User posts method to downgrade firmware of all LG XXxxNS40/NS55 Blu-ray writers and Asus rebadges

Yesterday a method for downgrading the firmware of the LG BH16NS55 became available. Today a new method was posted on our forums that works on the LG BH16NS55 but also on the LG BH16NS40 and Asus BW-16D1HT. Downgrading the firmware of these drives is sometimes required to be able to use the drives for ripping Ultra HD Blu-ray discs.

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The Asus drive is a rebadge of an LG drive, meaning it consists of the same components but just has a different brand name.

LG has released firmware updates for the drives that, according to the changelog, add, "improved BD UHD disc compatibility". In reality however, the firmware update closes the AACS 2.0 loophole that makes it possible to use the drives for Ultra HD Blu-ray ripping. Because the newer firmware prevents Ultra HD Blu-ray ripping, users are looking for ways to revert to an older firmware version.

User czary2mary1 posted instructions on our forum that make it possible to downgrade the firmware of all LG XXxxNS40/NS55 Blu-ray drives and their Asus branded 'clones'.  The method works by using a patched version of DosFlash and dumped firmware. Without the patched DosFlash version, the LG/Asus Blu-ray burners don't accept a downgrade of the firmware, and the flashtool will show a "write DRAM NG 05/24/00" error.

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The method was tried by forum user minaelromany, who reports he successfully downgraded his LG WH16NS40 from version 1.03 to firmware version 1.02.

Currently the method is confirmed to work for the LG BH16NS40 and LG BH16NS55, but if users provide czary2mary with firmware dumps of other drives, it shouldn't be hard to support other drives as well. In his post with instructions you can find which firmwares he's looking for and how to get them to him.

Discuss this in our DosFlash V2.0 patched to support BH16NS40/BH16NS55 drives topic.

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