Doing my research on this camera, I think it is best suited to those who want a cheap thermal imager that is not going to need measurement capability outside of the specified 30C to 45C. It could be quite an accurate camera within that range though.
This ‘B’ version of the DS-2TP31 camera series is running a bespoke firmware and I managed to download a firmware update file fir it from Hikvision. The file is a binary but I have not I have not identified the chipset that it is for. Most likely an ARM based SOC though.
It is unlikely to be a simple modification to revert the camera to standard DS-2TP31 specification and I could not find a standard version firmware upgrade file. If such were found, it might make reversion to standard specification possible but would require the cameras ID to be modified in order fir the firmware to be fooled into installing onto an ‘incorrect’ platform. There is also the issue of calibration. The ‘B’ model likely has a very different calibration table to the standard camera and that may, or may not result in calibration issues if a standard firmware is installed.
This camera is a very good example of what we may see in the future…… surplus Fever a detection cameras, both new and used, appearing on eBay after organisations dump them into disposal auctions or electronics recyclers. I have a suspicion that these Hikvision cameras are part of an aborted attempt to combat Corona Virus and have been sent for disposal by either a wholesaler or end user company. Farnell, CPC, Rapid and Radio Spares are all possibilities. The seller appears to have at least 12 drom the numbering he has used in past auctions on eBay. I bought the UTi80P in Multicomp branding last month from a chap who had a box of 10. Classic disposal stock sold by the box rather than individually.
Not all Fever Detection cameras will be the same in terms measurement temperature range but potential buyers need to consider that in order to meet some Government specifications, it may have been necessary to ‘tune’ the cameras performance and calibration to the human medical temperature range. Whilst this may produce an affordable thermal camera that performs very well at temperatures in the range ~30C to ~45C, that may mean that they cannot offer measurement outside that range. In order to modify such a thermal camera, the buyer would need to reverse engineer the operating system and hardware to identify the System on a Chip that is commonly used in these budget cameras. Obtaining firmware updates can be helpful in this task as some effectively replace the operating system and leave only the Calibration files unchanged. I am not a coder so cannot comment on the challenges and required techniques to ‘hack’ one of these Fever Detection cameras to a more useful general temperature measurement range. It would likely take some time to achieve and so may be better to buy a standard version of a Fever Detection camera in the first place
I highlighted the auction for these Hikvision thermal cameras only because some experimenters may relish the opportunity to buy a cheap 160 x 120 pixel complete camera and modify it to their needs. It is unlikely to be a ‘turn-key’ solution to the general thermal camera user community due to the restricted measurement range. That said, I have not seen a specification for the cameras ability to display a thermal scene between a minimum and maximum temperature. So the camera may be fine for displaying hot spots on PCB’s etc but if outside the measurement range, the user might not be able to actually see the temperature of a component. A 20mm diameter close-up ZnSe lens would be needed for PCB work, so add around $20 for that to the cost of ownership. The sensible HFOV works to the cameras advantage with its 160 x 120 pixel resolution.
So this is likely to be a project camera unless someone wants it for its intended purpose. Bear this in mind before buying any thermal Camera that is specifically made for Fever Detection and has a narrow measurement range. They may be sold at great prices on the surplus market but can you use them in your application ?
Still good value for £60 in my opinion though
If they could be modified into camera traps they would make great thermal camera traps for wildlife monitoring or could be used as wildlife spotting cameras in their original specification
Vets could likely make use of these cameras as well as they would be well suited to imaging horses limbs etc for inflammation related heating. In fact, thinking about it, these would be great for farmers and vets
Fraser
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