Guide to Buying CCTV Cameras and Choosing Hikvision or Hilook Products
In this guide, we will cover the essentials of purchasing CCTV cameras and Hikvision products, including a buying guide for cameras and NVR recording devices. Hikvision and HiLook cameras and recorders have several key features that you can use to select the product that best suits your needs.
Guide to Buying CCTV Cameras
There are various types of CCTV cameras to choose from. In this article, I will explain the different types of CCTV cameras to help you make the best choice.
- Image Sensor
The image sensor in a CCTV camera is responsible for converting received light into an electrical signal. The sensors used in Hikvision cameras are of the CMOS type. Hikvision's CMOS sensors, with lower energy consumption and higher efficiency, have now attracted the attention of all brands and are used in all of them.


- Image Quality
Image quality in CCTV cameras is displayed using the unit megapixel (MP). Hikvision cameras offer various image quality options ranging from 1 megapixel to 8 megapixels. For more information, you can refer to the article on understanding the different resolutions in Hikvision CCTV cameras.


- Lens
Hikvision cameras feature various types of lenses, generally categorized into three types: fixed (Fix), varifocal (Varifocal), and motorized varifocal (Motorized). Wide lenses are suitable for small areas, while narrow-angle lenses are better suited for large environments. For more information, refer to the article on lenses in Hikvision cameras.


- Night Vision
This technology uses IR LEDs to enable cameras to capture images in complete darkness. Almost all Hikvision cameras come with night vision capabilities. However, they differ in IR illumination range and quality.


- IP Protection Standard
For using Hikvision CCTV cameras in outdoor environments, they must be resistant to external factors such as moisture and dust. Therefore, Hikvision typically offers cameras with an IP66 or IP67 protection rating.


Guide to Choosing an NVR
- Number of Channels for Video and Audio
Like DVRs, NVRs are available in various channel configurations such as 4, 8, 16, 32, and more. Note that Hikvision NVRs do not have audio input. To record environmental sounds, a separate microphone must be used.


- Bandwidth
One important aspect to consider when selecting an NVR is its input bandwidth. It's crucial to ensure that the total bandwidth required by your cameras does not exceed the NVR's input bandwidth capacity. If it does, the system may encounter performance issues.


- Number and Capacity of Hard Drives
Hikvision NVRs support a specific number of hard drives. If you need to record images for an extended period, you should use hard drives with higher capacity.


- POE Capability
Some models of Hikvision NVRs are POE-enabled. A POE NVR can provide both data transmission and power supply to the cameras. POE capability is a significant advantage, especially in large projects, as it can help reduce costs.

