How to Rip 4K UHD Blu-rays & DVDs with MakeMKV (Step-by-Step)

Adding 4K Ultra HD Blu-rays, standard Blu-rays, and DVDs to your Jellyfin media server gives you complete ownership over your home theater collection without relying on streaming platforms. However, modern optical drives will not read raw 4K disc data out of the box due to factory encryption controls. To unlock this capability, you must flash custom firmware to enable LibreDrive mode.

It’s getting difficult to find drives that will accept the proper firmware to rip Blu-ray and DVD discs.  Thankfully, we still have one solid option still available.

The Archgon MD8107S is widely considered an enthusiast favorite because inside its solid aluminum enclosure is an LG BU40N—the gold standard for quiet, reliable disc reading and ripping.

Below you will find a step-by-step video tutorial along with written instructions that will walk you through the process.

All important links required for this tutorial are located below the video. 

Download MakeMKV, Free Flashing Tool, LibreDrive Firmware, MakeMKV Beta Key (TROYPOINT Toolbox)

How to Set Up a Jellyfin Media Server (Full Guide)

Archgon MD8107S External Drive (Amazon)

Slimline SATA to USB Adapter (Amazon) or Alternate Adapter Here

HandBrake (Free Video Transcoder)

TROYPOINT Advisor Free Registration

The above video provides important details not found in the general steps located below.  This is a summary of what the video covers and should not be used as a substitute.

The Archgon USB-C Flashing Issue & The Workaround

There are two revisions of this Archgon drive currently on the market:

• Older Model: Features a wide USB 3.0 micro-B connector on the rear and flashes cleanly over standard USB.
• Newer Model (USB-C): Features a native USB-C port on the back. The updated bridge controller on this board blocks low-level vendor flashing commands, preventing flashing software from detecting the drive properly.

If you have the new USB-C model, you cannot flash it inside the enclosure. You must temporarily remove the internal drive and connect it directly using a cheap Slimline SATA-to-USB adapter.  See video above for detailed instructions.

Step 1: Disassemble the Archgon Enclosure

1. Place the Archgon drive upside down on a clean, soft surface.
2. Peel back the four rubber pads on the bottom of the enclosure to access the screw cutouts.
3. Remove the two small Phillips screws located near the rear edge of the case.
4. Slide the drive assembly out of the aluminum housing.
5. Remove the side mounting screws holding the drive to the inner tray (typically three or four screws).
6. Gently lift the drive up and pull it straight out of the internal PCB connection.

Step 2: Connect the Slimline SATA Adapter

1. Plug the 7+6 pin Slimline SATA-to-USB adapter directly into the bare LG BU40N drive.
2. Plug the USB connector directly into a USB port on your Windows PC.
3. Important: Do not use an unpowered USB hub. Ensure the connection goes directly into a computer port so the drive receives stable 5V power throughout the write cycle.

Step 3: Download & Extract the Required Files

All required files for this walkthrough can be accessed via the TROYPOINT Toolbox:

1. Open your browser and navigate to troypoint.com/tb.
2. Scroll down to the Windows PC Downloads section.
3. Download the following three items to your Downloads folder:
   • MakeMKV (and copy the active MakeMKV Beta Key to your clipboard).
   • SDFtool Flasher.
   • All You Need Firmware Pack.
4. Open Windows File Explorer, open your Downloads folder, right-click each .zip file, select Extract All, and extract them to their default locations.
5. Delete the original .zip archives once extracted.

Step 4: Install & Register MakeMKV

1. Open the extracted MakeMKV folder and double-click the installer executable.
2. Proceed through the setup wizard using default installation options.
3. Launch MakeMKV and locate the Drive Information pane on the right:
   • Firmware type: Displays Original, confirming factory firmware is currently installed.
4. Navigate to Help > Register.
5. Paste the beta license key you copied from the Toolbox and click OK.
6. Close MakeMKV completely so it releases system access to the optical drive.

Step 5: Flash Custom Firmware via SDFtool Flasher

1. Open the extracted SDFtool Flasher folder.
2. Right-click the flasher application and select Run as administrator.
3. In the Please select a drive dropdown menu, choose your connected optical drive.
4. Ensure Write Firmware is selected. Leave Include bootloader unchecked.
5. Click the browse/dropdown option under Please select a firmware to write.
6. Navigate through your folders: All You Need Firmware Pack > Slim External Drive.
7. Select your target firmware:
   • BU40N 1.03-MK: The standard choice if you rip exclusively using MakeMKV.
   • BU40N 1.00: Provides broader legacy compatibility if you plan to use multiple third-party ripping tools.
8. Click Open, then click START.
9. Allow the flashing sequence to run. If the progress bar temporarily stops around 90%, let it sit undisturbed until the operation concludes.
10. When the prompt shows 100% operation flashed, click Exit.

Step 6: Confirm LibreDrive Status in MakeMKV

1. Relaunch MakeMKV.
2. Check the Drive Information box on the right.
3. Confirm that Firmware type now reads Patched. LibreDrive is now operational, unlocking raw access to 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray media.

Step 7: Rip a 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray

1. Insert your 4K UHD Blu-ray disc into the drive and wait for it to spin up.
2. Click the large Optical Drive icon in the center of MakeMKV to scan the disc layout.
3. Review the title selections on the left:
   • Uncheck everything except the main movie title (identifiable by the largest file size and full chapter list).
   • Expand the main title and deselect unwanted foreign languages, descriptive audio, or extra commentary tracks.
   • Keep your primary lossless audio track (e.g., Dolby TrueHD/Atmos 7.1) and desired subtitles selected.
4. Set the Output Folder path directly to your Jellyfin movies library directory.
5. Click the Make MKV button in the top right to start the rip.
6. Wait for the process to complete (rips typically take 45 to 60 minutes and produce a single file between 50 GB and 80 GB).

Step 8: Reassemble the Drive

1. Safely disconnect the Slimline SATA adapter from your PC and bare drive.
2. Slide the BU40N back into the Archgon inner tray and align the SATA connector.
3. Reinstall the side mounting screws to secure the drive to the tray.
4. Slide the assembly back into the aluminum enclosure and secure the two rear chassis screws.
5. Replace the rubber feet on the case.

The patched firmware is written directly to the internal drive’s onboard flash memory, meaning it remains permanently unlocked even when operated through the factory Archgon enclosure moving forward.

MakeMKV and Flashing LibreDrive Firmware on Mac OS

Many TROYPOINT fans will question whether this works on Mac OS.  MakeMKV will definitely work on a Mac and I’ve provided the download link below.

Unfortunately, the flashing process must be performed on a Windows PC as there is no flashing tool available for Mac computers.  Ask a friend to use their Windows PC to flash your Archgon drive with the steps outlined in the video above.  Then use the following MakeMKV download to run the ripping software on your new drive.

Once your drive is flashed, you won’t need to do it again unless you want to upgrade/downgrade firmware in the future.

MakeMKV for Mac OS