Well how about answering bigredfish questions first - what issues are you having that you hope to have fixed or do you want to update for the sake of updating.
Which 4K cameras do you have? The 4K-X is on the older GUI and cannot be updated to the newer GUI as an example. The 4K-T is on the newer GUI.
Put another way, if your devices are not on Dahua v5 already, then you cannot update firmware to that GUI.
The Taurus platform is related to a specific chip and model. If your device isn't running Taurus, then you can't update to Taurus.
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.
The Empiretech firmware and Dahua are the same - it is just logo...except for when his is better...
You can update the firmware on Andy's cameras and NVRs from the Dahua website, thus proving they are real Dahua. But you will find that the firmware we get from him is actually
better and more recent than what is on the Dahua website because many members here provide feedback to Andy and then Dahua makes modifications to the firmware and sends back to him and then he sends out to his customers. These have been great improvements that Dahua doesn't even update their firmware and add to their website. So many of us are running a newer firmware than those that purchase Dahua cameras through professional installers. Smart IR on the 5442 series is one such improvement. Autotracking on the 49225 and 49425 PTZ is another. We got the next version of AI SMD 3.0 prior to anyone else as well.
Look at the threads here where members are actually testing firmware and improving it for Dahua - find a Dahua dealer with that type of relationship that Andy has with Dahua - I don't think you will find it. Look at the Dahua 4k camera on the 1/1.2" sensor as an example -
Dahua provides cameras to Andy to sell before Dahua even made it available and look at all the improvements being made to the firmware from input from customers right here on this site. And the kicker is, we are not Dahua's target market - it is the professional installers...
Again, 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 theGUI.
- 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.
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
