IP3M-943B Firmware Confusion

[YrbkMgr]

When I access setup through the web UI, the firmware version says 2.420.AC00.26.R, build : 2016-08-31. When I go to the firmware download page, the firmware update available is 2.400.AC02.15.R from 7/31/17. I would like to confirm that the 7/31/17 firmware update is more current than the one I have. The 2.400 of the update is a lower number than the 2.420 of the firmware I'm running. I just don't want to brick this when performing a firmware update, so if someone can confirm that 2.400 is more current than 2.420, I would appreciate it.

Also, before I climb a 12 foot ladder to reset the camera to factory settings, I would like to confirm - is a hard reset with the button really necessary? And is it really necessary to unmount the camera and connect it with an ethernet cable before performing the procedure?

[Revo2Maxx]

Hello and welcome to the Forum

I am sorry I am not sure why your working with a FW that don't even match your Camera.... THe last 2 FW for your camera was in 2017 V2.400.AC01.15.R 03/28/17 V2.400.AC02.15.R 07/31/17 So I am going to guess that maybe you bought the camera Used and that the FW that is on it now was what someone before you owned it put on there...

However there is another camera same model that is INTERNATIONAL UK version that does have your Current FW on it So if you are in the UK then it does say that the new FW is V2.400.AC00.26.R... Please note you will find that FW under the main Camera area and then below the first section of Recorders.. There are 2 cameras that are in the INT area.. Did you buy camera from UK or US? Are you in UK or US I guess what matters? The one you listed is for the US FW update... Again the 26.R follows the last 2 UPdates in UK.. Sadly I don't know why they like to make things hard to understand with FW... There are loads of cameras that have the v2.420 type of FW then they even went from 2.520 in 17 back to v2.420 in 2019 on a few cameras and that even makes things more confusing

[YrbkMgr]

Hello and welcome to the Forum

I am sorry I am not sure why your working with a FW that don't even match your Camera.... THe last 2 FW for your camera was in 2017 V2.400.AC01.15.R 03/28/17 V2.400.AC02.15.R 07/31/17 So I am going to guess that maybe you bought the camera Used and that the FW that is on it now was what someone before you owned it put on there...

However there is another camera same model that is INTERNATIONAL UK version that does have your Current FW on it So if you are in the UK then it does say that the new FW is V2.400.AC00.26.R... Please note you will find that FW under the main Camera area and then below the first section of Recorders.. There are 2 cameras that are in the INT area.. Did you buy camera from UK or US? Are you in UK or US I guess what matters? The one you listed is for the US FW update... Again the 26.R follows the last 2 UPdates in UK.. Sadly I don't know why they like to make things hard to understand with FW... There are loads of cameras that have the v2.420 type of FW then they even went from 2.520 in 17 back to v2.420 in 2019 on a few cameras and that even makes things more confusing

Thanks for your kind reply. I'm in the US, I bought this camera new from Amazon in 2017 and I didn't pay much attention to it at the time, but it was sold by CameraTec. I bought a second one that I haven't installed yet, but Amazon shows it was bought from Amcrest Direct. Curious. Maybe CameraTec altered it?

If I understand you right, what I'm reporting as the FW version is not for this camera. Con you confirm my understanding? I've attached a screenshot of the reported version.

The one you listed is for the US FW update... Again the 26.R follows the last 2 UPdates in UK

I apologize, but I don't know what that sentence means. Given that I've confirmed that I'm in the US, can you clarify your comment so that I can figure out my next steps?

This is what I'm trying to determine overall:

1. Is there a FW update available for my camera?
2. If the wrong firmware is installed, what are the considerations for installing the correct version from 2017? Is it possible I'll "brick" the camera and if so, what precautions should I take?
3. As the camera is connected to the LAN wirelessly, do I have to do a hard reset on the physical camera after a firmware update?
4. Is it necessary for the camera to be connected to the LAN via Ethernet cable?

Any information you can share that will help me determine those things would be appreciated in a big way.

[Revo2Maxx]

OK... So I am not 100% sure what would happen if you changed the FW to the US FW Version. I am going to guess nothing... About the Camera and FW on it... There is the FW you said with the Model you have however that FW Version was meant for the UK...

So here is what I would do. Look at the Firmware Page as I stated before under the Recorder FW area is the International FW update area... There is a newer one then the one you listed that does conform with the FW your camera has... If you are worried about updating to the US FW for the camera then maybe update to the UK one...

Amcrest Direct where you last Camera was bought is Amazon Amcrest seller linked to Amcrest so is the Amcrest Direct on Ebay.. Anything bought form them is covered if it was bricked however a Third party that isn't Auth by Amcrest and I am not saying the person your bought your first one from isn't I am just saying if they are not then the camera wouldn't be under warranty if something goes wrong with it...

So i am going to guess that the Camera you bought was meant for the UK market and some how was sold in the US I would contact Amcrest Support by email and ask them about the FW over to the US FW.. I am sure it would be ok but there is nothing wrong with asking first... If it was me I would just Update it myself to the US one call it a day.. However if it was on the JS FW of 2019 then No I wouldn't but from what you said this is before the JS FW movement...

[YrbkMgr]

OK... So I am not 100% sure what would happen if you changed the FW to the US FW Version. I am going to guess nothing... About the Camera and FW on it... There is the FW you said with the Model you have however that FW Version was meant for the UK...

So here is what I would do. Look at the Firmware Page as I stated before under the Recorder FW area is the International FW update area... There is a newer one then the one you listed that does conform with the FW your camera has... If you are worried about updating to the US FW for the camera then maybe update to the UK one...

Amcrest Direct where you last Camera was bought is Amazon Amcrest seller linked to Amcrest so is the Amcrest Direct on Ebay.. Anything bought form them is covered if it was bricked however a Third party that isn't Auth by Amcrest and I am not saying the person your bought your first one from isn't I am just saying if they are not then the camera wouldn't be under warranty if something goes wrong with it...

So i am going to guess that the Camera you bought was meant for the UK market and some how was sold in the US I would contact Amcrest Support by email and ask them about the FW over to the US FW.. I am sure it would be ok but there is nothing wrong with asking first... If it was me I would just Update it myself to the US one call it a day.. However if it was on the JS FW of 2019 then No I wouldn't but from what you said this is before the JS FW movement...

Alright, you've helped me get to the bottom of this. So the first 943 that I bought on Amazon was in 2017 and Amazon listed the seller as CameraTec. A quick search reveals CameraTec is in the UK. So that first camera supports PAL, and has the UK firmware.

On the Amcrest Firmware Download website, it lists the firmware that I currently have on the camera and offers a newer version. What's odd is that the the firmware versions are exactly the same, the only difference is the date. This is for the international fw. See the screen cap below:

amcrest 943b firmware page.JPG (43.98 KiB) Viewed 882 times

Since I bought a second 943 from Amazon a few months later and the "Seller" is listed as Amcrest Direct, I'm going to postulate that this is a US version. I haven't installed that second camera yet, so I think what I'll do is connect it up via Ethernet and find the Firmware version. That should tell me a lot.

I may just swap the cameras out and play with the firmware upgrade on the UK version while it's not actually mounted and on surveillance duty.

All in all, thanks for helping me sort this out.

[Revo2Maxx]

Yes that is another issue I have found they at times like to make changes to FW and keep the Numbers the same. (Just different dates). If I had to guess I would say that there was no major Change in the code so they kept it the same just date difference. While I do have some cameras that are Able to run in both modes I am going to guess they would provisioned to do so in the Chips that are onboard. It might be the NTSC for USA FW might work however if it don't offer the dual setup from the start it might not.. I would contact Amcrest to be safe before doing FW to USA version.. I have a Question in about it if I hear back I will let you know what I find!

Edit... So was just told only difference between the 2 is FW for UK will have Pal settings and US will have the NTSC settings so if your ok with not having the PAL settings then all is good to change over to US FW...

[YrbkMgr]

Edit... So was just told only difference between the 2 is FW for UK will have Pal settings and US will have the NTSC settings so if your ok with not having the PAL settings then all is good to change over to US FW...

You totally rock. Thank you!!