Introduction: Meet the HiLook THC-T259-MS 3K ColorVu Turret Camera
HiLook THC-T259-MS (2.8 mm)is a TurboHD analogue turret camera designed for installers, system integrators and end users who need reliable, high-quality daytime and night-time colour imaging without moving to a full IP system. With a 3K (2960 × 1665) sensor, a bright F1.0 aperture and built-in ColorVu white-light illumination, this camera delivers full-time colour capture in very low light. It also offers flexible 4-in-1 analogue outputs (TVI/AHD/CVI/CVBS), Audio-over-Coax (AoC) support, and an IP66-rated metal turret housing for indoor or outdoor deployment.
Key features at a glance
- 3K resolution(2960 × 1665) for clearer detail than conventional 2MP analogue cameras.
- ColorVu white-light illuminationthat provides full-time colour imaging at night (effective to approximately 40 m).
- 4-in-1 switchable outputs— TVI, AHD, CVI and CVBS for broad compatibility with analogue recorders.
- Audio-over-Coax (AoC)to carry microphone audio over the same coax cable (recorder must support AoC).
- Robust outdoor housing— metal turret with IP66 rating for weather resistance.
- Low-light performanceaided by an F1.0 aperture and image enhancements (DWDR, 2D DNR, HLC/BLC).
Detailed specifications and benefits
The THC-T259-MS uses a 3K CMOS sensor with a 2960 × 1665 pixel resolution, giving noticeably higher detail than traditional 1080p analogue cameras. A fixed 2.8 mm M12 lens provides a wide field of view (horizontal 113°, vertical 62°, diagonal 137°), making the camera well-suited to capturing broad scenes such as retail floors, office entrances or perimeter approaches.
The fast F1.0 aperture improves light gathering, helping the sensor capture more detail in dim environments. Minimum illumination is listed at 0.001 Lux (with AGC), and 0 Lux when the built-in white light is active — meaning you get usable colour images at night when the ColorVu light is on.
ColorVu is Hikvision/HiLook’s branded white‑light solution designed for full-time colour imaging in low-light conditions. The THC-T259-MS includes a solid white light source effective to roughly 40 m under typical conditions. Unlike IR-based night modes (which produce monochrome images), the ColorVu approach preserves colour information at night, improving identification of clothing, vehicle colours, signage and other details that help situational awareness and investigations.
The camera offers 4-in-1 switchable analogue outputs — TVI, AHD, CVI and CVBS — giving installers flexibility to connect the camera to a wide range of TurboHD and other analogue recorders. Frame rates include 3K @ 20 fps (TVI) and various 4 MP/1080p options depending on the selected format. This makes the camera a practical upgrade for analogue systems where increased resolution and night colour are desired without replacing cabling or recorders.
AoC support lets audio from the camera’s microphone travel over the same coax cable used for video — simplifying installations where audio capture is required. Note that the recorder must support AoC to receive and record the audio stream.
The THC-T259-MS is housed in a metal turret with an IP66 ingress protection rating, suitable for outdoor use in rain and dust-prone environments. Operating temperature ranges from −40°C to 60°C. The camera’s compact dimensions (Φ127.92 × 97.8 mm) and ≈480 g weight make it easy to mount on walls or ceilings using standard fittings.
The camera is powered by 12 VDC (±25%) and has a maximum consumption of approximately 4.2 W. Low power draw simplifies power budgeting for multi-camera deployments and allows flexible power sourcing options including local power supplies or protected centralised power systems.
Use cases and scenarios where the camera excels
- Retail environments:Full-time colour helps identify clothing colours, product details and faces in low-light hours or across areas with mixed lighting. The wide field of view is useful for covering aisles, entryways and cashier areas.
- Offices and receptions:Capture clear colour images for access control verification and visitor management, even after hours.
- Domestic perimeter and estate security:ColorVu’s white light can provide actionable colour images for garden gates, driveways and front yards, improving the chance of identifying license plates, vehicle colours and clothing.
- General surveillance and car parks:Wide diagonal field of view and night colour preserves important visual cues that help incident assessment.
- Analogue system upgrades:For installers updating TurboHD or hybrid analogue systems, the THC-T259-MS provides a cost-effective way to increase resolution and night-time performance without rewiring to IP.
Comparisons with similar products on the market
Traditional analogue cameras use infrared LEDs for night vision, producing monochrome images in low light. The main advantage of the THC-T259-MS over IR-only models is the ColorVu white light that keeps imagery in full colour at night. This yields better identification of vehicles and people. The trade-off is visible illumination at night (a white light beam), which can be noticeable to bystanders, whereas IR is invisible.
Network (IP) cameras typically offer higher resolutions, more advanced analytics, and PoE power delivery. However, migrating to IP often requires changes to networking infrastructure and recorders. The THC-T259-MS targets customers who want improved image quality and night colour while keeping analogue cabling and recorders in place. It is generally lower cost upfront than switching an entire site to IP, and simpler for installers familiar with coax installations.
Within the ColorVu family, there are models with different lens options, higher or lower resolution, and bullet or dome housings. The 3K resolution and 2.8 mm wide lens on the THC-T259-MS make it a good all-purpose option for wider coverage. If you need longer-range white light or narrower fields of view to focus on distant details, a variant with a longer focal length or a different form factor may be preferable.
Customer feedback and installer observations
Public, named customer testimonials for this specific model may be limited, but common feedback themes from installers and end users for cameras with similar specifications and ColorVu technology include:
- Appreciation for night-time colour imaging — customers report improved ability to identify vehicle colours, clothing and signage compared with IR-only systems.
- Ease of integration into existing analogue systems due to 4-in-1 switchable outputs — installers value compatibility with multiple recorder brands/formats.
- Positive reactions to the robust metal housing and IP66 rating for outdoor deployments.
- Noted requirement to match recorders that support AoC in order to benefit from audio-over-coax — otherwise audio will not be available.
When shopping for this camera, look for independent reviews or ask suppliers for demonstration footage so you can assess colour performance under lighting conditions typical for your site.
Installation and practical considerations
The THC-T259-MS requires 12 VDC power and professional installation is recommended to ensure correct cabling, grounding and compliance with local regulations. If you require audio, confirm the chosen recorder supports Audio-over-Coax. Also check documentation and packaging for CE/UKCA markings and follow the manufacturer’s installation guide for mounting orientation, cable routing and environmental sealing. Because ColorVu uses visible white light, consider the placement to avoid unwanted glare into neighboring windows or living areas.
Conclusion: Why the HiLook THC-T259-MS is a solid choice
TheHiLook THC-T259-MS 3K ColorVu Turret Camera (2.8 mm)provides a practical balance between cost, performance and compatibility. For sites that remain on analogue infrastructure but want a meaningful upgrade in image clarity and night-time usability, this camera delivers: higher-than-1080p resolution, a fast F1.0 aperture, built-in white-light ColorVu illumination for full-time colour at night, and flexible recorder compatibility via 4-in-1 outputs. Additional benefits such as Audio-over-Coax support and IP66 metal housing make it a useful option across retail, office, domestic perimeter and general surveillance projects.
It is especially attractive for installers and system integrators who need to enhance low-light performance and capture more actionable colour detail without the expense or complexity of converting an entire site to IP. As always, verify recorder compatibility (especially for AoC) and consider placement to make the most of the ColorVu feature. Overall, the HiLook THC-T259-MS is a cost-effective, feature-rich choice for analogue CCTV upgrades where night-time colour and wide coverage matter.
