Most of the threads here have to do with the Firmware-v3.4.0 build 150929 and the mail configuration not working.
I installed a newer version I described above, and it solved the mail issues!
I had the same email problems like everyone else in this thread with the 3.4.0 firmware version. I just found out that there is a newer version (3.4.1) on the European hikvision site.
Upgraded, and i get mail notifications with photos attached as well :)...