Config using web browser in 2025

[A23]

I've been searching in this forum to try to determine what the requirements are for configuring with a web browser currently and have not been able to determine that completely, hence this new topic.

My need is to set up motion detection in a camera I just purchased from Andy, a IPC-HDBW5441F-AS-E2. When I say "config the camera" below, the one thing I really need is to set up motion detection. I can access live video with an RTSP stream if needed but I see no way to config motion detection without a working browser interface. I do not have an NVR. I have my cameras write files to an FTP server.

I have found that my usual method of configuring, with an old (52.9.0) version of Firefox with MMX does not work with this new camera. I have older Dahua cameras that I configure with this old Firefox. I get a prompt to allow MMX when I log into the web interface of those cameras and after accepting, the live video works as well as the motion config.

When I access the new camera with the old Firefox, I do not get the MMX prompt as it seems the newer camera software no longer has that function. I get a link to download a plug-in which is a link to a file on the camera that is an exe file: webplugin.exe. It is 4852529 bytes long.

When I try to use a current Chrome to access the new camera, the plug-in link takes me to the NACL plug-in page on the google web store. There is a message on that page about chrome apps not being supported and it cannot be added to chrome.

I've found some threads that mention an IE plugin for chrome. I found "IE Tab" but it a) requires a paid license after 2 weeks, and b) requires an executable to be installed and run. I prefer to avoid this solution.

I've found some threads stating that it is best to stay with IE if running on Windows. I did find these very helpful instructions from @wittaj on how to make IE run on current Windows:

Post in thread 'Just got 2 cams from Andy.. cant find playback menu in IE'

Jul 16, 2025

While newer cameras are supposed to work with other browsers and not need the plug-in nonsense, keep in mind to ensure full compatibility, IE is still preferred. And this isn't specific to just Dahua either. And sometimes the plug-in nonsense is needed.

It comes down to IE was the most popular browser when these cameras started to be made, so they centered the firmware around one particular browser and they got lazy and never updated the internals of the program to play nice with other browsers as more became available and IE started to fade.

Back when the firmware was written, it was...

• wittaj

• 

I am able to run IE using this VB script but when I access the new camera with IE, it also presents me with the link to download a plug-in. The plug-in exe file that is downloaded is the same one that is downloaded using the link when accessing using the old Firefox.

Questions:
1. Is there a way to config this newer camera with current Chrome, using a plug-on or any other means?
2. Is there a way to get this new camera to use the MMX plug-in (allowing me to use my old Firefox to configure it)?
3. Is there a way to config this newer camera with IE without installing the plug-in exe file from the camera?
4. If the plug-in is required or the best option, is it generally considered safe to install and use?

Thanks

 

[jaydeel]

4. If the plug-in is required or the best option, is it generally considered safe to install and use?

I maintain a folder with all the plugins required for my Dahua cameras. I execute the appropriate one before opening the VB script IE. I've had no issues using the plugins. This has served me well so far, but my newest Dahua camera is now 3 years old. YMMV.

 

[wittaj]

The plug-in only works for Internet Explorer.

You could try Pale Moon 32 bit.

The plug-in is safe or as safe as any other file accessed.

 

[steve1225]

only very old Dahua / HIK cameras are using NACL plugins for Firefox...

newer are using webservice - some kind of web proxy server, run locally on Windows in background which converts Dahua video streams to format accepted by modern browsers in real time..

the only exception is IE - which always is using ActiveX plugin (old technology)...

 

[bigredfish]

Pale Moon 32

 

[A23]

Would that be the current version of Pale Moon 32 bit?
And that browser will show the video in the camera config without a plugin?

 

[bigredfish]

Mine's semi current, like in the past year. Have used it for many tyears

Some cameras will and some wont. Honestly its a crapshoot on browsers if you have a system like I do with a 7 year old NVR and a mix of cameras across GUI's and variant FW's.

I suspect with Mac its even worse.

If I go to access all 12 of my cams right now, I'll use 3 diff browser configs, Pale Moon, Edge in IE mode, Edge plain

 

[A23]

I can report that the current (33.8.0) version of the Pale Moon browser (32 bit) requires a plug-in for this camera IPC-HDBW5441F-AS-E2:

 

[wittaj]

And all the cameras will work with Internet Explorer so I just use that for all my cameras and make it easy to not have to remember which camera can use which browser.

I don't use that browser for anything but the cameras.

 

[A23]

I went ahead and submitted the plug-in exe to Virus Total to see what it would say. It said 2 of 70 scans failed. I've seen false positives before and I really want to get going with this camera, and so I went ahead and allowed it to run in IE.

With the plugin running, I am able to see live video, and set up the IVS stuff.

Additionally, in my old Firefox I accessed the camera and got the screen below. This was new after the install of the plugin in IE. I went ahead and clicked the activate with the chinese symbols and after that, I was able to see live video and perform IVS config in old Firefox as well.

Hopefully this plug-in is safe. I am able to continue to configure all my cameras in one browser (Firefox 52) as well, which is great.

Thanks, everyone for all the help.