Introduction: What the DS-2TD2138-25/QY Is and Why It Matters
The Hikvision DS-2TD2138-25/QY is a rugged bi-spectrum thermal network bullet camera designed for demanding outdoor and industrial environments. At its core is a 384×288 VOx uncooled thermal detector paired with a 25 mm thermal lens, delivering long‑range thermal detection, temperature‑exception alarms and perimeter analytics in an IP67, anti‑corrosion housing. This model is positioned where reliable thermal detection, alarm integration and continuous remote monitoring are required — for example, perimeter security at critical infrastructure, industrial plant protection, and early fire‑risk detection in remote or harsh sites.
Key Features at a Glance
- 384×288 VOx thermal detector(12 µm) with high sensitivity (NETD < 35 mK).
- 25 mm thermal lensproviding approximately 11° × 8° field of view and an IFOV of 0.48 mrad (min focus ≈ 13 m).
- Temperature measurement and exception alarmsacross −20 °C to 150 °C, with a dedicated fire‑prevention mode.
- Perimeter VCAincluding line crossing, intrusion and region entry/exit rules, plus multiple programmable rule sets.
- Robust outdoor housing— bi‑spectrum anti‑corrosion finish (Y designation), IP67 ingress rating and TVS 6000 V surge protection.
- Flexible network and storageoptions: H.265/H.264/MJPEG streams, microSD up to 256 GB, NAS support and ANR.
Detailed Specifications and Benefits
The camera uses a VOx uncooled focal plane array sized for 384×288 pixels with a 12 µm pitch and a NETD under 35 mK (at 25 °C, F1.0). In practical terms, that sensitivity allows the DS-2TD2138-25/QY to detect small temperature differences at distance and produce usable thermal imagery in low‑contrast scenes (night, smoke, partial obscuration). Image modes such as white‑hot and black‑hot plus target coloration help operators quickly interpret thermal feeds.
The fixed 25 mm thermal lens yields roughly an 11° horizontal by 8° vertical field of view, delivering a tradeoff between range and coverage suitable for mid‑ to long‑range perimeter checks. IFOV (instantaneous field of view) of 0.48 mrad and a minimum focus of about 13 m make the camera effective for detecting and classifying people or vehicles at meaningful distances. Built‑in digital zoom (2× / 4× / 8×) helps operators zero in on targets without moving parts.
Temperature measurement extends from −20 °C to 150 °C with ±8 °C stated accuracy in the fire‑prevention mode. While not a substitute for calibrated thermography instruments, these temperature‑exception alarms are highly valuable for early detection of overheating equipment, hot‑spot identification, or preliminary fire risk alerts in areas such as transformer yards, storage facilities and industrial processing zones.
Perimeter VCA includes rule types for line crossing, intrusion and region entry/exit. Users can program up to 21 rules across points, areas and lines — enabling tailored alarm behavior to reduce false positives. Network security and system integration are supported via HTTPS, 802.1x, ISAPI and Hikvision SDK compatibility. Multiple streams and standard codecs (H.265, H.264, MJPEG) ensure efficient bandwidth use and compatibility with recording systems.
Power flexibility is provided via PoE (802.3af, class 3), 12 VDC or 24 VAC with typical consumption around 5–5.5 W. The camera operates from −40 °C to 65 °C and is rated IP67 for dust/water ingress. A TVS 6000 V surge protection rating helps improve resilience in exposed installations. The bi‑spectrum anti‑corrosion housing and dimensions (≈351 × 114 × 115 mm, ≈1.77 kg) make the unit suitable for long‑term outdoor use.
Use Cases and Scenarios Where the Camera Excels
- Critical infrastructure perimeter protection:Airports, rail yards, substations and water treatment facilities benefit from thermal detection that works day or night and is less affected by poor lighting.
- Industrial plant monitoring:Early detection of overheating machinery, conveyors or electrical enclosures can prevent damage and unplanned downtime.
- Fire‑risk areas and prevention:Storage yards, forests adjacent to facilities, or fuel/chemical storage sites use thermal alarms to detect hot spots before flames develop.
- Remote or unlit sites:Locations without reliable lighting or where visible cameras are ineffective — such as perimeters prone to vandalism — gain persistent situational awareness via thermal imaging.
- Integration with alarm and security systems:The device’s VCA and temperature‑exception outputs make it well suited for integration with access control, PSIM, or centralized monitoring setups.
How It Compares to Similar Products
Within the market of thermal network cameras the DS-2TD2138-25/QY strikes a middle ground between entry‑level thermal sensors and higher‑end radiometric systems. Compared with lower resolution or lower sensitivity thermal models (e.g., <160×120 detectors), the 384×288 VOx sensor provides substantially better target definition and detection range while remaining more affordable than 640×512 or radiometric cameras.
Against higher‑end thermal models (640×512 and above, or specialized radiometric cameras), this Hikvision unit is more cost‑effective but offers less pixel density and lower absolute temperature accuracy. For many perimeter and general‑purpose fire‑prevention tasks the 384×288 format provides the best balance of price, analytic capability and environmental robustness.
Compared with visible‑spectrum cameras, thermal devices like this camera are far less affected by darkness, glare, or smoke — making them a complementary sensor that adds detection capability where conventional optics struggle. Unlike hand‑held or laboratory thermal meters, this camera is a networked, CCTV‑style device with analytics and storage features suitable for 24/7 monitoring.
Customer Feedback and Installer Notes
Public, verified customer testimonials specific to the DS-2TD2138-25/QY are limited, and Hikvision lists this model as discontinued on its global product pages. That said, feedback from integrators and end users of similar Hikvision thermal bullet models commonly praises:
- Reliable day/night detection in low‑visibility conditions.
- Effective perimeter alarm reduction of false positives when analytics are well tuned.
- Robust housing and surge protection improving uptime in exposed sites.
- Ease of integration with common VMS/NVR systems via existing Hikvision SDK and ISAPI endpoints.
Before purchase, customers should verify CE/UKCA markings, warranty terms and firmware/support commitments with their supplier. Because the model is listed as discontinued, confirm availability of spare parts, firmware updates and long‑term support if this is intended for critical, long‑life deployments.
Conclusion: Why Choose the DS-2TD2138-25/QY?
The Hikvision DS-2TD2138-25/QY thermal network bullet camera offers a compelling combination of thermal sensitivity, practical detection range and perimeter analytics in a robust, weatherproof package. With a 384×288 VOx detector, temperature‑exception alarms and perimeter VCA rules built in, it is well suited to protecting critical infrastructure, industrial sites and fire‑risk areas where day/night operation and environmental resilience are essential.
Given a suggested retail price (approximately $2,995) and a supplier cost figure (around $2,080), the camera presents a cost‑effective option when compared with higher‑resolution radiometric systems while delivering far superior capability to entry‑level thermal sensors. However, prospective buyers should confirm current availability, warranty and firmware support because the model is shown as discontinued on manufacturer pages — ensuring the chosen product meets your organization’s lifecycle and support requirements.
In summary, if you need a reliable thermal bullet camera for perimeter detection, temperature‑based alarms and continuous outdoor monitoring — and you confirm support/availability with your supplier — the DS-2TD2138-25/QY remains a practical, well‑rounded choice for many security and industrial monitoring applications.
