Network or IP security cameras
A network camera (often called an IP camera) is basically a CCTV or security camera that has a computer built-in. Most network cameras can independently monitor, detect and send (push) notifications to computers in a home network, or on the Internet, mobile phones, smart phones or any email address. Some can also record footage locally to SD cards or to Network Attached Storage (NAS) drives, upload snapshots to FTP and much more. In a sense they perform the function of a camera and Digital Video Recorder (DVR) or Network Video Recorder (NVR) combination.
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Hikvision – who are they?
Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Co. Ltd. popularly known as simply Hikvision, is a Chinese surveillance product company started in 2001. It is listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange. It claims to be the world’s largest supplier of video surveillance products and solutions including security cameras. Indeed, many of the popular security camera brands (such as Swann and older Lorex) are rebranded Hikvision products. Hikvision is a name that is quickly becoming popular in the home security and surveillance market owing mainly to their inexpensive but reliable and high performance network (or IP) security cameras and Network Video Recorders (NVR). In a crowded market with names such as Dahua and Foscam, Hikvision stands out as a great first choice for a network camera.
Network camera range
Hikvision divides their network cameras into three product lines, rather interestingly called 2-Line, 4-Line and 6-Line. Please note that these terms have nothing to do with the analog resolution term ‘lines’ (TVL). Pan-Tilt-Zoom (PTZ) camera models are not included in the scope of this guide, as they are more expensive and probably not of interest to the average homeowner.
What can these cameras do? As a standalone device, they do not need a computer to function. So if you are looking for an inexpensive, simple, energy bill friendly CCTV solution that you can monitor through email, FTP, or from your smartphone, without having to run a computer 24/7 the Hikvision cameras are perfect.
Model naming convention
The full Hikvision IP camera naming convention is:
‘DS-2CD’ ‘1234’ F/H/WD – I (A) (H) (P) (S) (W) (Z)
- A fixed prefix:
- ‘DS-’, then
- ‘2CD’, then
- 4 digits:
- product line number 2,4,or 6
- a digit from 0 to 5 representing the type of IP camera.
- a digit representing the number of megapixels.
- a digit representing – currently unknown.
- The next set of alphabets of F, H or WD indicate the presence of certain features:
- F indicates Flash memory. This means that the model has the on-board flash storage option. Remember you will have to add a suitable SD-Card.
- H indicates a built-in heater.
- WD indicates Wide Dynamic Range (WDR).
- The suffices are:
- I indicates a true IR cut filter with auto day/night switch.
- A indicates Auto back focus.
- H indicates HD resolution (1080p).
- P indicates P-iris.
- S indicates Sound or what Hikvision calls Smart Audio Detection – 2 way audio using either inputs or a mic and a built-in speaker as in some indoor models.
- W indicates WiFi.
- Z indicates a Motorized VF lens.
- The last digit indicates the range of the camera infrared LEDs. Model specific details can be found below.
For the Hikvision NVR model naming convention, check our detailed NVR Buying Guide.
Product lines
We have grouped Hikvision’s network camera range so that you can easily find the model you are looking for.
2-Line
Fixed focus / Standard IR LED
| Megapixels | Fixed Bullet | Fixed Dome | Mini Dome / Turret / Eye-ball |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4MP | DS-2CD2042WD-I | DS-2CD2142FWD-I(W)(S) | DS-2CD2542FWD-I(W)(S) |
| 3MP | DS-2CD2032-I | DS-2CD2132F-I(W)(S) | DS-2CD2532F-I(S) |
| 2MP | DS-2CD2022WD-I | DS-2CD2122F-I(W)(S) DS-2CD2122FWD-I(W)(S) | DS-2CD2E20F (-W) DS-2CD2522FWD-I(W)(S) |
| 1.3MP | DS-2CD2012-I DS-2CD2012F-I(W) | DS-2CD2112F-I(W)(S) | DS-2CD2E10F(-W) DS-2CD2512F-I(W)(S) |
Fixed focus / EXIR LED
| Megapixels | Bullet (30M Range Dual EXIR) | Bullet (50M Range Dual EXIR) | Bullet (80M Range Dual EXIR) | Mini Dome / Turret / Eye-ball | Cube |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4MP | DS-2CD2T42WD-I3 | DS-2CD2T42WD-I5 | DS-2CD2T42WD-I8 | DS-2CD2342WD-I | |
| 3MP | DS-2CD2T32-I3 | DS-2CD2232-I5 DS-2CD2T32-I5 | DS-2CD2T32-I8 | DS-2CD2332-I | DS-2CD2432F-I(W) |
| 2MP | DS-2CD2T22WD-I3 | DS-2CD2T22WD-I5 | DS-2CD2T22WD-I8 | DS-2CD2322WD-I | |
| 1.3MP | DS-2CD2T12-I3 | DS-2CD2212-I5 DS-2CD2T12-I5 | DS-2CD2T12-I8 | DS-2CD2312-I | DS-2CD2412F-I(W) |
As one of our readers pointed out, the last digit in the DS-2CD2T32-I3 / DS-2CD2T32-I5 / DS-2CD2T32-I8 models represents the claimed range of the infrared LEDs:
I3 = 30 metres
I5 = 50 metres
I8 = 80 metres
Variable focus / Standard IR LED
| Megapixels | Bullet | Dome |
|---|---|---|
| 4MP | DS-2CD2642FWD-I(S) | DS-2CD2742FWD-I(S) |
| 3MP | DS-2CD2632F-I(S) | DS-2CD2732F-I(S) |
| 2MP | DS-2CD2622FWD-I(S) | DS-2CD2722FWD-I(S) |
| 1.3MP | DS-2CD2612F-I(S) | DS-2CD2712F-I(S) |
4-Line
Box camera
| MP | Standard | WDR | Low Light |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3MP | - | DS-2CD4032FWD-(A)(P)(W) | - |
| 2MP | DS-2CD4024F-(A)(P)(W) | - | - |
| 1.3MP | - | DS-2CD4012FWD-(A)(P)(W) | DS-2CD4012F-(A)(P)(W) |
Bullet camera
| MP | Standard | WDR | Low Light |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3MP | - | DS-2CD4232FWD-I(Z)(H)(S) | - |
| 2MP | DS-2CD4224F-I(Z)(H)(S) | - | - |
| 1.3MP | - | DS-2CD4212FWD-I(Z)(H)(S) | DS-2CD4212F-I(Z)(H)(S) |
Indoor Dome / Standard IR LED
| MP | Standard | WDR | Low Light |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3MP | - | DS-2CD4132FWD-I(Z) | - |
| 2MP | DS-2CD4124F-I(Z) | - | - |
| 1.3MP | - | DS-2CD4112FWD-I(Z) | DS-2CD4112F-I(Z) |
Outdoor Dome / Standard IR LED
| MP | Standard | WDR | Low Light |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3MP | - | DS-2CD4332FWD-I(Z)(H)(S) | - |
| 2MP | DS-2CD4324F-I(Z)(H)(S) | - | - |
| 1.3MP | - | DS-2CD4312FWD-I(Z)(H)(S) | DS-2CD4312F-I(Z)(H)(S) |
6-Line
Ultra lowlight
| 6-Line Megapixels | Ultra lowlight | Fisheye IR | Covert | Intelligent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3MP | - | Not launched yet | - | Not launched yet |
| 2MP | DS-2CD6026FHWD-(A) | - | ||
| 1.3MP | - | DS-2CD6412FWD |
Where can I buy them?
Hikvision network cameras have good reviews on the Internet and we you can check out our reviews of the Hikvision 2CD-2132F-IS and the Hikvision 2CD-2542FWD-IS. The cameras are officially allowed to be sold via designated distributors only, however it is often cheaper to source them directly from China via AliExpress or via Amazon.
Amazon
Check price on your local Amazon site
As always on an online marketplace, please ensure you are buying from a genuine seller.
-s need audio cable or not.
I want audio recording.
Hi Rob,
Foscam have never sold rebranded Hikvision, this is wrong and misleading. Please correct this as we wouldn’t want people confusing lower quality Foscam cameras for higher quality Hikvision products.
Farmer
Thanks for pointing out this typo, I meant Lorex at the time. However newer Lorex cameras seem to be rebranded Dahuas.
Daniel
Hey guys,
Really good article. Was looking to purchase some POE cameras. I was a bit confused on the – S two way audio smart audio parameter on the camera. Does it mean that the camera has a built in microphone and speaker or do we have to buy our own microphone and speaker to connect. What would you go for if this is the case in the 2 line cameras or the 4 line cameras in terms of Fixed DOME vs BULLET for outdoor. I was looking at 2142 FWD IWS and the 2742 DOME 2642 BULLET from the 2 range as long as they could support TWO WAY AUDIO whether it was built in or I had to provide my own speaker and mic. Or Maybe something from the 4 LINE cameras. This is for home install. Can you guys help out.
Hi Rob,
Hikvision puts a -S in the camera model name if it either has two way sound inputs or it actually has an onboard microphone. Confusing, I know. The only way to know for sure is to look at the datasheet. None of the outdoor models have a built-in speaker, that’s for sure. For example, the 2142FWD-IWS and DS-2CD2742FWD-IS domes have audio in and out connectors, you have to add the actual mic and speaker. But the DS-2CD2532F-IWS has a built-in mic! Note all 3 examples have the -S. What I have noticed is that among outdoor cameras, the mini-domes tend to have on-board mics. Use the network camera comparison table here to find ones with the features you want.
Daniel
Hi VueVille,
Thanks for your great article/guide. I am a Chinese living in Canada. I plan to purchase HikVision IP cameras directly from on-line store in China, and do not worry about Chinese interface/menu. I know HikVision has the Chinese model and overseas model. Can I use those Chinese model here in Canada, and update the firmware safely?
HikVision IP cameras sold in Aliexpress/Ebay always have warning not to update firmware. Is it simply because after updating the firmware, the interface will become Chinese? I read somewhere saying some camera will even become brick by entering rebooting cycle. Are those HikVision cameras sold in AliExpress/Ebay Chinese model with hacked firmware to have multi-language interface/menu?
Hi Andy,
Thanks for your kind comment. You are right, there are two official versions of Hikvision cameras – the Chinese versions and the International verions. The cameras sold on AliExpress/EBay with the warning not to upgrade the firmware are the Chinese versions hacked to enable the “Multi-language” options. When you upgrade these cameras’ firmware, the language will return to Chinese. This is the main reason that the sellers do not advise upgrading the FW.
There is also a chance that the cameras may get bricked if the wrong/incorrect FW is flashed onto them. This is why we recommend buying the international versions from Amazon or other reputed local distributors.
VueVille
Hi VueVille,
Thanks for your prompt reply. So I can purchase a “original” Chinese version HikVision IP camera (no hacked firmware: all menu are in Chinese) and use it in Canada, correct?
Andy
As far as we know, yes. We haven’t tried this but hey it’s an IP camera, it should work anywhere in the world.