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Affected Roles: Administrator
Complexity: Low to Medium
Last Edit: October 5, 2020
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Firmware is a type of computing software that is used in the management and operation of nearly all electronics. The VMAX® A1 Plus Series DVRs 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 DVR.
This article will outline the process for upgrading firmware for the VMAX® A1 Plus Series DVRs, using either File Transfer Protocol (FTP) or with a USB stick.
Firmware upgrades for the VMAX® A1 Plus Series will need to be performed directly at the DVR. Connect a display monitor (HDMI or VGA) and USB mouse to the DVR, so that you can control the user interface of the recording unit.
The FTP upgrade option permits users to upgrade DVR 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 DVR Network settings, please read Network Setup For A VMAX A1 Plus (5 MP).
To upgrade using FTP:
Navigate to the System Information menu.
Click the Check button to check for available updates.
The USB upgrade option permits users to upgrade DVR firmware by inserting a USB stick and uploading the firmware file directly to the unit.
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 DVR may experience an issue while allocating the firmware file from the USB.
If you do not have a copy of the latest firmware file:
This information is located on the sticker, physically on top of the DVR.
You may compare the current Firmware Version number of the DVR (in the System Information menu) to the version listed on the product page to determine which version you need.