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

[alastairstevenson]

Hmmm, I have 2 in the den and I'm using a cheap IR light from Amazon and both cameras see just fine in the dark.

Isn't it the case as we've seen in this (massive) thread that depending on the specific variant there are some with a fixed IR filter on the lens or even on the sensor, and some with none?
So some of these cameras show pink grass in the daytime but work well at night with IR illuminators, and some have good colour rendition in daytime but are blind to IR illumination at night?

 

[sephiro499]

Isn't it the case as we've seen in this (massive) thread that depending on the specific variant there are some with a fixed IR filter on the lens or even on the sensor, and some with none?
So some of these cameras show pink grass in the daytime but work well at night with IR illuminators, and some have good colour rendition in daytime but are blind to IR illumination at night?

Yeah but if I buy the one with IR illuminators; shouldn't I be guaranteed night time performance as long as sufficient IR light exists?

 

[alastairstevenson]

Yeah but if I buy the one with IR illuminators; shouldn't I be guaranteed night time performance as long as sufficient IR light exists?

Sure, but the context of my comment was that it looks like some folk have cameras with built-in IR filters and some don't, and may not realise it.

The TOP-201 didn't see the IR light. They work marginal at best in low light. Very little detail. I'm still very impressed by the little camera!

 

[sephiro499]

Sure, but the context of my comment was that it looks like some folk have cameras with built-in IR filters and some don't, and may not realise it.

Yes, yes I understand. Didn't mean to ignore your post. So it seems then that they are -like many other types of electronics- building them the same and 'disabling' features on the cheaper variant (possibly).

 

[aaronwt]

If glass reflects IR light, how do camera manufacturers do it? I would use these indoors pointing out the window. ..

I have to place my Hikvision cameras very close to the Windows glass. When I do that, I don't have much reflection issue from the window with IR. And can see over 20 feet away at night. But if I move the camera back a little, then there are issues from the ir reflection.

 

[sephiro499]

I have to place my Hikvision cameras very close to the Windows glass. When I do that, I don't have much reflection issue from the window with IR. And can see over 20 feet away at night. But if I move the camera back a little, then there are issues from the ir reflection.

Thank you for that. I would be installing the cameras in a 3in deep window sill, screwed into the window frame at the top. I can literally put the camera 1/8in away from the window glass.

 

[badmop]

What kind of projects or uses are you all using these for? Just curious

 

[Bradley Parsons]

I have two setup for bird watching on the deck and 7 similar models with IR in bullet cases setup to watch the yard connected to a cheap Chinese NVR that always records them
all. We are not so much worried about security as we are just knowing if someone arrives at our house as we live in a battle axe and can't see the road at all except via two garage mounted cameras.

 

[fenderman]

Yes I have read that before that the glass window will reflect the IR light. Do the manufacturers of IR cameras NOT use glass? Are there special techniques or glass coatings that they use to eliminate this phenomenon?

Edit, so why not buy the IR version, cover the IR LEDS (leave the light sensor uncovered) and use and outdoor IR illuminator? Would that eliminate the reflection problem.

The manufactures do it by placing a foam ring around the lens so that IR light does not enter between the lens and glass. Alternatively, they use a separate IR led that is housed separate from the lens.

 

[Benvindo Ferreira]

Hi Phebous
I have one cheap IP 720 HD ip cam that I bought here in Brazil. It comes alone, no kind of information, manual, etc. I saw it has the same v4.0.2R12.0000006510.10010.1303 as your camera, would you please give me the trade mark or your camera. Does it come with some manual, instructions, things like that? I am having a problem with these cameras with a NVR Posonic, It works fine but suddenly disapears the images from these cameras, other continu to work. I think that may be configuration problem. I opened the camera configuration but it looks all ok. The problem is that there are a lot of thinks to configurate but there are nothing to explain what modifies when you modify these configuration. Don't you have such kind of documentation of configuration of this firmware, cited above. I suppose that if the firmware is the same of your the program responds the same way. It is a clone of you camera. These cheap chinese cameras are copies of what trademark cameras? Maybe you can show me a light in the end of tunnel.

 

[bls]

For those with a camera with a lens that has a built-in IR filter, rather than buy another camera with hopefully a lens without a filter, one could simply buy a non-filtered lens. See http://www.aliexpress.com/store/group/LENs/1512187_501247569.html for an AliExpress seller that has a 2.8mm & 2.1mm which I've used. Note that the 1.8mm has an attached IR filter so not suitable for IR illumination. Or for 6 different focal lengths there's http://www.dx.com/p/2-8mm-16mm-fixed-iris-lens-set-for-webcams-and-security-cctv-cameras-6-lens-pack-15774#.VeGZyKBVhBc which I find handy to see which is best for a particular situation.

 

[The_Penguin]

What kind of projects or uses are you all using these for? Just curious

I grabbed a few just 'cause they're cheap, and small.
The first one is replacing a really old crappy 4Xem POE camera in the garage. It's big, ugly, and only 640x480, and no 64 bit drivers

Since my project to mount one of my Hiks on the soffit about the front door is on hold (fell off the ladder scoping out the wiring run, and broke my foot), the next Top-201 will replace a cheap Dlink that's in a window beside the front door. The 3rd will probably replace a Microsoft Lifecam USB webcam that's in the den pointing to inside the front door. That's the main "doggy cam"

 

[johnjm]

Hi All, was wondering if anyone could help. I have 4 of the exact top201 cameras (6510 type) with IR. Day vision is fine, but night vision on two of them (newly installeD) are terrible.

Same firmware, same network and camera settings. Any ideas?

 

[sephiro499]

I grabbed a few just 'cause they're cheap, and small.
The first one is replacing a really old crappy 4Xem POE camera in the garage. It's big, ugly, and only 640x480, and no 64 bit drivers

Since my project to mount one of my Hiks on the soffit about the front door is on hold (fell off the ladder scoping out the wiring run, and broke my foot), the next Top-201 will replace a cheap Dlink that's in a window beside the front door. The 3rd will probably replace a Microsoft Lifecam USB webcam that's in the den pointing to inside the front door. That's the main "doggy cam"

Nm pic is of the cam that you are replacing. I thought it was generic housing for any camera

 

[jstrom]

Does anyone know which chip this one has, or has any experience with them? One of the "real pictures" shows firmware versino V4.02.R11.00002520.100010.0306 on a UI which looks very similar to the UI i got on my TOP-201.

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/1280-720P-1-0MP-Bullet-IP-Camera-IR-Outdoor-Security-ONVIF-2-0-Waterproof-Night-Vision/32225491510.html?spm=2114.01010108.3.66.DYWDkP&ws_ab_test=201407_1,201444_5,201409_5

 

[Bradley Parsons]

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[valiobg]

Hello, TheUberOverLord ! I have flashed my IP Camera with the latest firmware and Wi-Fi disappeared.
My camera model according to XMEye is hi3518E_50H10L_s39 and the device hardware version is V4.02.R12.00006510.10010.140303
build date 2015-08-19 15:06:55
I've found this firmware - General_HZXM_IPC_HI3518E_50H10L_S38_V4.02.R12.20150116_ALL
but it is for S38 hardware model and mine is S39. Can I flash it to my camera ? Can it damage the camera ?

 

[jstrom]

Does anyone know which chip this one has, or has any experience with them? One of the "real pictures" shows firmware versino V4.02.R11.00002520.100010.0306 on a UI which looks very similar to the UI i got on my TOP-201.

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/1280-720P-1-0MP-Bullet-IP-Camera-IR-Outdoor-Security-ONVIF-2-0-Waterproof-Night-Vision/32225491510.html?spm=2114.01010108.3.66.DYWDkP&ws_ab_test=201407_1,201444_5,201409_5

Soo, rereading parts of the thread leads me to believe it's a Hi3518C chipset, since:

... If that version number does not include "6510" then the IP Camera is not using the Hi3518E SoC chipset

Can someone confirm or deny that the Hi3518C chipsets are not much worse than the E chipsets, when it comes to basic video features?
Basically, what I'm after is:

* Stable h264 Video streaming with RTSP
* Good nightvision (relatively to the price.. Better than TOP201 without IR )
* Working IR with auto-switch on/off
* Overall stable functionality (not crashing etc)

Otherwise, no need for online stuff or other things. Onvif would be nice but no requirement.

 

[studiodubio]

Hi, according to the specifications this camera has JPEG snapshot. What does it exactly means and how to use this for taking snapshot. What's the url for this?

 

[VorlonFrog]

I would consider those specifications to be incorrect.