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

[Waldmensch]

I connected an Arduino Nano with an optocoupler to GND and Alert pin. So if Arduino pin D6 is high, the optocoupler opens and connect GND to Alert pin. It works like a charm

Arduino programm to trigger an alert every minute:

int led = 13;int out = 6;


// the setup routine runs once when you press reset:
void setup() {                
  // initialize the digital pins as an output. Led is the status LED on arduino as indicator
  pinMode(led, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(out, OUTPUT);  
}


// the loop routine runs over and over again forever:
void loop() {
  digitalWrite(led, HIGH);  // turn the LED on (HIGH is the voltage level)
  digitalWrite(out, HIGH);  // fire/close D6
  delay(500);               // wait for 500ms
  digitalWrite(led, LOW);   // turn the LED off by making the voltage LOW
  digitalWrite(out, LOW);   // open D6
  delay(60000);             // wait for a minute
}

 

[Waldmensch]

Well, the Alert is working well. Some questions:

1) For each alert I get 2! Images in my FTP upload folder. How I can reduce that to only one?

2) the Snapshot images are in 4:3 format, compressed in width. Where I can configure the Snapshot image format? It should be unchanged in 1280x720 as it comes from channel 1

3) The image has some artifacts which let me assume that it is compressed to high. Where can I configure the Jpeg quality of snapshots?

 

[Waldmensch]

I have changed the Delay to 45 but it doesn't change the behavior. Attached you see one alert at 18:48 and the both resulting images. Look at the Timestamp of both images - exactly the same second (right top corner)


Edit: The forum software doesn't allow me to upload the second image. Maybe because it's exactly the same but with a different filename

Edit2: I painted something into second image to get it uploaded

 

[Waldmensch]

See attached screens for my setup. The firmware seems to be older than yours but I'm unsure which I have to flash on my model

Edit: I download the Firmware right now. Let's see wether I get a brick

 

[Waldmensch]

I get an "upgrade fail" if I try to flash over the IE page

Edit: the second try with the same file shows "successful"

 

[Waldmensch]

The new Firmware doesn't change the behaviour that per alert 2 images get uploaded to FTP. Could it be that images are made as long the alert is fired? The Arduino short signal to GND for 500ms and opens then for 5 minutes. Could it be that 500ms are to long and 2 images are made while this time? Or should this be avoided by the delay normally?

 

[Waldmensch]

The Second value is 5 minutes, not 5 seconds. I want to take an image every 5 minutes.

 

[Bradley Parsons]

I need more details:

1. What exact firmware version were you on when you noticed Wi-Fi was failing?

2. What were the symptoms. Examples: Could you still scan for SSID's? What Wi-Fi configuration access was failing, if any?

3. What error messages if any, did you see?

4. Do you have a link to your seller for this hardware version of the camera you purchased?

5. Did you contact your seller? If so, what did they say? ("Trying to determine what Wi-Fi daughter board is in your camera. Maybe it's not a RT3070 and your seller is/was using a custom Wi-Fi daughter board")

Don

1. The current version linked in you Deep Thought Part 1 is the version I tried where wifi does not work.
My device shipped with v4.02.r12.00006510.10010.1303 and wifi works on that version.
2. Wifi option not present in Web UI menu. Device manager crashes when scanning for SSID. Though previous configuration data is still present in the device.
3. Device manager has experienced a problem and must close is the windows error message.
4. Unknown seller Just distributor is known, Tempo Australia
5. The Distributor has no info on the model.But I can verify the wifi module tonight, I'll pull one of them apart and make sure it's a RT3070.(Veified its a RT3070 module)

 

[actruck]

Most, if not all, of these cam's in a small metal enclosure have night vision as most come with an IR lens (a lens with no built in IR filter) and there's no space in such a small enclosure to include a switchable IR cut filter. For clarification, an IR filter filters out, or removes, IR light to keep the IR present in sunlight from affecting outdoor image colors during the daytime.

This and other such cameras in a small metal enclosure are best used indoors (as there usually isn't much IR in indoor lighting) and outdoors at night with an IR light source. The only difference between the camera you mentioned and other TOP cameras without IR LED's, is that this one includes an IR light source (not an IR filter as you wrote). Personally, I would get one like what's shown on page 1 of this thread and use a separate IR light source if one is needed as I doubt the LED's on this camera will provide enough IR unless you only want to see things fairly close by. Also because outdoors, spiders are attracted to IR and you'll quickly end up with spider webs in front of the lens which you'll likely have to constantly clear and a seperate IR light source mounted nearby will solve that problem.

As for a power supply, any of the 12V 1A wall wort type units like many cameras and many other devices come with these days and sold for $2-3 just about everywhere will work. Just search for "12v 1a power supply" on ebay and take your pick.

Barry

Thanks Barry.

I purchased 4 of these for use around the house. I just wasn't sure if I should have bought the more expensive ones or not. Now 'm glad I didn't. Thank You!!

I'll look for those power supplies. I thought I read somewhere these took a certain diameter plug.

 

[bls]

Thanks Barry.

I purchased 4 of these for use around the house. I just wasn't sure if I should have bought the more expensive ones or not. Now 'm glad I didn't. Thank You!!
I'll look for those power supplies. I thought I read somewhere these took a certain diameter plug.

The DC Jack Size you'll need is 5.5mm(Outer diameter), 2.1mm(Inner diameter) and is a pretty standard size most wall wort type power supplies come with. Center pin is usually always the positive lead, BUT best to always confirm the required and power supply polarity before connecting any power supply to any equipment.

 

[Waldmensch]

I made a python script which grabs all the images from deep file structure on FTP upload into a flat folder and link the newest one . It resizes the images to whatever you want (e.g. restore the 16:9 ratio) and removes the useless doubles in upload folder

Edit: fixed some bugs in the script. If you get an error that PIL is not installed (raspberry):

sudo apt-get python-pip
pip install PIL

to run the script from console:

python /path/to/script/scan_images.py

scan_images.py

import os, errnoimport glob
import sys
import PIL
from PIL import Image
import datetime


#------ Start settings ------
#the path your camera uploads
search_path = '/path/where/camera/uploads'
#the path you expext the images in format YYYY-MM-DD_HHMM
new_path = '/path/you/whish/to/find/the/images'
#expected width
target_width = 1280
#expected heigth
target_height = 720
#remove originals
remove_files = True
#------ End Settings -------


def symlink_force(target, link_name):
    try:
        os.symlink(target, link_name)
    except OSError, e:
        if e.errno == errno.EEXIST:
            os.remove(link_name)
            os.symlink(target, link_name)


def modification_date(filename):
    t = os.path.getmtime(filename)
    return datetime.datetime.fromtimestamp(t).strftime('%Y-%m-%d')
    
for root, subdirs, files in os.walk(search_path):


    for filename in files:
        file_path = os.path.join(root, filename)
        f_name, f_extension = os.path.splitext(file_path)
        new_file_path = os.path.join(new_path, modification_date(file_path) + '_' + filename[:4] + f_extension)
            
        
        if not os.path.isfile(new_file_path):
            stat = os.stat(file_path)
            
            #image processing
            img = Image.open(file_path)
            img = img.resize((target_width, target_height), PIL.Image.ANTIALIAS)
            img.save(new_file_path)
                
            #setting creation date from original
            os.utime(new_file_path, (stat.st_atime, stat.st_mtime))
            
    #delete original file
    if remove_files:
        os.remove(file_path)


newest = max(glob.iglob(os.path.join(new_path, '*.jpg')), key=os.path.getmtime)
symlink_force(newest, os.path.join(newest, os.path.join(new_path,'last_image.jpeg')))
print('all done')

 

[Waldmensch]

Yes, you are right. I have tested it with 100ms instead of 500ms - no different. Writing the Python script was the faster solution for me finally bcause:

1) it fixes the wrong ratio (image format)
2) it grabs the images from this deep folder tree which is not usable for website usage
3) it renames the images to have the date in filename and delete the useless things in filename from char 4 upwards (together with the date we have an unique identifier)
4) through cutting filename behind char 4 deleting of doubles is possible
5) it makes a symlink to the latest image which can be shown on a webpage "last_image.jpg"
6) can be started via cronjob e.g. every 5 minutes

The firmware has to many workgrounds. The points above all could be fixed via settings in camera Firmware (except symlink)
@Don: I have corrected the Script in my post (indenting on file delete part - this way, as it was, it only deletes some images from upload path, not all). Could you please remove your fullquote because the bug is further in there.


Maybe the manufacturer is able to build in something like a "webcam" mode which configure the cam like above + interval shoot without Arduino. I'm 100% sure a lot of people would use it an they could sell a lot more cameras.

 

[bose]

"6510" IPC IP Camera
After upgrading to firmware General_HZXM_IPC_HI3518E_50H10L_S38_V4.02.R12.20150518_ALL.bin, missing wifi menu.
Updating write the not correct wifi drivers. Wifi module m05-50
help me!How can I get the firmware from working cam?

 

[Waldmensch]

You where warned more than one time in this thread that an upgrade kills the WLAN functionality. I believe that the manufacturer has changed the WLAN Hardware and deliver other drivers within newer firmwares

"6510" IPC IP Camera
After upgrading to firmware General_HZXM_IPC_HI3518E_50H10L_S38_V4.02.R12.20150518_ALL.bin, missing wifi menu.
Updating write the not correct wifi drivers. Wifi module m05-50
help me!How can I get the firmware from working cam?

 

[Bradley Parsons]

"6510" IPC IP Camera
After upgrading to firmware General_HZXM_IPC_HI3518E_50H10L_S38_V4.02.R12.20150518_ALL.bin, missing wifi menu.
Updating write the not correct wifi drivers. Wifi module m05-50
help me!How can I get the firmware from working cam?

You will have to reload an earlier firmware version via lan connection.

If you know your previous firmware version we might be able to point you in the right direction on where to re-download it.

 

[Bradley Parsons]

Don my wifi daughter board is an RT3070 and identifies as Shenzen Bilian Electric Co on my router.(BLINK) This camera is a 6510

Im currently running v4.02.r12.00006510.10010.1303 and wifi is working on the 6510
http://ve6sbs.sbszoo.com/projects/ipcam_ipc/ipc_mods.htm is the link to the page where I got the firmware to roll back to.(My two new cameras in there boxes untouched show the same firmware)

 

[bose]

You will have to reload an earlier firmware version via lan connection.

If you know your previous firmware version we might be able to point you in the right direction on where to re-download it.

my previous firmware version

where i can get it?
help me please?

 

[bose]

Here it is:

View attachment 4409

Don

You are Great
You are saved me!
Txh very much!
everything works!

 

[Bradley Parsons]

Bradley,

Please see this firmware. I think it's the last firmware version that currently works with your RT3070 Wi-Fi daughter board and it's for the 6510 hardware version of the camera and it's also newer than firmware version 1303. It's firmware version 1403:

http://www.ipcamtalk.com/showthread.php/1812-Review-TOP-201-Super-Mini-720P-HD-IP-Cam-(The-Cheapest-IP-Cam-So-Far-!!)?p=39726&viewfull=1#post39726

Don

Thanks Don I Updated one of my cameras and this version does work correctly on my camera.

 

[Waldmensch]

Why When I use Alarm Input to get images sent via FTP am I getting two images per alarm vs. one image per alarm?

The Network IP Boards/Cameras send one image when the alarm period starts and one image when the alarm period ends when Alarm Input takes place.

Okay, I thought this by me before. So it makes no different how long the alarm input is closed to GND

When will the Network IP boards and cameras support pulling snapshots using a URL like http://mycamera/snapshot?

There are no plans to support this feature

Don

That's bad. I'll check that feature before I buy the next camera


Do you have asked about the image format on FTP snapshoots while Alarm input? It may be that the format is okay for video output, but for an alarm Snapshot the highest possible quality should be used and not a format where people have "egg-heads" and low resolution. This low resolution combined with maybe nightly IR light will make the camera senseless for observation purposes.