Universal Camera Tester Tested (IPC-8600)

Author: Ethan Ace, Published on May 20, 2016

Setting up cameras is often a pain.

A number of test tools exist but are frequently limited on camera support or have a small screen, slow interface or other issues. Many installers still use laptops, even though they are inconvenient or risky when working from a ladder or lift

Now, a new tester is getting a lot of interest from IPVM members.

This tool claims to do it all - IP, ONVIF, AHD, CVI, TVI, plus PoE out for IP cameras and more.

We bought one, the IPC-8600-ADHS, and tested it out. This video overviews the unit itself:

 

Inside, we provide detailed analysis and 5 more videos explaining if you should use it, what works well and what issues you may face.

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Comments (27)

Undisclosed Distributor #1

05/20/16 04:08pm

Do you think you can be sure that Guangzhou WangLu Technology is actual manufacturer? In addition to North American re-brands, there are dozens of Chinese companies claiming to be manufacturer of this unit, so I was wondering if you did any research on that.

John Honovich

IPVM | In reply to Undisclosed Distributor #1 | 05/20/16 04:51pm

I have ~90% confidence that Wanglu is the actual manufacturer. Two of the OEMs told this to us. Plus, their website looks legit since they show many signs on the site of being a testing specialist. Finally, we cannot find any stores offering Wanglu branded testers for immediate sale is consistent with them doing only OEM sales.

That said, I could be wrong but we have done some research into it.

Avatar

Marty Calhoun

IPVMU Certified | In reply to John Honovich | 05/22/16 12:27am

John- We have had a hell of a time with camera tester as a company with many legacy systems to still maintain even though we have decided a few years back to only focus on selling IP based systems. I have always looked for one that could do both (kill 2 birds with 1 stone approach) and last week the Triplett rep came by our shop with the new Triplett 8070. Of course I was skeptical because I hear that they have send all manufacturing to China and the quality has slipped somewhat. I started in 1975 with the best meter ever (small handheld model that was the best for alarm work).

John you must review the new Triplett 8070 IP & Analog tester. It is a sweet tester indeed.

Marty

John Honovich

IPVM | In reply to Marty Calhoun | 05/22/16 12:58am

Marty,

Thanks. What specifically did you find worked well? Do you like the smaller form factor or?

I noticed the Triplet version does not support HD analog. Is that a concern for you?

I assume Triplett is OEMing from someone. Here is a similar hand held model from China that supports HD analog as well.

John Honovich

IPVM | In reply to John Honovich | 05/22/16 12:59am

Marty,

Btw, I just noticed that Triplett also lists an 8071 that supports TVI and AHD.

John Honovich

IPVM | In reply to John Honovich | 05/22/16 01:02am

Also, just found what looks to be the exact same model from Dahua's website and IC Realtime's website (presumably IC Realtime has it through Dahua).

Looks like Triplett is certainly OEMing it, but I am not sure if they are OEMing it from Dahua or Triplett and Dahua are both OEMing it from someone else.

Undisclosed Integrator #3

In reply to Marty Calhoun | 02/02/17 08:22pm

I tested this unit out and had trouble connecting to Axis cameras via ONVIF. I called Triplett and they said they were working on a fix for the issue. Did you happen to test this out on Axis cameras?

Undisclosed Integrator #4

In reply to Marty Calhoun | 03/31/17 05:15pm

Remember Ultracons and Vidicons?

Sebastian Kratzke

05/20/16 08:18pm

How good was image quality?

Is there a datasheet available online anywhere?

Thank you!

Pekka Vainonen

05/21/16 07:52am

We have used these. I think it's manufacturer - Metricu.

John Honovich

IPVM | In reply to Pekka Vainonen | 05/21/16 11:02am

Pekka,

Thanks for sharing. Metricu's website looks legitimate as well so now I am now less confident about who is the real manufacturer.

Anyone with more info, please share.

Undisclosed Integrator #2

05/22/16 02:39am

Can you do remote zoom/focus with this tester ?

Avatar

John Scanlan

IPVM | IPVMU Certified | In reply to Undisclosed Integrator #2 | 05/22/16 03:58pm

Yes, that was one of the features that we liked; dedicated buttons for both zoom & focus.

Avatar

Ethan Ace

IPVM | In reply to Undisclosed Integrator #2 | 05/23/16 09:45pm

Just for clarity, not all cameras' remote zoom/focus worked with it. Most did, but I'd say two or three, including a Hikvision and a Dahua model, did not.

Avatar

Andrius Dapkevicius

IPVMU Certified | 05/24/16 11:37am

We also bought these monitors from Metricu. But we have got many problems with LCD part. Our engineers opened few to check whats happened and inside they simply found Chinese style of finger soldering.

Now we use testers from another manufacturer which we have found during CPSE last year. As far as I know Dahua also use same test monitors currently so we think quality is approved.

Gunter Tommen

In reply to Andrius Dapkevicius | 11/09/16 12:53am

Andrius, it would be nice if you share the name or website of your manufacturer.

Shay Fogel

In reply to Gunter Tommen | 09/30/18 06:52pm

It’s Dongtai Electronics, they are Dahua’s OEM.

Overall build quality and reliability are better than Wanglu. Software is more robust. They have a new 7-inch model with a touch screen (not tested).

Takuya Sugawara

05/25/16 10:33am

Is it available to replay promotion movies or open PDF files which was downloaded by laptop to the SD card? If so, this would be the perfect promotion device that sales guys don't need to carry any other presentation materials!

Avatar

John Scanlan

IPVM | IPVMU Certified | 06/01/16 10:18pm

We recently added a video to the report to show the generic box /packaging:

Damien White

06/02/16 11:04am
I have personally purchased from Wanglu on a number of occasions and believe they are a legitimate factory. I have not visited their factory but have seen them at a number of exhibitions in China. The stands are always large and professional and they have a good range of products outside of CCTV testers. Their sales people are generally very knowledgeable and professional.

John Honovich

IPVM | 06/22/16 11:48pm

Wanglu emailed me and sent a price list. Prices are, not surprisingly, lower than Amazon.

On the other hand, I am now even less clear who the real manufacturer is.

Alfredo Santiago

ALFREDO'S TELEPHONE SERVICE | 01/29/18 10:20am

My IPC-8600 is compatible with TVI 2.0 however TVI is at 4.0. Is there a software upgrade out there. I plugged my unit to the Internet but it timed out with no upgrade available.

Avatar

Evan Steiner

In reply to Alfredo Santiago | 07/08/18 07:06pm

Did you try contacting Wanglu about an update?

Also you can download apk file and install other TVI software. Take a look at this software.


TVI-Viewer

Avatar

Evan Steiner

07/08/18 07:02pm

I just purchased and received the latest IPC Tester from WangLu in China - The x9 has an 8" 2k display with multipoint touchscreen. Its based on Android OS 4.4 (KittyCat)

Out of the box it powered up and worked and has many features and functions. The first thing to note about these units is that they come in several versions that have certain options included or omitted. I purchased the fully loaded unit directly from china and it came via DHL air freight in about 48 hours.

I was impressed with the unit as it came from the factory but noticed that it came with many down-rev applications. For instance the Chrome borwser, Dahua gdmss, Hikvision iVMS-4500 HD and several others. It was also missing some tools that I use all the time.

The best part about this device is that with a little OS familiarity you can configure and load most all the apps that you could want. I was able to delete the out dated versions and replace them with the latest and greatest. It's sort of like getting a new laptop - you get basic stuff but if you really want to make it work for you, it's going to need some configuration.

So far I have tested the TDR, CVI, AHD, IP, POE, Network tools, Dahua, Hikvision, OnVif, DMM and several other apps. They all are very helpful and work.

It will take a little time before I can use all the features of this tester, however I fully intend to. I was skeptical and a little concerned when I made the purchase. There are so many rebranded versions of these devices and I'm sure that many of the OEMs add their own modifications. I decided to buy from the manufacture straight up. I will post more in the future as I learn other things you can do with this piece of test equipment.

Feel free to ask questions and I will try to answer here.

Evan


Link to WangLu x9

Leland Wolf

In reply to Evan Steiner | 09/18/18 07:07pm

Can you share how to get into the admin side to add different codecs? We need to use the browser to configure motion settings, trip lines things that require seeing the video. You can't get into these settings using the ONVIF interface doesn't allow.

Avatar

Evan Steiner

09/28/18 02:54pm

Leland,

Sorry I didn't see your response sooner. To start there are two functions that you need to understand. First - how to delete applications that you do not want and second how to install applications.

I take no responsibility for the following - please use this information as you wish. I have only done this on the latest 7" and 8" versions of the IP CCTV tester running Kitkat android software. Please post your results for others.

First - deleting application happens under the control panel setting "Software Versions" - find the app you want to remove and you can delete it from there.

Second - You need a way to get new apps loaded onto the tester, and you need access to a library of good .APK files.

*.apk files are the raw application files. Normally these are installed on android devices through the Google Play Store. The tester does not have a Google Play store so you have to do this manually. Also note, that since there isn't the google play store with tested and debugged apps that have been tested to work on your hardware you may find that some apps don't fully work or don't work at all. (If you load an app that doesn't work the way you like, delete it)

There are many .apk repositories on the web. and like any FREE software it's possible for the .APK files to have viruses or malware added to the original files. do some research to find good sources for .apk files. I like APKPure but there are many out there.

APKPure website

There are several ways to install .apk files onto the tester. This is the way I do it;

You need to take the MicroSD card out of the tester and download the APKPure installer from a PC or Laptop on to the MicroSD card then replace the MicroSD card into the test and run it. From there you can use the tool to install and find .APKs

APKPure installer

Once you are able to install .APK files you can begin to customize your test. There are .apks for Google Chrome, Dahua gdmss, Hikvision iVMS-4500 and just about any application you can find for the android platform.

Lastly, one feature I like about the APKPure application is that it acts like a Google Play Store in that it will let you know when a newer version of an app is available and provide the update function for you.

Hope this helps and good luck.

Alfredo Santiago

ALFREDO'S TELEPHONE SERVICE | In reply to Evan Steiner | 09/30/18 08:46am

As they say a day late and a dollar short but that is OK. I went ahead and bought another tester with the newest TVI and SDI etc. programs. I have had it for a few weeks and so far I am very happy with the tester. Now I have 3 tester. The 1st has analog, PoE, and a bunch of other things, the 2nd one has 2.0 TVI and all the other stuff and the 3rd has 5.0 TVI and all the other stuff. If any one is thinking of getting one I also recommend that you also get it with the TDR (if you do not have one already). It will save you a lot of time when you are terminating the end of a co-axial cable. Once terminated test the end with the TDR function. If you do not see a length reading then the end is bad. Helps going back and forth up the ladder. Hope that was helpful. Have a good year.

Thanks for responding. Have a good year

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