By Zenith Security Co · UK trade distributor and authorised Hikvision partner · Updated 5 September 2026
In short: HiLook ColorVu 3.0 cameras record in full colour at night instead of black-and-white infrared, and — unlike the first generation of ColorVu — they also have infrared LEDs, so you can choose invisible IR, always-on colour, or a smart mode that switches to colour only when something happens. There are five models; the IPC-T249HAA-LU 4MP turret is the one to buy if you're unsure.
On this page: What ColorVu does · What ColorVu 3.0 adds · The five cameras · 2MP or 4MP? · Turret, bullet or dome? · What you need to run them · FAQs
Most CCTV cameras switch to black-and-white infrared as soon as it gets dark. That is fine for seeing that someone was there, but the details that actually identify a person or vehicle — the colour of a jacket, a car, a bag — are gone. ColorVu is Hikvision's answer, and ColorVu 3.0 is the version fitted to HiLook's current HAA-series cameras. This guide explains what it does, how it differs from the previous generation, and which of the five HiLook ColorVu 3.0 cameras to choose.
What ColorVu does
A ColorVu camera combines a large-aperture lens (typically F1.0, letting in around four times the light of a standard F2.0 CCTV lens) with a high-sensitivity sensor. In street-lit or moonlit scenes that alone is enough to keep the image in colour. When it becomes truly dark, a built-in warm white light comes on and illuminates the scene so the camera can carry on recording in colour at full quality — up to 30m on the HiLook HAA range.
What ColorVu 3.0 adds: Smart Hybrid Light
First-generation ColorVu cameras had white light only. That gave great colour footage, but the light is always visible at night, which some customers and neighbours dislike, and there was no discreet option. ColorVu 3.0 fits both infrared and white LEDs in the same camera and lets you choose how they behave:
- Smart mode — the camera stays on invisible infrared until it detects an event, then switches to white light for colour footage while the event lasts. Discreet by default, colour when it counts, and the sudden light doubles as a deterrent.
- White light mode — always colour at night, as with original ColorVu.
- IR mode — traditional black-and-white night vision with nothing visible from the camera.
In practice most installers set Smart mode and forget about it. Nothing else about the camera changes: same 2.8mm lens, same H.265+ compression, same PoE power, same HiLookVision / Hik-Connect app.
The five HiLook ColorVu 3.0 cameras
| Model | Resolution | Body | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| IPC-T229HAA-LU | 2MP (1080p) | Turret | Front doors, porches, garages — subjects within about 15m |
| IPC-B129HAA-LU | 2MP (1080p) | Bullet | Gates and garage walls where a visible camera is wanted |
| IPC-T249HAA-LU | 4MP | Turret | Driveways, gardens, shop floors — the all-rounder we recommend most |
| IPC-B149HAA-LU | 4MP | Bullet | Car parks, side passages, loading bays — long directional views |
| IPC-D149HAA-LU | 4MP | Dome | Indoors, communal areas, anywhere the camera is within reach |
If you want colour night vision and a built-in microphone, the previous-generation ColorVu HA models — IPC-T249HA-LU, IPC-B149HA-LU, IPC-T229HA-LU and IPC-B129HA-LU — record audio too, but are white-light only. For 4K with active deterrence, see the IPC-T280HA-LUF/SL.
2MP or 4MP?
1080p is still the most common CCTV resolution and is perfectly adequate for overview footage at short range. 4MP records roughly twice the pixel detail, which is what lets you zoom into a recording and still read a number plate at the end of a drive or recognise a face across a shop. The price difference between the T229HAA and T249HAA is modest; if you will ever review footage for detail rather than just check what happened, go 4MP.
Turret, bullet or dome?
All three 4MP models share the same sensor, lens and night vision — the choice is about mounting position and appearance. Turrets are compact, easy to aim and sit neatly under eaves. Bullets are the visible deterrent and suit long views along a boundary. Domes hide the lens direction and protect it in public or vandal-prone spaces. We cover this in more depth in our turret vs bullet vs dome guide.
What you need to run them
Every HAA camera is PoE: one Cat5e or Cat6 cable from a PoE NVR carries power and video. The HiLook NVR-104H-D/4P (4 channel) and NVR-108H-D/8P (8 channel) power the cameras directly and record 4K, so they won't limit these cameras or any 5MP/8MP ones you add later. Add a surveillance-grade hard drive (2TB for four 4MP cameras is a sensible start), connect the NVR to your router, and the free HiLookVision or Hik-Connect app gives live view, playback and alerts on your phone. See which HiLook NVR to choose for the full comparison.
Frequently asked questions
What is HiLook ColorVu 3.0?
The version of Hikvision's colour night-vision technology fitted to HiLook's HAA-series cameras: a large-aperture lens and high-sensitivity sensor plus Smart Hybrid Light, meaning both infrared and white LEDs in one camera with three selectable modes.
Is ColorVu 3.0 the same as Hikvision ColorVu?
Same technology, same parent company. Hikvision's professional ColorVu range adds features such as AcuSense analytics, higher frame rates and longer illumination distances; HiLook ColorVu 3.0 gives you the core benefit — colour at night with a hybrid IR option — at a lower price.
Will the white light annoy neighbours?
Use Smart mode so the light only comes on during an event, aim the camera into your own property, and adjust the brightness in the camera menu. In IR mode nothing visible is emitted at all.
Do they work with an existing Hikvision NVR?
Yes. HiLook cameras use the same protocol as Hikvision and plug straight in. They also support ONVIF for other brands of recorder.
Can I mix ColorVu 3.0 cameras with ordinary IR cameras on one system?
Yes — any mix of HiLook or Hikvision IP cameras can share an NVR. Many customers fit ColorVu on the front and IR on less critical views to manage cost.
Should I buy the 2MP or 4MP version?
2MP for overview footage at short range; 4MP whenever you might need to zoom into a recording for a face or a plate. The price gap is small.
Browse the full HiLook by Hikvision range or the ColorVu category, read turret vs bullet vs dome and which HiLook NVR do I need, or contact Zenith Security Co for a system quote.