Eken supply firmware for their H2, H2R, H3, H3R, H8, H8R, H9 and H9R cameras via the following site:
https://www.facebook.com/ekenhk (Try searching for "h9 firmware", etc.)
The "R" camera versions come with a remote control.
Note that as of 2016-06-29, the firmware files being published by Eken do not have the 720p@120fps video mode. This means that if you update to a current firmware, you will not have that "slow motion" video capability. I understand that you can revert to a 2015-09-?? firmware to restore it, but you will lose the enhanced 4K modes.
Some camera models (like the H9) have multiple possible firmwares, because there is more than one version of the camera, using different LCD chipsets.
The Eken H9 comes in "Type 1" using the ST7789S chipset, and "Type 2" using the ST9341 chipset.
To determine your camera's type, you can either crack it open and look at the screen driver, or use a site like Eken H9 Bricked which lists a mapping between firmware versions and camera types.
Type 1 H9 cameras, came delivered with Firmware Version: 150826, 150910, 150910SJ, 150928, 150928SJ, 151005, 151005SJ, 151009, 151103, 151103SJ, 151128, 151128SJ, 151204, 151208, 151208SJ, 151229, 151229SJ, 160108, 160108SJ, 160421SY
Type 2 H9 cameras, came delivered with Firmware Version: 150911, 150911RJ, 150914, 150914LY, 151010, 151015, 151127, 151207, 151228LY, 151230, 160106, 160108, 160108LY, 160222, 160304, 160309LY, 160309LY(4k25), 160326, 160421LY
http://www.eken-h9-bricked.co.uk/SelectType1Type2Unknown.html
If in doubt, you can proceed with the Type 1 firmware, which will either work (because you have Type 1) or white the screen of your Type 2 camera. If this happens, just flash the Type 2 firmware and the display will be restored.
This is displayed in the camera's settings menu. There's a "Version" option. It will look something like:
ActionCam H9 151230
Which is a Type 2, Eken H9.
Mine came with 151015, which is a Type 2 ("LY") firmware, dated 2015-10-15
Download and extract the file from Eken, copy SPHOST.BRN to the root of your MicroSD card. With the camera off, insert the SD card and turn it on.
The camera will display "Firmware Update..." for about two minutes, and then it will switch off (all lights and screen off).
At this point, it's safe to remove the SD card, delete the SPHOST.BRN file, and put the card back in the camera.
Turn the camera on (it should be functional) and perform a "reset" (from the settings menu).
You can check the version to make sure you now have the latest firmware.
- http://www.eken-h9-bricked.co.uk/ — has tools to back up and flash the camera using a Windows PC
- https://www.facebook.com/groups/EKENusergroup/ — mirrors the Eken firmware
- https://www.facebook.com/groups/1721251831425533/ — provides support for "bricked" cameras
I don't like flashing firmware from Facebook groups, and the promoted toolchains are rather involved and require Windows; the process of downloading the firmware directly from the manufacturer and copying it to an SD card was really easy, so I decided to summarise it here.
Updates to this Gist welcome.