Hikvision 4MP 2.8mm Powered by Darkfighter Fixed Turret Network Camera

FAQs

What is AcuSense technology and how does it benefit surveillance?

AcuSense is Hikvision’s deep learning-based technology that enables cameras to distinguish between humans and vehicles versus other moving objects like animals, falling leaves, or shadows. This human and vehicle target classification vastly improves alarm efficiency by reducing false alarms by up to 90%. Instead of being alerted to every motion event, security personnel only receive notifications for genuine human or vehicle activity, allowing them to focus on real security threats and significantly improving response times and operational efficiency.

What does powered-by-DarkFighter mean?

Powered-by-DarkFighter refers to Hikvision’s advanced low-light imaging technology that enables the camera to capture color images in extremely dark conditions. The DS-2CD2346G2H-IU can produce color images at just 0.001 Lux illumination when using the F1.0 aperture with AGC enabled. This is significantly better than standard cameras and means the camera can maintain color detail in twilight, poorly lit car parks, or dimly lit interior spaces where conventional cameras would switch to black and white mode, providing more useful forensic detail.

What is the difference between the -I and -IU models?

The -IU variant includes a built-in microphone for audio capture, while the -I model does not have audio capability. The DS-2CD2346G2H-IU(2.8mm) features mono sound recording with multiple audio compression formats including G.711, G.722.1, G.726, MP2L2, PCM, MP3, and AAC-LC. The built-in microphone adds real-time audio security, allowing you to hear what’s happening in the monitored area, which can provide valuable context to visual recordings and enable two-way audio when combined with external speakers. If audio recording is not required, the -I model offers identical video performance at lower cost.

What is 120 dB WDR and when is it useful?

Wide Dynamic Range (WDR) technology addresses challenging lighting conditions where bright and dark areas exist in the same scene, such as entrances with bright outdoor light and dark interiors. The 120 dB WDR rating indicates the camera can handle an extremely wide range of light levels simultaneously. It captures multiple exposures and combines them to produce a balanced image where both bright and dark areas are clearly visible. This is essential for locations like building entrances, reception areas with windows, parking garage entrances, and any environment with strong backlighting or high contrast.

What coverage area does the 2.8mm lens provide?

The 2.8mm fixed lens provides wide-angle coverage with a horizontal field of view of 100.2°, vertical FOV of 54.7°, and diagonal FOV of 119.7°. This makes it ideal for monitoring large open areas such as retail floors, office spaces, warehouses, car parks, and building entrances where maximum coverage from a single camera is desired. The DORI distances (Detect, Observe, Recognize, Identify) are: Detect 63m, Observe 25m, Recognize 12m, and Identify 6m. For more zoomed coverage of specific areas, the 4mm lens variant is available.

What perimeter protection features does the camera offer?

The DS-2CD2346G2H-IU includes advanced perimeter protection analytics: line crossing detection (triggers when objects cross a defined line), intrusion detection (alerts when objects enter a defined area), region entrance (detects entry into a zone), and region exiting (detects leaving a zone). Critically, these functions support alarm triggering by specified target types (human and vehicle), meaning you can configure the camera to only alert on human intrusion while ignoring animals, or only detect vehicle entry to restricted areas. This intelligent filtering dramatically reduces false alarms while ensuring genuine security events are captured.

How much storage does the camera support?

The camera has a built-in microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC card slot supporting up to 512GB of local storage. This provides substantial onboard recording capacity for edge storage, backup recording during network interruptions, or as primary storage in standalone installations. The actual recording duration depends on resolution, frame rate, and compression settings, but with H.265+ compression at moderate quality settings, 512GB can typically store several weeks of footage. The camera also supports network storage to NAS devices and recording to Hikvision NVRs.

What power options are available?

The DS-2CD2346G2H-IU supports dual power options: 12 VDC ± 25% (0.6A, max 7.2W) via Ø 5.5mm coaxial power plug with reverse polarity protection, or Power over Ethernet (PoE) IEEE 802.3af Class 3 (max 9W). PoE is generally preferred for IP camera installations as it delivers both power and data over a single Ethernet cable, simplifying installation and reducing cabling costs. The PoE option also typically provides more reliable power as it can be backed up by a UPS system at the network switch, ensuring continued operation during power outages.

Is the camera suitable for outdoor use?

Yes, the DS-2CD2346G2H-IU is fully weatherproof with an IP67 rating, providing complete protection against dust ingress and protection against immersion in water up to 1 meter depth. The metal housing construction (both cover and main body) provides durability and protection from vandalism and impact. The camera operates reliably in extreme temperatures from -30°C to 60°C (-22°F to 140°F) and humidity up to 95% non-condensing, making it suitable for harsh outdoor environments. However, note that this model has “no specific protection” for corrosive environments, so it should not be used in coastal, chemical plant, or highly corrosive locations without additional protective housing.

What network video management software is compatible?

The camera is compatible with Hikvision’s iVMS-4200 professional client software, Hik-Connect mobile app for remote access, and Hik-Central VMS platform for enterprise installations. It also supports ONVIF Profile S, G, and T standards, making it compatible with third-party video management systems and NVRs that support ONVIF protocols. The camera can be accessed directly via web browser (Chrome 57.0+, Firefox 52.0+, Edge 89+) for configuration and live viewing without additional software. Standard network protocols include RTSP for video streaming to third-party systems.