In the realm of optical disc drives (ODDs), the firmware is the operating system that bridges the gap between the physical laser assembly and the computer’s host interface. For the LG BU40N—a popular "Slim" Blu-ray re-writer often used in external enclosures and ultra-slim laptops—firmware version 1.00 represents the genesis of the device’s lifecycle.
This analysis details the significance of the BU40N 1.00 firmware, its functionality, and its relevance to enthusiasts and everyday users today.
Here is where it gets interesting for power users. The BU40N 1.00 firmware can sometimes be flashed onto other similar drives, such as the BH16NS55, WH16NS60, or even the ASUS BW-16D1HT (after conversion). This is because HLDS uses a common chipset across many drives. Having a copy of the BU40N 1.00 binary is essential for "downgrading" newer, locked drives to a LibreDrive-friendly state. bu40n 1.00 firmware
A: Absolutely. The Buffalo BRUHD-PU3 is an LG BU40N in disguise. In fact, many BRUHD-PU3 units shipped with firmware 1.00 from the factory, making them the most sought-after external 4K drive ever made. If you own one, never update it.
Yes, it is excellent. Firmware version 1.00 is the original factory firmware for many LG BU40N drives. It is widely considered the most "friendly" and easiest to work with for ripping 4K UHD discs using tools like MakeMKV. The LG BU40N Firmware Version 1
A: Yes, you can re-flash to 1.04 or 1.05 using the official LG updater. However, you will lose LibreDrive again. Once you downgrade to 1.00, most users never go back.
MakeMKV, the most popular tool for backing up Blu-rays, features a technology called "LibreDrive." LibreDrive allows the software to take direct control of the optical drive, bypassing the traditional host authentication and region locking. However, newer firmwares (1.03, 1.04, and later) include host revocation lists that block MakeMKV’s ability to enable LibreDrive. BU40N 1.00 is the last firmware version released before these lockdowns were fully implemented. It offers full, unrestricted LibreDrive support out of the box. If your drive already has 1
If you have a drive that shipped with Firmware 1.05 or you accidentally updated via LG’s official updater (which you should never do), all is not lost. You have two options: