10 terms you need to know to choose your Hikvision cameras

10 terms you need to know to choose your Hikvision cameras

1. WDR (Wide Dynamic Range)
WDR: In conditions with very bright and dark areas, such as at an entrance door in an office building or an entranceway to an indoor parking garage or tunnel, a camera may capture over-exposed images in bright areas and under-exposed images in dark areas, which greatly affects image quality. A camera with WDR (Wide Dynamic Range) can help solve this issue. By combining images with short exposure (for bright areas) and long exposure (for dark areas) into one image, WDR technology captures both bright areas and dark areas clearly. Read More: Hikvision Australia

2. VF(Vari-focal), Motorised VF, Fixed Lens
VF(Vari-focal): A varifocal lens is a lens that can zoom in and out.  You can adjust the lens so that it captures a wider area or so that it focuses in more detail on a smaller area.

Motorised VF: Compared with the conventional manual vari-focal lens, a camera has the motorised zoom lens can automatically adjust the focal length of camera to get clear auto focused image. This makes security camera installation become much quicker and easier. Additionally, the motorised zoom lens can be controlled through Zoom/Focus buttons on web interface, smartphone App, or even the Joystick PTZ controller.

Fixed Lens: A fixed lens is set to focus on objects at a certain distance, and it cannot be adjusted.  It is a bit like those disposable cameras you used to take on school field trips in middle school, where you cannot adjust the zoom.

3. Dual Stream, Triple Streams
Dual Stream: It means a channel of video images passing through the video coder, and output 2 independent bit streams as shown in the figure: The resolution, frame rate, bit rate and other parameters of output bit stream can be set independently. The output dual steam can meet different demands, for example, one for hard disk storage and the other for network transmission.

Triple Streams: Triple streams provide much more flexibility to users by allowing different data streams to be sent simultaneously. Each stream has independent purposes:
•  The first stream with high resolution and full frame rate can be used for main monitoring.
•  The second stream with lower resolution can be used for mobile monitoring.
•  The third stream with high, low, or dynamic resolution offers more flexible choices.

4. ICR (IR Cut filter Removable)
ICR: Cameras with the ICR (IR Cut filter Removable) function have a mechanical IR filter that filters infrared light during the day to correct color casts caused by infrared light. At night the camera removes the filter automatically to let infrared light pass through, enhancing night visibility.

5. 3D DNR
3D DNR: Hikvision cameras adopt 3D digital noise reduction to provide images with less noise in low-light surveillance scenes compared to conventional cameras. 3D DNR can be used to enhance image quality and save bandwidth.

6. BLC (Backlight Compensation)
BLC: BLC (Backlight Compensation) compensates for the luminance of video captured in a backlit environment, while maintaining the luminance of the overall video sequence. Simply put, BLC enables objects that appear dark to be visible against a very bright background such as in front of a window or entrance. BLC is usually effective for some specific region in the video, as the background is usually overexposed.

7. EXIR IR
Hikvision has developed the EXIR system which uses a lens configuration to make the illumination pattern rectangular and more evenly dispersed. EXIR technology gives uniform IR illumination. This eliminates traditional LED lens issues, such as over-exposure at the centre of images, and darker areas at corners.

8. H.265
H.265/ HEVC was developed with the goal of providing twice the compression efficiency of the previous standard, H.264 / AVC. Although compression efficiency results vary depending on the type of content and the encoder settings, at typical consumer video distribution bit rates HEVC is typically able to compress video twice as efficiently as AVC. End-users can take advantage of improved compression efficiency, it makes 4K video much easier to stream, download, or rip to your hard drive.

9. Dome, Turret and Bullet Camera
Dome camera offers an amazing vandal proof ability as the lens is fully covered in a vandal proof glass dome. Also some customers say this model makes people difficult to tell the direction of lens, they may think this camera is '360 degree'.

The Turret camera is becoming the more preferred camera of choice amongst professionals. This camera offers the same high quality imagery of the dome, but without the pitfalls caused by the glass housing. These cameras also have an EXIR which is Hikvision’s ‘Extended IR’. This is a single IR glass to the side of the lense, as opposed to the traditional ring of leds.

The Bullet camera, Because its shape and size, the body can house large zoom capabilities and extended IR. This camera choice is more popular for commercial and rural installations where lighting is poor.

10. HD-TVI (High Definition Transport Video Interface) and Network Camera
HD-TVI: HD-TVI (High Definition Transport Video Interface) is an open standard for analog video transmission and is based on the original analog transmission media. The advantages of HD-TVI are as follows:
1) Farther transmission distance
2) Higher video resolution
3) Reliable anti-interference performance as it carries low-frequency signal

A network camera, often also called an IP camera, can be described as a camera and computer combined in one unit. The main components of a network camera include a lens, an image sensor, one or several processors, and memory. The processors are used for image processing, compression, video analysis and networking functionalities. The memory is used for storing the network camera’s firmware (computer program) and for local recording of video sequences.

Hikvision Anti-IR Reflection Dome Camera by BigPack

Dome cameras have very attractive appearance compare to Turret cameras, many customers said it is difficult to tell the direction of a dome camera, which provides more security than other cameras. But CCTV professionals prefer to keep dome cameras inside of the building, as rain, dust or light on street always make IR Reflection on picture during night view, which is the major problem of dome cameras even some top brands in industry.
Now, Hikvision comes up with an anti-IR reflection solution that can avoid the IR light reflecting to the lens and effectively improve the image quality at night.
First of all, let’s explain where the IR Reflection comes from. Read More: Hikvision Australia


The most of the dome cameras are composed by the camera module and the bubble. The bubble can protect the camera module from dust and water, and extend the lifespan of the camera. At night, the camera emits IR light to all directions to capture clear images. For the ordinary dome camera, there is a lightproof ring placed inside the dome cover, which can prevent a part of the IR light directly entering the lens. Even so, some of the IR light still enters the lens after reflecting for many times in the bubble wall. As a result, those lights enter the sensor and make the image dimness. Especially, if there’s dust or water on the bubble, the IR reflection influence gets more serious. Obvious white spots appear on the image, which will badly reduce the image quality.
Therefore, how to solve the image quality blemish caused by the IR reflection is the most concerned problem for the IR dome camera development.
Secondly, how it works.
The Hikvision anti-IR reflection dome camera adopts the EXIR lamps, a bubble that composed by separated IR passing zone and imaging zone, and the new-type 3-axis adjustment. With the several new technologies, the IR reflection problem is solved.
Hikvision anti-IR reflection camera adds a black U-shape lightproof loop on the bubble, which can effectively absorb the reflected IR light. The anti-IR reflection bubble is divided into two parts: the imaging zone and the IR passing zone. The two zones are separated by the lightproof loop. Without the IR reflection problem, the camera is able to provide a better image when the IR light is on.
• Ordinary Camera: There’s no shield between the lens and the sensor. The IR light will be reflected by the inner wall of the bubble, and then enter the lens and the sensor, which will influence the image quality.
• Hikvision Anti-IR Reflection Dome Camera: The bubble is composed by the imaging zone, the IR passing zone, and the lightproof loop. The lightproof loop separates the imaging zone and IR passing zone and can block the IR light out of the imaging zone, so as to protect the image from the IR light reflection influence.
At night, most of the IR light passes the IR passing zone, while there is still a part of IR light radiates to the lens, and the lightproof ring can block only a few of it. Since the lightproof loop is placed between the IR passing zone and the imaging zone, it can absorb the reflected IR light,
therefore reduces the IR light that enters the lens and improve the image quality at night. In addition, the bubble is a one-time molded assembly that is hermetic, simple constructed, stable and reliable. It makes the dome camera more reliable and covert.
Since the lightproof loop on the bubble is the key to prevent the IR light reflection to the lens, the position of the lens, the IR lamps and the lightproof loop is important. The IR lamps should be kept in the IR passing zone and the lens should always face the imaging zone.
Hikvision anti-IR reflection dome camera has integrated the camera module, IR lamps and the back box. The camera module is hinge jointed with the back box, and the IR lamps are fixed on two sides of the camera module. The camera module and the IR lamps are adjusted together, therefore the IR supplement direction is always same as the lens direction.
The dome camera has unique fixing holes for the bubble, which synchronizes with the camera module all the time. In this way, the camera module synchronizes with the imaging zone and the IR lamps synchronize with the IR passing zone.
Finally, we tested these cameras by comparing Hikvision anti-IR reflection dome camera with ordinary IR dome camera (World Top Class Brand).
Smear the same amount of dust on the surface of the bubble and compare the image. The image of the ordinary dome camera turns gray and dimness, while the image of Hikvision anti-IR reflection dome camera is still clear.
Spray the same amount of water on the surface of the bubble and compare the image. The image of the ordinary dome camera turns gray and dimness, while the image of Hikvision anti-IR reflection dome camera is still clear.
Hikvision anti-IR reflection solution has effectively solved the image dimness caused by the IR reflection and ensures the image clear at night, which can be applied on all kinds of IR dome camera. The anti-IR reflection dome cameras can be widely used at indoor and outdoor environment, especially the dusty and rainy outdoor environment.

Hikvision Australia - Hikvision Network Cameras Naming Guide Made By BigPack

Hikvision Network Cameras Naming Guide Made By BigPack

Hikvision is the world’s leading video surveillance products supplier, provides video surveillance products and vertical market solutions in the global market, through more than 2,400 partners in 155 countries and regions. Now, Hikvision network cameras are the most popular surveillance products in Australia Security Market. But, we’ve got lots of enquiries, some clients are very confused with Hikvision IPC model names and product lines, we are trying to help them out by providing this naming guide.  Read More: Hikvision Australia

First of all, what are Hikvision 2-line, 4-line, and 6-line cameras? The ‘line’ is actually product lines, doesn’t mean any technical lens or devices on the camera. Hikvision divides its network IP cameras into three product lines called the 2-Line, 4-Line and 6-Line series.

2-Line series network IP Entry series cameras. Both versatile and cost-efficient, Hikvision's 2-line series is a combination designed for the needs of a home, office, store, or other small businesses.

4-Line series network IP Smart series cameras. Hikvision's 4-Line Smart IP cameras are a solid range of cameras that bring intelligence, efficiency, and convenience to key areas like wide dynamic range, colour rendition, and analytical data. There are box (full body) cameras, indoor domes, IR bullet cameras and outdoor domes, all with resolution options up to 4K.

6-Line series network IP Professional series cameras. Hikvision's 6-Line professional/specialist IP cameras are designed for more specialist IP Security requirements. With solutions including Ultra Low Light Cameras, Fisheye 360-degree cameras and Covert IP cameras, these are designed for hotels, banks, secure buildings and similar places that need unparalleled security through surveillance.

Now, we will move to model naming convention. A typical Hikvision IP Camera naming convention is DS-2CD2385F/H/WD-I/A/H/P/S/W/Z. This setup makes the model number very long, but once you understand the meaning of these letters, it will help you quickly understand what this camera can do for you or features.

It all starts from a fixed prefix DS-2CD, then there are 4 digits, the first digit is product line number 2,4 or 6, then the second digit from 0 to 5 representing the type of IP cameras, then the third digit representing the number of megapixels, then the fourth digit representing is currently unknown.

Then the next set of alphabets of F, H or WD which indicates the presence of certain features. F indicates Flash Memory, this model has an on-board flash memory slot, you can put a SD-Card in. H indicates a built-in heater there for the camera which is not common used now. WD indicates Wide Dynamic Range.

Then the next set of I, A, P, S, W or Z with last digit. I is a true IR Cut Filter with auto day/night switch, A is Auto Back Focus, P indicates P-iris, S is Sound or built-in Microphone, W is Wi-Fi, Z indicates a Motorized VF Lens, the last digit indicates the IR range if there is a difference.

Hikvision Network Cameras Naming Guide Made By BigPack

Bigpack.com.au

Hikvision is the world’s leading video surveillance products supplier, provides video surveillance products and vertical market solutions in the global market, through more than 2,400 partners in 155 countries and regions. Now, Hikvision network cameras are the most popular surveillance products in Australia Security Market. But, we’ve got lots of enquiries, some clients are very confused with Hikvision IPC model names and product lines, we are trying to help them out by providing this naming guide. Read More: Hikvision Australia

First of all, what are Hikvision 2-line, 4-line, and 6-line cameras? The ‘line’ is actually product lines, doesn’t mean any technical lens or devices on the camera. Hikvision divides its network IP cameras into three product lines called the 2-Line, 4-Line and 6-Line series.

2-Line series network IP Entry series cameras. Both versatile and cost-efficient, Hikvision's 2-line series is a combination designed for the needs of a home, office, store, or other small businesses.

4-Line series network IP Smart series cameras. Hikvision's 4-Line Smart IP cameras are a solid range of cameras that bring intelligence, efficiency, and convenience to key areas like wide dynamic range, colour rendition, and analytical data. There are box (full body) cameras, indoor domes, IR bullet cameras and outdoor domes, all with resolution options up to 4K.

6-Line series network IP Professional series cameras. Hikvision's 6-Line professional/specialist IP cameras are designed for more specialist IP Security requirements. With solutions including Ultra Low Light Cameras, Fisheye 360-degree cameras and Covert IP cameras, these are designed for hotels, banks, secure buildings and similar places that need unparalleled security through surveillance.

Now, we will move to model naming convention. A typical Hikvision IP Camera naming convention is DS-2CD2385F/H/WD-I/A/H/P/S/W/Z. This setup makes the model number very long, but once you understand the meaning of these letters, it will help you quickly understand what this camera can do for you or features.

It all starts from a fixed prefix DS-2CD, then there are 4 digits, the first digit is product line number 2,4 or 6, then the second digit from 0 to 5 representing the type of IP cameras, then the third digit representing the number of megapixels, then the fourth digit representing is currently unknown.

Then the next set of alphabets of F, H or WD which indicates the presence of certain features. F indicates Flash Memory, this model has an on-board flash memory slot, you can put a SD-Card in. H indicates a built-in heater there for the camera which is not common used now. WD indicates Wide Dynamic Range.

Then the next set of I, A, P, S, W or Z with last digit. I is a true IR Cut Filter with auto day/night switch, A is Auto Back Focus, P indicates P-iris, S is Sound or built-in Microphone, W is Wi-Fi, Z indicates a Motorized VF Lens, the last digit indicates the IR range if there is a difference.

Let’s make DS-2CD2385FWD-I as an example. It starts from DS-2CD, 2-line, 3 indicates Turret, 8 indicates 8MP(4K), F Built-in Micro SD/SDHC/SDXC slot up to 128 GB, WD 120dB Wide Dynamic Range, I IR cut filter with auto switch. Hope our article helped you understand Hikvision IPC names.

Hikvision DS-2CD2355FWD-I 5MP Camera Reviewed by BigPack

Hikvision DS-2CD2355FWD-I is a 5MP Turret camera, from the latest Easy IP 3.0 range, and features Max. 2944 × 1656 @20fps output, H.265+ codec and EXIR night vision LEDs, 30m IR range, IP67 and IK10 ratings against weather and vandalism.

Bigpack.com.au

Visit Our Online Camera Store: Hikvision Sydney

Hikvision Turret cameras are specifically designed and build for indoor and tough outdoor applications. Holding this camera in hand is a pleasure and get no sense of shortcoming in construction. Hikvision tends to only send us their top-end products to play with so it’s never hard to get excited about the high-quality cameras we tested.

Camera functions include day/night, IR cut filter and IR, backlight compensation, 120dB wide dynamic range, 3D digital noise reduction, Image Settings Support rotate mode. Brightness, contrast, saturation, and sharpness are adjustable via web, browser and client software. ROI (Region of Interest) supports 1 fixed region for main stream and sub stream separately. Support microSD/SDHC/SDXC card (128G) local storage, NAS (NFS, SMB/CIFS), ANR. Smart feature-set includes, behavior analysis, line crossing, intrusion detection, object removal detection, unattended baggage detection, face detection.

Now we come to the most important part of the review, the camera performance, we had the camera up for several days to test it across day and night, as well as a variety of lighting and weather conditions.

Hikvision DS-2CD2355FWD-I was tested in an average daytime scene that was not too bright or dark. At first glance, the picture looks really impressive with very sharp focus and excellent colour rendition. On closer inspection we really couldn’t find any problem with the camera’s performance in these lighting conditions, even the smallest details are defined and not pixelated.
Performance hold well as light levels fall. Noise in static scenes is very well controlled. We looked at a late afternoon scene with more shadows than the previous scene. With this little bit of extra shadow, the detail of the scene actually improved. The camera auto settings worked well, were able to balance much better across the scene, never being too dark or too bright.
At 5.56pm, the camera switches over into night mode. we have a play with this for a while, and IR is now activated. The shutter speed has slowed down too. The night vision test lasts few hours, its night vision looks quite impressive. Picture quality is decent and the night vision gives a clear view, not pixelated.

Hikvision DS-2CD2355FWD-I is ideal for a wide range of indoor and outdoor applications where high-quality video footage is required. We recommend our clients consider this camera as a budget option for any surveillance applications of either home use or small business use. The excellent physical specification makes the Hikvision DS-2CD2355FWD-I a worthy competitor in the turret camera market.