Infiray and their P2 Pro - discussion

[Fraser]

Thank you for the clarification

[Vipitis]

I kinda mentioned it in my "what do you want this forum to be". But from only skimming across some of the threads there has been at least 3 if not more accounts that acted extremely sketchy while clearly not being impartial users. If they are employees, the marketing/sales team, hired shills or third party resellers that profit of selling through their stores or distributing their *software* in private (Discord) communities - I don't know. But it clearly wasn't declared and that seems strongly disingenuous and as far as I remember against the rules.

Without having the admin tools or writing down notes, you have to take any account that says something positive about a certain product or brand for a potential trap. So be careful what you even contribute yourself.

I am not against companies participating in this forum or even talking again their own products. But it shouldn't be in this form of faking to be an interested member. The whole giveaway story could have easily ended in 5 people 'winning' that actually are their own people. And the account saying their already have got units to test could be part of their scheme as well. While they likely hand out honest review samples, they also clearly engaged in wrongful conduct, so why trust them. Especially if they try and circumvent being declined.

"It's easier to beg for forgiveness then ask for permission" is a guiding stance in said jokingly in the filmmaking industry. But in this case it sounds like they asked for permission, got turned down and then lied and misrepresented themselves in an coordinated effort to steer public opinion.

So yeah, what are the ethics in tech journalism and how can it be done better? Recent discussion I listened to on the topic: https://youtu.be/eBiTXzgAbgM

[bostwickenator]

Lawl I should have read this before replying to the message on the thread I started. I'm now caught up on the situation. One point of actual interest though Fraser the non pro version of the device works in VLC on windows, mac, linux without having to do anything. It would be interesting if they were using UVC and now aren't they'd need to rewrite a lot of things. Are you sure it doesn't work as a simple webcam?

[thetan76]

Guys, please stop writing stuff that is not related to the topic.

[Fraser]

Bostwickenator,

I will investigate the Webcam possibility as I would expect the P2 Pro to behave the same as the P2. The difference in the core is only the enablement of Range 2 (low sensitivity mode) for the higher temperature measurement capability.

Fraser

[tomasis]

Topdon Android app TC001 works with P2

Tried Topdon Windows program. It doesnt work but I think that it will work with some modifications. Im searching for Topdon drivers extracted in Windows so I can force install the P2.

P2 works as USB camera in Windows 11. Not great quality though. It can be shown in VLC or whatever.

[Fraser]

Tomasis,

I have the Tiny1-c Windows SDK with the driver files if that is of interest to you for Topdon software modifications.

Fraser

[tomasis]

Fraser,

itd be interesting with those drivers. I hope the Topdon aapp recognizes that.

[Fraser]

PM sent with link to my Google drive file repository.

[Fraser]

Some investigation of the Victor 328 software App may also be interesting. That camera will likely contain a Tiny1-c or a Guide Sensmart TIMO core

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/thermal-imaging/victor-328-mobile-thermal-camera-for-android-phone/

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004447572982.html

If the P2 can use other OEMs software it would increase its versatility 

Fraser

[Fraser]

The Uni-T UTi-260M looks like a possible P2 ‘clone’ as well. There are camera dongles coming onto the market that appear to be an Infiray Tiny1-x core integrated into various different housings. If we can work out how the software is “locked” to a particular brand, it may mean we can use different/better Apps and PC software with our P2 cameras 

https://www.aliexpress.com/i/1005004648984069.html

https://m.aliexpress.com/item/1005004583783487.html?spm=a2g0o.detail.1000014.19.304470d06ysht1&gps-id=pcDetailBottomMoreOtherSeller&scm=1007.40000.267768.0&scm_id=1007.40000.267768.0&scm-url=1007.40000.267768.0&pvid=8e4fe1d6-ac6e-4397-8396-74c17560486d&_t=gps-id:pcDetailBottomMoreOtherSeller,scm-url:1007.40000.267768.0,pvid:8e4fe1d6-ac6e-4397-8396-74c17560486d,tpp_buckets:668%232846%238113%23661&pdp_ext_f=%7B%22sku_id%22%3A%2212000030082956252%22%2C%22sceneId%22%3A%2230050%22%7D&pdp_npi=2%40dis%21GBP%21414.76%21199.08%21%21%21%21%21%40211b5e2116658238557138444e433d%2112000030082956252%21rec

Fraser

[Fraser]

The Noyafa NF-586 looks like a potential Infiray cored camera. Sadly nothing useful in terms of Windows or other interesting software though.

https://store.noyafa.com/products/noyafa-nf-586-infrared-thermal-imager-camera

Fraser

[Fraser]

If wanting to use the P2 with an umbilical cable it can be handy to reorientate the cable exit from the camera. Thankfully there are all manner of Type C adapters available on eBay. I bought a 180 Degree adapter to make the extension umbilical cable pass across the rear of the camera rather than sticking out the top.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Type-C-Male-to-Female-Upward-Downward-Angled-USB-C-Adaptor/234246382443?pageci=bb277f37-bc0a-4a3a-acf3-51b1c7eab4c5&redirect=mobile

[tomasis]

Fraser, thanks for the SDK file.

Now P2 works perfectly with Topdon Windows program.

In Windows Device Manager you find TinyC under the folder "libusbK Usb devices".

[tomasis]

Itd be cool if we could use a program that use "image enhancement" technology in real time. Sharpen up the image, for example.

P2 Pro Android app has a feature "image optimizer". The image looks sharper with P2 Pro compared to the Windows program. I tested minimum distance which seems to be 20 cm at least.

Ive seen old movies from 1920 that has been improved with the kind of AI technology. It looks impressive.

[Fraser]

Hi Tomasis,

So did you just load the Tiny1-c driver and directed windows to find it with the camera connected ? We’re any other changes needed for the Topdon software to recognise the P2 ?

Great work 

Fraser

[tomasis]

Thanks, simply click "Install Drivers.exe" in the folder "Tiny1c driver windows10". It'd install and extract another folder that looks similar to Topdon drivers. I dont remember exactly but you will see that it installs itself.

Right mouse click on the Tiny1C.inf file then click "Install" in the list if it is needed. Alternatively, manually add a new device by selecting the same Tiny1C.inf.

[Fraser]

What appears to be another Dongle camera using the Tiny1-x core

The Lodestar L2

https://www.tomtop.com/p-e21658.html

https://offpriceshop.com/product/lodestar-l2-usb-ir-thermal-imager-256x192-resolution-20170c-mobile-phone-type-c-plug-and-play-industrial-inspection-mini-infrared-camera-with-temperature-alarm-compatible-with-android

Hopefully the popularity of the Tiny1-x cores will lead to some decent software being developed for it by OEM's 

Fraser

[chemary]

I was thinking if it's possible to convert the P2 into P2 Pro burning the firmware of one into the other, for instance the Topdon Android application contained 2 firmware files and probably it could also be extracted from other apps, if you can modify the application to make it start the burning or if the SDK contain the software to update the firmware? Is just an hypothesis and I don't own any of this cameras to try, maybe the modules have some firmware signature to avoid burning the firmware of other model.

[EEVblog]

They just don't stop. Another Infiray astroturfing account 

[Fraser]

Dave,

Not impressed that they used the Ukrainian flag as their home. I presume in an effort to use the respect that this flag carries with it.

I tried to write to Rambo Sonny to discuss Infiray’s activities on this forum but sadly he had been banned by the time I tried to send it. I have contacted Infiray Sales in an effort to re-establish contact with Rambo Sonny and give him some words of advice on not spamming or Astroturfing forums.

The position I am currently in is that Rambo Sonny sent me a P2 Pro to review. I agreed to do a review provided it was unbiased and honest. That is still my intention as I consider it important that I complete the review to assist readers of this forum.

Infiray appear to be a very aggressive marketer of their products. I previously worked with Diane Yang Technology and they were far more respectful of this forum in their posting habits. I am left disappointed by this whole situation as it is so unnecessary.

The Astroturfing posts stand out by their lack of useful content and “one liners”. Not a very effective marketing strategy.

Thanks for highlighting the latest Astroturfing offence Dave. That use of the Ukrainian flag as the home country is really annoying me ! Have they no respect ?

Fraser

[Fraser]

Dave L Jones,

I apologise to you for criticising your stance on Infiray. I saw it as Censorship if we are not permitted to discuss or review Infiray products, and that is still my stance, but I do not condone or support the “Astroturfing” that Infiray are inflicting on this forum. The posts are so obvious as to be laughable and that was why I was not particularly fussed about them previously.

For me, the use of the respected and very emotive Ukrainian flag in their latest Astroturf attempt disgusts me as they were using it as some sort of ‘shield’ to hide behind. I was wrong about Infiray and you were right. Sorry I doubted you.

I will still produce my review of the P2 Pro and it will be totally honest and unbiased. I owe Infiray nothing. The reviews priority in my work calendar has slipped after todays events.

All the Best

Fraser

[EEVblog]

I tried to write to Rambo Sonny to discuss Infiray’s activities on this forum but sadly he had been banned by the time I tried to send it. I have contacted Infiray Sales in an effort to re-establish contact with Rambo Sonny and give him some words of advice on not spamming or Astroturfing forums.

FYI, "Rambo Sonny" is actually a woman called "Sally" and she is the "Overseas Brand Manager" at Infiray.
They know what they are doing and it is quite standard business practice for Chinese companies.
Literally dozens and dozens of Chinese PCB companies have tried the same thing on the forum.

[Giuss]

So his giveaway of five P2 cameras was a fake?

[chemary]

Maybe we can create a topic for discussing “Astroturfing” and leave this topic for discussion about the Infiray P2 itself, we are interleaving topics and is getting difficult to follow or extract information about the Infiray P2 product that was the initial intention of this topic.