Hikvision DS-TVL224-4-5Y Outdoor Entrance & Exit LED Display, 4-Line 8-Character, P4.75

Introduction: Hikvision DS-TVL224-4-5Y at a glance

The Hikvision DS-TVL224-4-5Y is an outdoor entrance and exit LED display purpose-built for parking and vehicle access control. Designed to be visible, durable and easy to integrate, this compact four-line, eight-character sign delivers clear status messages, licence-plate information, remaining-space counts and short adverts at entries, exits and guidance points. With a P4.75 pixel pitch, two-colour LEDs and common communications options (TCP/IP and RS-485), it’s aimed at installers and operators who need a reliable outdoor message board that balances legibility, power efficiency and ruggedness.

Key features

• Outdoor-rated housing— iron frame, sprayed finish and dark armoured glass for weather resistance.
• Four lines / eight characters— compact display format that suits entrances, exits and small guidance signs.
• P4.75 pixel pitchand 64 × 32 resolution — sharp enough for short text and numeric information at typical entrance distances.
• Two-colour LEDs (red & green)— clear status signalling; some pages report a yellow tone on particular batches.
• Flexible communications— TCP/IP (RJ45) for networked systems and RS-485 for long-distance serial links or legacy equipment.
• Low average power draw— around 10 W typical, with higher short-term peaks depending on variant.
• Longevity— LEDs rated for approximately 100,000 hours under normal operating conditions.

Detailed specifications and benefits

With its P4.75 pixel pitch and a 64 × 32 resolution configured as four lines of eight characters, the DS-TVL224-4-5Y is optimised for concise, high-contrast messaging at entrance lanes and guidance points. The two-colour LED matrix (red and green) makes it ideal for simple traffic signals such as "STOP/GO", availability indicators and licence-plate acknowledgement. Typical display brightness is in the 1,200–1,500 cd/m² range, making it readable in daylight while contrast ratios and wide viewing angles (approx. 110–120°) preserve legibility from across a lane or approach.

Integration is straightforward: TCP/IP via RJ45 for modern networked parking or ITS (intelligent transport system) environments, and RS-485 serial communications for longer runs or existing control systems. RS-485 can be especially useful when you need robust, long-distance connections to a barrier controller or a remote controller cabinet (typical RS-485 distances up to about 1,200 m, depending on wiring and baud rate).

The housing combines an iron frame with a sprayed finish and dark armoured glass for both protection and a neat, unobtrusive appearance. Typical exterior dimensions are compact (approximately 355 × 315 × 80 mm) and packaged weight is around 6.4 kg, which eases handling on site. Operating temperature range spans roughly −30 °C to 60 °C, and variants report protection ratings from IP54 up to IP65 — confirm the specific SKU before specifying for exposed sites. Power is AC 110–240 V with average consumption of about 10 W and higher instantaneous peaks (30–50 W depending on configuration).

Hikvision rates the LEDs for around 100,000 hours, which translates to years of continuous service for typical parking use. The unit’s simple character layout and selectable display modes (instant, left shift, up/forward etc.) mean fewer points of failure compared with full-motion screens, and the low average power helps reduce running costs and heat-stress on components.

Use cases and scenarios where the product excels

• Manned and unmanned parking entrances— Display current space counts, lane status, or indicate authorised/unauthorised plate reads at barrier arms.
• Small- to medium-sized car parks— Use multiple units at entry lanes and circulation points to show availability or directional messages without the expense of large full-colour signage.
• Toll booths and controlled access points— Provide concise messages to drivers: lane open/closed, proceed, stop, or plate acknowledgement.
• Residential and commercial estates— Integrate with access control systems to show permit status or occupant messages.
• Municipal ITS nodes— Where short, high-visibility status messages are required (e.g., temporary lane closures, small civic instructions or event parking).
• Retrofit projects— RS-485 support makes the DS-TVL224-4-5Y a drop-in replacement for older serial-controlled signage in many legacy installations.

Comparisons with similar products in the market

When choosing signage for vehicle access and parking, you’ll typically consider three broad classes: compact monochrome or two-colour character displays (like the DS-TVL224-4-5Y), larger full-colour LED panels, and simpler static or backlit signs. Each has trade-offs:

Full-colour displays offer dynamic graphics, video and rich advertising, but they come with higher cost, greater power consumption and increased complexity in control and maintenance. The Hikvision two-colour solution focuses on clear, immediate messaging — ideal when the core need is signalling and numbers rather than advertising impact. For many parking and access-control tasks, the DS-TVL224-4-5Y provides the necessary clarity at a fraction of the purchase and operating cost of a full-colour board.

Single-colour LED signs (commonly red or green) are inexpensive but limited: they force operators to rely on text changes alone. The red/green capability of the DS-TVL224-4-5Y adds a simple, globally recognisable layer of meaning that helps drivers interpret messages quickly — particularly useful at busy entrances where a short glance should be enough.

Large multi-line signs present more information but require more mounting space, power and budget. The DS-TVL224-4-5Y occupies a niche where compactness and clear lane-level messaging are priorities: use it where a concise confirmation or instruction is all that’s required, and reserve larger panels for main approach points or advertising purposes.

Customer feedback and field impressions

While individual customer reviews for this exact SKU vary by market and installer, common themes emerge from field feedback and installer notes: ease of integration, high daytime visibility and robust outdoor performance. Integrators appreciate the dual communication modes (TCP/IP and RS-485) because they simplify both greenfield and retrofit projects. Facility managers often highlight the low running power and durable housing as clear operational benefits: lower ongoing energy costs and fewer unscheduled maintenance visits. A minority of reports recommend verifying the exact IP rating for highly exposed coastal or rooftop installations, which is consistent with variant-dependent protection levels.

Practical considerations before buying

• Confirm the SKU’s IP rating— Variants report IP54–IP65; choose IP65 or higher for very exposed locations.
• Match control interfaces— Ensure your access control or parking management system supports TCP/IP or RS-485 protocols used by your installer.
• Plan power and mounting— AC 110–240 V supply and suitable fixings are required; follow local wiring regulations and use a qualified installer.
• Check firmware and character sets— Character support includes GB2312 and common English/numeric sets; verify firmware if you need extended symbol sets or multi-language support.
• Confirm brightness for your site— Typical brightness is 1,200–1,500 cd/m², adequate for most daylight conditions; verify if your site has exceptional sunlight or glare conditions.

Conclusion: why the DS-TVL224-4-5Y is a strong choice

The Hikvision DS-TVL224-4-5Y strikes a pragmatic balance between visibility, durability and cost. It’s tailored for entrances, exits and parking guidance where concise messaging and fast driver comprehension are essential. With flexible communications (TCP/IP and RS-485), a compact footprint, two-colour signalling and long-life LEDs, it meets the core needs of commercial and municipal parking operators, estate managers and integrators focused on reliable access-control signage.

At a suggested retail price of about A1,099 (check local pricing and supply), it represents a cost-effective option compared with larger full-colour signage and offers lower operational costs through modest power consumption. If you need robust, easy-to-read lane-level messaging that integrates into existing control systems, the DS-TVL224-4-5Y is a pragmatic, proven choice — provided you confirm the variant-specific IP rating, mounting and firmware details for your site.