I started digitizing my Blu-ray collection (again) for a Plex server and I am shocked — one simple tweak and my old drive can magically handle 4K UHD discs

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While it’s undeniable that the shift towards digital media is becoming more prevalent, I find myself clinging to the traditional charm of physical media. Despite having an extensive collection of movies and TV shows in a digital format, accessible via various streaming platforms, I remain rooted in the past.

To ensure that I don’t lose access to any digital content (excluding games), the method I’ve found is by purchasing and keeping a physical disc of the content. It feels like we’re back in 2010 with this approach.

Blu-ray discs aren’t very convenient because I can’t watch them in any room of my house or save them to my phone for travel. To solve this problem, I plan to digitize my collection so that my family and I can easily watch the movies anywhere we go.

Blu-ray discs are not practical since they can only be watched in one place and cannot be taken on the go. In order to overcome this limitation, I am working on digitizing my collection so that my family and I can watch the movies from anywhere.

After my previous try, I’ve collected several 4K Ultra High Definition Blu-ray discs. However, I believed that my old USB drive could only handle standard 1080p versions. But surprisingly…

As a tech enthusiast, I recently stumbled upon a YouTube video introducing me to an intriguing tool called LibreDrive. To my surprise, it seemed capable of transforming my drive into a 4K disc digitizing machine! Skeptical but curious, I decided to delve deeper and conduct some research. Guess what? It turned out to be true!

With only a modest amount of work and taking the right steps, I can easily handle the task without having to buy a new external Blu-ray drive. I’m quite content with that outcome.

What in the heck is LibreDrive?

To clarify, I made a point to mention “I learned of LibreDrive,” not “about it,” because truthfully, I don’t fully grasp its workings. Essentially, as far as I can tell (and feel free to correct me in the comments if necessary), LibreDrive gives users direct access to disc data without any limitations imposed by the firmware.

A LibreDrive refers to a way an optical disc player (like DVD, Blu-ray, or 4K Ultra HD) operates when it accesses data on the disc without any limitations or alterations imposed by the player’s software. Unlike regular players, a LibreDrive won’t reject reading data from the disc or label itself as “invalid.” To play UHD discs, you need a drive that is compatible with the LibreDrive method.

MakeMKV forums

A drive that is compatible with LibreDrive can bypass the limitations and directly access the data from the Blu-ray disc. This process requires modifying the firmware of the Blu-ray drive to allow it to perform this function. However, not every Blu-ray drive can be modified in this way.

To clarify whether MakeMKV, the recommended software for digitizing your discs, supported LibreDrive, it indicated that LibreDrive was not enabled. This led me to explore MakeMKV’s forum where I discovered the necessary firmware, a tool to update it, and detailed instructions from more knowledgeable users.

Admittedly, I was hesitant at first, but it turned out to be effective. Now, LibreDrive is activated, allowing me to retrieve data from a 4K UHD Blu-ray disc, which I wasn’t expecting considering my hardware limitations. Whether for playing or digitizing the content, it works perfectly fine.

To put it simply, in order to convert a 4K Blu-ray into digital format, you will require a device compatible with LibreDrive, regardless of the security measures on the disc. It’s essential to note that typically, the manufacturers of these devices do not encourage copying their products due to copyright reasons.

I’m not qualified to create a guide on this topic. However, if it’s something that piques your curiosity, I recommend checking out the MakeMKV forums. You’ll find valuable advice, suggestions for suitable hardware, and all the necessary resources there.

This version maintains the original meaning while using easier-to-understand language and a more conversational tone.

Instead, consider launching MakeMKV initially. If it indicates that the operation is feasible, like in my case with the drive, you can be sure you’re on the right track, reducing the chances of disappointment.

For convenience, the hard drive model I currently have is a Hitachi-LG BP55EB40. If you manage to find one at an affordable cost, it’s reliable; however, it may not be the most recent or fastest one available on the market. I wouldn’t recommend buying it at its full price anymore.

How I’m digitizing 4K UHD Blu-ray discs

With a bit more confidence, I can discuss this aspect since I have more familiarity with it. It might not be the optimal method, but it’s the approach that works best given the hardware resources available to me.

To start, you need to download MakeMKV, a software that has been in beta testing for quite some time now. Keys for the beta version are frequently posted on the forums. Even without it, you’ll get a 30-day trial period automatically, or you can choose to directly support its development by purchasing a lifetime license instead.

Upon opening a disc, you will find all the contents it holds. You have the option to extract everything, or, like me, choose selectively. I’m not drawn to additional items; instead, I seek the primary content. It’s generally easy to identify the main feature because it’s often the largest file on the disc.

After that, you should press “MakeMKV” and then take some time for a drink, as it may take a while. Since I’ve got a USB 2.0 Blu-ray disc drive, the processing time can range from an hour or more, depending on the file size.

After removing the video from the disc, what you’re left with is a large, unedited version that you can choose to watch. However, keep in mind that due to its substantial size, it may consume a significant amount of your storage space. If you don’t have an ample storage capacity, you might eventually exhaust it.

Large files may not always be suitable for transferring to phones, tablets, or streaming across your network. In these cases, Handbrake can help you out.

In this tool called Handbrake, I plan to convert all my videos into a compact, easily-readable, efficient format. It offers numerous adjustments for achieving an optimal balance, and I highly suggest exploring the wealth of information available online about it.

In my case, I prefer to opt for the 10-bit h.265 NVENC setting on my RTX 5080 GPU when working with 4K discs. This choice allows me to strike a balance between quality and efficiency. Occasionally, if I set the quality too low, I might need to try it again, but since I’m using the GPU, I won’t have to wait an entire day for the process to complete.

As a researcher, I find Handbrake to be significantly more efficient than MakeMKV when it comes to video conversion. Unlike MakeMKV, which requires processing discs one at a time, Handbrake offers the convenience of setting up a queue. This means that instead of working on a single file at a time, I can arrange multiple Blu-ray rips in a queue, customize settings for each, press the start button, and let Handbrake take care of the rest. It’s like having a personal assistant for my video conversion needs!

I usually work this way. I rip around six discs at once, then line up those files in Handbrake for a batch process. It might not save me much time, but it reduces the need to switch between apps frequently. This way, I can concentrate on one task at a time.

So what do I do with all of these transcoded files?

I haven’t made up my mind about the last step, but given that my collection is quite substantial, it will require plenty of storage space.

Currently, I have my data stored on a secondary Solid State Drive (SSD) within my computer, but my ultimate goal is to transfer them to a Network Attached Storage (NAS) device. At present, I own a NAS with a 4TB RAID setup, which I believe will suffice for the near future as I plan and prepare for this transition.

Moving forward, I will be revisiting either Plex or Jellyfin. I possess a lifetime Plex Pass subscription, and historically, I have relied on it. However, as I learn more about Jellyfin, my curiosity grows, making me eager to give it a try at least once.

Another time, we can delve deeper into those topics. For the moment, I’m simply thrilled that I didn’t have to buy a new 4K Blu-ray player!

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2025-08-05 14:41