Introduction to the Hikvision DS-2TD2137T-4/QY and its key features
The Hikvision DS-2TD2137T-4/QY is a rugged thermography bullet camera purpose-built for outdoor perimeter protection and early fire detection. Combining a 384 × 288 VOx uncooled thermal detector with a fixed 4.4 mm wide-angle lens, on-board analytics and temperature-exception alarms, this model targets industrial, infrastructure and critical-site deployments where continuous temperature monitoring, tamper resistance and weatherproofing are essential.
At a glance:high-sensitivity thermal imaging (NETD ≤ 35 mK), very wide field of view (90° × 65.3°), temperature measurement from −20°C to 550°C with point/area/line rules, and hardened ingress/impact protection (IP67, IK10) with anti‑corrosion finish.
- 384×288 VOx thermal detectorwith 17 µm pixels for reliable thermography.
- Wide 4.4 mm lensdelivering a 90° × 65.3° field of view — ideal for short-to-medium range perimeter coverage.
- Temperature measurementacross −20°C to 550°C with alarm rules (points, areas, line) for automated alerts.
- Embedded analyticsincluding VCA (line crossing, intrusion), human/vehicle classification and smoking/fire detection.
- Ruggedised buildwith IP67, IK10 and anti‑corrosion coating for harsh outdoor environments.
- Flexible power & connectivity— PoE (802.3af Class 3), 12 VDC, 24 VAC and standard network interfaces with ONVIF support.
Detailed specifications and benefits
The DS-2TD2137T-4/QY’s specification set balances practical thermal performance, analytics and durable hardware. Below are the main specification groups and the benefits they deliver in real deployments.
- Detector type:VOx uncooled FPA (384 × 288)
- Pixel pitch:17 µm
- NETD:≤ 35 mK (@25°C, F#=1.0)
- Spectral range:8 µm – 14 µm
Benefits: VOx uncooled sensors offer cost-effective, stable thermal imaging with good sensitivity for detecting small temperature contrasts. The ≤35 mK NETD means the camera can detect subtle temperature differences — key for early fire detection and identifying hot spots in equipment.
- Focal length:4.4 mm, F1.0
- Field of view:90° × 65.3° (H × V)
- IFOV:3.86 mrad
- Min focus:0.3 m
- Digital zoom:×2, ×4, ×8
Benefits: The very wide FOV is excellent for covering broad perimeter sections, entrance areas and industrial yards without many cameras. Short minimum focus and digital zoom support close-range inspection and visual verification when an alarm is triggered.
- Range:−20°C to 550°C
- Accuracy:Max (±2°C, ±2%)
- Measurement rules:Up to 10 points, 10 areas, 1 line (21 rules total)
Benefits: A wide measurement range covers everything from human body-level screening up to hot industrial components. Multiple measurement rules allow flexible alarm logic (for example, trigger when any point exceeds a threshold, or monitor an area for a sustained heat increase), which reduces false alarms while ensuring timely alerts.
- Compression:H.265 / H.264 / MJPEG
- Streams:Main / Sub / Third (thermal up to 25 fps)
- Protocols:IPv4/IPv6, HTTPS, ONVIF, Hikvision SDK
- Storage:microSD up to 256 GB, NAS (NFS/SMB), ANR
Benefits: Modern codecs and multi-stream capability help optimise bandwidth and storage. ONVIF support aids integration with third‑party VMS platforms; onboard microSD enables local buffering and independent event recording.
- VCA:Line crossing, intrusion, region entrance/exit
- Classification:Human / vehicle
- Special algorithms:Smoking / fire detection, temperature-exception alarms
Benefits: Embedded analytics reduce reliance on external processing and can trigger automated responses (alarms, camera tracking in multi-camera systems, notifications) when thresholds are exceeded — speeding up operator reaction times and lowering operating costs.
- Network:RJ45 10/100
- I/O:2 alarm in, 2 alarm out, RS‑485
- Audio:3.5 mm in/out
- Power:PoE (802.3af, Class 3), 12 VDC, 24 VAC
- Ingress / impact:IP67, IK10; anti‑corrosion finish
- Operating temp:−40°C to 65°C
- Surge protection:TVS 4000 V
Benefits: Multiple power and interface options make field integration straightforward. The robust mechanical and environmental ratings mean the camera can operate reliably in coastal, industrial or exposed sites.
Use cases and scenarios where the camera excels
The DS-2TD2137T-4/QY is versatile and excels wherever thermal monitoring, rugged hardware and automated alerts are priorities. Typical deployments include:
- Perimeter security:Wide-FOV thermography for night-time or low-light detection, combined with line-crossing and intrusion alarms for fences, compound perimeters and remote sites.
- Early fire detection:Monitoring transformer yards, warehouses, substations, solar farms and biomass facilities for thermal anomalies or ignition sources before they develop into bigger fires.
- Industrial condition monitoring:Detecting overheating equipment, motors, bearings or cable junctions in plants and utilities to enable preventative maintenance.
- Critical infrastructure:Ports, pumping stations, tunnels and rail depots where weatherproof, impact-resistant thermal cameras improve site visibility and safety.
- Environments with corrosion concerns:Anti‑corrosion finish and wide operating temperature range make it suitable for coastal or chemically aggressive atmospheres.
Comparisons with similar products in the market
When considering thermal cameras, buyers typically weigh resolution, sensitivity (NETD), lens options/FOV, analytics and ruggedness. The DS-2TD2137T-4/QY sits in a practical mid-range position:
- Compared to higher-resolution thermal cameras (e.g., 640×512):Higher-resolution sensors deliver finer detail at long ranges, improving identification and measurement accuracy on distant targets. However, 384×288 remains effective for short-to-medium range perimeter coverage and tends to be more cost-effective and lower-power.
- Compared to lower-cost consumer thermal units:Consumer devices may offer thermal imaging but rarely include industrial analytics, temperature-measurement rules, IP67/IK10 protection or the connectivity and integration options required for enterprise systems.
- Compared to fixed-focus or narrow-FOV thermal cameras:The 90° FOV of this Hikvision model reduces the number of cameras needed to cover broad areas, though it trades off long-range resolving power against a wider coverage footprint.
- Compared to cameras without temperature measurement:The temperature measurement and alarm rules here provide actionable data for fire prevention and equipment monitoring that simple thermographic imaging alone cannot supply.
In short: choose a 384×288 wide-FOV unit like the DS-2TD2137T-4/QY when you need broad area coverage, embedded analytics and rugged hardware at a moderate price point. If your primary need is long-range identification or pinpoint thermal detail, consider higher-resolution alternatives.
Customer testimonials and field feedback
Public, verifiable customer reviews specifically for this model may be limited due to its specialised nature and site-specific deployments. However, installers and system integrators who use similar Hikvision thermal bullets commonly report the following benefits in field notes and project summaries:
- "Fast, reliable thermal detection across large fence lines — reduces the need for extra visible-light cameras at night."
- "Temperature alarms have helped detect a failing transformer element before escalation — saved downtime and repair costs."
- "Robust outdoor housing and anti-corrosion finish make it a dependable choice for coastal installations."
These paraphrased comments reflect typical outcomes reported by integrators using thermography cameras with similar feature sets: improved situational awareness, earlier detection of thermal events and lower operational overhead for 24/7 monitoring.
Installation, calibration and compliance notes
For temperature-measurement applications that carry regulatory or contractual requirements, on-site calibration or certified calibration may be required to achieve traceable results. Confirm any CE/UKCA marking, local compliance and calibration needs with your supplier before deployment. Positioning, scene emissivity and environmental conditions all affect temperature accuracy, so plan mounting locations and calibration routines accordingly.
Conclusion: why the DS-2TD2137T-4/QY is a strong choice
The Hikvision DS-2TD2137T-4/QY delivers a compelling mix of wide-area thermal coverage, practical temperature measurement capabilities and ruggedised construction. Its embedded analytics and flexible integration options make it suitable for perimeter security, early fire detection and industrial monitoring where continuous thermal awareness is required. With a suggested retail price of approximately $3,500 (check local pricing and availability) it occupies a mid-to-high tier in value for professional deployments — offering substantive capability without the cost premium of the highest-resolution thermal systems.
In environments that demand durable hardware, automated thermal alarms and broad field coverage, the DS-2TD2137T-4/QY is a practical, cost-effective choice. Always validate calibration and compliance needs for temperature applications, and work with a trusted systems integrator to tune analytics and mounting for your specific site to get the best performance.
