I'm new to learning about security cameras but been reading a lot. I would prefer to stay away from chinese brands and so have leaned towards the AXIS brand. But I had not heard anything about needing to use IE to run most of these systems, including Axis per your note above. I had planned on building an inexpensive dedicated tower system to run the software and storage. I have an OEM version of Windows 7. Are you saying I should use that with IE on it?
Axis is expensive, so maybe they can afford to update firmware on older cameras to allow them to use newer browsers. Or maybe because they are more expensive, they also have more memory and RAM than other cams that allowed them to be updated that other brand cams couldn't.
I have an older Axis camera that works best with Explorer. I have no need to update the firmware as it works for my situation. Another thing you will find is that many times updating camera firmware causes other issues, so I am not going to update a perfectly working camera on the hope that the firmware allows it to use another browser, but then takes away a feature I need.
In addition to the hack I mentioned above to use Explorer, I keep an old laptop around that has no internet connection that I will use if that time ever comes.
As you do your research, you will find that the Chinese brands represent an incredible value. For the cost, I would not put Axis at a superior advantage over Dahua or Hikvision.
What is your reasoning for avoiding the Chinese brands?