Shirley Li, Product Manager at Hikvision, walks through the technological leap that aims to set a new standard for 24/7 surveillance clarity, imagery and situational intelligence.

Setting the surveillance standards

At the heart of the revamped Pro Series is ColorVu 3.0, a significant milestone in low-light imaging.

Hikvision’s ColorVu technology has long distinguished itself by delivering full-colour video even in minimal lighting, a feature critical to scenarios where traditional infrared footage simply doesn’t provide enough context.

With the release of ColorVu 3.0, the capability has reached a new level of precision, clarity and realism.

The innovation lies in the integration of Hikvision’s proprietary HikAI-ISP, an AI-powered image signal processor.

This engine reduces image noise and motion blur through advanced AI noise suppression and motion trail reduction.

The result: Clearer dynamic imaging and a sharper rendering of static details, especially in challenging light conditions.

Li explained: “The data-driven deep learning approach we’ve applied allows the processor to analyse and automatically adjust a wide range of image parameters.

“This level of intelligent processing ensures high-fidelity image restoration, so that every detail in a scene – from faces to number plates – is preserved, even in an adverse lighting environment.”

Another notable enhancement is the adoption of 3D LUT (Look-Up Table) technology, which boosts the colour rendering accuracy of images.

Where older cameras might wash out hues under artificial light or darkness, ColorVu 3.0 fine-tunes shades to mirror natural daylight conditions.

Combined with high-sensitivity F1.0 lenses, the cameras produce exceptionally vivid and balanced footage around the clock.

The updated AI-powered Wide Dynamic Range (AI WDR) takes this even further.

Cameras equipped with ColorVu 3.0 can now autonomously determine when to activate WDR based on real-time ambient brightness, eliminating the need for manual toggling.

Bright areas are prevented from becoming overexposed, while shadows retain definition.

Also contributing to performance is Hikvision’s Smart Hybrid Light, which intelligently switches between infrared and white light depending on activity detection.

Intelligence at the edge

While image quality has always been a core focus for video security, the demands of modern surveillance increasingly hinge on how quickly and accurately footage can be analysed and acted upon.

To this end, the new Pro Series incorporates the next evolution of Hikvision’s AI detection suite – AcuSense 3.0.

At its core, AcuSense uses deep learning to identify and categorise humans and vehicles in real time, drastically reducing the false alarms often caused by environmental triggers like weather, foliage or animals.

With the upgrade to version 3.0, Hikvision has introduced AcuSearch, a feature that streamlines forensic review by enabling one-click, image-based video retrieval.

Rather than combing through hours of footage, operators can now input an image query and instantly surface the relevant clips.

Li said: “AcuSearch allows for near-instant retrieval and that’s a huge leap in operator efficiency.

“It gives users the ability to isolate events involving people or vehicles within moments, which is especially valuable in high-traffic environments like retail centres, transport hubs or industrial sites.”

This intelligent search is underpinned by upgraded algorithms for perimeter protection and Motion Detection 3.0.

The latter, in particular, addresses common sources of false alarms – such as the flicker of headlights on parked vehicles or the erratic movement of rain and insects.

Li noted: “The new algorithm substantially improves alarm accuracy by differentiating between genuine intrusions and irrelevant movement.

“It’s about reducing noise, both literal and analytical, so that the system’s alerts are meaningful and actionable.”

Audio gets smarter

In line with broader industry trends toward multimodal sensing, Hikvision has expanded the role of audio in its new Pro Series lineup.

The introduction of Audio 2.0 reflects a shift from audio as a secondary feature to a critical component of situational awareness and intervention.

The updated models feature arrayed dual microphones, which double the effective voice pickup range compared to previous single-mic configurations.

Combined with echo cancellation and anti-reverberation algorithms, the cameras now offer clear, intelligible audio input – vital for applications where verbal communication or vocal detection is part of the security protocol.

This audio input is paired with a Smart PA (public address) speaker, which delivers greater broadcast power than typical integrated camera speakers.

The result is a system capable of issuing louder and clearer alerts over larger areas, improving deterrence and responsiveness.

Built for the environment

The new cameras are constructed using anti-corrosion materials, expanding their suitability to marine, coastal and high-moisture environments.

This reinforces their appeal for installations in ports, remote energy infrastructure or locations exposed to salt air and rain.

From an environmental perspective, Hikvision has also reworked the product packaging to be more eco-conscious, aligning with increasing industry demand for sustainability across the lifecycle of security equipment.

Meanwhile, the design and setup of the cameras have been optimised with installer convenience in mind.

With simplified mounting options, intuitive configuration interfaces and fewer post-deployment adjustments needed thanks to the AI-driven automation, the Pro Series aims to reduce labour time and ensure consistent performance right out of the box.

A holistic upgrade for the mid-market

Hikvision has traditionally positioned its Pro Series for the small and medium business sector, offering high-end capabilities at accessible price points.

With the addition of ColorVu 3.0, AcuSense 3.0 and Audio 2.0, the company is reinforcing its commitment to bringing advanced technology to the mid-tier market – without requiring enterprise-scale investment.

Li said: “We looked at what would truly enhance both security outcomes and user experience.

“By integrating AI in meaningful ways – whether in image processing, analytics or audio – we’ve made the Pro Series more capable, more intelligent and more versatile.”

This article was originally published in the July edition of Security Journal UK. To read your FREE digital edition, click here.