Smart CCTV Cameras

A smart camera analyses the picture and acts on it, rather than simply recording it. TP-Link VIGI InSight cameras classify people and vehicles, and models such as the S345 and S445 can answer an event with white light flashing or an audible warning. The Hikvision DS-2CD2747G2H-LIPTRZS2U/SL classifies humans and vehicles by deep learning, and the Fort cameras record when they detect motion.

A Wi-Fi camera such as the Fort ECSPCAM indoor or ECCXT2K outdoor model, because it connects over Wi-Fi instead of a network cable. Fort cameras by ESP record motion events on an 8GB microSD card that comes in the box, and need no subscription. The ECSPCAMPT adds pan and tilt for a room, and the ECSPCAMFLW adds flood lights for a doorway or drive.

By classifying what moves before raising an alert. TP-Link VIGI InSight cameras classify humans and vehicles, and their listings name what is ignored: animals, weather or shadows for the S455, animals or swaying trees for the S345ZI, and leaves or shadows for the S355. In the Hikvision 2MP and 4K kits, the DVR filters motion alerts to people and vehicles.

A camera whose zoom and focus are driven by a motor and adjusted remotely, instead of by hand at the lens. The TP-Link VIGI S345ZI bullet and S445ZI turret have a 2.7–13.5mm lens with 5x optical zoom and 60m IR, and the Hikvision DS-2CD2747G2H-LIPTRZS2U/SL dome adds motorised pan, tilt and rotate to its 2.8-12mm zoom.

Yes, full-colour models light the scene with white LEDs instead of infrared. The Hikvision DS-2CE70KF0T-LMFS ColorVu turret has an F1.0 aperture and white light reaching 20m, the DS-2CD2747G2H-LIPTRZS2U/SL uses ColorVu with a smart hybrid light, and TP-Link VIGI models such as the S355 and S485 give 24-hour colour with IR and white LEDs reaching 30m.

Not the network models, which take their power over the network cable. TP-Link VIGI InSight cameras run on PoE from a switch or NVR, with 12V DC as an alternative on models such as the S355 and S485, and the Hikvision DS-2CD2747G2H-LIPTRZS2U/SL needs a PoE+ port. The Hikvision 2MP and 4K four-turret kits need coax video cable plus 12 V DC power at the cameras.

Yes, the network models can. TP-Link VIGI InSight cameras such as the S445 and S455 are viewed live and played back through the VIGI app, the web interface or VIGI Security Manager, and push notifications can be linked to their smart events. Recording can go to a VIGI NVR or to a microSD card in the camera, and ONVIF support on models such as the S355 lets a third-party recorder be used.

Yes. The Hikvision analogue kits pair 2MP, 5MP or 4K turret cameras with an AcuSense DVR, in sets of two or four cameras. The 2MP and 4K kits state H.265 Pro+ compression and a DVR that holds up to 10 TB. The cameras run on coax, so they suit a property already wired for analogue; check the 5MP kits' DVR data sheet for its drive size.

Yes, the Fort ECSPCAMPT is a 2MP indoor pan and tilt camera with 5m infrared LED illumination. Like the other Fort cameras it records motion events to the microSD card in the box and needs no subscription. For a commercial ceiling, the Hikvision DS-2CD2747G2H-LIPTRZS2U/SL dome pans, tilts, rotates and zooms by motor.