Review - TOP-201 Super Mini 720P HD IP-Cam (The Cheapest IP Cam So Far !!)

Jargo

n3wb
Joined
Dec 27, 2014
Messages
8
Reaction score
3
I have a some questions.

1. I want to put it outside near the front door but I don't want to run an Ethernet cable. Anyone tried a TP-LINK TL-WR702N as a bridge from the camera to the home network wifi?
2. I was reading reviews on Amazon and someone said that the video is sent to a third party and then back to your computer. Is that true? .
How will you be getting power to the Camera if outside? Do you have a power outlet nearby?
If so, have you considered Ethernet Over Power technology? Like this http://www.amazon.com/TP-LINK-TL-PA4010KIT-Powerline-Adapter-Starter/dp/B00AWRUICG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1421546666&sr=8-1&keywords=ethernet+over+power

As lojix mentioned cable is a more stable connection than wireless...... just something to possibly consider.
 
As an Amazon Associate IPCamTalk earns from qualifying purchases.

lojix

Getting the hang of it
Joined
Oct 17, 2014
Messages
154
Reaction score
96
Location
Melbourne, Victoria. Australia
What version is your camera? (i.e. if you go to the IP address of the camera and goto Device config: Settings->Info->Version). My camera's system version is v4.0.2R12.0000006510.10010.1303.
Interesting, I seem to have a slightly different version. Mine is as follows:
System Version: V4.02.R12.00006510.10010.1407
Build Date: 2014-09-26 13:09:46

-> CMS Version: CMS_V3.0.9.21.T.20140303.exe

In the 'Update' folder from the included software, there is a file named:
HZXM_IPC_HI3518E_50H10L_S38_V4.02.R12.20140926_ALL 升.bin

- By the naming structure, I assume it's the camera firmware. Although I would only try flashing it to the cameras ROM as a final option if something seriously went wrong:

V4.02.R12.20140926 <- The same system version, succeeded by the same build date as currently installed.
-- .bin <- A standard binary file type used for firmware.


If there were any significant changes between versions, the could be a difference in the RSTP stream. Although I would be surprised if that were the case. I am interested to know if others have the same or different?
 

msantic

Young grasshopper
Joined
Apr 11, 2014
Messages
44
Reaction score
9
Location
Croatia
My camera Setting -> Info -> Version

System: V4.02.R.12.00006510.10010.1407
Build date: 2014-09-15 19:22:36
System status: 113
 
Joined
Jan 16, 2015
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
Hello,

my name is Philipp and i am from germany.First of all sorry for my English.
I found this Thread because i was interessted in a cheap ip cam. Now i got the Top-201 and have a few Problems. I got it working on my Synology
NAS with Onvif on Port 8899 but the stream is stuttering. In the mobile view on my Ipad it is nearly freezing. If i use the VLC Player and the rtps stream instead it is a smooth and good stream.
Has anybody the same problem or any idea?

Nice regards
Philipp:)
 

lojix

Getting the hang of it
Joined
Oct 17, 2014
Messages
154
Reaction score
96
Location
Melbourne, Victoria. Australia
My camera Setting -> Info -> Version

System: V4.02.R.12.00006510.10010.1407
Build date: 2014-09-15 19:22:36
System status: 113
Thanks msantic :encouragement:

I got it working on my Synology NAS with Onvif on Port 8899 but the stream is stuttering. In the mobile view on my Ipad it is nearly freezing. If i use the VLC Player and the rtps stream instead it is a smooth and good stream.
Has anybody the same problem or any idea?
Hi Philipp, welcome to the forum. I don't have any experience with Synology devices, so I can't say if that has anything to do with it. It sounds like data transfer rate/bandwidth issues though, or others devices on the port, or maybe QoS configuration on your router, or AV/Firewall monitoring port 8899?.

Why don't you use RSTP if it doesn't have the problem? ...and are you using the mobile stream through the port set in the CMS or some other way? If you have both streams running together, that may struggle depending on your setup/system.

Is this the same product? I'm getting conflicting info from the product page :

Item model number: TOP-201
Model : ELP-IP1881

http://www.amazon.com/Megapixel-Network-Blueskysea-Happiness-Bracelets/dp/B00OZQQHPM
Yes, I believe so. Looks to be the same product from what I can tell.
 
As an Amazon Associate IPCamTalk earns from qualifying purchases.

phebous

n3wb
Joined
Dec 26, 2014
Messages
13
Reaction score
9
Interesting, I seem to have a slightly different version. Mine is as follows:
System Version: V4.02.R12.00006510.10010.1407
Build Date: 2014-09-26 13:09:46

-> CMS Version: CMS_V3.0.9.21.T.20140303.exe

In the 'Update' folder from the included software, there is a file named:
HZXM_IPC_HI3518E_50H10L_S38_V4.02.R12.20140926_ALL 升.bin

- By the naming structure, I assume it's the camera firmware. Although I would only try flashing it to the cameras ROM as a final option if something seriously went wrong:

V4.02.R12.20140926 <- The same system version, succeeded by the same build date as currently installed.
-- .bin <- A standard binary file type used for firmware.


If there were any significant changes between versions, the could be a difference in the RSTP stream. Although I would be surprised if that were the case. I am interested to know if others have the same or different?
Hmm... I have two different build dates. I have 8 camera from two different batches of four. Here are both versions:

2nd batch
System Version: V4.02.R12.00006510.10010.1303
Build Date: 2014-08-04 15:34:07

1st batch
System Version: V4.02.R12.00006510.10012.1407
Build Date: 2014-07-06 09:31:42

I will have to check my disks for a Util directory to see if there is a firmware in there. Since I have my cameras working well, I doubt I would want to introduce another variable into my system.
 

phebous

n3wb
Joined
Dec 26, 2014
Messages
13
Reaction score
9
Hello,

my name is Philipp and i am from germany.First of all sorry for my English.
I found this Thread because i was interessted in a cheap ip cam. Now i got the Top-201 and have a few Problems. I got it working on my Synology
NAS with Onvif on Port 8899 but the stream is stuttering. In the mobile view on my Ipad it is nearly freezing. If i use the VLC Player and the rtps stream instead it is a smooth and good stream.
Has anybody the same problem or any idea?

Nice regards
Philipp:)
Philipp,

Try using the secondary stream. This is lower resolution and bandwidth. I am thinking that you may have a bandwidth issue. This test will either prove or deny this hypnosis.

(i.e. RTSP://IPaddress/user=username&password=password&channel=1&stream=1.sdp?temp.mp4)

Regards,

Phebous...
 

DaveP

Getting the hang of it
Joined
Nov 18, 2014
Messages
273
Reaction score
57
Location
Dumfriesshire
Hi Don

Well done and thanks for all your work on finding out all about the camera.

Do you know if Foscam will be rebadging it :rolleyes:
 

lojix

Getting the hang of it
Joined
Oct 17, 2014
Messages
154
Reaction score
96
Location
Melbourne, Victoria. Australia
OK. This is going to get "Very Deep".
Don, Thank you for your contribution to the thread !

You've provided us all (owners of this device), with some valuable info and I'm looking forward to going through all that you have uncovered. Having access to the manufacturer doco is everything we need to make the most of this cam, to better understand how it works and use it to it's full capability.

Any enhanced usability or functionality sounds good to me !! :encouragement: Thanks heaps mate, well done.
 

lojix

Getting the hang of it
Joined
Oct 17, 2014
Messages
154
Reaction score
96
Location
Melbourne, Victoria. Australia
This IP Camera opens port 9527 and listens for a connection. You can use Telnet to access this IP camera using the root password
Thanks again Don for taking the time to provide your analysis and testing results. This has saved me a heap of time analyzing the cameras traffic in order to find out what you have shared here!

I would disable the "Network Services" Cloud menu option in this IP Cameras configuration using the web interface for the IP Camera
I agree that users should not use the provided cloud service bundled with the camera unless they have no other option (I just didn't want to give that advice to other owners without having the information to back it up). I got as far as investigating the front end of the cloud service and decided there was to many "unknowns" to use it myself, or to advise other owners either way on using the service/feature. I am glad you have put more light on this aspect of the cameras functionality and inner-workings for everyone to explore further for themselves.

During my testing with the Cloud service enabled in this IP Cameras Network services configuration. I was pinging some IP Address in NJ. Which is a law firm ("Did an IP lookup on it"). Go figure. I couldn't help from seeing this taking place. Because while using this interface you see what this IP Camera is doing in real-time.
> By using other applications or service solutions, there are a range of ways owners can achieve the same functionality (or better) without using the provided cloud service. What I have done and would advise others, is to use the included utilities to alter the cameras initial configuration so it can be then used in conjunction with another application such as Blue Iris, VLC, iSpy, Xeoma or any of the various free and licensed universal alternatives available ...but I will still mention that for any beginners exploring with this camera, the included utilities are still a great place to start and learn what the camera has to offer (and it does have quite a bit to offer). Just be aware that any potentially sensitive use of the camera needing to be broadcast over the internet, is potentially vulnerable unless the configuration is hardened a bit first.

I sure would not port forward port 9527 for this IP Camera to the outside world, unless you really need to.
> I understand that for some owners of the camera, this information might be too much and they don't necessarily want to go deep into the cameras inner workings, they just want to use it for their own purpose... and that's fine.
- So for anyone this applies to, wanting a quick and easy way to work around any potential vulnerability while using the camera connected to the internet... by simply blocking/closing the default service port (9527) from within the connected router/firewall's configuration will eliminate any possibility of connection to it.
- Another fairly simply method of enhancing the security of the camera when connected to the Internet, is by changing the ports (and IP address) from their default allocation. This significantly increases the security of a connection in many situations. For any potential vulnerability to be exploited, far more effort, time and skill is then required.
The list of transport protocol ports and their service names is here.

NOTE: This information applies to many IP devices and for many situations as ALL Layer 3 devices connected to the Internet are vulnerable to exploitation in some way. The more we understand and share information about the weaknesses in the devices and systems we use, the stronger we can make and improve on them :idea:
(...but probably not for $20 though folks! :laugh:)

Excellent write up Don!
 
Last edited by a moderator:

lojix

Getting the hang of it
Joined
Oct 17, 2014
Messages
154
Reaction score
96
Location
Melbourne, Victoria. Australia
1. It's best practice. To never use FTP user credentials in IP Camera configuration data. That if breached, could allow others to use those FTP user credentials to delete many other important folders and files. I would use a FTP User Id, that is very restricted to a subset of folders/files.

2. It's best practice. To never use primary Email user credentials in any IP Cameras configuration information. That if breached, could open and expose oneself to having important Email contacts and/or correspondence exposed. Worse open oneself up to Identity theft. I would use a throw-away Email Address.
As much as people must hear the advice about good password practices, it cannot be said enough!

@TheUberOverLord - With regards to your warnings to others, I couldn't agree more and would only be paraphrasing your advice. :rolleyes:

Other IP cam owners would do themselves a service by taking note of the points Don has raised. Some simple thought in general account usage and maintaining good password practices cannot be emphasized enough.
 

harrijs

Young grasshopper
Joined
May 8, 2014
Messages
50
Reaction score
12
Is anyone else getting horrible color out of this camera? I haven't had any issue with getting it to stream via RTSP to zoneminder, but I can't find any color correction settings for the camera itself. I noticed that certain types of clothing in plain light seem to show up as a grayscale color, almost like it has something to do with the IR filter.

Really, for what it I gave for it, it is a nice camera that will probably be installed in a garage area to provide a covert image in case someone breaks in through that area.

Has anyone had success using these in a low light situation?
 

lojix

Getting the hang of it
Joined
Oct 17, 2014
Messages
154
Reaction score
96
Location
Melbourne, Victoria. Australia
Is anyone else getting horrible color out of this camera? I haven't had any issue with getting it to stream via RTSP to zoneminder, but I can't find any color correction settings for the camera itself. I noticed that certain types of clothing in plain light seem to show up as a grayscale color, almost like it has something to do with the IR filter.

Really, for what it I gave for it, it is a nice camera that will probably be installed in a garage area to provide a covert image in case someone breaks in through that area.

Has anyone had success using these in a low light situation?
This is probably a setting in the camera parameters. The settings will dramatically alter image quality/color, so play around with them. Although I did mess around with mine, all the image/colour settings were optimal out of the box.

You could check your against mine below, and you can see the quality in both daytime and low-level indoor lighting in the clip here:

 

Attachments

gordo

Pulling my weight
Joined
Apr 17, 2014
Messages
252
Reaction score
186
I can't find any color correction settings for the camera itself. I noticed that certain types of clothing in plain light seem to show up as a grayscale color, almost like it has something to do with the IR filter.
There is a similar one, with the varifocal lens, that doesn't have an IR filter. http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Onvif-2-2-1280-720P-1-0MP-Mini-IP-Camera-9-22mm-Zoom-Lens-Manual-Varifocal/2045987817.html
Without IR-CUT,(Small space, it can not install IR-CUT),please do not apply to the grass, it becomes pink.
 

tony14

n3wb
Joined
Feb 7, 2015
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
Is anyone else getting horrible color out of this camera? I haven't had any issue with getting it to stream via RTSP to zoneminder, but I can't find any color correction settings for the camera itself. I noticed that certain types of clothing in plain light seem to show up as a grayscale color, almost like it has something to do with the IR filter.

Really, for what it I gave for it, it is a nice camera that will probably be installed in a garage area to provide a covert image in case someone breaks in through that area.

Has anyone had success using these in a low light situation?
Hello, Could you please inform me of the settings to use in Zoneminder to stream from the Top-201 camera.

Thanks.
 

JoeS

n3wb
Joined
Feb 8, 2015
Messages
5
Reaction score
0
Hello together,
i have the same Cam an found your thread with the serial number of my cam. Your work is very great!
I think you can give me a little help for my question. In want to embed the stream in my own html page, but the dokumentation of the cam is very bad.
Thx a lot.
JoeS
 

lojix

Getting the hang of it
Joined
Oct 17, 2014
Messages
154
Reaction score
96
Location
Melbourne, Victoria. Australia
Hello together,
i have the same Cam an found your thread with the serial number of my cam. Your work is very great!
I think you can give me a little help for my question. In want to embed the stream in my own html page, but the dokumentation of the cam is very bad.
Thx a lot.
JoeS
HiJoeS,
Welcome to IPCT! There is a very informative thread that may be able to help you along your way.
Have a look at the thread: Embedding Your IP Camera On and In Web Pages Securely

I hope that will help :)
 
Top