There has been issues with activating the Hikvision cameras as many have reported that they are getting the error “timedout” when using the SADP app.
I for one have also had this problem. Not sure as to why this happens but I’m sure Hikvision is aware of the problem. Maybe this is another reason why many countries have banned Hikvision products.
If you are not able to activate your camera using the app then many have suggested that you go in using a browser. To do this you would set your PC to the following network settings;
IP address -192.168.1.10
sub-net -255.255.255.000
default gateway -192.168.1.1
As the camera in most cases is set for 192.168.1.64, when you login to the camera using a browser the first thing you should see if the camera has not been activated is a popup asking for you to add a password. It is important to remember this password as the only way I know how to get back in is a hard reset.
Once your camera is activated you can go in and change the network settings. Each change you make in the network settings the camera will reboot and you will have to log back in using the new IP address and the password you input.
Note: The steps below assume you already have your IP camera installed and connected to a router with Internet access. HTTP://192.168.1.101 represents the IP address of the camera being accessed or there could be another depending on the manufacture of the camera.
Step 1
Find your camera’s IP address. The easiest way to find the security camera IP address is to check the Network page on the CCTV camera software (mobile app or PC client). The network page will display all the IP address information of your camera.
Step 2
Open a web browser and type the IP address. Enter your login information.
Sample page
Step 3
Go to SETTING > BASIC > Network > Information to find the HTTP port number used by the camera. The default is 80.
Usually there is no need to change the port number. However some ISPs block port 80, so you may need to change the port number accordingly. In the image below, we changed it to 3333.
Port changing
Step 4
After you change the port, you will need to reboot the camera in order to save the changes. You can do that by going to SETTING > BASIC > System > Initialize and clicking Reboot.
Reboot
Step 5
After you reboot, log back into the camera on your web browser, using http://(IP address):(Camera port number).
For this example, the address would be http://192.168.1.101:3333.
In conducting your site assessment, you have already determined how many cameras you need, and the general requirements of each camera, including: placement, field of view, and lighting conditions.
In conducting your site assessment, you have already determined how many cameras you need, and the general requirements of each camera, including: placement, field of view, and lighting conditions. Based on that information, you should be able to narrow down your selection of the perfect camera for each position.
Primary Features
There are several primary features of each camera that you will need to consider:
Resolution
Image resolution measures the level of detail an image holds, and can play a pivotal role in the successful identification of a suspect or details of a criminal activity. So, don’t skimp; invest in a camera that produces higher resolution, especially for your cameras positioned to capture specific details.
Tip: Some cameras, like our bullet and dome cameras, come with lenses built in. Other cameras, like C-Mounts, require you to purchase the camera and lens separately. This gives you the option to build the perfect camera for your needs.
Lux
A camera’s lux is a measure of the light required to capture a viewable image. The lower the lux, the better the camera can see in low light conditions.
Infrared (IR) cameras, for example, can see in complete darkness, so they are measured at 0 lux when in IR mode. Crime most often happens in low light situations, so we encourage you to select cameras with the lowest lux possible.
Focal length/FOV
The focal length of a camera lens determines how wide or narrow the camera field of view will be. Lower focal lengths or wider fields of view are normally used to cover broad areas so that activities can be documented. Higher focal lengths are used to obtain greater detail of people or vehicles passing through choke points such as doors or gates.
Additionally, higher focal lengths are useful when the area to be viewed is far away. To calculate the exact focal length you need for a specific camera location.
Fixed vs. varifocal lenses
Fixed lenses cannot zoom in or out, and offer a perfect focus for a pre-determined focal length. Vari-focal lenses can be adjusted to customize your field of view during installation.
Audio
Adding a high quality microphone to your system can add another dynamic to your surveillance capabilities. A well placed microphone can record culprits giving away details about themselves, where they live, names, and more.
Some cameras feature audio capabilities, or you can purchase an independent microphone separately and integrate with your system.
Form factors
There are several different form factors to select from in most camera categories, each offering unique advantages based upon the application.
For instance, box cameras are often mounted to provide a visible deterrent for criminals, while dome cameras are often used for applications requiring the camera to blend into the environment.
Box cameras (also called fixed cameras or security style cameras)
Our security style cameras afford you the ultimate in flexibility. They will accept well over 2000 different lens sizes and work with all industry standard mounting brackets. Enclosures are available to make them discrete, vandalproof or weatherproof.
Because security style cameras have that classic look, they are typically used as a crime deterrent, clearly announcing to people that they are under surveillance.
Dome cameras
Dome style cameras are designed for subtlety, and are perfect for any application requiring inconspicuous security, such as upscale restaurants, office spaces, or homes. Dome cameras now offer virtually every feature available in a single housing – so they are extremely easy to install.
Tip: The newest cameras in the security market are Internet Protocol (IP) cameras. While relatively new on the scene, they show a promising future in the security industry with smart features — like the ability to compress video built right into the camera.
Bullet cameras
Like domes, bullet cameras are available with a variety of options and come in a single housing ready for quick installation. Bullet style cameras can be very discrete, available as small as ¾” in diameter.
Bullet style cameras are an excellent choice when the mounting location requires a small camera or the camera to be articulated at unusual angles.
Bullet cameras are also available in larger sizes, allowing for more powerful zoom lenses and long range infrared illumination.
Capabilities
Indoor
Indoor cameras are typically smaller and less conspicuous. They are designed to be lightweight so that even ceiling tiles can support them, and are usually not weather or vandal-proof.
Indoor cameras are typically less expensive than their outdoor counterparts, but are still designed for years of reliable service.
Outdoor
Outdoor surveillance cameras are also referred to as weatherproof or vandal proof cameras, as the heavy duty materials and construction required for resistance to the elements typically makes it resistant to vandalism as well.
Screws and adjustments on all of our weatherproof cameras are tamper-resistant, and the housings are able to withstand severe blows from the most determined criminals.
Day/Night (D/N)
The D/N feature improves low light sensitivity, delivering a sharper image in low light conditions, and enabling the cameras to see in the dark with the help of external IR illuminators. D/N cameras work like color cameras, and upon sensing lower light levels instantly switch to a more light sensitive black and white mode.
Infrared (IR)
Infrared lighting is invisible to the human eye but very visible to many surveillance cameras, allowing you to watch suspects who feel protected by the darkness. IR illumination can provide your camera the benefits of traditional lighting, while conserving electricity & light pollution.
IR cameras are not designed to illuminate vast areas. They are designed to be focused on key areas and should be pointed at critical points of entry such as doors, gates, and other likely avenues of approach. When selecting an IR camera, be sure to get one with more range than you need. If your subject area is 60 ft away, get an IR camera that will see up to 75 ft.
Tip: If you’re putting up outdoor cameras in an area with extreme weather conditions, consider using a camera housing. These tough metal enclosures can include heaters and blowers to keep cameras functioning in any weather.
Wide Dynamic Range (WDR)
Wide dynamic range enables the cameras to deliver video with near perfect exposure in the harshest of lighting conditions. To accomplish this, they use advanced digital processing to capture two images at different exposures, and then combine them into a single image.
WDR cameras are ideal for challenging lighting situations, such as doorways or windows, looking into car headlights, or any application looking into a direct light source. They are also ideal in opposite conditions, looking from a well lit area into a darker area.
Wide Angle
Wide angle cameras offer a much higher field of view than standard cameras, allowing you to use a single camera to cover areas that would otherwise require more than one. Wide angle cameras are commonly used in entryways, small rooms, courtyards, and inside vehicles.
The cameras shown here are some of our best selling cameras for the applications provided. Other cameras available include:
Telephoto
Telephoto cameras capture long range details, including license plates and traffic funnels.
Pan-Tilt-Zoom
PTZ cameras can automatically tour areas you specify, and can actually track the movements of suspicious people or vehicles when optional video analytic devices are used. Learn more about the benefits of PTZ cameras.
Internet Protocol (IP) or Digital
IP cameras offer higher image quality than analog cameras. They provide up to 25% more resolution than analog cameras with similar imagers. The fundamental difference between an IP based and an analog camera is that an IP camera is truly digital from end to end.
The camera takes on the role of a DVR for compression, video motion detection, and image adjustments, and transmits a fully digital stream back to your recorder across your IP network. IP recording software may offer some additional features, but the camera does most of the work.
Conversely, cameras used in traditional analog systems use coaxial video cable to transmit their images directly to a digital video recorder, and typically require a dedicated cable for every camera. While the video is recorded digitally, there are multiple conversions from analog to digital signals before storing, often resulting in lower image quality than IP.
Larger IP projects will often deliver a reduction in overall installation cost, as the cameras can operate over existing network infrastructures which eliminates costly labor of pulling thousands of feet of cabling.
For years, HD resolution and single cable signal/power were IP camera advantages, with analog cameras limited to much lower resolution and requiring separate power and video cables. However, in new HD analog cameras, AHD, CVI, and TVI have made significant advances, with resolution similar to IP, single cable power up the coax, and more.
In this report, we examine AHD, CVI and TVI, including their latest generation advances, compared to IP cameras, including:
HD analog variants: AHD, CVI, TVI
Encoding / transmission differences between IP and HD analog
Advantages and disadvantages of encoding in the camera
Resolution differences between HD analog and IP
Advanced features: I/O, audio, camera side motion, etc.
Recorder compatibility
Coax compatibility
Power over Ethernet (PoE) vs. Power over Coax (PoC)
Vendor support of HD analog
Cost differences between analog and IP
2019 Updates: Power Over Coax, 8MP/4K Resolution, Broader Support
Though they were slow to arrive, long-promised features such as power over coax and 4K camera availability have been released as of 2019:
Power Over Coax: Though power over coax is not universal, Hikvision offers 10-20 models of PoC TVI cameras (see our test of Hikvision PoC TVI). Dahua offers several models of PoC CVI cameras, though more limited than Hikvision. There are some available AHD PoC cameras, though none from larger AHD providers (Hanwha, Digital Watchdog).
4K/8MP HD Analog: 8MP HD analog models are common in 2019. Note that while they are marketed as 4K, they are not technically true 4K, as they do not support 30 FPS required by standards. See our test of Dahua/Hikvision 8MP CVI/TVI.
Broader support: In 2019, many new generation HD analog DVRs and encoders support AHD, CVI, and TVI as well as SD analog on the same ports, effectively creating “universal” recorders. This allows for greater flexibility in camera selection and reduces vendor lock-in.
HD Analog Variants
There are three major HD analog variants:
Analog High Definition (AHD)
High Definition Composite Video Interface (HD-CVI)
High Definition Transport Video Interface (HD-TVI)
All HD analog cameras support coaxial video transmission, typically to 500m of RG-59 cable and, at least a max resolution of 1080p, with new generations adding support of 3MP, 4MP, 5MP, and 4K.
Analog High Definition (AHD)
Analog High Definition (AHD) was developed by Korean chip manufacturer NextChip, originally specified with a max resolution of 720p, but increased to 4MP, 5MP, and 4K in later releases.
The most well known brands supporting AHD include Hanwha and Digital Watchdog. However, AHD is also favored for lower cost offerings from less established brands. For example, cameras may be found with prices of $10 or less, though typically from vendors with no brand and minimum support.
High Definition Composite Video Interface (HD-CVI)
HD-CVI (Composite Video Interface) was developed by Dahua and was originally exclusive to them. It has since been licensed to others, though non-Dahua CVI product remains rare.
The major sources for CVI product in North America are Dahua and their OEMs such as Honeywell or IC Realtime, which OEM various camera and recorder models, as well as a handful of lesser known brands.
High Definition Transport Video Interface (HD-TVI)
Chip manufacturer Techpoint developed HD-TVI (Transport Video Interface), which has been adopted by several manufacturers, the largest of which is Hikvision, Dahua’s main direct competitor. Others, such as KT&C, CNB, Speco, and smaller manufacturers have adopted it, as well. Additionally, Hikvision has numerous brands OEMing them, and HD-TVI is increasingly becoming available from them.
TVI’s latest releases have added recorder support for AHD and CVI cameras as well as PoC, 5MP and 8MP/4K resolutions (all in 2017/2018).
Encoding/Transmission Differences
All surveillance is encoded and compressed (e.g., H.264 or H.265). The key difference between HD analog and IP is where compression is done.
In IP cameras, compression is performed inside the camera. In HD analog, compression is performed on the server side (e.g., recorder, encoder, video server, etc.).
This is a major driver in performance differences.
Advantages Of Encoding In the Camera
IP cameras have several advantages due to compressing things in the camera:
Bandwidth is essentially ‘unlimited’. Because the video is compressed in the camera, the output can be 3MP, 5MP, 10MP, 20MP or more and can easily ‘fit’ inside standard networking infrastructure (e.g., 100Mb Ethernet).
Advanced features can easily be added as the same computer that compresses the video, can compress audio, dewarp fisheye panoramics, support multiple imagers, perform video analytics, etc.
No specialized hardware is needed on the receiving side. Since the video is compressed typically in standards-based H.264 (or H.265), all the VMS / client / recorder needs is open source software to decode / display. Connecting to the camera is driven by the IP camera manufacturer’s API or, increasingly, ONVIF. By contrast, when encoding on the server side, specialized hardware always needs to be provided, which limits backwards compatibility and recorder support.
Disadvantages Of Encoding In the Camera
IP camera cost increases since every camera requires the processing power / hardware to encode instead of just adding it to a single or a few recorders / encoders which then handle encoding for multiple cameras. This is one reason why HD analog cameras are generally notably less expensive than IP cameras.
Along with this increase in cost, since every IP camera is a computer, complexity is higher. With the benefits of cameras being a computer come the downsides of computers – increased complexity, potential for software incompatibilities, need for integration, etc. These issues are simply not present in analog (HD or SD) cameras.
Resolution Similar In IP And HD Analog
Historically, both HD analog and IP cameras regularly delivered Full HD 1080p resolution. This was a big jump from SD analog’s previous limitation of VGA / ~0.3 MP. However, 4K / 8.3MP IP cameras are now commonplace.
In 2019, “4K” CVI/TVI cameras are now available, though frame rate is limited to 15 in the vast majority of cases, so is not “true” 4K, which requires 30 FPS as per standards.
For now, IP has a lead in resolution at full frame rate, though increasingly only for niche applications that really need a single camera with very high resolution. Especially for indoor usage and homes / smaller business, 1080p HD is often enough, with 4MP growing fast.
Advanced Features: Advantage IP
IP has a large lead in advanced features, given that IP cameras are basically computers with cameras attached and can therefore include all sorts of advanced processing (audio, fisheye dewarping, support multiple imagers, on board video analytics, etc.).
AHD, CVI, and TVI all offer PTZ/OSD control up the coax. CVI and TVI offer some features of IP such as I/O and two-way audio, in theory, though model support for these features is rare.
Recorder Compatibility
IP cameras can be made compatible with any recorder or client by adding software, whether it is proprietary integration or the use of “standards” like ONVIF.
HD analog camera types require specialized receiver / encoding hardware which cannot simply be added to older analog DVRs. New recorders (or encoders) must be purchased along with cameras. Increasingly, AHD, CVI, and TVI recorders are able to mix and match inputs of NTSC / PAL analog with their own HD analog type.
HD analog types were historically not compatible with each other. For example, if you connected a TVI camera to an AHD or CVI only recorder, you will get no usable video (likewise, with the other way around).
However, users should beware of limits on resolution, frame rate, and advanced feature support of some variants when using these recorders, as a manufacturer may support their preferred standard at full resolution/frame rate, but remove higher resolution support in others or eliminate up the coax control and other features.
All other camera types are designed to run over legacy installed coaxial cable, though the distance limitations claimed vary. CVI and TVI both claim “over 1,500′” using RG-59 (and with our tests validating that up to 1000′). In our tests, early TVI releases had some issues using long cable runs, but these have since been remedied in HD-TVI 2.0 chip releases.
PoE Vs. PoC
One of the big installation benefits of IP cameras has been Power over Ethernet (PoE). Instead of using one cable for video and another for power, a single cable can be used and power transformers can be eliminated.
HD analog manufacturers have been slow to introduce single cable power/video, but it is now shipping in some models. With Power over Coax (PoC), siamese cable can be replaced with RG59 alone, external power supplies can be dropped and some labor time can be reduced. Additionally, PoC offers longer distance power transmission than PoE, with 200-300m runs possible on RG59 coax vs. 100m using standard PoE/UTP.
As of 2019, Hikvision has released some models of Power over Coax (PoC) cameras and DVRs (see our test), with models becoming more common. Dahua has introduced some models in other regions, but none in North America.
Vendor Support
IP has massive vendor support, both in terms of number of manufacturers and range of form factors available.
HD analog variants have growing support, though limited by its relatively short availability.
AHD has historically had the least vendor support, with only low cost or no name brands utilizing it. However, manufacturers such as Samsung and Digital Watchdog offer AHD product, as well.
CVI has broad support amongst Dahua (the founder of CVI) and their OEMs (in North America, most notably Honeywell and Q-See).
TVI is supported by a number of companies, but by far the largest is Hikvision (and their OEMs).
Western / Japanese Big Brands Not Supporting HD Analog
Most of the biggest brands in the world are not supporting HD analog. For example, Avigilon, Canon, Bosch, Panasonic, Pelco, Sony are all not supporting HD analog.
However, Axis has not marketed these new encoders at all, introducing them without a press release, as they remain focused on IP.
The lack of Western support limits marketing efforts behind HD analog and, related, validation of the technology as many look to these larger manufacturers for cues about what technology to use.
By contrast, HD analog has been led by Chinese and Korean manufacturers, who are strongest in the low to mid tiers of the market and do not carry as much recognition with average buyers as the Western and Japanese brands.
Model Availability: Advantage IP
HD analog cameras supporting advanced features such as true multi-exposure WDR, super low light, etc., are less common than IP cameras with these features. Newer generation Dahua and Hikvision HD analog products increasingly support advanced features, but these are still less widespread than IP cameras.
On the other hand, many premium features and niche form factors are still far more widely available in IP than HD analog models as most vendors look at HD analog as primarily focused at the budget market where lower cost and less sophisticated options are expected.
Cost Comparison: Advantage HD Analog
HD analog has significant cost advantages over IP, both on the camera and recorder side. 30-50% lower cost for HD analog vs equivalent spec’d IP systems is commonplace.
IP camera costs are now moderately high, failing from extreme high prices in the 2000s and helped by lower cost Asian vendor expansion in the past few years. In 2019, a ‘cheap’ IP camera from a name brand bought though a local distributor runs in the $80 – $100 range.
AHD, CVI, and TVI cameras and recorders are extremely inexpensive, even compared to similar entry level IP cameras, with prices starting at ~$30 USD for 1080p cameras and recorders starting below $100.
Install Simplicity: Advantage HD Analog
Connecting cameras to recorders is more difficult with IP than any of the non analog versions. With IP, each camera needs an IP address, the network needs to be set up directly, the tech needs to know IP to connect the cameras, and the VMS/recorder must support them, either via direct driver or ONVIF.
Experienced IT surveillance professionals will not find this a major problem. However, many non IT and traditional low voltage techs will find HD analog’s “plug and play” installation much easier.
HD Analog Closing the Gap on IP, Still Lower End Though
Increasingly availability, better industry recognition and improving features (higher resolution, better compatibility) are helping drive HD analog adoption.
On the other hand, HD analog is still firmly focused / dominant in the low end of the market. The lack of camera options and the refusal of the biggest Western and Japanese brands to support HD analog all hold it back.
Finally, there will remain functional advantages for IP cameras for higher end applications indefinitely, as edge storage, on-board analytics, multi-imagers with a single output, etc. will continue to be IP only. Additionally, many larger applications have standardized on UTP cabling. While HD analog cameras can be used with added baluns, IP cameras remain a more natural / direct fit for such cabling architectures.
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