HiLook CCTV Kits Buying Guide: Choosing the Right Kit
Choosing a CCTV kit doesn't have to be complicated.
A HiLook kit is a HiLook by Hikvision recorder and a set of matching cameras, ready to work together. HiLook is Hikvision's value range. We have a kit for every size from 2 to 16 cameras, each priced as the recorder plus the cameras.
This guide walks you through the choices, one at a time. Or jump straight to the HiLook CCTV kits.
The quick way: use the filters
On the CCTV kits page, work down the filters on the left (on a phone, they're above the list). Each choice shrinks the list.
Number of Cameras: how many you need today.
Format: IP for new cable, HD-TVI to reuse old coax.
Max No. of Channels: how many cameras the recorder can take.
Max Resolution: how much detail you need.
Night Vision: colour or black and white at night.
Style and Colour: camera shape, white or grey.
Then open a kit, add a hard drive and the Plug and Play cables, and you're done. The sections below explain each choice.
1. How many cameras do I need?
Count the ways someone could get in or approach, not the walls.
Cameras
Recorder
Typical use
2–4
4-channel
Flat, terraced or semi-detached house
4–8
8-channel
Detached house, shop, office
8–16
16-channel
Industrial unit, yard, farm, larger site
Tip: might add cameras later? Choose the next size of recorder up now. It can run fewer cameras than it has channels.
2. IP or HD-TVI?
Choose IP if you're running new cable. One network cable goes to each camera, up to 100m. It powers the camera and carries the picture, so there are no separate power supplies. Picture quality goes from 2MP up to 8MP 4K, including 180° dual-lens cameras.
2MP and 4MP kits use the NVR-104MH-C/4P, NVR-108MH-C/8P or NVR-216MH-C/16P.
5MP, 6MP and 8MP kits use the HL-NVR-104MH-K/4P, HL-NVR-108MH-K/8P or HL-NVR-216MH-K/16P, which handle the higher resolutions.
Choose HD-TVI if you already have coax cable. Coax is the round cable used by older CCTV systems. You can reuse it and upgrade to HD. Each camera also needs a 12V power supply. Most HiLook TVI cameras have a microphone, so you get sound too.
1080P kits use the DVR-104G-M1/T, DVR-108G-M1/T or DVR-116G-M1/T.
5MP kits use the DVR-204Q-M1, DVR-208Q-M1 or DVR-216Q-M1/T.
3. Colour or black and white at night?
ColorVu: full colour at night, using a soft white light. Good for making out clothing and car colours. For example THC-T129-MS or IPC-T249HAA-LU. Read ColorVu 3.0 explained.
IR: black and white at night, with no visible light. For example THC-T120-MS or IPC-T221H-M.
Smart Hybrid: black and white until someone appears, then it switches to colour. The THC-T227-LTS adds two-way talk; the IPC-T280HA-LUF/SL adds a flashing light and siren.
4. Turret, bullet or dome?
Turret: neat and easy to aim.
Bullet: easy to spot, which helps put people off. Good along long walls.
Dome: tough, and hides where it's pointing. Good where it can be reached.
Yes. Every HiLook IP kit is matched to how much power its recorder can supply (50W on 4-port, 75W on 8-port, 150–200W on 16-port). Cameras that need more power, like dual-lens and zoom models, only come in kit sizes the recorder can handle.
6. What size hard drive?
Kits don't include a hard drive unless you add one. Pick one on the kit page and we'll fit it for you.
4 cameras: 1–2TB
8 cameras: 2–4TB
12–16 cameras: 4TB or more (16-channel recorders take two drives)
Add the Plug and Play option and your kit comes with ready-made cables: 20m network cables for IP kits, or coax cables and a 12V power supply for TVI kits. Prefer cable on a reel? See cabling.
Quick recommendations
Home, on a budget: a 4-channel kit with 3 or 4 x 2MP cameras.
Home, colour at night: a 4 or 8-channel IP kit with IPC-T249HAA-LU 4MP ColorVu 3.0 turrets.
Shop or office: an 8-channel IP kit with 5 to 8 x 4MP or 5MP cameras.
Yard or large site: a 16-channel IP kit with 8MP or 180° dual-lens cameras.
Old coax system: a HiLook 5MP TVI kit on your existing cable.
Questions
Is HiLook made by Hikvision?
Yes. HiLook is Hikvision's value brand. It uses the Hik-Connect / HiLookVision app.
Can I add more cameras later?
Yes, up to the recorder's channel count. IP kits work with other HiLook and Hikvision IP cameras. TVI recorders work with TVI, AHD, CVI and analogue cameras.
Is there a monthly fee?
No. Recordings are stored on the recorder and the app is free.
Do you deliver nationwide?
Yes, to England, Scotland and Wales. Order before 2:30pm and it's normally with you within 1–2 working days. We're a supplier, not an installer, and we've been trading since 2012.
