5 best web browsers for Hikvision to make the most of IoT
- How can I view Hikvision in my browser? Here's a question that pops out a lot lately.
- Ever since Google discontinued NPAPI, making do without plug-ins has been challenging for users and service providers alike.
- If you're looking for the best web browser for Hikvision, you've come to the right place.
As a top IoT and video monitoring solutions provider, Hikvision needs little introduction.
In order to watch your recording or simply access your IP cam, you need a browser and plug-in that can extract, parse and decode the signals issued by Hikvision devices.
And this is precisely where things turn sour. As you probably know, modern browsers have evolved tremendously and they gradually ditched plugins in regards to their obsolete and security breach-prone nature.
Modern browsers’ almost unanimous decision to discontinue NPAPI support has marked a true turning point.
With Netscape Plugin Application Programming Interface interrupted, it has become harder and harder to find a browser that still supports Java applets, for instance. And the same goes for Hikvision.
How can I view Hikvision in my browser?
- Launch your web browser on your desktop.
- Type in the IP address of your device and press the Enter.
- Next, introduce your credentials to log in (username and password).
- Then, enter the Configuration menu and go to Network tab.
- The precise options can differ according to your firmware version, but you should pe able to locate the Platform Access section.
- Complete the field, hit Enable and you’re all set.
As you can see, it’s no different than accessing your router’s configuration, for example. But the plugin revolution complicated things a bit.
So how can you access your Hikvision camera now? Is it still a browser that you can use for this specific task? Don’t worry, we got the right answers, and the very best web browsers for Hikvision are listed right here.
Which browser is best for Hikvision?
Internet Explorer
Internet Explorer is both a veteran browser and a true pioneer. Used by millions of people worldwide, the good old IE is still the go-to browser for many, despite its official retirement announcement.
For now, you can still use it and make the most of its plugin acceptance to view Hikvision. All you need is the WebComponents plug-in to activate essential functionalities such as playback and live view.
Since Edge is the legitimate descendent of IE, we figured you might find it easier to get the two solutions in one place.
How do I view the Hikvision camera in Microsoft Edge?
That being said, you can also use Edge to access your IP camera. Here’s how to do that:
- Make sure Edge is set as your default browser.
- Adjust its settings in order to Allow sites to be reloaded in Internet Explorer mode.
- Restart your browser and type the IP address of your Hikvision camera.
- This will prompt you to download the plug-in mentioned earlier.
- Proceed with the installation and you should be all set.
⇒ Get IE/Edge
Editor’s tip
âž¡ the IE Tab extension (for Chrome)
âž¡ or similar ones that are available for Opera (such as Open in IE)
These extensions will allow you to run legacy admin pages without any hassle.
Opera
If you’re looking for a modern, sleek and performant browser, look no further than Opera. You will have no problems at all running the latest versions of Hikvision firmware-based devices since they do not require any plugins.
As far as older versions are concerned, you can always explore Opera’s extensive library and find the suitable tool for each task.
To do this, simply open your Opera browser and type the following in the address bar: addons.opera.com/en/search/.
One of the greatest things about it is that it fully supports Chrome extensions, thus you will be able to find everything you need quickly and effortlessly.
Opera
Team up with Opera and unleash the full potential of your IoT devices!
Chrome
Does Hikvision work with Chrome? Starting with version 57, Chrome completely removed the plugin infrastructure. The famous chrome://plugins page was gone at around the same time Google said farewell to NPAPI.
As one would expect, many people are still very fond of this immensely popular browser and cannot bear to part ways simply because there is no more plugin support.
How can I open Hikvision in Chrome?
- Open the Chrome Web Store from this page.
- Under the Search Extensions tab, type in IE tab.
- Click on this extension and press Add to Chrome to properly install it.
- Restart your browser, type the IP address of your device and log in.
⇒ Get Chrome
Firefox
Chromium has gained a lot of momentum and we dare add, it’s for all the right reasons. Nevertheless, there are more than Chromium-based browsers out there and Firefox is a great alternative to consider.
This modern and well-optimized browser has come a long way since its early days and we salute its progress.
Firefox runs on its very own engine called Quantum, which is a tailored solution that guarantees enhanced efficiency for all your browser-based tasks.
How can I see Hikvision in Firefox?
- Open your Firefox browser and type the following in your address bar: about:config
- You will see a warning message on the next screen, simply click on the Accept the Risk and Continue.
- On the new window, type Boolean in the search field, check the String radius button, and press + icon to add it.
- Next, enter the name of the plugin, reload the browser and you should be good to go.
⇒ Get Firefox
Pale Moon
It may not look all shiny and new and we agree its esthetics could benefit from a make-over. Other than that, you will find Pale Moon quite surprising both in terms of performance and functionalities.
A fork of Firefox, the Pale Moon browser maintains support for legacy plugins. Thus, you will be able to access your Hikvision devices directly via Pale Moon with no additional steps.
Simply, install the browser, launch it and use it to introduce the IP address of your device. In other words, follow the regular authentication procedure.
Now, if you never had the plugin installed, Pale Moon will have no legacy to work upon. Don’t worry, it will ask you to download the plugin and reopen the browser, and that should be it!
⇒ Get Pale Moon
For some users, getting Hikvision to work required a bit of tweaking and you have to prepare for this scenario as well. Your camera’s firmware may need to be downgraded or upgraded, according to your particular situation.
Also, the latest firmware for Hikvision cams does not require any plug-in to work properly, so make sure you check that out as well.
