HikVision cameras constantly change MJPEG substream to H.264

[TomekWaw]

Hi,
I have two Hikvision cube cameras:

• DS-2CD2455FWD-IW
• DS-2CD2443G0-IW

Both running latest V5.6.5 build 200316 firmware.
They're both configured with H.264+ main stream that is recorded at Synology SS and secondary stream configured as MJPEG that is used by used by home automation app (through restreaming by VLC @ RPi, but that doesn't matter).

The problem is both cameras change their secondary stream configuration from MJPEG to H.264 by themselfs.
It happens usually once or twice a month.
To use the substream again I need to log in into the camera panel and change the substream type to MJPEG. This is annoying.

My questions:
1. Any ideas what can cause this?
2. How can I fix it or mitigate it?
3. If there is no fix can I change it automatically back to MJPEG with an API http command?

 

[alastairstevenson]

Any ideas what can cause this?

I'd wonder if the Synology SS is occasionally configuring the cameras. Presumably it has admin access to the cameras.
Does the substream figure at all in the stream recording settings in SS?
Are they connected though a native model, or a generic connection such as RTSP?

Can you trigger the unwanted change if you stop/restart the Synology SS?

 

[TomekWaw]

Thanks for the answer and an idea. I need some time to test it and then I'll report it.