IP Camera Browser Support: Who's Broken / Who Works

By: Ethan Ace and John Scanlan, Published on Dec 10, 2019

For many years, IP cameras depended on ActiveX control, whose security flaws have been known for more than a decade.

The good news is that this is improving, with more manufacturers dropping the requirement for such plugins. However, many still do.

In this report, we look at which manufacturers are supported without plugins and which still require plugins, testing over 30 models as part of our recent IP Camera Installability Shootout 2019.

*** **** *****, ** cameras ******** ** ******* control, ***** ******** ***** have **** ***** *** more **** * ******.

*** **** **** ** that **** ** *********, with **** ************* ******** the *********** *** **** plugins. *******, **** ***** do.

** **** ******, ** look ** ***** ************* are ********* ******* ******* and ***** ***** ******* plugins, ******* **** ** models ** **** ** our ******** ****** ************** ******** 2019.

[***************]

Broken ** ********

*** ********* ******* ** that ************ ******** *** dropping ******* *** ***** plugins ***** ***** **** if ** ** ****** requires ****, ***** ***/** fundamental ******** **** *** be *********. *** **** on ****, ***:********** *** ******* / ActiveX ***** **********

Browser ******* ******** ** ****

*** ** ** ****** tested, **** *** ***** required ******* ** ******* live ***** ** ********. However, *** *** ******* which *** *** ******* plugins ********* *.***/*.*** ***** in *** *******, **** Avigilon, *******, *** **** Bosch ****** **** ********** MJPEG.

Chinese ************* *******, *** *****/********* ********

*** *** ******* ****** which ******** ******* **** all **** ** *** "big *****" ******* *************: Dahua, *********, *** *******, with *** ** *******'* models ********* ******* *** live *****.

** ********, ***** *** Hikvision ******* *** *********, with **** *** ****** no ****** ********* ******* using ******* ********, ***** other ****** ***** **. According ***********'* ******** *************, ****** ***** *** require *******, ***** ***** 3MP *** ***** ** not.

*******, ** *** *******, a *** ***** ****** 4MP *** *** ******* plugins *** **** ***** and ***** ***** ******* models ***.

Plugin ******: *******

*** *** ****** ** using *** ********** **** plugins ******** ** *** potential *** ******* ** be ********* **** ********** ActiveX. ** * ******* example, ** ******** ****, Hikvision **** * ****** to ******* ********* **** a *******-******** ******* ** their ************* ****** *** available *** * ******:

********* *** ******** ********** that * ******* ****-** from * ******** ******* of ********* *** ********, was ************* ******** **** malware. **** ******** *** available ** *** ********* USA *** ********* ****** websites *** ***** ***** months.

*** ******** *** ***** been ******** **** * clean, *******-**** *******.

**** ******* *** ********* in ******** *** ******** NVR *****, *** *** Hikvision *******, *** ********** a **** *** ******* in ******-**** **********.

Plugin-Free *.***/*.*** *******

******* ************* *** ******* H.264/5 ******* *******, *********:

  • ****
  • *****
  • ******

***** *** ******* ***** manufacturers ***** ** *** require *******, ***** ***** streaming ** *** *******, including ********, *******, *********, and *****, ********* *****.

Axis *** *** *********

************ * ******-**** *** interface ** ****, **** *** ******* models *** ***** **** UI. **** *** ********* allows *.*** ******** ** the ******* ******* *******. Previously, **** ********* **** as ******** *** *** setup ******** ******* *** configuration, *** ***** ********* are *** ******-****, ** well.

Bosch: ** ****** *.***/*.***

** ******* ***** *********, H.264 ******* ******* ***** plugins ** *** ********. For *******, *** ***** below ***** ************ ********* ******* *******.

*******, ******** ***** ***** requires ******* ** ******** Explorer *** *** *******. Plugin-free ******** *** **** configure ******* ***** (***** excluded **** *********), *** the ****-***** **** ***** found ** **.

Hanwha: ** ****** *.***/*.***

****** ****** (******* *, Q, *** * *** Lite ******) ******* * plugin-free *** *********, ***** is **** ********** (***** below), *** ****** ** mobile ****** ** ******** to ***, ****** **** MJPEG ********* ****.

Mixed *******: *****/*********

** ******* ***** *** Hikvision ******, **** ******* plugins ***** ****** ** not. *** *******, ******* at * ***** ****** DS-2CD2143G0-I, ** ******* *** required *** *.*** ********* in *** *******:

*******, ***** ******* ****** do *** ******* *** video, ********* ** *** ActiveX.

********* ** *********'* ******** documentation, ****** ***** *** should ******* *******, *** in *** ***** **** 4MP ***** *** *********** models ****** ** *** browsers ******* ****.

** ***** * ******* trend ** ***** ******, with **** *** ******* such ** **************+******* ************** ** *******, ***** other ******* ****** **.

No ******* ********: ***** ****

***** ****** ******* ************* which ** *** ******* plugins, *** **** ** because **** ** *** support *.***/* ********* ** the *******, **** *****, which *** ** ******** using ****** ****.

**** ** ********** ** requiring *******, ** **** video *** ***** ** viewed ***** ******** ********. However, ** ** *** as ****** ** ****** the *.***/*.*** ****** ** order ** ******* ** for *** ******.

*** *******, ********'* *** UI **** *** ******* plugins, *** ***** ** no ****** *** *.*** video *********:

*** **** *** **** of ******* *** **** older ***** ******, ** well ** ******* *** Pelco ****** ** **** tests.

Uniview: ******* ********

*** **** ************ ****** which ******** ******* ** all ******* ** *******. All ******, ******* *****, Pro, ** ****, ******** plugins *** *.*** *** MJPEG *********.

Manufacturer *******

** ********* ** ******* from * ************* *** provide * ********* ** which ******* ******* *.***/**.** live ****, ***** **** view, *** ***** ******* plugins. ***** *** *** results **** *** ********* cameras:

***** *** *** ******* from *** ***** ***** length *******:

Browser ******* ****** ******

**** ***** ********** ****** ******* ***** (or ***** ***):

******* ** ****, **** plugins *** ********, ***** are *********** ***** ***** Internet ********, ******* *** age,******** ******** *****, *** **** ** feature *******.

H.264 / *.*** ********* *******

************* **** *********** *.*** and *.*** ********* ***** two *** ******* ******* NPAPI *******:

  • ***** ***** ********. ******** ********************* * **** ***** platform ******* **************. **** *********** *** cases *** ** ******** using ********** (*** ******* ***** out ******** ** ****** **********).

  • ******.********* ******** *** **** time ************* ******* ***** and *** ********** *** also ** **** *** applications **** **** ********* media *** ****. ******’*********** ********** ****** ** ****** HD ***** ******* * browser *** **.

Comments (13)

Undisclosed End User #1

12/10/19 06:35pm

**** ******* ***** ** greatly ******** **** ** IPVM ********* ***** ******* which ****** *** ************* supported ***** **************.

Avatar

John Scanlan

IPVM | IPVMU Certified | In reply to Undisclosed End User #1 | 12/12/19 03:36pm

****** ** - ** updated *** ****** **** the ****** / ******** that *** *********.

Undisclosed Manufacturer #2

12/10/19 07:56pm

**** * ***** *************. Hanwha ******* *** ****** H.264/H.265 ** ****** ****** browsers, *** **** *****. Screenshot ***** ******* ** X ****** ****** ********* H.265 ***** ** *** browser ** ** ******* phone. **** ***** ****** are ***** **** *** plugin-free

Undisclosed Integrator #3

In reply to Undisclosed Manufacturer #2 | 12/15/19 11:00am

**** ** ** ******* at? **** ***** **** a ****** ******.

Undisclosed Integrator #3

12/11/19 10:21pm

** ** **** ** believe **'** ***** ********** ActiveX ** ******** ******** going **** ****. * still **** ** *** IE **** ***** **** should ** ********* *** Panasonic **** *** ****** cameras. **** ********** ******* requiring ******* ** ****. Current ******* ********* ** the **** *** ***** should *** ******* *******. I ** ******* ********* Flash ** *********** *** the **** ***** ******** in ****.

******** ** ******, *****, and **** *** ***** ahead ** *** *****.

Avatar

Ethan Ace

IPVM | 12/12/19 12:01am

*******: ** ***** * section ** ******* ***** in *** ******* ****** of **** ********* *** firmwares, ***** **** **** a ****** ** ******* about ***** (****** **** notice ** *** *** available ** ****************** ******):

*** *** ****** ** using *** ********** **** plugins ******** ** *** potential *** ******* ** be ********* **** ********** ActiveX. ** * ******* example, ** ******** ****, Hikvision **** * ****** to ******* ********* **** a *******-******** ******* ** their ************* ****** *** available *** * ******:

********* *** ******** ********** that * ******* ****-** from * ******** ******* of ********* *** ********, was ************* ******** **** malware. **** ******** *** available ** *** ********* USA *** ********* ****** websites *** ***** ***** months.

******** ******** *** ***** been ******** **** * clean, *******-**** *******. ******* was ********* ** ******** for ******** *** *****, not *** ********* *******, but ********** * ******** risk *** ******* ** plugin-free **********.

Riley Flaherty

12/12/19 04:06pm

* ***** **** **** to **** **** ******* me ***** ******* **** in ***** *** ******** is *** ****** ** useful ** ******* ** which *** ******** ***** in ***** *** *******. While * ********* **** there ***** ** * very ********* ****** ** people *** ******** ****** the ******* **********, **** is *** **** ****** so **** *** ** relevance *** ****.

John Honovich

IPVM | In reply to Riley Flaherty | 12/12/19 04:13pm

***** ** * **** minuscule ****** ** ****** who ******** ****** *** cameras **********

***** * *** ** people ****** ******* **********, especially *** ***** *** troubleshooting.

******* ** ***** *** software ***** ** ***** web *******

**** ****, *** **** a **** *****. ** will ****** **** **** NVR *** ****** ************. Thanks!

Riley Flaherty

In reply to John Honovich | 12/12/19 04:21pm

**** ***** ** *******!

Avatar

Christopher Uiterwyk

IPConfigure | In reply to John Honovich | 12/12/19 05:16pm

* **** ** ******* based ***'* ***** **** be *******.

-*****

*********** - ******* ***** VMS

Undisclosed Manufacturer #2

In reply to Riley Flaherty | 12/12/19 05:04pm

*** **** ****** *** are ********* *** ****** web ********* ** * technician **-**** **********, ***********, or *************** * ******. An ***-**** ** ** may **** ****** ** to ************ ** ******* status.

**** ***** *********** ** end ***** *** **** restrictive ***** ******** ******** that ******** ******* ** in **** *********, ***** are ******** ** ******* without **, ** ***/***** where ***** ** ** IE.

**** ** ******* *** certain ****** **** *** developed *** **** *** their ******** *** ** many ***** *** **** on ******** **** *** technologies **** *** ** vulnerable.

**, ******* * **** in *** ***** ******* their **** ******* *** wall ****** ** ****** a ***** *******, ** shows *** *** * manufacturer ** ********** ***** products, *** ******** ** current ****** *** ***** cyber ******.

Riley Flaherty

In reply to Undisclosed Manufacturer #2 | 12/12/19 05:16pm

**********, ****** **** ****, I ***'* ******** *** last **** * ****** into * ****** ******** to ************ ** ************. I *** ***** ** my ****** *** ***'* even ***** ***** ***** it ******* * ****** never **** ** ***** to *** ****** ******.

Wagner Cunha

12/12/19 05:19pm

* ******* **** ****/**** plugin-free *************** **** ********* a ***** ** * seconds ** **** (******* of *** ********* ******). Was **** ********** ** the *****? * **** seen ****/*** ******** *************** introducing ** ** ** seconds *****. **** ** not ******* ********** *** surveillance.

* **** ** ***** VMSes ******* ****/**** ******-**** implementations (**** ** ******* introducing *****) ***** **** be ****.

Login to read this IPVM report.
Why do I need to log in?
IPVM conducts unique testing and research funded by member's payments enabling us to offer the most independent, accurate and in-depth information.

Related Reports

Milestone XProtect 2019 R3 'Centralized Search' Tested on Oct 30, 2019
Milestone has had problems over the last few years releasing significant new software. Now, in XProtect 2019 R3, Milestone is touting "one search...
Network Optix NxWitness 4.0 Tested on Oct 10, 2019
Network Optix released Nx Witness 4.0, proclaiming new features like a deep learning analytics metadata SDK, increased H.265 support, and UX...
Genetec Stratocast VSaaS Tested on Sep 05, 2019
The VSaaS market is rapidly expanding in 2019, with Verkada, Meraki, Eagle Eye, Avigilon and numerous startups growing their market share. When we...
CheckMySystems Company Profile on Aug 14, 2019
CheckMySystems says that too many users respond, "I get an email when something is wrong" when talking about their video system maintenance plan,...
Avigilon Blue VSaaS Tested on Aug 05, 2019
Avigilon says Blue is a "powerful integrator cloud service platform", easy to set up and configure, quickly scale business, by leveraging cloud...
Avigilon ACC7 VMS Tested on Jul 22, 2019
Avigilon's Control Center 7 boldly claims it will "transform live video monitoring" with the new Focus of Attention "AI-enabled" interface. We...
IndigoVision Control Center VMS Tested on May 30, 2019
IPVM's last test of IndigoVision's VMS was in 2010, which found enterprise VMS features and a simple client interface. but no 3rd party camera...
Milestone XProtect 2019 R1 Tested on May 15, 2019
For the past few years, Milestone has released quarterly software updates XProtect VMS platform. What is new and how much impact do the updates...
Verkada Cloud VMS/Cameras Tested on May 02, 2019
Verkada is arguably the most ambitious video surveillance startup in many years. The company is developing their own cameras, their own VMS, their...
Camera Configuration Manager Shootout - Avigilon, Axis, Bosch, Dahua, Hanwha, Hikvision on May 01, 2019
Which camera manufacturer has the best management tool? We tested 6 manufacturers - Avigilon, Axis, Bosch, Dahua, Hanwha, Hikvision to find...

Most Recent Industry Reports

Athena CEO Criticizes 'Deplorable' 'Nitpicking', IPVM Refutes on Mar 27, 2020
Athena Security's CEO Lisa Falzone has strongly objected to IPVM's reporting on Athena, calling it 'deplorable' and repeatedly criticizing IPVM's...
Hikvision Admits Sanctions Harming Its Financial Performance on Mar 27, 2020
While Hikvision initially downplayed being sanctioned for human rights abuses, the company is now admitting a significant impact in a new PRC...
New Axis M30 Cameras Tested on Mar 26, 2020
Axis has released a new generation of, for them, relatively low cost M30 series cameras, claiming to deliver "sharp video quality even in poor...
Coronavirus Shuts Down ADT Door Knockers on Mar 26, 2020
Coronavirus has another victim - this time, alarm giant ADT has stopped all door to door sales. Door knockers are a critical but controversial...
Access Control Course Spring 2020 - Save $50 Last Day on Mar 26, 2020
Register Now - Spring 2020 Access Control Course. Today, March 26th is the last day to save $50. IPVM offers the most comprehensive access...
Convergint Coronavirus Cuts on Mar 25, 2020
One of the world's largest security integrators, Convergint, has made a major move to handle the impact of coronavirus, with cuts across the...
VSaaS 101 on Mar 25, 2020
Video Surveillance as a Service (VSaaS) is the common industry term for cloud video. But what does it mean? How does it all work? Inside this...
TVT / InVid Facial Recognition Tested on Mar 25, 2020
Facial recognition is frequently sold for thousands of dollars per channel but some China manufacturers are offering full facial recognition...
IPVM Launches On-Demand Courses on Mar 24, 2020
For nearly a decade, IPVM has been a leader in online live courses. Now, we have added on-demand versions for all courses. The same course...