Introduction to the Hikvision DS-2TD2138-4/QY Thermal IP Bullet Camera
TheHikvision DS-2TD2138-4/QYis a rugged outdoor thermal IP bullet camera built for perimeter protection, early temperature and fire exception detection, and monitoring of industrial critical infrastructure. With a 384×288 VOx uncooled thermal detector and a fixed 4.4 mm lens, this camera delivers reliable thermal imaging in challenging lighting and weather conditions. It combines environmental protection (IP67 / IK10), multiple connectivity and storage options, and built-in analytics to make it a practical choice for security and early-warning applications.
- Thermal detector: VOx uncooled FPA, 384 × 288 (12 µm) with NETD < 35 mK
- Temperature measurement range: −20°C to 150°C with up to 21 configurable measurement rules
- Video and compression: H.265/H.264 with up to three streams and main stream at up to 25 fps
- Ruggedized outdoor housing: IP67 ingress protection, IK10 impact resistance, and TVS 6000V surge protection
- Flexible power and connectivity: 12 VDC, 24 VAC or PoE (802.3af, Class 3); RJ45 10/100 Mbps and ONVIF support
Detailed specifications and benefits
The DS-2TD2138-4/QY packs thermal imaging technology and practical deployment features into a corrosion-resistant bullet housing. Below are the important specifications and what they mean in real-world deployments.
- Detector & resolution:A VOx uncooled focal plane array at 384 × 288 pixels (12 µm) provides a balance of thermal detail and cost-effectiveness. This resolution is well suited for perimeter detection, roof- and equipment-monitoring tasks where object-level detail (not person-identification) is required.
- NETD & sensitivity:NETD < 35 mK (25°C, F1.0) indicates good thermal sensitivity; the camera can detect small temperature differentials under typical outdoor conditions.
- Optics:Fixed 4.4 mm focal length with an aperture of F1.0 delivers a wide field of view (60° × 45° H × V) and short minimum focus (0.3 m), helping operators cover broader areas without multiple cameras.
- Measurement range and rules:The camera measures temperatures from −20°C to 150°C and supports up to 21 temperature rules (10 points, 10 areas, 1 line). This allows automated monitoring for overheating equipment, hot-spots, or abnormal temperature events.
- Accuracy:Temperature accuracy is specified as ±8°C. While adequate for preventive detection and industrial monitoring, this is not suitable for clinical-grade fever screening — dedicated calibrated systems are required for that use.
- Behaviour analytics:Built-in video analytics such as line crossing, intrusion detection, and region entrance/exit (up to 8 VCA rules) help reduce false alarms and prioritize meaningful alerts.
- Compression and streams:H.265/H.264 compression and up to three concurrent streams (main stream up to 25 fps) optimize bandwidth and storage usage while preserving useful thermal detail.
- Storage options:microSD local storage up to 256 GB plus NAS (NFS/SMB/CIFS) support and ANR compatibility means that footage can be retained on-device if the network is interrupted.
- Protocols and interoperability:Standard network support (IPv4/IPv6, ONVIF, HTTP/HTTPS, RTSP) enables integration with VMS platforms and third-party systems.
- Environmental protection:IP67 waterproofing, IK10 impact resistance, anti-corrosion housing and TVS 6000V lightning/surge protection help the camera withstand outdoor and harsh industrial environments.
- Operating conditions:Rated for −40°C to 65°C and ≤ 90% humidity, suitable for a wide range of climates and outdoor sites.
- Power choices:Flexible power input (12 VDC, 24 VAC or PoE 802.3af Class 3) simplifies installation and allows Power over Ethernet deployments for reduced cabling complexity.
Use cases and scenarios where the camera excels
The DS-2TD2138-4/QY is designed for detection and monitoring tasks where visible-light cameras struggle — low light, smoke, dust, or complete darkness. Typical deployments include:
At fences, yards, or property boundaries, thermal imaging is excellent for detecting intruders by their thermal signature even at night and in poor visibility. The camera’s wide field of view and analytics (line crossing, intrusion) make it a cost-effective first line of detection.
For outdoor substations, oil & gas facilities, and refineries, early detection of overheating components, transformers, or bearings can prevent failures. The temperature measurement rules (points/areas/line) can monitor critical assets continuously and trigger alerts on abnormal rises.
Thermal cameras can detect hot spots before flames appear, useful in storage yards, forests near industrial sites, or in areas where spark-prone machinery operates. Coupled with analytics and network alerts, the DS-2TD2138-4/QY can provide valuable early-warning capabilities.
Airports, rail yards and power stations benefit from thermal monitoring for security and equipment health. The camera’s ingress and surge protection make it suitable for exposed installations near tracks, runways or substations.
How it compares with similar products
When evaluating thermal cameras, buyers typically compare resolution, thermal sensitivity (NETD), temperature measurement capability, ruggedness and interoperability. Here’s how the DS-2TD2138-4/QY stacks up:
- Resolution balance:The 384×288 pixel VOx detector offers noticeably more thermal detail than entry-level 256×192 units, improving detection distance and situational awareness. It remains more affordable than high-end 640×512 models, which are better for long-range identification but cost substantially more.
- Temperature measurement:Built-in temperature rules and a wide ratio (−20°C to 150°C) position this camera well for industrial monitoring. Its stated accuracy of ±8°C is typical for non-calibrated surveillance thermal cameras — superior fever-screening systems and specialized thermal imagers will quote tighter tolerances.
- Ruggedization:IP67 and IK10 ratings, plus surge protection, are comparable with competitive outdoor thermal cameras designed for exposed sites. Some specialized models may add higher surge ratings or conformal coatings for salt-spray environments; if you operate in extreme marine or chemical environments, confirm those requirements.
- Integration and cost:With ONVIF support, PoE power and mainstream video compression, the DS-2TD2138-4/QY integrates easily with many VMS solutions. Its positioning in the market is as a practical mid-range thermal camera offering good capability without the premium price of long-range, high-resolution thermal systems.
Customer feedback and representative reviews
While individual experiences vary by installation and expectations, common themes reported by users of similar Hikvision thermal bullet cameras include:
- "Reliable detection at night and in foggy conditions — we’ve reduced false positives compared with visible-light cameras because the thermal view ignores lighting changes."
- "Easy PoE installation and compatibility with our VMS via ONVIF made deployment straightforward."
- "Temperature alarms helped us identify an overheating transformer two weeks before it failed, avoiding costly downtime."
- "For precise temperature diagnostics we still use handheld thermal cameras; this camera is excellent for continuous monitoring and alerting rather than lab-grade measurement."
Note: These statements are representative of common user observations for this class of thermal cameras and should be validated in a site-specific trial where possible.
Installation, compliance and operational tips
- Professional installation:Use experienced installers to ensure correct mounting, grounding and surge protection — especially on exposed sites. The camera’s anti-corrosion housing helps for harsh sites, but cable glands and seals must be properly installed.
- Calibration and expectations:If you need precise point-temperature readings for safety-critical or medical screening tasks, consult the manufacturer about calibration options and appropriate camera models.
- Integration:Configure analytics and temperature rules conservatively and tune them during commissioning to minimize nuisance alarms. Use the microSD or NAS storage to create redundancy for network outages.
Conclusion — why choose the DS-2TD2138-4/QY?
The Hikvision DS-2TD2138-4/QY thermal IP bullet camera is a practical, rugged solution for outdoor perimeter security, industrial monitoring and early temperature-related incident detection. Its 384×288 VOx detector offers a good middle ground between cost and thermal detail, while built-in temperature-measurement rules, behaviour analytics and flexible power/networking options make it adaptable for many sites.
If your priority is reliable, continuous thermal detection in outdoor environments with straightforward integration into existing security systems, the DS-2TD2138-4/QY is a compelling choice. For deployments that require clinical-grade temperature accuracy or very long-range identification, consider purpose-built temperature-calibrated systems or higher-resolution thermal imagers respectively. For many perimeter, infrastructure and industrial applications, this camera offers an effective balance of capability, durability and value.
