How to : Smarten up the dumbed-down HiWatch IPC-T140 4MP IP camera

[Defender666]

I read this post and forgot to reply - apologies.

Maybe, but need some more detail.
A source for the firmware is needed. What version is currently running?
Also needed is the internal model number - this usually shows in the prtHardInfo commend at a shell prompt.


The main app program davinci.

@leecher repacker tool should work OK, provided the firmware isn't new enough to use code-signing protection.
[MCR] Hikvision packer/unpacker for 5.3.x and newer firmware

The current firmware is: 5.4.5 170801

Telnet/Ssh is disabled I cannot enter prtHardInfo so.

I guess it is the nearly the same process then your camera.

Can you explain the steps about modifying the modell number in davinci file? This thread seems a mix of what you did in first post (only results posted) and the help for a different camera.

I do not understand the "How To", as there are no steps provided.

What really annoys me about "HiWatch" is, I have expensive Hikvision NVR but cannot add this camera with Hik Protocoll only Onvif works. The error is the Username an Password is wrong however it is correct.

 

[alastairstevenson]

I do not understand the "How To", as there are no steps provided.

Yes, I didn't want to provide much detail as these are current-model cameras, and Hikvision do take note of any 'improvements' and try to block them in future firmware versions.
I'll give you some more detail in a 'conversation'.

 

[iceman2019]

Hi All,

I managed to update my IPC T140 using the R6 firmware and mods as described by Alastair. I now have the smart features on the cams.
Thanks to Alastair for all his help on this.

One issue I found was that the cams now do not automatically switch to day time mode. So they are constantly stuck on night mode even in the daytime.
But if I set the cams to scheduled switch then it will switch to day mode and then night mode at the scheduled times.

Did anyone else have this issue after updating?

 

[alastairstevenson]

One issue I found was that the cams now do not automatically switch to day time mode.

Yes, the alternate model I'd selected must use a hardware light sensor instead of the video sensor for light level.
Now sorted.

 

[iceman2019]

Yes, the alternate model I'd selected must use a hardware light sensor instead of the video sensor for light level.
Now sorted.

Thank you again for your help Alastair. I shall try this fix you recommended this week and will let you know the results.

 

[Classmaz]

Hello do you know if hiwatch IPC-B640-Z can be smartened up? It looks similar spec to my Hikvision DS-2CD2642FWD-IZS

 

[alastairstevenson]

Hello do you know if hiwatch IPC-B640-Z can be smartened up?

I don't know, as I don't have that particular model.
But I suspect that it probably can be.
It needs a bit of hands-on experimenting with how it's devType is handled in the firmware to find out what tweaks can be done.

 

[Classmaz]

I don't know, as I don't have that particular model.
But I suspect that it probably can be.
It needs a bit of hands-on experimenting with how it's devType is handled in the firmware to find out what tweaks can be done.

Any tips on what to do?

if not any recommendations to replace 3 x 2CD2042WD I’ve been very disappointed with them.

 

[alastairstevenson]

Any tips on what to do?

How far into firmware hacking are you?
There is a jump table indexed on the devType in the main app that sets up the capabilities for the specific model as defined in its factory-set bootpara table.
It's a matter of switching the jump destination for a model a little smarter that runs on the same hardware.

 

[alastairstevenson]

if not any recommendations to replace 3 x 2CD2042WD I’ve been very disappointed with them.

I'm really happy with the DS-2CD2385G1-I and the IPC-2347G-LU ColorVu - both really good in their own way.

 

[Classmaz]

How far into firmware hacking are you?
There is a jump table indexed on the devType in the main app that sets up the capabilities for the specific model as defined in its factory-set bootpara table.
It's a matter of switching the jump destination for a model a little smarter that runs on the same hardware.

I haven’t any experience with firmware hacking but will dedicate time if it’s worth my while. Would you hack the cam I listed which is currently £70 or am I wasting my money? I see the new range hi look have Colorvu lite wonder if that will be worth looking at and see if the firmware can be hacked?

i think the NVR I currently have is limited to 6mp cams (7608ni-e2/a) So your 8mp would be wasted on my machine.

 

[alastairstevenson]

I see the new range hi look have Colorvu lite wonder if that will be worth looking at and see if the firmware can be hacked?

I haven't seen that - do you have a link or reference?

i think the NVR I currently have is limited to 6mp cams (7608ni-e2/a) So your 8mp would be wasted on my machine.

It depends on how loaded the NVR is. It can work - just a little sluggish on playback.

 

[Classmaz]

I haven't seen that - do you have a link or reference?

Link to the details

 

[el_Pedr0]

Oooh - just stumbled on this thread and it's super timely for me. My NVR died a while ago and I'm only just getting my collection of IPC-T140 cameras set up again. But this time I'm going to explore Blue Iris because I was frustrated with the limitations of the HiWatch NVR that I had. By the sounds of this thread, I can also make the cameras smarter at the same time.

Would I be able to harness the benefits of smartening up these cameras if I go down the Blue Iris route? If so, I'd be really grateful for a little bit more detail on how to do what @alastairstevenson achieved without raising the ire of Hikvision by laying too much stuff out in the open. Any pointers much appreciated.