OmniDrive Firmware Adds Disc Ripping Support

For retro fans in London and across the UK, there is a fresh preservation tool worth a look, OmniDrive, a new homebrew firmware for compatible PC optical drives. Reported by RetroRGB and highlighted by Ryan from Archades Games, it extends drives based on the MT1959 platform so they can rip discs from several console generations.

The firmware supports Nintendo Wii, GameCube, original Xbox and Xbox 360 discs, alongside the Ultra HD and Blu-ray ripping that these drives are already known for. That makes it a practical option for people building digital backups of physical media, especially where one drive can now cover more than one system.

According to the instructions on the Redump.org wiki, users can flash the firmware themselves, and the project source is hosted on GitHub. RetroRGB also reported that its own testing successfully dumped a PlayStation 2 game, while the drive still retained its UHD ripping ability.

That balance matters, because quality optical drives can be pricey. RetroRGB notes that a cheaper route may be to use slim, laptop-style drives with external USB enclosures or SATA adapters, which could make the setup more approachable for hobbyists and preservation groups.

For the wider retro scene, OmniDrive is another example of community-led tooling doing the quiet work that keeps old games accessible. If you follow preservation news, you can keep an eye on our News tag for more updates like this.

Originally published by RetroRGB. Read original article.