXL-PT6U2V ✅ BU40N 1.00 OmniDrive BU40N 1.03-MK External USB, BU40N internally. [R]
Buffalo BRXL-PTV6U3 ✅ BU40N 1.00 OmniDrive BU40N 1.03-MK External USB, BU40N internally. May need to remove from enclosure. [R]
Buffalo BRXL-PUS6U3B ⚠️ OmniDrive detection fails BU40N 1.03-MK External USB, BU40N internally. Enclosure interferes with inquiry data. Must remove BU40N and use different enclosure. [R]
Verbatim 43888 ✅ BU40N 1.00 OmniDrive BU40N 1.03-MK External USB-C. Must be newer LG BU40N variant. Pre-2025 = Pioneer BDR-UD04. [R]
Verbatim 43889 ✅ BU40N 1.00 OmniDrive BU40N 1.03-MK External USB-C. Must be newer LG BU40N variant. Pre-2025 = Pioneer BDR-UD03. [R]
Verbatim 43890 ⚠️ unconfirmed BU40N 1.03-MK External USB 3.0 Micro-B. Must be BU40N variant (unconfirmed if they exist). Pre-2025 = Pioneer BDR-UD03. [R]

MK firmware — recommended versions per drive

For MakeMKV / UHD ripping (not preservation dumping), the community-recommended MK firmware versions are: [B] [F1]

Drive Recommended MK firmware Direct flash? Source
LG WH16NS60 WH16NS60 1.02-MK ✅ direct [B] [F1]
LG WH14NS40 WH16NS60 1.02-MK ✅ direct (from any firmware) [B]
LG WH16NS40 WH16NS60 1.02-MK ✅ direct [B]
LG BH16NS55 WH16NS60 1.02-MK ✅ direct [B]
LG UH12NS40 WH16NS60 1.02-MK ✅ direct [B]
ASUS BW-16D1HT ASUS BW-16D1HT 3.10-MK ✅ direct (from encrypted 3.11, use enc) [B] [F2]
LG BU40N BU40N 1.03-MK ✅ direct (from encrypted 1.02+, use enc) [B] [F1]
LG BP50NB40 / WP50NB40 BP50NB40-NB50 1.03-MK → BP60NB10 1.02-MK ❌ two-step (RECOVER mode) [B] [M]
LG BP60NB10 BP60NB10 1.02-MK ✅ direct [B]

Why not the newest version? MartyMcNuts: "We don't generally recommend using the latest version of the firmware, even the MK version, as they are mostly garbage and of no benefit." BU40N 1.03-MK and WH16NS60 1.02-MK / BW-16D1HT 3.10-MK are the proven stable choices. [F1]

Encrypted firmware list

Firmware with a date in 2020 or later is encrypted and requires the enc flag with sdftool / makemkvcon, or automatic detection in SDFtool Flasher v1.3.5+. [B]

Known encrypted firmware files: [B]

HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_BE16NU50-1.04-N000300-212005081025.bin
HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_BH14NS50-1.03-N000400-212004211008.bin
HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_BH16NS40-NS50-1.05-N000600-212005061331.bin
HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_BH16NS50-1.03-N000400-212004210958.bin
HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_BH16NS55-1.05-N000400-212004211049.bin
HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_BH16NS60-1.02-N000600-212005081014.bin
HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_BP50NB40-NB52-1.03-N000300-212107081603.bin
HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_BP50NB40-NB50-1.03-N000800-212005070917.bin
HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_BP55EB40-NB50-1.03-N000800-212005070924.bin
HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_BP60NB10-1.02-N000800-212005070935.bin
HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_BP60NB10-NB12-1.02-N000300-212107081556.bin
HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_BU40N_1.02_212012011716_MO3L91F0715.bin
HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_BU40N-1.04-N000500-212005061142.bin
HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_BU40N-BN13-0002300-212009251104.bin
HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_BU40N-BN14
HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_BU40N-BU13
HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_BU40N-BU14
HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_WH14NS40-NS50-1.05-N000900-212005061444.bin
HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_WH16NS40-NS50-1.05-N000900-212005061440.bin
HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_WH16NS60-1.03-N000600-212005081010.bin
HL-DT-ST-BD-RE_WP50NB40-NB50-1.03-N000800-212005070929.bin
HL-DT-ST-BDDVDRW_CH12NS40-1.03-N000800-...
ASUS BW-16D1HT 3.11 (encrypted)

Known firmware SHA-256 hashes

The following SHA-256 hashes are from the "All You Need Firmware Pack" (MartyMcNuts) [M]. These are the same hashes used by sdf-flash-gui for firmware identification. Even if a firmware file is renamed, the SHA-256 hash remains unchanged and can be used to verify the file's identity.

Desktop drives

Firmware file SHA-256 Model Version MK PCB
DE_ASUS_BC-12D2HT_3.11_MK.bin 6c003aa1e75170f02746e08c8df9df5e31c7f935dde93d0174eff1be2f1fa823 BC-12D2HT 3.11-MK ✅ JBC6
DE_ASUS_BW-16D1HT_3.02.bin 83ea24bb07b8a7a451bba1856d1db18b7f54b1823b9d148e213f25daf2e0a1d2 BW-16D1HT 3.02 ❌ JB8
DE_ASUS_BW-16D1HT_3.10_MK.bin e04ed8f38ce9e85804bc0709a9321dc43f3e468ce0c0c3bc027a1c9805556f14 BW-16D1HT 3.10-MK ✅ JB8
DE_LG_BH16NS55_1.02.bin bdfd6f290ba8172d4c46d8c822013255043f4ad30deb8604608fa0397bddb648 BH16NS55 1.02 ❌ JB8
DE_LG_WH14NS40-NS50_1.02.bin 648a16d024eea31ef4901f3ac2180cbfffeda1161d70f9096335d8a6097445bc WH14NS40 1.02 ❌ JB8
DE_LG_WH16NS40-NS50_1.02.bin 87790f053877e3e1bdd22969d70a7b1b6ed36624bb474bfcdee6526ac6e227c0 WH16NS40 1.02 ❌ JB8
DE_LG_WH16NS60_1.00.bin d133893209392b74cb0c3c1225cc4c0e8b1d927f1f671261ecc82525405e47e0 WH16NS60 1.00 ❌ JB8
DE_LG_WH16NS60_1.02_MK.bin c5e351d25f647599185b117f569a98c42c1fc54f6bc07d21410677afa6372510 WH16NS60 1.02-MK ✅ JB8

Slim drives

Firmware file SHA-256 Model Version MK PCB
DE_Buffalo_BRUHD-PU3_BN12-MK.bin 3559077e3c032451137967d4f81f3e8777f8bfbf8245e68ac4732eb5cec5f404 BU40N 1.03-MK ✅ BU5
DE_Buffalo_BRUHD-PU3_BU10.bin 58203b539de096786cde232ee3b0ef3fe824b20d7768a96b30f6a96bdac77bfb BU40N 1.00 ❌ BU5
DE_Buffalo_BRUHD-PU3_BU12-MK.bin f98acee01998afb043d9cfaa0c519e7e0799824a58e565789b2c3ca735204231 BU40N 1.03-MK ✅ BU5
DE_LG_BP50NB40-NB50_1.03_MK.bin e04aaf44157fbbec5e3c0cbf1a9ba99c81d2aeba7d420c7ece654dc515d503ff BP50NB40 1.03-MK ✅ BUP3
DE_LG_BP60NB10_1.00_MK.bin 04f879f0bf676ede526f7d07f20f5c949caac7e00dbb1b2620d0c1601780d29a BP60NB10 1.00-MK ✅ BUP5
DE_LG_BP60NB10_1.02-MK.bin cd10fc7396a2cdc77f3b49df6fa553dabc48ac5261584fc5d62cf8a866310fce BP60NB10 1.02-MK ✅ BUP5
DE_LG_BP60NB10-NB12_1.02-MK.bin 1227f133eb1c5315d955bb9d9cfcaf84381772a1edfef56b39ad3439b92ca4c0 BP60NB10 1.02-MK ✅ BP52
DE_LG_BU40N_1.00.bin 221ad35b7edd402353e125841893ce651064e8fc6b90368fe84ff19a85a506f4 BU40N 1.00 ❌ BU5
DE_LG_BU40N_1.03_MK.bin 64900e8d69212f5d729b9dfa45ef0f317378db8c8b48083a7cb99831235b5d57 BU40N 1.03-MK ✅ BU5
DE_LG_WP50NB40-NB50_1.03_MK.bin 592e8d22d98aea9c1162c9f010fe2df29b31f6320d539336a699a78ea3af9191 WP50NB40 1.03-MK ✅ BUP3

PCB type is extracted from the boot string at offset 12288 in the firmware binary. JB* = desktop, BU*/BP* = slim. This is how sdf-flash-gui identifies firmware form factor without relying on filenames.

Verifying a firmware file: Run shasum -a 256 <file> (macOS/Linux) or certutil -hashfile <file> SHA256 (Windows) and compare with the hashes above.

Where to download firmware

Source What's there Link
OmniDrive v1.0.2 OmniDrive firmware (ASUS 3.02 + BU40N 1.00 patched) archive.org [R] [G]
All You Need Firmware Pack MK firmware, DE firmware, recovery files MediaFire [M]
SDFtool Flasher v1.3.5 Windows GUI for sdftool MediaFire [M] [R]
SDFtool Flasher v1.3.6 Latest (bug fixes; if issues, use v1.3.5) MediaFire [M]
DE_LG_BP50NB40-NB50_1.03_MK.bin Intermediate firmware for BP50NB40/WP50NB40 two-step archive.org [R]
ASUS BW-16D1HT 3.02 (DE) Downgrade-enabled 3.02 firmware WebArchive [R-O]
ASUS BW-16D1HT 3.10-MK Intermediate MK firmware for 3.11 downgrade WebArchive [R-O]

Build OmniDrive yourself: The OmniDrive source code is open. Place stock HL-DT-ST_BD-RE_BU40N_1.00.bin and ASUS_BW-16D1HT_3.02.bin in the firmware/ folder and build with CMake + ninja + arm-none-eabi-gcc. See the GitHub README for checksums and instructions. [G]

Quick decision guide

Rule: if your drive supports OmniDrive, flash OmniDrive. OmniDrive is a superset of MK firmware reading features — it also enables UHD reading for MakeMKV. Only use MK firmware if your drive is not OmniDrive-compatible (e.g. JB7/JBC5 older drives).

Is your drive OmniDrive-compatible?
│
├── Yes (JB8/JB9, MT1959, manufactured ≥ late 2015)
│   └── Flash OmniDrive
│       ├── Desktop drive → ASUS BW-16D1HT 3.02 OmniDrive
│       └── Slim drive → BU40N 1.00 OmniDrive
│
├── No (JB7/JBC5, or MT1939)
│   └── Flash MK firmware (if available for your model)
│       ├── Desktop drive → WH16NS60 1.02-MK or BW-16D1HT 3.10-MK
│       └── Slim drive → BU40N 1.03-MK
│
└── Already flashed OmniDrive but need burning or specific MK features?
    └── Reflash to MK firmware (WH16NS60 1.02-MK / BU40N 1.03-MK)

See also

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