comments:
Literally, the thing that everyone forgets is the DC drivers. ImgBurn is fine, and the same 800mb Verbatim CD-Rs we all get from Amazon work fine. Have a good quality .cdi file (not .chr, .iso or .gdi), and the ones here are the best I've found, and burn slowly. I do 2.4x on a new, 2025 model LG bluray external. Get the drivers here. Follow the instructions below as to where to install them (their link to the drivers is bad). https://www.instructables.com/Dreamcast-Burn-Games-with-ImgBurn/
Appreciate the help! I think I'll go with the BP60 or WP50. Unfortunately, I'm nowhere near a Microcenter, so I'll search elsewhere. I did find the latter on Amazon for a little more ($130, link at the bottom), so I'm debating just going with that and flashing it. The BP60 is wayyy more on there. Thanks for offering to ship one as well--very kind gesture. It truly is so frustrating at the moment. I wonder what's going on with it. https://www.amazon.com/LG-Electronics-External-Optical-WP50NB40/dp/B011327QXC/ref=sr_1_2?crid=QU2Z5NBLQQDV&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.aRdyVt44vbINFLLQJeu6tpF2uw6AZ876hKM5Pp7fFA8h5BWdhYaCirQgA5OgK3ap7BDlSDviwpFcOSqtFj34Yh7_1TBD5A_wGIKqnowyMZPgS6mhphKt4sQksQ1NZ8ZEqVKPkKsEzyxzeU70mfslMT2A-l1qIxHNNdUE7kwkrCo4o5VBy4XDMWLljmYk6kAJ.DPzG-Mrc-s3jnT4oHVlRrmSYIr5sxjSMG5fXsEJLUSc&dib_tag=se&keywords=BP60NB10&qid=1782094256&sprefix=bp60nb10%2Caps%2C170&sr=8-2
Don’t know what the hardware availability is now. I got a WP50NB40 for about $120 on Amazon a couple weeks ago. Looks to be mostly used with limited new options. Not sure if they're still actively being produced but if someone reading this wants a quality ripper that's easy enough to flash, get it while you still can. DM me if you need help flashing it. It's not hard if you know what to do.