Collection: Hikvision

Hikvision CCTV, Access Control and Alarm Systems in South Africa

Hikvision is the largest video surveillance manufacturer in the world and the range most South African installers reach for first. The hardware is well supported locally, spares are straightforward to source, and the entry price is lower than almost any comparable brand. NeonSales carries the range from R220 bullet cameras through to 32-channel NVRs and complete multi-camera kits, spanning analogue, hybrid and IP systems as well as access control, intercoms and wireless alarms.

What Hikvision products does NeonSales stock?

• Cameras: ColorVu, EXIR and AcuSense bullets, domes, turrets and pan-tilt models in 2MP, 3K, 4MP and 8MP, in hybrid (coax) and IP formats
• Recorders: Turbo HD and AcuSense DVRs from 4 to 16 channels, and NVRs up to 32 channels with built-in PoE
• Complete kits: 4, 8 and 16 channel bundles in RG59 coax or Cat6
• Access control: facial recognition terminals, Pro smart locks, hybrid video intercom kits
• Alarms: AX Pro wireless alarm kits
• Networking and power: smart PoE switches, wireless bridges, 4G LTE routers, multi-channel 12V power supplies
• Accessories: wall mount brackets, rain shields, HikSemi storage

ColorVu, EXIR or AcuSense: which Hikvision camera?

Do you need a DVR or an NVR?

A DVR is the right choice when your cameras run over coax. Hikvision Turbo HD DVRs carry HD analogue signal down RG59, which means an existing analogue installation can be upgraded to 1080p or higher without pulling new cable, usually the single biggest cost on a retrofit. Hybrid models also accept a number of IP cameras, so a system can be migrated gradually rather than all at once.

An NVR is for IP cameras over network cable. Models with built-in PoE, such as the 8-channel DS-7608NI-K2/8P, deliver both power and data down one Cat6 run per camera, which simplifies the install considerably. IP also gives you higher resolutions than coax can carry. The 4MP and 8MP AcuSense cameras need an NVR.

What resolution do you actually need?

2MP (1080p) remains adequate for general coverage and keeps storage requirements modest. 4MP is the sensible middle ground and is where most new residential installs land, with enough detail to identify a face at a gate without a large jump in recording space. 8MP (4K) earns its price on wide areas such as a yard or forecourt where you may need to digitally zoom into recorded footage after the fact. Higher resolution costs storage: doubling resolution roughly doubles the drive space needed for the same retention period.

Common questions

Can I mix Hikvision analogue and IP cameras on one system? Yes, on a hybrid DVR. The recorder handles coax cameras on its analogue inputs and IP cameras over the network, which is the standard way to extend an older installation without starting again.

How much storage do I need? As a rough guide, an 8-channel 2MP system recording continuously will fill a 2TB drive in around two to three weeks. Motion-only recording extends that substantially. Surveillance-rated drives are built for constant write cycles and are the right choice over standard desktop drives.

What is the difference between a kit and buying separately? Kits bundle cameras, a matched recorder, cable and power into one part number and generally cost less than the components individually. Buying separately makes sense when you need a specific camera mix, such as ColorVu at the gate and EXIR along the boundary.

Do Hikvision cameras work with other brands? Over IP, ONVIF compatibility usually carries the video stream to a third-party recorder, though brand-specific features such as AcuSense classification will not carry across. A single-brand system is easier to configure and to support.

Related: CCTV Kits · DVRs · NVRs · Analogue Cameras · CCTV Cabling · CCTV Accessories · Alarm Systems · Biometric Readers