Thermal Network Bullet Camera, 384×288 VOx, 6.5 mm Lens, Temp Alarm, DS-2TD2138-7/QY

Introduction: Thermal Network Bullet Camera and its key features

Product:Thermal Network Bullet Camera, DS-2TD2138-7/QY (Anti‑corrosion Thermal Bullet Camera)

The Hikvision DS-2TD2138-7/QY is a rugged thermal network bullet camera built for demanding outdoor and industrial environments. Featuring a 384 × 288 VOx uncooled thermal detector, a 6.5 mm lens and temperature‑exception alarm functions, this camera is designed for perimeter protection, early thermal anomaly detection (including preventive fire applications) and installations where corrosion resistance and environmental toughness matter. It combines thermal imaging, configurable temperature measurement and perimeter VCA (Video Content Analytics) in a weather‑sealed, impact‑resistant housing with networked connectivity and local storage options.

Key features at a glance

• Thermal sensor:384 × 288 VOx FPA, 12 µm pixel pitch, NETD < 35 mK for reliable temperature contrast.
• Optics:6.5 mm thermal lens (~42° × 32° FOV), IFOV 1.85 mrad, minimum focus 0.6 m.
• Temperature measurement:−20 °C to 150 °C range with configurable points, areas and line rules and accuracy around ±8 °C.
• Analytics:Perimeter VCA (line crossing, intrusion, region entrance/exit) plus temperature‑exception alarms.
• Ruggedness:Anti‑corrosion housing (Y suffix), IP67 ingress protection, IK10 impact rating and built‑in surge/TVS protection.
• Connectivity & power:10/100 Base‑T with PoE (802.3af), microSD up to 256 GB, audio and alarm I/O, RS‑485 serial.

Detailed specifications and benefits

The DS-2TD2138-7/QY uses a VOx uncooled FPA with a 384 × 288 resolution and 12 µm pixels. With NETD < 35 mK (at 25 °C, F1.0), the camera delivers clear thermal contrast that helps detect people, vehicles and heat sources at night and through smoke, dust or low‑light conditions. The 384×288 resolution offers a balance between image detail and cost; it is well suited to many perimeter and detection applications where shape, relative size and thermal signature are more important than fine visual detail.

The fixed 6.5 mm thermal lens yields an approximate field of view of 42° × 32° and an IFOV of 1.85 mrad. This provides a practical detection and recognition range for typical perimeter distances while retaining a compact camera footprint. Minimum focus is 0.6 m, making it usable for near‑range thermal observation as well as longer perimeter coverage.

Temperature readings are configurable across points, areas and lines with up to 21 rules. The measurement range of −20 °C to 150 °C supports both ambient monitoring and hot‑spot detection in industrial equipment. Accuracy is listed at ±8 °C — sufficient for alarm thresholds and trend detection but not a replacement for dedicated precision thermometers in applications where ±1 °C is required. The camera’s temperature‑exception alarms are useful for early detection of overheating equipment, localized fires or abnormal thermal events.

Video encoding supports H.265/H.264/MJPEG and a visual stream up to 1280 × 720 for networked monitoring. Onboard VCA supports line crossing, intrusion and region entrance/exit rules, which can be combined with temperature alarms to reduce false positives. Local storage via microSD (up to 256 GB) plus network streaming provides flexible recording options for intermittent connectivity or when central NVR resources are limited.

The anti‑corrosion housing makes this camera especially suited to industrial sites exposed to saline, chemical or corrosive atmospheres (ports, coastal facilities, chemical plants). IP67 and IK10 ratings mean the unit resists water ingress and impact, while built‑in surge/TVS protection improves survivability in electrically exposed locations. Network PoE operation simplifies installation by combining power and data on one cable (802.3af), though the camera also supports 12 VDC and 24 VAC where PoE is not available.

The camera supports 10/100 Base‑T networking, IPv4/IPv6, HTTPS and a suite of protocols (802.1x, ONVIF, ISAPI, Hikvision SDK) for integration into modern systems. Alarm I/O (2 inputs / 2 outputs), audio in/out and RS‑485 allow direct integration with local alarm panels, speakers or PTZ devices. Power consumption is modest (~5–5.5 W), which helps when using PoE switches or midspan injectors.

Use cases and scenarios where this camera excels

• Perimeter security:Ideal for facility perimeters, fence lines and property boundaries where continuous thermal coverage detects human and vehicle intrusions regardless of lighting.
• Industrial sites with corrosive environments:Ports, coastal facilities, wastewater plants and chemical processing areas benefit from the anti‑corrosion housing and IP67/IK10 protection.
• Early fire and hot‑spot detection:Warehouses, transformer yards, substations and storage tanks can use the temperature‑exception rules to detect overheating equipment or smoldering fires earlier than visual cameras.
• Remote and unmanned locations:Low power draw, PoE connectivity and onboard storage make it suitable for remote sites where maintenance is intermittent.
• Complementing visual systems:Use thermal cameras as the frontline detector and pair with visual cameras for identification and evidence collection, reducing false alarms triggered by visual artifacts.
• Predictive maintenance:Monitor critical motors, bearings and electrical cabinets for thermal anomalies to schedule maintenance before failures occur.

Comparisons with similar products in the market

When choosing a thermal camera there are several trade‑offs to consider: resolution, measurement accuracy, environmental rating and price. The DS-2TD2138-7/QY occupies a middle ground.

Lower‑resolution thermal cameras are cheaper and useful for very general detection, but they provide less detail and shorter recognition ranges. The 384×288 sensor in the DS-2TD2138-7/QY gives noticeably better target definition and is more useful for perimeter detection and thermal rule placement than 160×120 units.

Higher‑resolution thermal cameras deliver greater detail and longer-range detection/recognition, but at a higher cost. If your application demands long‑range identification or analytics requiring fine thermal gradients, a 640×512 or better sensor may be preferable. The DS-2TD2138-7/QY remains a cost‑effective choice when medium‑range detection and environmental robustness are primary concerns.

Thermal cameras excel where visual cameras struggle—night, smoke, fog and complete darkness. They do not, however, reproduce color or fine visual detail, so pairing thermal with a visual camera often yields the best operational performance: thermal for detection and alerts, visual for verification and identification.

Not all thermal bullet cameras include an anti‑corrosion housing. For installations in aggressive atmospheres (salt spray, chemical fumes), the DS-2TD2138-7/QY’s Y‑suffix casing and IP67/IK10 ratings provide a clear lifecycle advantage and can reduce maintenance and replacement costs.

Customer testimonials and reviews

Official customer reviews for this specific model are limited in public sources and the product is listed as discontinued on the manufacturer page, which reduces readily available buyer feedback. That said, typical feedback from integrators and specifiers for similarly specified Hikvision thermal models tends to highlight:

• Reliability in low‑visibility conditions and robust performance in outdoor sites.
• Ease of integration into existing NVR/VMS ecosystems via ONVIF and Hikvision SDK.
• Value for money when medium‑range thermal detection and environmental ruggedness are required.

Because direct customer testimonials are not available in supplied data, if you plan a purchase it’s advisable to request references or field demonstrations from suppliers and to confirm local support and spares given the model’s discontinued status.

Practical considerations and caveats

• Availability:The model is shown as discontinued on Hikvision’s product page — confirm stock, spare parts and firmware support with your supplier before specifying.
• Compliance & warranty:Compliance marks (CE/UKCA) and warranty details were not present in the supplied data. Verify regulatory compliance and warranty terms with your reseller.
• Temperature accuracy:The ±8 °C accuracy is suitable for alarm thresholds and trend detection but not for precision temperature measurement in medical or laboratory contexts.
• Integration:Ensure your network (PoE switches, surge protection) and VMS/NVR are compatible with the camera’s protocols and analytics capabilities.

Pricing and value

Suggested price: USD 3,295.00 (suggested retail) — cost price shown at USD 1,624.54 in supplied data. The pricing reflects the camera’s combination of thermal imaging, temperature‑exception analytics and a specialized anti‑corrosion housing. For projects where corrosion, weather resistance and thermal detection reduce operational risk or maintenance needs, the total cost of ownership can justify this price point.

Conclusion: Why the DS-2TD2138-7/QY is a strong choice

The Hikvision DS-2TD2138-7/QY thermal bullet camera is a practical and rugged solution for medium‑range perimeter security, industrial monitoring and early thermal‑anomaly detection in corrosive or exposed environments. Its 384×288 VOx sensor delivers dependable thermal contrast, the 6.5 mm lens offers a useful field of view for perimeter tasks, and onboard temperature‑exception rules and perimeter VCA provide actionable alerts. The anti‑corrosion housing, IP67/IK10 rating and built‑in surge protection make it particularly well suited to ports, coastal installations, chemical plants and other sites where standard enclosures would be vulnerable.

Potential buyers should note the model’s discontinued status and confirm availability, compliance marks and support options before purchasing. For many installers and specifiers seeking a balance of thermal performance, environmental resilience and integration flexibility, this camera remains a compelling choice—provided support and spares can be secured.