I've tried reading the stickys and searching the web but I'm quite confused about all the different firmware versions and which to look for, as well as the Chinese vs English hardware. Can anyone help clear the air which English firmware version is the considered the best?
Also I have a couple specific questions.
1) Aside from firmware, are there any differences in hardware or performance between a Chinese and American camera?
2) Since I see there are some firmware tools here on the site to change language, downgrade, etc. Is it even important which one is purchased anymore? Or can those tools basically get any camera to the best firmware version no matter what it comes with? Are there still models to avoid?
3) I purchased a DS-2CD2432F-IW with Firmware V5.3.0 build 150513 and Encoding version V5.0 build 150327 . It came in a retail looking box, seems to be English, and was from a seller on amazon with good feedback. However I do question it a bit as a few functions just do not seem to work like CIFS, and Logs. Is it possible I'm on one of the bad firmware versions?
Also I have a couple specific questions.
1) Aside from firmware, are there any differences in hardware or performance between a Chinese and American camera?
2) Since I see there are some firmware tools here on the site to change language, downgrade, etc. Is it even important which one is purchased anymore? Or can those tools basically get any camera to the best firmware version no matter what it comes with? Are there still models to avoid?
3) I purchased a DS-2CD2432F-IW with Firmware V5.3.0 build 150513 and Encoding version V5.0 build 150327 . It came in a retail looking box, seems to be English, and was from a seller on amazon with good feedback. However I do question it a bit as a few functions just do not seem to work like CIFS, and Logs. Is it possible I'm on one of the bad firmware versions?