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Home > DW Product Help > DW Recording Servers > DW Standalone Units > VMAX A1 Plus & G4 > Setup > VMAX A1 Plus (5 MP) and A1 G4 - Upgrading DVR Firmware
VMAX A1 Plus (5 MP) and A1 G4 - Upgrading DVR Firmware
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How To Upgrade Firmware for a VMAX® A1 Plus (5 MP) and VMAX A1 G4

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Affected Roles:  Administrator

Complexity:  Low to Medium

Last Edit:  July 30, 2024

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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® 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 DVR using either File Transfer Protocol (FTP), uploading with a USB stick, or uploading using the Web Admin.

 

Supported/Affected Devices

  • VMAX A1 Plus Series (5 MP)
  • VMAX® A1 G4™ Series

 

Upgrading the Recorder Firmware

Firmware upgrades for the VMAX A1 Plus DVR can be performed directly at the NVR or through the Web Admin with a browser.

 

Upgrade Using the FTP Function

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 from the FTP server.

 

**NOTE:  The FTP function requires a stable network and Internet connection.  For more information on setting up the DVR Network settings, please read the article Network Setup For The VMAX A1 Plus.

 

To upgrade using FTP:

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

 

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

 

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

 

  1. Set the Method to FTP and confirm the following:
  • FTP Address:  ftp.dwcc.tv
  • User:  vmaxahd
  • Password:  vmaxahd

Click the Check button to check for available updates.

 

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

 

Downloading the Recorder Firmware File for USB Upgrade

If you are upgrading the DVR firmware using a USB stick, you must first prepare the new firmware file for uploading.

To download the latest DVR firmware file:

  1. Open a web browser and visit the DW Resource Library.

 

  1. Use the Resource Library and search for your DVR model:
    1. Product Category – click in the drop-down and select “Recorders”, then enter the Part Number of the DVR into the search box. Select your DVR part number from the results.
    2. Free Search - enter the product or model number of your DVR unit into the search box. Select your DVR part number from the results.

 

**NOTE:  The DVR’s part number is located on the sticker located on top of the DVR.

 

 

  1. After selecting the Part Number, click the Search button.

In the Results, scroll down and locate the “Firmware” section.

 

  1. Download the correct Version of firmware for your DVR.

If you are performing a USB upgrade, copy the firmware file to a blank USB stick, formatted to either FAT format or FAT32 format.

 

**NOTE:  DO NOT store the firmware file in a folder. If the new firmware is in a folder, on the USB at the time of upgrade, the DVR will not be able to detect the upgrade file.

 

Upgrade Using a USB Stick

The USB upgrade option permits users to upgrade the DVR firmware by inserting a USB stick and uploading the new firmware file directly to the system.

 

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

 

To upgrade the firmware using a USB stick:

  1. Insert the prepared USB stick to the DVR.  There is a USB port located in the front panel and in the rear panel of the DVR.

 

  1. Login to the DVR as the Admin user and right-click with the mouse. Select “Menu” and navigate to the System Information menu.

 

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

 

 

  1. Set the Method to USB, then click on the Scan button.  The DVR will scan for the connected USB and will display its model information in the Device box once detected.

 

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

 

  1. 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 DVR’s IP Address or DDNS address into the address bar.  If the DVR is using a custom Web Port number, you must include the value with the IP address.

For example:  http://192.168.1.80:81

 

  1. Once connected with the DVR’s web client, enter the VMAX A1 Plus Administrator User ID and Password to login to the system as the Admin user.

 

  1. After logging in, click the “Setup” button.

 

  1. Once in the web client’s 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.

 

  1. The VMAX A1 Plus will then begin to download and install the firmware update.  Do not disconnect power to the unit or interrupt the update process.  Once complete, the unit will automatically restart.

 

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