Firmware update – if to do, and how

[Virga]

I recently added some cams and was wondering if I should update firmware if updated firmware is available. I recall reading a post from Andy quite some time back that some features were going to be added via firmware updates to one of our forum favorites but couldn’t recall how old that post was. Recently I got some of those cams, and was wondering how to determine whether I should update to the newer firmware that is available. I see that Andy’s website has grown much since the first time he posted about it quite some time back, so getting the latest firmware is straight forward.

Historically, from building (assembling, really) PCs I learned that it is best to leave firmware alone unless there is a reason to update. There was a time when I thought if an update is available, I should apply it, but in time I learned that it was not a good idea to do so and could create problems. In the context of cams, I have read opinions here along similar lines.

I’ll make some comments just to prime the pump and hope they will prompt responses:

“If” apply firmware:

Yes, if updated firmware is available from Andy, apply it.

“How” to check current firmware, and to “apply updated firmware”:

Use IE to browse to the cam, and check.

Many posts in our forum discuss how to force IE to run in Windows 10 as well as in 11, and that is the most reliable browser for connecting to cams.

There was a time that the only way to update firmware on devices was to download a file, then run a provided utility, and then point it to where the uncompressed/extracted firmware files were on the PC.

Am guessing that it is still the preferred method of updating firmware, including on cams.

Please comment on above.

 

[Gimmons]

There are a lot of horror stories about cameras losing features etc. and plain old bricked cameras with updated firmware. Consensus says don't update without a good reason. I'd trust an Andy update over a factory update, as he is responsive in a way Dahua isn't. Also, search the update in the forum archives and generally on the web. See if people are saying I did the update and now my ptz doesn't work. If not, and it's been out for a while, you should feel safer.

When I've done it, I just downloaded the new firmware file, pointed the camera gui at it and hit the update button.

 

[wittaj]

People here that can get "under the hood" of the firmware has seen how sometimes the firmware doesn't take properly the first time and a couple of factory resets fixes it.

So best practice is to factory reset 3 times, flash firmware, factory reset 3 times and then set the camera up from scratch and not by importing a config file.

Doesn't mean people don't have a problem that simply update it, but eventually it will catch up to them.


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.

Here is one of many threads of someone updating for OCD behavior simply to get all cams on same firmware and bricked them. Here is one of many threads where someone had their camera go into Chinese when they tried to update it.

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 or worse brick it.

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.
• Axis Q1786 that lost the ability to see the percentage of focus and zoom in the GUI.
• 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 (*V5.7.3 220315 -Remove auto-tracking functions on DE4A).
• 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 a plate reader 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. This is a big deal if you run automation.
• Hikvision DS-7616NI-K2 NVR that loses basic functionality when updated.
• Hikvision wifi camera that loses the ability to use wifi after a firmware update and was intentionally removed due to too many complaints that the camera was dropping signal.
• DH-DB61 Doorbell that loses API functionality. A big deal for someone with automation.
• DS-2CD2387G2-LU that loses API functionality. A big deal for someone with automation.
• 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 when he got his next mobile bill.
• 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) removed possibly to force people to purchase same brand cameras.
• SmartPSS that intentionally removed the ability to use the Intercom for those with VTO devices after firmware version 2.02.08
• 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.

CamCrazy said it best here LOL: Unless you want to waste some of your life, do not upgrade things that are working fine, I know, temptation is too great sometimes