By the SightShield team · · 3 min read
Why model numbers matter
Two quotations that both say "Hikvision 4MP camera" can contain very different products. The full model number tells you whether the camera is IP or analog, dome or bullet, which generation it is, whether it has a microphone, colour night vision or AI detection. This guide follows Hikvision’s own product-naming rules from its training material. Naming changes a little between generations, so treat it as a guide and check the datasheet for the final word.
A note for 2026: India now requires security certification for each IP camera model sold (see our STQC guide), and press reports in April 2026 said Chinese makers’ network cameras were in practice not being certified. Analog Turbo HD cameras are exempt. Always confirm the certification status of an exact IP model before buying. SightShield supplies IP cameras only, so we quote only IP models whose certification we can confirm.
IP cameras: DS-2CD…
Take DS-2CD2143G2-IS as an example. Read it in parts:
| Part | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| DS- | DS- | Standard Hikvision product (iDS- = "intelligent" DeepinMind products) |
| 2 | 2 | Front-end device (camera) |
| CD | CD | Colour network (IP) camera. CV = DIY/Wi-Fi consumer; XS = solar/battery |
| Series | 2 | Product series: 1, 2 or 3 for mainstream ranges; higher series are more advanced |
| Form | 1 | Housing — see the table below (1 = fixed dome) |
| Resolution | 4 | Megapixels: 2 = 2MP, 4 = 4MP, 8 = 8MP and so on |
| Sub-series | 3 | Feature family within the series; 7 = ColorVu |
| G + digit | G2 | International model, version/generation (G0, G1, G2, G3…) |
| Suffix | -IS | Features — I = IR, S = audio/alarm interface (see below) |
The form digit (IP cameras)
| Digit | Form | Digit | Form |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | Fixed bullet | 6 | Varifocal bullet |
| 1 | Fixed dome | 7 | Varifocal dome |
| 3 | Fixed turret | 8 | Box camera |
| 4 | Cube | 9 | Fisheye |
| 5 | Mini dome | H | Varifocal turret |
Common IP camera suffixes
- I — infrared night vision.
- L — white light (colour at night).
- Z — motorised varifocal lens.
- S — audio and alarm interface.
- U — built-in microphone.
- W — Wi-Fi.
- /SL — strobe light and audio alarm (active deterrence).
- 4G / 5G — built-in cellular.
- (2.8mm), (4mm) — the lens focal length.
Turbo HD (analog) cameras: DS-2CE…
Analog HD cameras start with DS-2CE. Example: DS-2CE16D8T-IT3.
| Part | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| DS-2CE | DS-2CE | Colour analog camera, distribution (E) series |
| Form/lens | 16 | Housing and lens type (for example 10/12/16 bullets, 70/72/76 turrets, 56/57 domes) |
| Resolution | D | C = 720p, D = 1080p (2MP), H = 5MP (4:3), K = 3K (5MP 16:9), U = 8MP |
| Feature | 8 | 0–3 economy, 5/8 ultra-low-light, 9 ultra-low-light+, F = full-time colour (F3 = ColorVu) |
| T | T | HD-TVI (Turbo HD) signal |
| Suffix | -IT3 | IT/IT3/IT5 = EXIR infrared; S = microphone; X = strobe and audio alarm; VF = varifocal; P/M = plastic/metal |
DVRs and NVRs
- DVRs use series such as DS-71xx, 72xx and 73xx, then the channel count, then encoding letters. HGH = up to 1080p lite, HQH = 1080p/4MP lite, HUH = 5MP/8MP at low frame rate, HTH = 8MP.
- A trailing -M, -K or -F on a DVR indicates the generation: -M new AcuSense, -K H.265+, -F H.264+.
- The final digit on a DVR or NVR is the number of hard-disk bays.
- NVRs are marked with N (NX = with AcuSense/DeepinMind intelligence). DS-76xx is the mainstream small-business NVR range; DS-96xx is the high-channel project range.
- NVR suffix /8P or /16P means 8 or 16 built-in PoE ports; /W Wi-Fi; /4G cellular.
Putting it together
So DS-2CD2143G2-IS is a 2-series, fixed-dome, 4MP IP camera, third generation, with infrared and an audio/alarm interface. DS-2CE16D8T-IT3 is a 1080p Turbo HD bullet with an ultra-low-light sensor and EXIR infrared. When you compare quotations, line up these details — not just "4MP dome" — and you will see whether you are being offered like-for-like.
Get a model-by-model quotation →Quick answers
What does DS-2CD mean in Hikvision?+
DS-2CD identifies a Hikvision colour network (IP) camera. DS-2CE is an analog Turbo HD camera.
What does G2 mean in a Hikvision model?+
G marks an international-market model and the digit shows its version or generation: G0 first, G1 second, G2 third, and so on.
Which Hikvision code means ColorVu?+
In IP camera codes, the sub-series digit 7 indicates ColorVu. In Turbo HD analog codes, F3 indicates ColorVu.