Maybe you will be fine, but his advice is sound LOL. We get weekly threads started because someone updated for kicks and grins and bricked their unit or deleted an item they used...
Here was someone that updated that NVR recently just for kicks...
I have recently dusted off a DS-7608NI-I2/8P which was in storage for a year. I upgraded the firmware from 4.1.50 to 4.61.010. I reconnected 7 x DS-2CD2385FWD (with firmware 5.5.82) cameras to it which had been working fine when it was put into storage. All cameras are connected directly to...
ipcamtalk.com
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.
Also keep in mind Hikvision has been preventing some firmware from being downgraded, so if it removes something you want, you will be out luck.
Here are issues I have seen people report here where they were upgrading just for the sake of upgrading:
- A Dahua Z12E that someone updated and then constantly reboots comes to mind.
- The Dahua 49225 and 49425 PTZ that loses autotracking with an update come to mind.
- The Hikvision DS-2DEA425IW-DW PTZ that loses autotracking with an update comes to mind.
- A Hikvision ANPR camera losing half the FPS and loses the ability to read US plates - those are big deals to have happen.
- A Hikvision ANPR DS-2CD4A26FWD camera that lost all ability to read plates - kinda makes the camera useless.
- A 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.
- A Hikvision wifi camera that loses the ability to use wifi after a firmware update.
- DH-DB61 Doorbell that loses API functionality.
- Hikvision iVM4200 v3.8 - loses the free ability to use the computer as storage.
- Dahua IPC-HFW1320S that started phoning home using 60MB/hr and costing someone thousands of dollars in data overages.
- Dahua 5442 that will not allow playback of the SD card.
- Countless other instances where the camera or NVR simply bricked and became useless.
- Countless examples where the camera or NVR went into Chinese.
Don't do it unless it is fixing a problem you are experiencing or adds a feature you really need.
If the release notes are blank, you are gambling...
Further,
it is best to obtain any firmware updates from the vendor you purchased it from so that you do not run into issues. Any firmware you find here or elsewhere is obviously proceed at your own risk. We have many threads here where someone tried an update with a firmware they found on the internet and bricked their unit.
Many units being sold are Chinese hacked units into English that will either brick or go into Chinese upon updating. Some vendors will be upfront and tell consumers that as part of their website, but many do not or the consumer forgets...
