Which firmware should I use?

dompel

n3wb
Joined
Dec 3, 2022
Messages
12
Reaction score
16
Location
USA
I have a DS-2CD2645FWD-IZS running 5.5.61 and I'm getting a little confused.
  1. This website says the latest firmware is 5.5.6 4 MP Outdoor IR Varifocal Network Bullet Camera
  2. This website says the latest firmware is 5.6.820 DS-2CD2645FWD-IZS
What's the difference between us.hikvision.com and hikvision.com when it comes to firmware? Is one out of date? I bought my camera from a US retailer (B&H Photo) if that matters.

I am also wondering where I could find release notes that show the updates to determine if its worthwhile to do the update but I don't see any on hikvision's websites.
 

wittaj

IPCT Contributor
Joined
Apr 28, 2019
Messages
25,173
Reaction score
49,058
Location
USA
You really need to be asking yourself why are you updating? If it is just for grins and giggles or OCD behavior to be running the latest firmware, think twice.

A common theme around here is don't fix what ain't broke. If the unit is working and meets your needs, in many instances an update breaks what you had working and provides you with something you didn't need or bricks the camera. In most instances, updates are simply security vulnerability patches (usually years after the breach was found), but since we do not give our cameras internet access, the update is useless to us.

Unless the release notes specifically mention it fixing a problem you are experiencing, more than likely it won't fix an issue and may make the camera worse by removing functionality.

I am not sure about that camera firmware, but Hikvision has been preventing some firmware from being downgraded, so if it removes something you want, you will be out luck.

Here are issues I have seen people report here where they were upgrading just for the sake of upgrading:
  • Dahua 5241E-Z12E that someone updated and then constantly reboots.
  • Dahua 49225 and 49425 PTZ that Dahua intentionally removed autotracking with an update to force people to buy the more expensive PTZ.
  • Hikvision DS-2DEA425IW-DW PTZ that Hikvision intentionally removed autotracking with an update to force people to buy the more expensive PTZ.
  • Hikvision ANPR camera losing half the FPS and loses the ability to read US plates - those are big deals to have happen, especially if you live in the USA.
  • Hikvision ANPR DS-2CD4A26FWD camera that lost all ability to read plates - kinda makes the camera useless.
  • Hikvision camera that the user lost ability to control the LED light function at night.
  • Hikvision DS-7616NI-Q2 NVR that has the APIs changed.
  • Hikvision wifi camera that loses the ability to use wifi after a firmware update and was intentionally removed due to too many complaints.
  • DH-DB61 Doorbell that loses API functionality.
  • Hikvision iVM4200 v3.8 - loses the free ability to use the computer as storage and now need to subscribe.
  • Dahua IPC-HFW1320S that started phoning home using 60MB/hr and costing someone thousands of dollars in data overages.
  • Dahua 5442 that will not allow playback of the SD card.
  • Dahua NVR58XX-4KS2 that had custom protocol (ability to add a camera via RTSP) was removed possibly to force people to purchase same brand cameras.
  • Countless other instances where the camera or NVR simply bricked and became useless.
  • Countless examples where the camera or NVR went into Chinese.
  • Manufacturers are now preventing their equipment to be updated with an older working firmware after it was updated to a more recent firmware.
Don't do it unless it is fixing a problem you are experiencing or adds a feature you really need.

Another thing to consider is that the same model could have different firmware for different chipsets used during the life of that model. So you run the risk of bricking if you do not know what chipset you have.

Here is an example - the HFW3549T1-AS-PV is available in 2 versions of firmware across 3 different chipsets for the same model camera:
  • HFW3549T1-AS-PV-S4 uses the HX3XXX-Taurus firmware.
  • HFW3549T1-AS-PV and IPC-HFW3549T1-AS-PV-S3 use the HX5XXX-Volt firmware
In this instance, Dahua added an S# designation after the model number (while Hikvision adds a C), but many do not and then you try to update with a firmware not compatible with your chipset and potentially brick it.


Further, it is best to obtain any firmware updates from the vendor you purchased it from so that you do not run into issues. Any firmware you find here or elsewhere is obviously proceed at your own risk. We have many threads here where someone tried an update with a firmware they found on the internet and bricked their unit.
 

alastairstevenson

Staff member
Joined
Oct 28, 2014
Messages
15,970
Reaction score
6,795
Location
Scotland
I am also wondering where I could find release notes that show the updates to determine if its worthwhile to do the update but I don't see any on hikvision's websites.
I believe the referenced version is the one that closes a serious firmware vulnerability :

Not that the release notes actually mention it ...
 

Attachments

wittaj

IPCT Contributor
Joined
Apr 28, 2019
Messages
25,173
Reaction score
49,058
Location
USA
But at the same time if you don't let the cameras touch the internet, then the security update is kinda moot...
 
Top