Skip to content

Flashing Guide for New Users

Jump to bottom
Davy edited this page Jul 22, 2026 · 8 revisions

English | 中文

You have a UHD Blu-ray drive and you want to flash it so it can read UHD discs. This guide explains everything you need to know, assuming zero prior knowledge.

The big picture: what actually does the flashing?

There are a lot of names floating around the MakeMKV forum: MakeMKV, sdftool, makemkvcon, sdf.bin, SDFtool Flasher, SDF Flash GUI. It is very easy to get confused about what each one is and which ones you actually need. Here is the simple version.

The flashing engine: MakeMKV

The actual firmware-flashing capability was written by the author of MakeMKV and is built into the MakeMKV application. It is exposed as a command-line tool called makemkvcon (on macOS/Linux) or makemkvcon64.exe (on Windows). On macOS, MakeMKV also ships a separate binary called sdftool inside the app bundle (/Applications/MakeMKV.app/Contents/MacOS/sdftool).

In other words:

sdftool is a standalone, slim CLI bundled with MakeMKV, dedicated to drive info / list / flash operations; makemkvcon is the full MakeMKV console. Both can drive flashing; SDF Flash GUI auto-detects whichever is available. They both come bundled with MakeMKV. There is nothing separate to download.

When you run a flash command, makemkvcon/sdftool does the actual work of reading and writing firmware to the drive's chip.

The database file: sdf.bin

sdf.bin is a small data file (~2 MB) that makemkvcon/sdftool needs in order to communicate with your drive. It contains drive-specific logic: firmware indices, LibreDrive capability flags, and metadata for every optical drive model MakeMKV knows about.

  • Download it manually from https://makemkv.com/sdf.bin (~2 MB).
  • Place it in one of the locations SDF Flash GUI auto-detects (see below), or point SDF Flash GUI to it in Settings → sdf.bin path.

Where to put sdf.bin so SDF Flash GUI finds it automatically:

OS Path
macOS ~/.MakeMKV/sdf.bin (note the dot prefix) or /Library/MakeMKV/sdf.bin
Linux /usr/share/sdftool/sdf.bin (system-wide) or ./sdf.bin next to the app
Windows sdf.bin next to the app executable, or set the path in Settings

If you are unsure, just save the file anywhere and set its path in Settings → sdf.bin path — that always works.

Without sdf.bin, flashing does not work. The tool will either hang or print No drive tool logic found in SDF.bin.

The graphical front-ends: SDFtool Flasher and SDF Flash GUI

Since makemkvcon/sdftool is command-line only, two graphical applications exist to give it a point-and-click interface:

SDFtool Flasher SDF Flash GUI (this project)
Platform Windows only Windows, macOS, Linux
What it is A .NET WinForms wrapper around sdftool/makemkvcon A Rust + egui wrapper around the same
Does it do the flashing itself? No, it calls makemkvcon under the hood No, it calls makemkvcon under the hood
Does it include makemkvcon? No, you need MakeMKV installed No, you need MakeMKV installed
Does it include sdf.bin? No No, but it auto-detects it if placed in a standard location (see above)
Does it include firmware? No No

Both applications do the exact same thing. They are just graphical shells that construct the correct makemkvcon command for you and show the output in a window, so you do not have to type commands into a terminal. SDF Flash GUI exists because SDFtool Flasher is Windows-only and people on macOS/Linux wanted a GUI too.

What you actually need (the short list)

  1. MakeMKV installed (this gives you makemkvcon/sdftool)
  2. sdf.bin downloaded from https://makemkv.com/sdf.bin and placed in a standard location (see above)
  3. SDF Flash GUI installed (the graphical front-end)
  4. The correct firmware file for your specific drive model (see below)

That is it. Four things.

Step-by-step: flashing your drive

Step 0: Check your drive is flashable

Before doing anything, confirm your drive meets these requirements:

  1. Manufactured after 2016 (check the label on the drive).
  2. Drive platform is MT1959. Open MakeMKV, go to your drive's info, and look for Drive platform: MT1959. This is the most important check.
  3. Do not flash if your drive does not meet these requirements. You risk bricking it.

Step 1: Install MakeMKV and get sdf.bin

Download and install MakeMKV from https://www.makemkv.com/download/. This is required because it provides the makemkvcon/sdftool command-line tool that does the actual flashing.

Then download sdf.bin manually from https://makemkv.com/sdf.bin (~2 MB) and place it in a standard location so SDF Flash GUI finds it automatically:

  • macOS: ~/.MakeMKV/sdf.bin (note the dot prefix on the folder name), or /Library/MakeMKV/sdf.bin
  • Linux: /usr/share/sdftool/sdf.bin (system-wide), or sdf.bin next to the SDF Flash GUI executable
  • Windows: sdf.bin next to the SDF Flash GUI executable

If you prefer, save it anywhere and set the path later in SDF Flash GUI → Settings → sdf.bin path.

Why not rely on MakeMKV auto-downloading it? In recent MakeMKV versions the automatic sdf.bin download is unreliable or does not happen at all, even after opening discs. Downloading it manually from https://makemkv.com/sdf.bin is the reliable path.

Step 2: Install SDF Flash GUI

You have two options:

  • Homebrew (macOS): brew install --cask sdf-flash-gui
  • Direct download: Go to the Releases page and download the .dmg (macOS), .msi (Windows), or .deb/AppImage (Linux).

Both methods give you the exact same application. You do not need Homebrew if you prefer MacPorts or no package manager. Just use the direct download.

Step 3: Get the correct firmware for your drive

You need a firmware file (a .bin file) that is compatible with your drive. The MakeMKV forum maintains a list of recommended firmware, but the quick reference:

  • LG WH16NS60, WH14NS40, WH16NS40, BH16NS55, UH12NS40 → flash WH16NS60 1.02MK
  • LG BU40N → flash BU40N 1.03MK
  • LG BP60NB10 → flash BP60NB10 1.02MK
  • ASUS BW-16D1HT → flash BW-16D1HT 3.10MK
  • Buffalo drives (which contain LG internals, e.g. BH16NS58) → flash WH16NS60 1.02MK

These "MK" firmware files are modified versions that unlock UHD reading. Download them from the All You Need Firmware Pack (MartyMcNuts) on the Internet Archive — a single bundle containing all 18 MK and DE firmware binaries for LG, ASUS, and Buffalo MT1959 drives (each .bin is 2 MB). The MakeMKV forum guide has the full drive list and crossflashing instructions.

What is "MK" firmware? MK stands for MakeMKV. These are firmware images modified by the MakeMKV developer to enable LibreDrive mode (which allows UHD reading without enforcing AACS 2.0 restrictions). "DE" means Downgrade-Enabled: these are firmware that allow flashing an older version on top of a newer one.

Step 4: Flash the firmware using SDF Flash GUI

  1. Launch SDF Flash GUI.
  2. Click "List Drives". The app will detect your optical drive(s) using makemkvcon.
  3. Select your drive from the list.
  4. Click "Probe Drive". This reads your drive's current firmware info and checks whether it is safe to flash. The app will tell you:
    • Whether the drive is on the MT1959 platform (required).
    • Whether the current firmware is encrypted (determines which flash mode to use).
    • The firmware date prefix.
  5. Set the operation mode to "Write" (the flashing mode).
  6. Select your firmware file. Click the file picker and choose the .bin file you downloaded in Step 3.
  7. Review the safety report. SDF Flash GUI will compare the firmware file against your drive and warn you if:
    • The vendor/model does not match.
    • The firmware is a downgrade.
    • The firmware is encrypted and needs the enc (encrypted) flash mode.
    • The image checksum does not match.
  8. Type the confirmation text exactly as shown (e.g. FLASH D: on Windows or FLASH /dev/sr0 on Linux/macOS). This is a deliberate speed bump to make sure you are paying attention.
  9. Click "Start". The app will run makemkvcon with the correct arguments and stream the output to the log panel. Wait for it to finish.
  10. Power-cycle the drive. After flashing, fully power off the drive (unplug it or shut down your computer, wait 10 seconds, then power back on). This is required for the new firmware to take effect.

That is it. Your drive is now flashed and ready to read UHD discs with MakeMKV.

Safety mechanisms in SDF Flash GUI

SDF Flash GUI has several built-in safeguards, but it will not physically stop you from doing something wrong. Think of it like a car with seat belts and a warning buzzer: it protects you, but you are still the driver.

Check What it does
MT1959 platform detection Refuses to flash drives that are not on the MT1959 platform (the only platform with known safe firmware).
Vendor/model matching Compares the firmware file's embedded vendor/model against your drive and warns on mismatch.
Encrypted firmware detection Automatically detects whether your current firmware is encrypted and selects the correct flash mode (rawflash enc vs rawflash).
Downgrade warning Warns if you are flashing an older firmware version over a newer one.
Checksum verification Verifies the firmware image's SHA-256 checksum.
Signature check Checks whether the firmware has a valid digital signature.
Confirmation text Forces you to type a drive-specific confirmation string before flashing, so you cannot accidentally click through.

What it cannot protect against:

  • Flashing the wrong firmware for your drive family (e.g. flashing LG firmware onto an ASUS drive, or flashing a slim drive firmware onto a desktop drive). The app will warn you about vendor/model mismatches, but it will not hard-block you.
  • Hardware issues (bad USB cables, power dips during flashing, etc.).
  • Flashing a drive that does not meet the physical requirements (pre-2016 manufacture, wrong platform).

Common questions

"Do I need to download sdf.bin separately?"

Yes. Download it manually from https://makemkv.com/sdf.bin (~2 MB) and place it in a standard location (see the table above), or point SDF Flash GUI to it in Settings → sdf.bin path. Do not rely on MakeMKV auto-downloading it — in recent versions that mechanism is unreliable.

"I see a file called sdftool inside MakeMKV.app on macOS. What is that?"

sdftool is a standalone, slim CLI bundled with MakeMKV, dedicated to drive info / list / flash operations. makemkvcon is the full MakeMKV console. They are separate binaries (different size, different content — sdftool is much smaller). Both can drive flashing; SDF Flash GUI auto-detects whichever is available.

"What is the difference between encrypted and unencrypted firmware?"

Firmware manufactured from around 2020 onwards has additional encryption that prevents straightforward flashing. If your drive has encrypted firmware, you must use the encrypted flash mode (rawflash enc). SDF Flash GUI detects this automatically during the probe step and selects the right mode for you.

You can check whether your firmware is encrypted by looking at the firmware date in the probe output. If the date is in 2020 or later, it is almost certainly encrypted.

"Can I flash my ASUS drive with SDF Flash GUI?"

Yes. SDF Flash GUI works with any drive that makemkvcon/sdftool supports, which includes LG, ASUS, Buffalo (LG internals), and Pioneer UHD drives. The key requirement is that the drive must be on the MT1959 platform.

"Can I crossflash my drive (e.g. turn a WH14NS40 into a WH16NS60)?"

Yes, but this is an advanced operation. Crossflashing means writing firmware from a different drive model onto your drive to gain its capabilities (faster rip speed, sleep bug fix, etc.). SDF Flash GUI supports this, but you must:

  1. Never crossflash between desktop and slim drives. This will brick the drive.
  2. Never crossflash between ASUS and LG for slim drives. This will also brick the drive.
  3. Use the correct boot code for your drive if doing a full flash with bootloader.

The MakeMKV forum guide has a detailed crossflashing section with the correct boot codes for each drive model.

"The flash failed with 'No drive tool logic found in SDF.bin'"

This means makemkvcon/sdftool could not find or read sdf.bin. Fixes:

  1. Download sdf.bin manually from https://makemkv.com/sdf.bin and place it in a standard location (see the table above).
  2. Or set its path in SDF Flash GUI's Settings → sdf.bin path.
  3. Make sure the sdf.bin file is not corrupted (it should be about 2 MB).

"The flash failed with 'Internal error 0x8d000000'"

This is the same sdf.bin issue as above. Follow the same steps: download sdf.bin manually from https://makemkv.com/sdf.bin and make sure SDF Flash GUI can find it.

"Do I need to buy MakeMKV to flash my drive?"

No. MakeMKV's free trial is fully functional for flashing. The 30-day trial resets periodically (the beta key is refreshed on the MakeMKV forum), so you can use it without purchasing.

Further reading

Clone this wiki locally