Subscriber Discussion

No Live View On Hikvision Camera Webpage With IE, Chrome Nor Firefox

UI
Undisclosed Integrator #1
Jan 19, 2018

Hi

Connecting with new Hikvision cameras DS-2CD2155FWD-15 ( 5MP Bullet ) can access the config settings of webpage but have no access to live video when using internet explorer , this is strange as always worked before ??

When asking supplier and Hikvision support , they basically said its not their problem , not great backup or support !

I am getting close to ditching Hikvision kit once and for all , too many time consuming issues

Any ideas chaps

UM
Undisclosed Manufacturer #2
Jan 19, 2018

ActiveX issue?

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Mike Dotson
Jan 19, 2018
Formerly of Seneca • IPVMU Certified

You are on the right track.   Note that the Browsers today do NOT want to support Flash due to security issues.   I recently ran in to a similar issue with brand new Axis cams.

You can grant permissions to specific web pages/ip addr to allow them to run code within the 'internet options' on the 'security' tab then the 'trusted sites'.

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JH
Jay Hobdy
Jan 19, 2018
IPVMU Certified

We have seen issues with Dahua and using office PC's, tech laptops etc when configuring different cameras on the same IP address over and over. Sometimes we have to clear cache. Also look for the blue circle in the address bar that may be disabling Active X

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Jon Dillabaugh
Jan 20, 2018
Pro Focus LLC

Try uninstalling old versions of the web codec, then try connecting again with IE. It should prompt you to reinstall the codec.

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UI
Undisclosed Integrator #1
Jan 20, 2018

Hi Jon , many  thanks for your tip and suggestions from everybody 

where is web codec located ? 

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Jon Dillabaugh
Jan 20, 2018
Pro Focus LLC

You can simply use the normal Windows method for uninstalling programs. That method depends on which version of Windows you are running. 

Win7: Control Panel > Add/Remove Programs > Find Web Components in the list, click it, and then uninstall.  

Win8/10: Settings > Apps > Find Web Components in the list, click it, then Uninstall. 

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UI
Undisclosed Integrator #1
Jan 21, 2018

Hi Jon

Tried everything as above no joy , its something to do with this new camera and version of web components , whats strange is that older cameras work fine using this Web components Version  3.0.6.14

Enclosed is camera info, its not a hardware issue as other cameras  work ok on same version , suspect its the Web version or Encoding version ,

Hikvision is so annoying  !

 

U
Undisclosed #3
Jan 21, 2018

Download older ver of Firefox

Firefox Setup 52.0.1esr_(64 bit or 32 bit)

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UM
Undisclosed Manufacturer #4
Jan 31, 2018

Fyi, 

This version of Firefox is called extended service release and still supports plugin since they know that many organizations need to support them for many years to come. 

It works great with the cameras I have tested. 

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Campbell Chang
Jan 22, 2018

Run the page in IE in compatibility mode.

Settings -> Compatibility Settings -> Add 

If you need, you can redownload the codec off any device by using the following address.

http://device ip address/codebase/WebComponents.exe

 

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David Barnhart
Jan 26, 2018

Have you updated the camera's firmware?  Looks like you are running 5.4.5.  Try 5.5.0

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Tim Pickles
Jan 31, 2018
Direct Security

Hikvision are right - its not their fault that Chrome pulled the NPAPI.

But all the usual solutions are out there:

1.  Run IE not edge) in compatibility mode.

2.  Install the plug-in - ensuring the browser is closed BEFORE running ii.

3.  Ensure latest firmware is running in camera.

4.  I've issues looking at recorded footage on cameras (when an SD is installed) - easily resolved by running IE as "Administrator".

Just as a side note in case anyone is using SADP - its worthwhile updating SADP as there have been some changes recently that can cause issue if you are not running the latest version, especially when resetting passwords.

In fairness, your distributor should have known all of this - who are you using?

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JH
John Honovich
Jan 31, 2018
IPVM

Hikvision are right - its not their fault that Chrome pulled the NPAPI.

Tim, you are not helping Hikvision by blaming Google and Mozilla, etc. for 'pulling' support for NPAPI.

Google announced nearly 5 years ago that they were going to drop NPAPI support because: "NPAPI’s 90s-era architecture has become a leading cause of hangs, crashes, security incidents, and code complexity." [emphasis added]

Your thoughts on that?

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Tim Pickles
Jan 31, 2018
Direct Security

 

Sorry, of course its Hikvision's fault. Everything is these days John. My apologies.

Just like Hik allowing an installer to put that pesky camera in a School toilets - how could they be so irresponsible...?

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JH
John Honovich
Jan 31, 2018
IPVM

Tim, keep digging that hole! :)

I can understand your defense of the school toilets but the NPAPI one is honestly embarrassing. I genuinely don't think Hikvision's cybersecurity people would blame Google for dropping NPAPI, given NPAPI's issues.

Is it not on Hikvision, as '#1" in engineering, to release a solution that works with modern web browsers?

(1)
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Tim Pickles
Jan 31, 2018
Direct Security

It's good you can see the issue with your erroneous reporting of the toilets. But I don't recall seeing your retraction or apology John? Is there a reason for that? But perhaps your own hole is really is too deep to climb out of now John :)

The Chrome issue isn't relevant for any VASP I know of, as we all use IE. When you have perfectly acceptable working solution why worry about peripheral browsers?

The OP is having issues getting the video up - but the solution is straight-forward and easy. My bigger question is where was the distributors help in this? It would have been a 5 minute phone call - so worthy of concern?

On a slight tangent, are you suggesting that IE is not a modern web browser?

 

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JH
John Honovich
Jan 31, 2018
IPVM

I think people can have a genuine difference of opinion on many topics and the toilet episode is one of them.

But the NPAPI thing is different. It's clear-cut technical issue. For example, I have to believe that someone as senior as Hikvision's Chuck Davis understands the technical problems with NPAPI and not blame Google (like you)

The Chrome issue isn't relevant for any VASP I know of, as we all use IE.

On a slight tangent, are you suggesting that IE is not a modern web browser?

As you like to say, is this a UK thing? :)

First, IE has been discontinued (announced 2 years ago), so by definition, it's no longer modern.

Secondly, IPVM's web traffic is 5x more from users using Chrome than IE. Given our heavy integrator readership, it's a pretty stronger indicator that not 'all use IE'.

Finally, Chrome is the world's most widely used browser so Hikvision having broken support for it is not impressive. With 10,000 engineers, you would think a few of them could make it work on Chrome.

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Tim Pickles
Jan 31, 2018
Direct Security

The comment regarding "all using IE" relates to VASPs connecting to HIK. It could well be a regional thing, but most engineers run several browsers as all have their own idiosyncrasies. Most recently we have found that. Deliberant radio kit has icons missing on the web interface in IE and not Chrome. 

But as IE dies it's death, I'm confident HIK will have a solution. Chrome is by no means perfect - and as I know you are find of backdoors (?), articles such as this and this don't seem to have the prominence that Hik stories do, but is never the less of interest... 

 

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Campbell Chang
Feb 01, 2018

Tim, NPAPI plugin is an antiquated piece of manure that Hik should have retired years ago.

You have a point in that it's not Hikvision's fault that NPAPI support was stopped.  However it is their problem that 75% of the broswer market today doesn't support it and that EVERY browser will have ceased support for it within the next 3 years.

NPAPI support has been dropped from Chrome, Firefox and Edge never supported it.

For whatever reason, Safari still supports it despite it being flagged for removal

And IE will no longer support it after 2021

 

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UM
Undisclosed Manufacturer #4
Jan 31, 2018

Yes it is a pain that ff and chrome pulled Support and may require upgrading camera firmware. However, as John mentioned, this was known when it was happening. A manufacturer should not be left with its pants around its ankles scratching their head saying now what. 

Yes it may have taken a few days of confusion to get everyone on the same page, but it is the same thing as when a new os or ie version comes out. The manufacturer should be testing the release to manufacturer version for some time and have a game plan. The final version may need tweaking but it should be a case of we have no idea or it won't be supported or we are working on it now.... 

U
Undisclosed #5
Jan 31, 2018

If you use Chrome there is an extension called "IE Tab" for Chrome that has worked for me. I agree the lack of support with no solution is annoying and makes one want to look for another vendor.

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Tim Pickles
Jan 31, 2018
Direct Security

Indeed, the "IE Tab" works fine. Perhaps not a bad idea to leave others to find the solution....

UM
Undisclosed Manufacturer #4
Jan 31, 2018

Keep in mind that ie tab doesn't do any magic... It simply runs ie in a chrome tab. Any issues you have with ie or plugin to install are the same with ie tab. Any security issues or vulnerabilities or lack of updates to ie will follow. 

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David Rateni
Feb 01, 2018
IPVMU Certified

To the Integrator, I agree that Hikvision support lately had been sub-par but I have gotten some good help previously depending on who I got to speak with. I have had a similar issue with a 3MP dome.

Question, is this no video issue only with the main stream? Have you tried switching to the substream to see if the image returns? If so, you may need to lower your I-frame Interval within that camera. This ended up helping me when nothing else worked. Note: this was for a lower firmware version

PS
Paul Shah
Feb 01, 2018

A novice question, but Why do some VMS require a Plugin and some do not?

Is there a way to bypass this active X completly? 

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Campbell Chang
Feb 01, 2018

Is there a way to bypass this active X completly?

RTSP to VLC or similar.

PS
Paul Shah
Feb 01, 2018

What about bypassing the Active X for a DVR/NVR

UI
Undisclosed Integrator #1
Feb 01, 2018

Yes it is a pain that ff and chrome pulled Support and may require upgrading camera firmware. However, as John mentioned, this was known when it was happening. A manufacturer should not be left with its pants around its ankles scratching their head saying now what!

I think this statement sums it all up !

Thanks for all the advice and recomendations, I have tried most of them already with no joy , but unfortantley I have not got the time or patience to trouble shoot all the options at the moment we are a small company this is just time consuming and non profit work, non chargable work in our time , next time I am on site I will have a look

If Hikvision has 1000s of R & D engineers , surely  one of them can resolve this issue or come up with a decent  fix

It comes down to having good supplier support, quality equipment etc, its now our job as integrators to chase our tail trying to reolve problems like this

its not Rocket Science

We just want things to work !

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