guy123

You might want to try the "Chrome" browser - it allows pre-IE9/8 compatibility. I've tried all of the tricks with IE9 (and firefox) to no avail with my unit (rebadged DN-9016, OEMed DVR) - the Chrome route worked fine. Also, you might want to try the actual "NetViewer" program which came with your unit, you get better functionality.

Able to examine the updated firmware files. Two passwords have been hardcoded into the firmware for user "root". These are "" (none) and "helpme". However, when I telnet into the unit (it does communicate, get the " login" and "password" entries), the passwords do not work (tried other user names, such as "admin", "user", "default", and other potential credible user names). Either a different user name is needed (can't find any reference in any of the firmware files), or the actual "real" password has been encoded into the ROM bootstrap.

Ok - hopefully, this is not one of these devices where you need to contact the vendor (who ever that is) to get a PW with a limiting time frame (re: only good for 24 hours) - sort of what you got from those corporate boon dongles (many years ago - this is coming back, but using your company cell phone system). Still, the unit does show promise, more so than the low end name brand stuff (q-see, nightowl, etc.), since this unit does have more stuff available for tweaking.

Well, I've tried the multiple firmwares - sticking with the Securus. I've changed out the welcome screen to a skyline picture of my home town (Toronto). The next step is to telnet (able to get the login & pw screen) successfully into this unit (essentially a linux box) and properly extract/modify the appropriate files. If anyone knows the appropriate login and PW (I've tried all of the common values), can you please forward. Thx.

Thanks for the firmware, however, this firmware had been the original which had been on my system (f1axa.0.4.1.20601). The Securus firmware is version f1axa.0.4.1.20714. Oh well. It still load in properly. Also, I changed the welcome screen (file labelled "logo_dn9016.jpg) to a mountain/lake picture. Next step would be load in a different Securus firmware ("basic" - it should work), however, I'm going to wait a while on that one. Again, thanks for the firmware.

Seemingly, I can't compose PMs. However, you can send me the file to the following e-mail address: guy12346z@gmail.com Much appreciated.

No problems - is it possible to email me the the file? (I'm assuming the file(s) are already compressed, either zip or rar).

Another good source (I bought one a DN-9016HF/KW-9016 units for $230 USD, /w no HDDs) is www.aliexpress.com. Once you select a model and/or manufacturer (dahua, TVT, etc.), just do a simple search. Also, you need to decide on a price point - if you only need a 4 channel DVR with real time D1 (30 fps/channel), you don't need to spend more than $200 (with no HDD) for one of these units (have Q-see units, playback is fine, etc.). One point of concern is the cameras - good quality units (using Sony 1/3 EFFIO CCDs, > 520 TVL, quality vari-focus, etc.) are not cheap (in excess of $100/unit for half decent picture quality units).

Thank you for the information. Where did you get the firmware from? Is it from XSJ or Securus? (XSJ has taken down the file from their website). You should be able to upload the firmware (when you create a new post, you should at the bottom of the page under "Upload Attachment").

Good news to hear. Found out this particular unit is manufactured/assemblied (who knows where the main board, etc. came from) by Shenzhen Xinshijia Technologies (XSJ). BTW: what price did you pay for the Apollo unit?

Did some more research, as well as flash an "unknown" image (not a smart thing to do, but due to high probability a good risk - it worked fine) from the Securus web site - seems that the base firmware is "f1axa.0.4.1.XXX" It seems that SS1616ASX latest firmware just includes a new interface (jpg - you can add what ever picture you want, as long as the extension is "jpg" and the size is limited to 720 x 576 @ 72 dpi). However, the problems with this firmware are the following: - the time is screwed up when GMP is negative (re: -4.00, etc.), you get "random" time elements (don't know why - probably in one of the linux kernel modules). - can't connect remotely using the free dns domains generated (also, per the firmware, you have to use selected vendors - I don't know if you can use other vendors). Well, I'll still be using my existing nightowl unit until I can figure out more details on this system.

Thanks for the input. Could you tell me the firmware version on your unit? This will help out a lot.

Did some more digging - this unit is flogged by multiple distribution vendors, with the following models out there: AW-DN9016HF (manufactured/assembled by Asenware) PST-DVR616 (manufactured/assembled by China PST) KW-9016 (this the unit I have) DN-9016V INS-LSDDVR16 FLSH-DVR9005 SS1616ASX (GXT Technologies & Securus - seems Securus keeps things up to date, has most recent firmware for their units) Examining the Securus firmware (Ver. 0401), seems to be the most recent (root files dated March 2012), however, they have another group of application files dated July 2012. I don't know if this firmware would work with all of the above units (seems to have customized, seemingly, the Securus unit can handle a 3G cell dongle). Also, seems the DN-9016 unit is referenced within the titles of the firmware.

My bad. You can only backup to an external HDD, not record.

You probably can record to a portable HDD (I've used one of those self powered USB HDD with my q-see units), however, it might be very slow, in particular if the USB is only Ver. 1.0, not Ver. 2.0. Also, some of these drives need a secondary power source since the USB port might not be able to provide enough juice to power the HDD. Best bet is find out more specs. on your unit.