The manufacturer has certain types of symbols for different categories of CCTV cameras, so it is easiest to distinguish three types of markings: for analogue cameras or as they are also called HD-CVI, for network or IP cameras, and separately it is worth highlighting PTZ controlled models. The decryption does not apply to sub-brands.

Let's look at the decoding of the designations on live examples, let's start with the first one — analogue cameras.

Hikvision Analogue Cameras

1. DS – Hikvision security equipment. Not only cameras begin with this designation, but also the rest, registrars, intercoms, switches, etc.

2. Type of equipment — there will always be 2, which means belonging to CCTV cameras.

3. Type of camera and filming, most often there are two values:
CC – analogue camera with CCD matrix;
CE is an analogue camera with a CMOS matrix.
Both options involve colour shooting.

4. Camera body form factor:
1 – directional cylindrical body;
3 – portable with mounting or directional models without an object;
5 – standard dome design;
7 – dome version of the “ball in a glass" type.
Other designations in this place are found in other types of cameras.

5. Generation of cameras or, more simply, a series. There are numbers in this place, but the logic is not the simplest:
*empty – this means the first generation of cameras;
The 2nd generation belongs to the ColorVu series;
5 – the second generation of cameras;
6 – the third generation of cameras;
8 – fourth;
9 – the fifth.

6. The resolution of the camera sensor in megapixels (MP), indicated by letters:
S – 1 MP;
D – 2 MP;
F – 3 MP;
H – 5 MP;
U – 8 MP.

7. The numerical designation in this place may have different meanings. The main one is the lighting necessary for work, as well as additional functions:
1/2 – for low lighting;
5/7/8 – for low lighting, where the numbers can determine the very degree of illumination, the specific value should be looked at by looking at the illumination specifications measured in lux. This may also include OSD menu, WDR, BLC and other functions.

8. The presence of the letter T indicates the use of proprietary Turbo HD technology. It works on the basis of the HD-CVI format, but at the same time it allows you to transmit a picture in high resolution comparable to IP cameras. Often such cameras are cheaper than network cameras.

9. The letter combination in this place indicates additional functions and equipment of the camera, examples of combinations:
VP – vandal-proof body;
IR – infrared illumination;
ITE – infrared illumination EXIR;
ITE2 – EXIR infrared illumination with a range of 30 – 40 m;
ITE3 – EXIR infrared illumination with a range of 50 – 80 m;
F/FS – visible LED (LED) backlight;
PIR – Infrared motion sensor;
VF is a variofocal object with variable focal length.

10. In this place, the focal length in millimetres is indicated, for cameras with a fixed value, values of 2.8, 4, 6 mm are most often found, which determines the viewing angle. In the official technical documentation, this parameter is usually written separately in the technical specifications, but stores, in order to somehow separate the models by focal, write it at the end of the designation.

Hikvision Analogue CCTV cameras

Hikvision Network and IP cameras

Network or IP cameras are quite different from analogue cameras due to their more diverse functionality, let's take an example:

1. DS – Hikvision security equipment. It is worth noting that the IDs designation is occasionally found in CCTV cameras, which means that the camera has advanced video analytics functions.

2. Type of equipment. There will always be 2, which means belonging to CCTV cameras.

3. CD – Hikvision digital cameras, short for English camera digital.

4. In this place there is usually a number indicating the series of the product and its focus on the end user:
1, 2 – the basic series, this series includes more low-cost models;
3, 4, 5 – Smart IP series, closer to the middle segment, has basic video analysis functions;
6 and above – refers to specialized equipment, among which there may be FishEye cameras, panoramic, directed without an objective, hidden, and so on.

5. Camera form factor. The company allocates quite a lot of types of enclosures, the shape, types of fasteners, placement and others can be taken into account. There can be both a number and a letter here:
0, 2, 6, A, T – directional cameras in different body types, cylindrical, rectangular;
4 – portable models with mounting, the advantage of which is the possibility of using them both desktop and wall or ceiling;
1, 7 – domed, traditional look;
3 – dome type “ball in a glass”;
5 – domed in flat design;
9 – FishEye ceiling cameras, such models have a very wide viewing angle that can cover the entire room.

6. The resolution of the matrix in megapixels, where the digit means the number of MP, but there are exceptions:
2 – 2 MP;
3 – 3 MP;
4 – 4 MP;
5 – 5 MP;
6 – 6 MP;
8 – 8 MP;
S – 12 MP.

7. In this place there is a number indicating the hardware platform.

8. A combination or letter denoting the features of the cameras. For example, in this example, G0 – support for memory cards, WDR, IR illumination. There may be another designation combining different functionality, it is worth clarifying separately.

9. The so-called postfix, there are also quite a lot of variants of letter combinations that can be combined with each other, consider the most popular:
I – IR illumination;
Z – motorized variofocal object (variable focal);
S – audio inputs/outputs, the number of which may be different;
V – vandal-proof protection, usually class IK10;
W – built-in Wi-Fi module;
P – P-iris, a technology aimed at improving image clarity. Its essence lies in the automatic control of the aperture, the main task is to respond to changes in lighting;
A – ABF technology (from the English Automatic Background Focus) as the name says, automatic adjustment of the background focus, by changing the position of the matrix. The point is that when an object or person appears in the foreground, autofocus does not make a mistake and focuses on the foreground.

10. As for analogue models, the focal length for a fixed object is indicated here.

Hikvision IP SURVEILLANCE cameras

PTZ-controlled:

1. DS – Hikvision security equipment. Not only cameras begin with this designation, but also the rest of the equipment, including registrars, intercoms, switches, etc.

2. Type of equipment. There will always be 2, which means belonging to CCTV cameras.

3. Camera type:
D – Digital;
A – Analogue;

4. Camera series:
F – cameras of a more professional level;
E – basic level. The difference is usually in software and functional features, as well as materials and the environment of use.

5. In this place there is a figure that indicates the approximate dimensions of the camera in height in inches:
2 – size 2"/2.5";
4 – 4";
5 – 5";
6 – 6";
7 – 7" + IR illumination;
8 – 8";
9 – 9".

6. Resolution in megapixels. The figure means the number of MP, in our example — 2 MP.

7. There is usually a two-digit number indicating the degree of optical magnification (zoom), that is, the multiplicity of the image approximation:
04 – 4x;
23 – 23x;
30 – 30x;
32 – 32x”
Progress does not stand still, there may be other values.

8. Additional functionality:
*empty – without IR illumination;
I – IR illumination;
W – basic video analytics;
X – advanced video analytics.

9. Letter combination, meaning the type of food:
A – 24V;
D – 12V;
AE – 24V + PoE support;
DE – 12V + PoE support.

10. If there is no designation in this place, then this is an outdoor camera, if there is a number 3 here, this is an indoor camera for rooms, most often a ceiling one.

11. Additional weather equipment:
L – means that this is a low-temperature model, such models are often equipped with built-in heating.
W is a kind of janitor that can physically clean the object from contamination.

Hikvision CCTV cameras with PTZ control