Hikvision ColorVu Camera Tested

By: Rob Kilpatrick, Published on Jun 24, 2019

Hikvision says their new ColorVu line captures "vivid chromatic images in darkness", with unconventional white light illuminations whereas most cameras use infrared.

To see how these new models perform, we bought and tested the DS-2CD2347G1-L, examining:

  • How good are details using the white light LED in the dark?
  • How do details compare without the LED?
  • Does it overexpose people in the scene?
  • Can it replace an outdoor light?
  • How does bandwidth compare to typical Hikvision turrets?

********* **** ******** ******* ************ "***** ********* ****** in ********", **** ************** white ***** ************* ******* most ******* *** ********.

** *** *** ***** new ****** *******, ** bought *** ****** *****-*********-*, *********:

  • *** **** *** ******* using *** ***** ***** LED ** *** ****?
  • *** ** ******* ******* without *** ***?
  • **** ** ********** ****** in *** *****?
  • *** ** ******* ** outdoor *****?
  • *** **** ********* ******* to ******* ********* *******?

[***************]

*******

*********'* ******* ******** ***** details *** **** ***** fidelity ** ***** **** the ********** ***** ***** on ** ***** ***** (~15-30') **** ******* ******* lighting.

************, ** ****** ** supplemental ********, *********** * low **** *** *****, much **** ********* **** adding **** ******* ******** and ******* **** ****** a ********** *** *****. Those **** ****** ** no ******* ******** ** seeking ** ***** **** spots *** **** **** especially ******.

*******, *******'* ***** ***** suffers **** *** ***********:

  • ************ ******:** ***** **-**' *** nearer ** *** ******, subjects **** *********** ** our *****, ********* ** a ******** **** ** facial *******.
  • ****** ************:*******'* ************ *** **** weaker ** *** ***** of *** *** **** the ******, ******** ****** and ***** ******** ** these *****.
  • **** ** ************ ** longer *****:*******'* ************ ***** **** a ******** ~* *** at ~**' ******** (***** default ********) ** *.* at ~**' *** ~*.* at **', *** **** to ******** ********** ********.

*** ***** ******* ** accept ** **** ****** these ******, ******* ** an *********** *********** ** typical ********** ** ****** which ******* **** ********** images ** ***** ****.

*******

*** ********* ******* ****** (DS-2CD2345FWD-I), ******~$*** *** ****** is ~$** **** ********* than *** ********** ** version (**-**********-*) ***** ***** for ~$***.

Size **********

*** ******** ******* ****** is ********** ****** **** Hikvision's ******* ** ****** camera, *** **-**********-*, *** much ****** *** **** noticeable **** * ******* Dahua ***** **** ******.

Camera Size Comparison

Physical ********

*** ******* ****** ** similar ** ***** ******* in **** ******, *** uses * ******* ***** light *** ******* ** the ****** ** *** below *** ****.

ColorVu White LEDs Standard IR LED opsi2

***** **** **** *** its ****** ****, ************ of *** **** ** similar ** *********'* ***** turrets, **** *** **** mounting ******* *** ***** whip.

White ***** ************ ****

** *** ***** ***** we **** *** ******* of *** ******'* ***** light *********** ** * near-0 *** *****. *** white ***** ******* *********** details ** ***** ***** while *** ****** ** almost ******* ***** ******* illumination. ** **** *****, illumination ***** ********* *************, but *** ******* ** still ****** ******** ** up ** ~***' **** it *******.

Bright ***** ****** ** **** ***** / ** ****** ** ***

** *** *****, *** ColorVu ****** ******** ****** color ****** ** ***** at **** ***** (~**' distance/~60 *** *****), **** recognizable ******* ******* **** the ***** ***** *** on, **** ******* **** images ******* *** ***.

Strong Color Images At Near Range

****** ******** ****** **** in **** ****** **** using *** ***** ***** LEDs, ****** **** **** differences *** ****, **** as *** **** ** the *** ***, *********** between ****** ****** *** green, *** **** **** shades. *******, ****** *** much ******* **** ******* using *** ****, ***** they *** ********* *****************.

Nighttime Colors True With LED On

Colors **** ** *** ***** *** ******

*******, ** ****** *****, the ***** ***** ***'* power ** ******, **** subject ******* *** ****** lost ** ~**'/~** ***, shown *****, **** ***** noticeably *********. *******, ******* the ***** ***** ***********, even ********* ******* **** difficult, **** ** ******* details ** **** *********.

.Details And Colors Weaker At Longer Range 1 lux

Weak **** ************

***** *** ******* *** illuminates **** ** ******* range ** *** ****** of *** ***** ** view, ************ ** ******, with *** ***** ************* darker.

White Light Illumination Uneven

**** ******* ** ******* reduced ******* ** ******** near *** **** *** to ****** ***** *** light *** ******* *****. Additionally, ****** *** *********** lost.

Color Fidelity And Details Weak At Edges Of FOV

Near ***** ************

************, ******** ****** **-**' of *** ****** **** often ** ***********, ****** all ****** *******. ***** issues ******** ********** ** whether *** ***** *** set ** **** ** manual *** ******* "***** Supplemental ********" *** ******* or ***.

Near Range Overexposure

Slow ******* ******* (*/***)

**** **** ****** **** Hikvision ******, ******* ********* to */*** ******** ********* in ********** ********, *** present ** */***.

slow-shutter-default-causes-ghosting

** ******, ** ****** with */*** ******* *****, except *** *** ***** above ** **** *** tradeoffs ** *** ******* 1/12s *******.

White ***** ******

*******'* ************ *** *** very ******, ********* **** ~2 *** ** ~**' distance, ** *** ****** of *** ***, ***** default ********* ***** ********, though ******** **** (*.*.,******* ****** ***), **** ** ~*.* lux ** **' *** only ~*.* ** **'. The ***** ***** *** also ** ******** **********, which ******* ** ~** the ***** ****** ** maximum, ***** ** *** chart *****, *** **** increased *** ******** ** overexposure (*****).

***** ************ **** **** in * ***** **** background ************ ** *.** lux ******* *** ******'* white ***** ************.

Low **** *** ********

******* *******'* ***** ****** are ****** ** ** night (** *** ** a *****), ** *** be **** ** * substitute *** ** ******* light. **** *** ** especially ********** ** ***** with ****** ** ** exterior ********. ************, *** is ********* **** ********* to ******** *** ******* than **** ******* ********** wiring, ****** ************ **** versus ****** * *****.

*******, *******'* **** *** small *** ********** *****, appearing **** **** *** light ** * ********** than ******, **** ********* lighting ******* ***** *** accustomed **.

*** *******, *** ***** below ***** *** ******* camera (*****) ******* ~**-**' away **** ** ******** building ***** (****). *** standard ***** ** ****** and ****** **** *****, but ** ******** ********** the **** ****** **** ColorVu, **** *** ****** of *** **** ***** it ****** *******, ***** details ** *** **** around *** ******* ****** are ********* ** ***.

******* ******* ******** ** also ********* ******** *** more *******. *** *******, the ***** ***** ******** ColorVu ** * ******* outdoor ***** **********. *** ColorVu ****** ** ****** directly ** ***** ** it, *** ***** ** the **** ** *** FOV *** ****. ** contrast, *** ***** ********** bulb *********** ******** ** front ** **, **** harshly **** *******, *** also *********** **** ** the **** ** *** room, **** ***** ** the **** ** *** camera ********** ***, ******* the ******* **** ** ColorVu.

ColorVu Vs Standard Lighting

******* ** ***** ******, those **** ****** ** no ******* ******** *** find ******* ******. *******, those **** ********* ***** by ** ********* ******** may ** ****** *** with ******** ******** *** cameras ******* ** *******

Higher ********* **** ******* ********* ******

*******'* ********* ******** **** higher **** ******* *** 4MP ****** ** **** tests, ****** * **/* at ***** **** ***** light **, ******** ** 1-2 **/* ** **** tests ** ** ******. Daytime ******** **** ******* to ***** ******.

**** **** ******* ********* with ***** ***** ****** off, *** *** ** much ****** ******, **** few ****** ******* ********* at **** ***** *****.

Bitrate Comparison1

Country ** ******

*** **-*********-* *** ************ in *****.

ColorVu Made In China

Test **********

******* **** ****** ***** default ******** **** **** changes:

  • *.***+/*.***+ **** *******
  • ******* ******** *** *** to */*** ******* ** the ******* */***
  • *** ***** ***** ******** were ***** ***** ******* settings (*********) *** ***** Supplemental ***** *******

*** ********* ******** ******** were ****, *** ****** available ** *** **** of *******:

  • **-*********-*:*.*.**

Comments (21)

Avatar

Matthew Del Salto

BLACKBOX USA
06/24/19 04:12pm

**** *** *** ***** light ***** ** * deterent ** ****?

Undisclosed #1

06/24/19 04:18pm

****

Avatar

Ethan Ace

IPVM | In reply to Undisclosed #1 | 06/24/19 04:45pm

**, * ****** ***** those. ***** ********** * *** *, now, ** ****.

** ******* **** **** ONVIF **********, *'* ** interested ** **.

Undisclosed #1

In reply to Ethan Ace | 06/24/19 05:10pm

***** ********** * *** *, now, ** ****.

******* **** ******** **** range, *** *** *** bunny **** *** * dead ********.

Undisclosed Integrator #2

06/25/19 09:22am

**** ***** *** ********* of ***** ***** *** attracting ***** *** ********* spider ****? **** *** white ***** **** ** this ******?

Avatar

Rob Kilpatrick

IPVM | IPVMU Certified | In reply to Undisclosed Integrator #2 | 06/26/19 11:39pm

** *****'* ****** **** specifically *** * ***** think *** ***** ***** would ***** ******* **** at *****, ***** ***** then ******* *******.

Undisclosed Integrator #3

06/26/19 06:43pm

**'** **** *** *** version *** ***** * month ** ** *** found *** ******* ** be ********** **** ***; especially **** ******* ******* comparable ****-**** ******** */ "Matrix ** " ** poor ******* **********. 

******** ***'** **** * screenshot ** (*) ****-***** compared ** (*) **/* color *** ** *** same *** ***** ** the **** **** (~* AM) **** ***** * rainstorm **** **** ******* lighting.

*********** ** *** **** the ********* ******* *** a *** **** ******* available ** ** ******* to *********** *** ******** of *** *** ****** within *** ***...****** ****. Don't ****** *** *** versions ****** ***** ********.

Undisclosed #1

In reply to Undisclosed Integrator #3 | 06/27/19 12:13am

...**** ***** * ********* with **** ******* ********.

*** *** **** **** ambient*****, *****?

Undisclosed Integrator #3

In reply to Undisclosed #1 | 06/27/19 02:30pm

???

*** **** **** *** are *********; **** ********** dealership ****** ***** *** lighting ** **** * PM, ** ***** **** light ******** ** *** cam ******, **'* ****** much ***** ***** *** there.

John Honovich

IPVM | In reply to Undisclosed Integrator #3 | 06/27/19 02:34pm

#* ** ******** ** the ***** ** *** background ** *** *****.

* ** **** **'* dark ***** ***, *** camera ********, ** ***** a ********** ** *** lux ***** ** *.* or *.* ** * or *, ***. *******, all ** **** *** subjectively ** ********* ** dark ***, ** * camera, ** *** **** a ******** ********** ** performance.

**** ********** ********** ****** leave *** ******** ** past * **

*** *** ******* ****? If **** ********** ****** leave *** ********* **, how ** ** ******* to ***** *** ***** light ************ ** *** camera **? ** * missing ********* ****?

Undisclosed Integrator #3

In reply to John Honovich | 06/27/19 03:16pm

#* ** ******** ** the ***** ** *** background ** *** *****.

* ** **** **'* dark ***** ***, *** camera ********, ** ***** a ********** ** *** lux ***** ** *.* or *.* ** * or *, ***. *******, all ** **** *** subjectively ** ********* ** dark ***, ** * camera, ** *** **** a ******** ********** ** performance.

***, ** ******...****'* ****** someone ***** **** ***** that ******* *********** ** literally ;) *** ***, obviously "***** ** *** background" **** **** *** camera ***; *** ***** cams **********. ** **** every ********* *** ******** lots ********* ******* ** least ****** **** ******** to **** **** *******...****'* primarily **** * *** referring ** ** *** typical ****** ** "*******" light. ** **** ******** though, **** ************* ***'* possible. 

*** *** ******* ****? If **** ********** ****** leave *** ********* **, how ** ** ******* to ***** *** ***** light ************ ** *** camera **? ** * missing ********* ****?

******** **** * ******* of ******* ** **** less **** *** ***+ lumen **** ****** **** previously *********** *** ****** lot. ***** * *** amendment ** **** ****, this ********** ********** ** no ****** ******* ** produce * "********" ***** of ********...******* *** ****** powered **** **** **** under **** *********.

Undisclosed #1

In reply to Undisclosed Integrator #3 | 06/27/19 03:39pm

...** ***** **** ***** provided ** *** *** itself, **'* ****** **** pitch ***** *** *****.

 *** *****, (** *** **** remote ****** *** ***’** motivated), turnoff *** *** *** a ****** *** **** a ********.  ** ***** is ** ******** ************ the *** ****** *** that **** *** ***, then ** ****** ***** see *** **** ** distant ****** *** * black ******* ***.

 

Undisclosed Integrator #3

In reply to Undisclosed #1 | 06/28/19 03:36am

** *********, *** *** GUI **** *** ******* access ** ******** ******* the ***.

* ******* ** ******* a *** ********* *********** at ******* ******* ****** though (***** ****'* ** helpful) **** */** ***** the **** ******* *******...**** taken ** ~**:** **.

1/12

1/250

1/500

1/1000

Undisclosed #1

In reply to Undisclosed Integrator #3 | 06/28/19 05:15am

** *********, *** *** GUI **** *** ******* access ** ******** ******* the ***.

******* *** *** **** set (***********) *** ******* image ******** ** ** the **** ** *** night, *** **** ***** daytime.

********, *** ***** **** have ** ******** *** effect ** *** ** CUT ******, *** * would ****** **’* *** switchable ******, *** ****** on, ****** *’* *** positive.

@*****, **** ** *** think ***** *** ** CUT ******, ****** ** or?

Avatar

Sean Nelson

Nelly's Security
08/12/19 06:04pm

** **** *** ***** in *** * **** been ******* **** *** they *** ******. **** impressed **** *** *** light *******. **** ** my ******** ** ******** with ********** ** ******** other **** *** **** light. *******, *** ****** a **** **** *** this ** *****! (**** is **** *** ************ light ****** ***)

Undisclosed #4

In reply to Sean Nelson | 08/12/19 06:19pm

"*** **** *** ****"

******* **** ****:)

******* **** ** ****** for *** **** * month

*** ***** ***%

**** *** ******

 

 

Avatar

Sean Nelson

Nelly's Security
In reply to Undisclosed #4 | 08/16/19 06:46pm

*** ***** **** **** these ** ***** *** can **** *** ***** turn ** **** ** event *******? ** *** they *** * ** missing *********?

Avatar

Ethan Ace

IPVM | In reply to Sean Nelson | 08/16/19 07:17pm

*** ******** **** *** models**** * ****** *** audio ***** ***** *** can ******** ** *****. We **** *** ** these ** *****, *** it's ****** ****** ** ship. * ****** ** test ** ** *********.

***** *** **** **** models ******** **** **** and *** ******, *** not **** ** ****'** coming ** *** ** or ***. ***** ****:

Avatar

Sean Nelson

Nelly's Security
In reply to Ethan Ace | 08/16/19 07:21pm

****** *****. *** *** Accusense **** ** ****. pretty ****. ******** *** only * ****** *****.


**** ***** ** **** on *** *******'* ** if *** ***** ****** it **** * ****** activated *****.

Undisclosed #1

In reply to Sean Nelson | 10/04/19 09:56pm

**** ***** ** **** on *** *******'* ** if *** ***** ****** it **** * ****** activated *****.

*** ***** ** ****** the ****** ** *** dark?

Avatar

Ethan Ace

IPVM | 10/16/19 06:00pm

**'** ***** * **** video ** *** ****** more ******* ******* *** effects ** *** ***** light *********** ***** ****** on *** *** ** a ****** ***** **** scene (~*.**-*.** ***):

Login to read this IPVM report.
Why do I need to log in?
IPVM conducts unique testing and research funded by member's payments enabling us to offer the most independent, accurate and in-depth information.

Related Reports

HLC Camera Shootout - Avigilon, Axis, Dahua, Hanwha, Hikvision, Panasonic, Uniview, Vivotek on Mar 02, 2020
Highlight Compensation (HLC) claims to reduce the effects of strong light sources, such as headlights, that can wash out an image. But how does...
Integrated IR Camera Shootout 2020 - Avigilon, Axis, Bosch, Dahua, Hanwha, Hikvision, Panasonic, Uniview, Vivotek on Jan 30, 2020
The best and worst cameras tested in this IPVM shootout showed major differences in quality and performance. While many view IR as being a...
Uniview Color Low Light Camera Tested Vs Hikvision ColorVu on Jan 07, 2020
Hikvision has been marketing ColorVu aggressively. Now, Hikvision domestic rival Uniview (UNV) is offering aggressive pricing for their new rival...
Axis "Best Of The Best" 4K Camera Tested (Q1798-LE) on Nov 21, 2019
Axis has released their "best of the best" Q1798-LE bullet camera, touting "4K without compromise" with a large Micro 4/3" image sensor, custom...
Color Low Light Mega Camera Shootout - Avigilon, Axis, Bosch, Dahua, Hanwha, Hikvision, Panasonic, Speco, Sony, Vivotek on Nov 12, 2019
This is the biggest color low light shootout ever, testing 20+ super low light models from 10 manufacturers: Increasingly, each manufacturer...
Uniview Prime Series 4K Camera Tested on Sep 18, 2019
Is the new Uniview 'Prime' better than the more expensive existing Uniview 'Pro'? In August, IPVM tested Uniview 4K 'Pro' but members advocated...
WDR Camera Mega Shootout 2019 - Avigilon, Axis, Bosch, Dahua, Hanwha, Hikvision, Panasonic, Vivotek on Sep 04, 2019
This is the biggest WDR Shootout ever, with 23 cameras from 8 manufacturers: We included true multi-exposure WDR and non-WDR models, ranging...
Uniview Pro 4K Camera Tested (IPC3238ER3-DVZ) on Aug 29, 2019
In our 8MP / 4K Fixed Lens Camera Shootout, Uniview's low end 8MP was firmly in the middle of the pack. Does their higher end Pro Series 4K camera...
Axis 4K Camera Shootout 2019 on Aug 14, 2019
Axis' 4K Q3518-LVE claims the "best video quality possible", with Lightfinder super low light performance, Axis' high end Forensic WDR, and...
Axis 5MP P Vs Q Camera Shootout (P3227-LVE vs Q3517-LVE) on Apr 02, 2019
While Axis' Q3517-LVE tested well, it is one of Axis' most expensive dome cameras, over $1,000 USD. Because of this, members asked us how it...

Most Recent Industry Reports

USA's Feevr Thermal Temperature System Examined on Mar 31, 2020
This US company has burst on to the scene, brashly naming itself 'feevr' and branding itself as a "COVID 19 - AI BASED NON CONTACT THERMAL...
JCI Coronavirus Cuts on Mar 31, 2020
JCI has made coronavirus cuts, the company told employees in an email that IPVM has reviewed. Inside this note, we examine the cuts made, the...
Add Door Operators To Fight Coronavirus on Mar 31, 2020
IPVM recommends that integrators advocate and end-users consider adding door operators to fight the spread of coronavirus. This delivers...
Video Surveillance Business 101 on Mar 30, 2020
This report explains the fundamental elements of the video surveillance business for those new to the industry. This is part of our Video...
FDA Gives Guidance on 'Coronavirus' Thermal Fever Detection Systems on Mar 30, 2020
The US FDA has given IPVM guidance on the use of thermal fever detection systems being marketed for coronavirus, as an explosion of such devices...
Worsen: Integrators Hit Even Harder By Coronavirus on Mar 30, 2020
Integrator's problems have worsened over the past 2 weeks, according to new IPVM survey results. Inside this report, we share statistics and...
Pivot3 Mass Layoffs on Mar 27, 2020
Pivot3 has conducted mass layoffs, the culmination of grand hopes, a quarter of a billion dollars in VC funding, and multiple failures to gain...
Athena CEO Criticizes 'Deplorable' 'Nitpicking', IPVM Refutes on Mar 27, 2020
UPDATE: NBC News Report Cites IPVM On Coronavirus 'Fever Detection' Cameras Athena Security's CEO Lisa Falzone has strongly objected to IPVM's...
Hikvision Admits Sanctions Harming Its Financial Performance on Mar 27, 2020
While Hikvision initially downplayed being sanctioned for human rights abuses, the company is now admitting a significant impact in a new PRC...