Hikvision HiLook: What HiLook Is, and Why It's Made by Hikvision

Q: Where can I buy Hikvision HiLook in the UK?

From Zenith Security Co, online with UK delivery or from the Wolverhampton showroom.

Yes, HiLook is Hikvision. HiLook is the value brand of Hikvision, the world's largest maker of video surveillance equipment. Hikvision designs and makes HiLook cameras, recorders, alarms and network kit. They run on the same recorder platform and work with the same apps as Hikvision's own-brand products.

That is why you will see the range sold as "HiLook by Hikvision". This page explains what that means for you, what the HiLook range covers, and how to tell when HiLook is enough and when to pay for Hikvision. We are an authorised Hikvision partner in Wolverhampton and stock both brands.

On this page: Who makes HiLook? · Why two brands? · The HiLook range · Reading HiLook model numbers · HiLook vs Hikvision · FAQs

Who makes HiLook?

Hikvision makes HiLook. HiLook is not a third-party brand that buys Hikvision parts. It is Hikvision's own entry-level line, so you get:

The same engineering. HiLook cameras use Hikvision image processing, H.265+ compression and Hikvision's ColorVu colour night vision technology.
The same recorder platform. HiLook NVRs and DVRs use Hikvision's menus and web interface, so an installer who knows one knows both.
The same apps. You can watch HiLook systems in the HiLook app or in Hik-Connect, on a phone or a PC.
Cross-brand compatibility. HiLook cameras are generally recognised by Hikvision recorders, and the other way round. Advanced features depend on what both devices support.

Why does Hikvision have two brands?

Hikvision's own-brand range is huge. It covers everything from a front-door camera to city-wide traffic systems, with specialist series such as AcuSense, DarkFighter and DeepinView. Most homes and small businesses need none of that.

HiLook is the focused version. It keeps the camera types, resolutions and features that most installations actually use: turrets, bullets and domes, 2MP to 12MP, infrared or ColorVu, with phone viewing and reliable recording. It drops the specialist extras, and the price drops with them.

What the Hikvision HiLook range covers

HiLook is far more than budget cameras. Here are the main families we stock, with an example of each.

IP cameras (record to an NVR)

Infrared: the IPC-T250H-MU, a 5MP PoE turret with a built-in microphone.
ColorVu (colour at night): the IPC-T249HA-LU, a 4MP turret with a built-in mic.
ColorVu 3.0 Smart Hybrid Light: the IPC-T249HAA-LU, which stays on discreet infrared until it spots a person or vehicle, then switches to colour.
4K and 12MP: the IPC-T289H-MU (8MP) and the IPC-T2120HAP-LUF/SL (12MP).
180° panoramic dual-lens: the IPC-T269HAD-LUF/SL, which covers a whole frontage from one camera.
Varifocal and PTZ: the IPC-B650H-Z motorised zoom bullet and the PTZ-N2404I-DE3 speed dome.
Wi-Fi: the IPC-B140HA-D/W bullet and the PTZ-N2C400I-W pan-tilt camera.

HD-TVI cameras (record to a DVR over coax)

Infrared: the THC-T120-MC (2MP) and the THC-T250-MS (5MP with mic).
ColorVu Lite: the THC-T159-MS, colour at night over existing coax.
Smart Hybrid Light: the THC-T227-LTS.

The Hikvision HiLook cameras guide explains every camera type and which job each one suits.

Recorders

NVRs for IP cameras: from the 4-channel NVR-104H-D/4P to the 16-channel, 12MP-capable HL-NVR-216MH-K/16P. See Which HiLook NVR do I need?
DVRs for coax cameras: from the 4-channel DVR-204Q-M1 to the 32-channel DVR-232Q-M2, and the AcuSense DVR-208U-M1/T.

Beyond CCTV

HiLook also makes wireless alarms, PoE switches, CCTV monitors, smoke detectors and video intercoms. Our guide to Hikvision HiLook alarms, switches and intercoms covers them.

How to read a HiLook model number

HiLook uses the same naming style as Hikvision, so once you can read one you can read both. Taking IPC-T249HA-LU as an example:

Part	Meaning
IPC	IP camera. THC is an HD-TVI (coax) camera, PTZ a pan-tilt-zoom camera, NVR and DVR are recorders.
T	Turret. B is a bullet and D a dome.
249	The middle digits show resolution (here 4MP). A 9 at the end usually marks a ColorVu model.
-Z / /W	Motorised varifocal lens / Wi-Fi.
/4P, /8P, /16P	On an NVR: number of built-in PoE ports.

Always confirm the details on the product page. Suffixes vary between generations.

Hikvision HiLook vs Hikvision: which should you buy?

	HiLook	Hikvision
Made by	Hikvision	Hikvision
Best for	Homes, shops, small offices, yards	Any site, up to large commercial
Apps	HiLook app or Hik-Connect	Hik-Connect
Smart alerts	Human and vehicle detection on many models	Adds AcuSense, DeepinView and more advanced analytics
Low light	ColorVu, ColorVu 3.0, Smart Hybrid Light	Adds DarkFighter and specialist series
Price	Lower	Higher; trade-priced

Choose HiLook for a typical home or small business where cameras watch drives, doors, gardens and tills at normal distances. Choose Hikvision for very dark sites, long lenses, number-plate capture, larger sites or advanced alerts. Our HiLook CCTV buying guide goes through the decision in detail, and the Hikvision page covers the main brand.

Hikvision HiLook questions

Is HiLook made by Hikvision?

Yes. HiLook is Hikvision's value brand. Hikvision designs and makes it, and it uses the same recorder platform and apps.

Is HiLook the same quality as Hikvision?

It is built by the same company to the same engineering standards. The difference is the feature set: HiLook leaves out the specialist analytics, low-light series and lens options that most small sites don't need.

Can I mix HiLook and Hikvision cameras?

Generally, yes. HiLook cameras are normally recognised by Hikvision recorders and the other way round. Some advanced features only work when both devices support them, so ask us to check a specific pairing if it matters.