Just keep in mind updating them brings a whole new set of risks LOL....would hate to get them working just to brick them LOL.. I'd suggest if they work, leave them alone!
Also keep in mind you can only add as many cameras as your NVR is rated for. So it will only accept 8 cameras regardless of whether they are connected to the POE of the NVR or external switches.
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:
- A Dahua Z12E that someone updated and then constantly reboots comes to mind.
- The Dahua 49225 and 49425 PTZ that loses autotracking with an update come to mind.
- The Hikvision DS-2DEA425IW-DW PTZ that loses autotracking with an update comes to mind.
- A Hikvision ANPR camera losing half the FPS and loses the ability to read US plates - those are big deals to have happen.
- A Hikvision ANPR DS-2CD4A26FWD camera that lost all ability to read plates - kinda makes the camera useless.
- A 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.
- A Hikvision wifi camera that loses the ability to use wifi after a firmware update.
- DH-DB61 Doorbell that loses API functionality.
- Hikvision iVM4200 v3.8 - loses the free ability to use the computer as storage.
- 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.
- Countless other instances where the camera or NVR simply bricked and became useless.
- Countless examples where the camera or NVR went into Chinese.
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.
Many units being sold are Chinese hacked units into English that will either brick or go into Chinese upon updating. Some vendors will be upfront and tell consumers that as part of their website, but many do not or the consumer forgets...here is one such example....
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