Upgrading Firmware for a VMAX IP Plus

How to Upgrade Firmware for A VMAX® IP Plus

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Affected Roles:  Administrator

Complexity:  Low to Medium

Last Edit:  September 28, 2021

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Firmware Upgrades

Firmware is a type of computing software that is used in the management and operation of nearly all electronics.  The VMAX® IP Plus™ Series NVRs utilize firmware versions to manage camera communication, user interface controls, display, and recording settings for every interaction by the user.

Periodically, the firmware version may need to be upgraded to apply new features, improvements, and other content to the NVR.

This article will explain the process for upgrading Firmware for the VMAX IP Plus Series NVRs using either File Transfer Protocol (FTP) or a USB stick.

Supported/Affected Devices

• VMAX® IP Plus Series

Downloading the Recorder Firmware File

When upgrading the firmware of the recorder, it is important to know the hardware generation and how to identify the correct firmware file.  For example, a second generation (2nd gen), 12-channel NVR uses firmware files that begin with “HN6512”. 

Use the table below to identify the correct firmware files for your unit.

Model	S/N			Firmware Filename
	1st gen	2nd gen	3rd gen	1st gen	2nd gen	3rd gen
DW-VP9-4P	VP****	NPK09****	FPK09-	HN-6209_dw_v1.xxx	HN-6509_DW_v1.x.x.x	DW-VP09 vx.x.x.x
DW-VP12-8P	VP****	NPK12****	FPK12-	HN-6212_dw_v1.xxx	HN6512_DW_v1.x.x.x	DW-VP12 vx.x.x.x
DW-VP16-8P	VP****	N/A	N/A	HN-6216_dw_v1.xxx	N/A	N/A
DW-VP16-16P	VP****	NPE16****	FPE16-	HN-6316_dw_v1.xxx	HN-6616_DW_v1.x.x.x	DW-VP16 vx.x.x.x

If you do not have a copy of the latest firmware file:

1. Open a web browser and visit https://digital-watchdog.com.

2. Enter the Model Number of your VMAX® IP PLUS unit into the search box (DW-VP9xT4P, DW-VP12xT8P, DW-VP16xT8P, DW-VP16xT16P).

This information is located on the sticker, physically on top of the NVR.

3. Scroll down the product page and locate the Software tab.

4. Locate the correct Version of firmware for your NVR.  You can determine which Version to use, by the first three letters of the S/N (Serial Number), located on the sticker, physically on top of the NVR. 

Alternatively, you can compare the current Firmware version of the NVR in the NVR’s System Information menu.

5. Download the correct Version of firmware for your recorder.

If you are performing a USB upgrade, copy the firmware file to a blank USB stick.

Upgrading the Recorder Firmware

Firmware upgrades for the VMAX® IP Plus™ Series will need to be performed directly at the NVR.  Connect a display monitor and USB mouse to the NVR, so that you can control the user interface of the recording unit.

If you are unsure what type of display (HDMI or VGA) that your NVR supports, please consult the User Manual.

Upgrade Using the FTP Function

The FTP upgrade option permits users to upgrade NVR firmware by communicating with an external FTP server over the Internet.  New firmware versions can be downloaded and installed by communicating with the FTP server.

**NOTE:  The FTP function requires a stable network and Internet connection.  If you have not set up the NVR Network settings, please read Network Setup For The VMAX IP Plus

To upgrade using FTP:

1. Log in as the Admin or as a user with Administrator privileges.

2. Right-click with the mouse and select Menu.  Navigate to the System Information menu.

3. Click the Upgrade button, located next to the current firmware Version.

4. Set the Method to FTP and confirm the following:

• FTP Address:  ftp.dwcc.tv
• User/Password:  vmaxipplus (both boxes)

Click the Check button to check for available updates.

5. Once a new firmware version is detected, click the Start button.  The upgrade progress will display in the Progress bar.  Allow the NVR to download and install the update.  Once the upgrade is complete, the NVR will automatically reboot and begin using the new firmware.

Upgrade Using a USB Stick

The USB upgrade option permits users to upgrade NVR firmware by inserting a USB stick and uploading the firmware file directly to the System.

**NOTE:  The USB stick must use FAT or FAT32 format and should not exceed 32 GB.

**NOTE:  It is recommended to avoid the use of Kingston and San Disk brand USB sticks, as the NVR may experience an issue while allocating the firmware file from the USB.

To upgrade the firmware using a USB stick:

1. Insert the USB stick to the NVR.  There is a USB port on the front panel and on the rear panel of the NVR.

2. If you have not already done so, log into the NVR as the Admin or as a user with Administrator privileges.

3. Right-click with the mouse and select Setup Menu.  Navigate to the System Information menu.

4. Click the Upgrade button, located next to the current firmware Version.

5. Set the Method to USB, then click on the Scan button.  The NVR will detect the USB and display its model information in the Device box.

6. Click the Start button.  The upgrade progress will display in the Progress bar.  Allow the NVR to download and install the update.  Once the upgrade is complete, the NVR will automatically reboot and begin using the new firmware.

7. Remove the USB stick once the unit is done rebooting.

Upgrade Using the Web Client

To upgrade the firmware through the web client:

1. Open a web browser and enter the NVR’s IP Address or DDNS address into the address bar.  If the NVR is using a custom Web Port number, you must include the value with the IP address.

For example:  http://192.168.1.80:81

2. Once connected with the NVR’s web client, enter the VMAX IP Plus Administrator User ID and Password to log in to the system.
   • Default User ID:  admin
   • Default Password:  <blank>

3. After logging in, the web client will likely request to install an ActiveX plugin.  Unless a browser that supports ActiveX is used, video streams will not display through the web client.  Internet Explorer is an example of an approved web browser.

Otherwise, to update the VMAX IP Plus firmware, click the “Setup” button.

4. Once in the web client Setup menu, under the System menu category, select the “Upgrade” tab.

Next, click the “Choose File” button and select the firmware update file.

Click the “Upgrade” button to begin the firmware update.

5. The VMAX IP Plus will then begin to download, then install the firmware update.  Do not disconnect power to the unit or interrupt the update process.  Once complete, the unit will automatically restart.