Hikvision 2MP PTZ Dome Camera, 25x Zoom, 150 m IR, Turbo HD Analogue DS-2AE5225TI-A(E)

What this PTZ camera is for

A fixed camera sees one view. A PTZ camera can sweep a large area and zoom in on what matters, and it runs here on coaxial cable, so an existing site can gain it without new network runs.

This Hikvision speed dome suits car parks, yards, retail parks and large premises with a digital video recorder and someone able to steer it, or routes set up in advance.

How does this PTZ camera work?

Motors turn the head and tip it up and down, while the lens zooms. A guide on moving and zooming explains when it earns its place.

• 3D positioning: click or draw around a spot on screen, and the camera moves and zooms to it, where the control system supports it.
• Proportional zoom: rotation speed adjusts with the zoom, so a zoomed-in view stays manageable.
• Patrols and patterns: 10 patrols and 5 patterns let it walk a route of stored views while nobody watches.

Where to use it

It is an outdoor dome. The IP66 rating and the -30 °C to 65 °C range handle hard UK weather, and TVS 4,000 V protection helps absorb voltage spikes on the unit.

Keep it away from salt air and chemical plants, as those sites call for higher anti-corrosion levels.

What the figures mean in practice

• 25× optical zoom: the lens runs from 4.8 mm to 120 mm, so the view closes from a wide 57.6° to a tight 2.5°. At full zoom you see detail, but only a small slice of the scene.
• 16× digital zoom: this enlarges the image in software and adds no real detail, so rely on the optical figure.
• IR up to 150 m: on an unlit site the camera's own light sets the night limit. Plan coverage to that and not the daytime zoom. See how far cameras can see for more.
• 2 MP: 1920 × 1080 is full HD. Zoom gives the detail on this camera, not extra pixels.

Installing it

• Power: use a 24 VAC or 36 VDC supply rated for max. 30 W. CCTV power supplies vary, so check the output.
• Weight: at 3.3 kg, choose a solid fixing. Movement on a tall pole shows badly at full zoom.
• Fixings by code: as well as the included wall mount, options include the DS-1602ZJ-Pole pole mount, the DS-1619ZJ swan-neck mount and the DS-1661ZJ and DS-1663ZJ mounts. Check that each one suits your surface.

Planning your system

Plan for a DVR that takes one of its signals and offers PTZ control, and for coaxial cable and a separate power run. Recording happens at the recorder.

The 2 alarm inputs let a door contact or similar start a preset, once wired and set up.

Standards and ratings explained

• IP66: dust tight, and protected against powerful jets of water.
• TVI, AHD, CVI and CVBS: four ways of sending video down coaxial cable. CVBS is the older standard-definition signal, and the other three carry HD.
• RS-485: a two-wire control link used for PTZ on older systems. Pelco-P and Pelco-D are common control languages.