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Created May 17, 2016 21:50
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Eken H9 Action Camera Firmware

Official source for the latest firmware

Eken supply firmware for their H2, H2R, H3, H3R, H8, H8R, H9 and H9R cameras via the following site:

http://ftp.eken.com/

The "R" camera versions come with a remote control.

Selecting the right file

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.

Finding your current firmware version

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.

Flashing the firmware

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.

Useful links

Why this Gist?

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.

@VU2ATX
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VU2ATX commented Sep 7, 2021

hi, I want to connect my H9 Action Camera which is presently equipped with 160701SY firmware, It has option of 120fps @720p.
I do not remember, I think, an year or two back, I might have upgraded the firmware of 120fps@720p.

I want to connect this camera to Raspberry Pi3B via HDMI to CSI adapter but I observe horizontal strips on the video. I think it is due to the fact that presently the camera firmware is not sending out the 1080p vide however it is sending 1080i video.

Is there any firmware for H9 action camera which supports 1080p and not 1080i @30fps ?

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