What Is Hikvision?
Hikvision is one of the biggest CCTV manufacturers in the world, with a large installed base right here in Latvia and the Baltics. Here's a plain-language rundown of what that means, and what to expect if you're thinking about installing cameras yourself.
How a Hikvision system works
The camera captures the image
An IP camera sends video over a network (Ethernet) cable; an analog Turbo HD camera sends it over coaxial cable. Hikvision makes both.
Video goes to a recorder
An NVR (for IP cameras) or DVR (for Turbo HD cameras) connects your cameras, records footage, and manages the system. Many Hikvision NVRs have built-in PoE ports, so one cable carries both data and power.
Footage is stored on the box
How long recordings stay available depends on your hard drive size, resolution, and settings — always worth checking the exact datasheet for your model rather than assuming a number.
You watch it remotely
The Hik-Connect app lets you view your cameras from your phone anywhere, without messing with router port-forwarding. Bigger installs often also use the free iVMS-4200 software on a computer.
What Hikvision brings to the table
Smart motion filtering
AcuSense uses deep-learning filtering to tell people and vehicles apart from tree branches, animals, or lighting changes — fewer false alarms than plain motion detection. Full functionality needs a Hikvision NVR paired with Hikvision cameras.
IP and Turbo HD cameras
IP cameras for network setups, Turbo HD (HD-TVI) for high-res video over existing coax — handy if your building already has coaxial cable and a full rewire to Ethernet isn't practical.
A camera type for every spot
Bullet cameras are visible and clearly point their direction — a good deterrent outdoors. Dome/turret cameras are more discreet for indoor use and entrances. PTZ cameras let you pan, tilt and zoom remotely, more common on larger properties.
NVR/DVR with PoE
Many NVR models have built-in PoE ports, so each IP camera just needs one Ethernet cable for both data and power — simpler than running separate power leads.
ColorVu for color at night
ColorVu uses a more sensitive sensor and/or supplemental light to keep video in color at night, instead of the usual black-and-white IR night mode.
ONVIF interoperability
Hikvision IP cameras and NVRs generally support the ONVIF standard, so basic video streaming works with other brands' VMS/NVR software — but full features like AcuSense filtering usually need Hikvision's own ecosystem.
What you'll need to get started
A typical Hikvision setup comes down to a handful of building blocks — the rest depends on your building and needs.
- IP or Turbo HD cameras
- An NVR or DVR recorder
- Cabling (Ethernet/PoE or coax)
- The Hik-Connect app for remote viewing
- A hard drive for storing footage
Frequently asked questions
Can I install Hikvision cameras myself?
If you're reasonably tech-comfortable, self-installing IP cameras is often doable. That said, professional network planning and cabling tend to pay off in reliability, especially on bigger or more complex systems.
How long is footage stored?
It depends on your configuration — resolution, bitrate, compression, motion-detection settings, and drive size. Check the datasheet for your exact model rather than assuming a fixed number of days.
How do I view my cameras on my phone?
The Hik-Connect app lets you view video remotely from your phone without fiddling with router port-forwarding. Larger systems also often use the iVMS-4200 desktop software.
Will a Hikvision NVR work with other brands' cameras?
Thanks to the ONVIF standard, basic video streaming usually works. But smarter features like AcuSense filtering need a Hikvision NVR paired with Hikvision cameras — not just any ONVIF combination.
What's the difference between IP and Turbo HD cameras?
An IP camera sends video over a network cable; Turbo HD (an analog HD-TVI technology) sends it over coax. Turbo HD makes sense if your building already has coaxial cable from an older system.
View in shop
Ready to pick specific Hikvision cameras or an NVR for your setup? Check out our shop — no sales pressure, just real products and facts.