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G3 ColorVu Cameras - First Impressions/Review

JB1970

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I've finally got my hands on a couple of the new ColorVu 3.0 cameras to try out. These are the DS-2CD2xx7G3 models and I guess the next step on from the Hybrid light models (DS-2CD23xx7G2H). They (Hikvision) have dropped the 'H' for Hybrid in the model code but the functionality is the same. For now I've just got the DS-2CD2347G3-LIS2UY-SL models in a 2.8mm variant. The part codes are getting more difficult to decode but that's a 4 megapixel turret with IR and White Light, Alarm I/O, 2 Way Audio, Siren and Strobe Light. I've only just fitted them so haven't a great deal to say about image quality as yet. That said, a couple of things that immediately stood out to me once fitted:

Daytime image - One camera has replaced a DS-2CD2387G2-LSU/SL (G5 Color only with 1/1.2" sensor). Obviously replacing an 8MP model it can no longer get a number plate in daylight due to the reduced resolution, but I'd say the colour rendition looks better and it is pin sharp by comparison; the older larger 2387 looking a little softer. Full resolution images of the outgoing 2387G2 and the incoming 2347G3 are below. I've not toyed with the settings on the new camera yet but the two images are a short time apart, roughly similar view and with a mere 15 lux illuminance difference (as shown in the lower left corners). Selecting the images and viewing actual size you can see that the last three characters of the numberplate are clearly visible on the 8MP camera but barely resolvable on the 4MP.

Old - DS-2CD2387G2-LSU/SL:
DS-2CD2387G2.jpeg

New - DS-2CD2347G3-LIS2UY-SL:
DS-2CD2347G3.jpeg

Nighttime Image - I have two 6W LED warm white lanterns at the front of the house. They are directly below (touching) the cameras. The two lights, although not the ideal 4000K, provide enough light to have the cameras remain in colour without using the integral LED in the camera at all. The images below show the old and new cameras at midnight, 24 hours apart. Keeping in mind that the newer camera is only 4 MP, again I think it's a crisper image. I do tend to set these cameras up to look a little dark, favouring a clear image with reduced motion blur over a bright image (24/7 colour is great but it's night and as long as colour information is available, the image doesn't need to look as though it's 12 noon). I set the new camera up with similar settings to the old; 1/50s shutter, gain around 30 and noise reduction at 50. I was quite perturbed that the visible noise in the new 4MP model with it's 1/1.8" sensor could not be dialled right down the way it could on the old 8MP with the larger 1/1.2" sensor. It's not a direct comparison, but as the G3 8MP version uses the same 1/1.8" sensor as the 4MP, I can only assume it will be worse. You can't see the noise when you view the below images at actual size, but if you zoom in further you can see the old camera image is cleaner. It doesn't affect normal viewing.

Old - DS-2CD2387G2-LSU/SL:
DS-2CD2387G2_night.jpeg

New - DS-2CD2347G3-LIS2UY-SL:
DS-2CD2347G3_night.jpeg

Audio - the jury is out on this one for now. Hikvisions presentation seemed to indicate that with dual microphones Audio 2.0 was going to be a big improvement. I've found that with Environmental Noise Filtering ON the audio was awful; it sounded artificial and didn't do much to cancel out wind noise. Perhaps that may improve by altering the codec or in a firmware upgrade. The output (speaker) volume is adjustable. Theres a warning not to set it too loud in case of damage yet it ships at 100%.

Edit - the jury is back in. Something is very wrong with the audio. Turning on ENF does not mask wind noise but makes the audio awful. With ENF ON I thought R2D2 was in the garden; I turned it off to find that the garbled racket I could hear was actually the neighbour's water feature.

Video Parameters - Unusually it ships set to H265+ VBR by default; I'm using H264 CBR. I was sure that the specs detailed that the maximum bit rate for this 4 megapixel model (like previous) was 8,192 Kbps, with 16,384 Kbps available only to the 8 megapixel models however that's not the case - 16,384 is available.

Image Settings - All change here and definitely a change for the better. Rather than G5 platform firmware as the G2H models, these 3rd gen ColorVu use firmware platform H13U (ver 5.8.10_241205 at the time of writing) and there are some very welcome changes:
  • Exposure - It's nearly 2 years since I did a little review of the Hybrid Light models when they were introduced (G2H Review). While very happy with the image quality, I noted my annoyance that it wasn't possible to alter gain while the camera was in Auto mode; it was forced to 100%. Since then I've been using an illuminance sensor and a node-red flow to switch modes in order for that gain setting to be adjustable whereas @johnfitzy made a little app to switch the modes by sunrise/sunset with adjustable offset. The new exposure setup allows (for each mode) an upper and lower limit for exposure time rather than just a capped maximum, along with an upper limit for Gain. I'll likely still switch modes for greater control, but for those leaving it set to 'Auto' there's more adjustment (I guess this is more akin to how it's set up in Dahua models though I've never tried them personally)
Screenshot 2025-04-01 at 18.30.29.png


The exposure time can be increased all the way to 1 second.

  • Backlight - A couple of changes. Previously WDR had an Auto and Manual setting; now they are separated into 'WDR' and 'Auto WDR'. I imagine the latter is the new AI WDR. It is factory default to 'Auto WDR' at level 50. I'll leave that as is for now. Usually I turn it off completely but I'm interested to try it here.
Screenshot 2025-04-01 at 18.32.12.png

  • White Balance - More changes here. AWB1 and AWB2 are now 'Auto (Wide)' and 'Auto (Narrow)' with both having sliders available to fine tune Red and Blue gain if you feel they need tweaking.
Screenshot 2025-04-01 at 18.32.24.png

  • Grayscale (removed) - No longer present in this firmware platform. There used to be an option of 0-255 or 16-235
  • EIS (electronic image stabilisation) - not present in the G2H models that I've used. When enabled it crops the viewable image slightly in order to mask any small movements from vibration. It should only be necessary if the camera is pole mounted.
  • Video Adjustment: Rotate - available if you need to cover a narrow driveway or path in portrait mode without wasting most of the pixels on a view of house bricks! As mentioned in another post, Hikvision indicated that rotate mode and smart event are no longer mutually exclusive; the camera can be rotated manually, this switch enabled and you can still set up Line Crossing and Intrusion - that's a Brucey bonus.
  • Video Adjustment: Calibration - I'm not sure exactly what this is used for at the moment. It comes Disabled by default with Hikvision recommending Level 1 for 4mm lens models, Level 2 for 2.8mm and Level 3 for 2.0mm. It goes up to level 6 and each level has errr... a level adjustable from 0-100. It has the effect of cropping the image a little so my guess is that it's partly to correct image distortion but may serve some other purpose. This setting is adjustable per image mode; I noticed the image shift when switching and found that calibration was off in the Low Illumination mode until I adjusted it.

Other than the above, the menus should be familiar for those who already have seen the newer camera UI.

I'll have a play with the settings and modes to see what I can get out of it. My existing node-red flow keeps switching the modes to match illumination but I've not dialled any settings in yet, so the flow is switching the camera to a mode that's still set at it's defaults. I'll update the post with any other findings.
 
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Thanks for the running updates. Much appreciated! I guess the Image quality at night was expected to get worse with the smaller sensor in the 8MP model (despite the marketing spiel) .
 
Thanks for the running updates. Much appreciated! I guess the Image quality at night was expected to get worse with the smaller sensor in the 8MP model (despite the marketing spiel) .
The original 8MP 2387G2 had the 1/1.2" sensor while the 4MP 2347G2 had the smaller 1/1.8" sensor. The newer 8MP 2387G2H and the 4MP 2347G2H both share a 1/1.8" sensor as do the new G3 models. However there was a difference in alleged minimum illumination values.

The G2H lost out on the G2 due to its smaller sensor (0.0008 up from 0.0005). The G3 supposedly is back to the same 0.0005 value despite that smaller sensor. The 4MP G3 was supposed to drop from 0.0005 to 0.0001.

I'm surprised that the G2 8MP with 0.0005 is cleaner at similar settings to the G3 4MP with 0.0001. Even playing with the gain and noise reduction I can't get an image quite as clean. I'm not sure how the G3 8MP would do if I'd have used that instead.
 
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My existing node-red flow keeps switching the modes to match illumination but I've not dialled any settings in yet,
I've never heard of "node- red" before? I assume that requires using a PC / Blue Iris type setup and won't work with a NVR?
The original 8MP 2387G2 had the 1/1.2" sensor while the 4MP 2347G2 had the smaller 1/1.8" sensor. The newer 8MP 2387G2H and the 4MP 2347G2H both share a 1/1.8" sensor as do the new G3 models. However there was a difference in alleged minimum illumination values.
Thanks for the review. That sensor size thing concerns me too, I've got 2 x 2387G2 and also bought 2 x 2386G2 at the same time. The 2386G2 are 4K with the smaller 1/1.8" sensor. So does that mean the latest ColorVu 3.0 is potentially the same sensor with a faster lens and better software?

One thing I have noticed with the 2387G2 is the lens size (diameter) is massive- like I've measured mine and it seems to be M27 thread size. The spec sheets don't show that, but I bet that lens costs a lot more than the smaller M12 on the 2386G2. The ColorVu3 4K DS-2CD2387G3-LIS2UY/SL is listed as having an M16 lens.

2386G2 4K (IR not ColorVu) M12 lens
1743909730755.png


2387G2 ColorVu 2 ~M27 lens thread
1743909561727.png


2387G3 ColorVu 3.0 4K M16 lens/

1743909819110.png
 

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I've never heard of "node- red" before? I assume that requires using a PC / Blue Iris type setup and won't work with a NVR?
node-red is a sort of rule engine used for smart home setups such as Hubitat or Home Assistant. It just needs an always on machine to run such as a Raspberry Pi or can run in Docker on a NAS drive. Although I'm using it primarily for smart home purposes, it can be used for all sorts of automation. It does work with an NVR and can control the settings on the cameras that are connected to the NVR PoE ports. I'm using it switch modes, overlay some text that dynamically changes (illuminance level from an external sensor, set status of my alarm system), and trigger security lights from line crossing events. There's another post from a day or two ago where I recommended it.
Thanks for the review. That sensor size thing concerns me too, I've got 2 x 2387G2 and also bought 2 x 2386G2 at the same time. The 2386G2 are 4K with the smaller 1/1.8" sensor. So does that mean the latest ColorVu 3.0 is potentially the same sensor with a faster lens and better software?
Possibly. I've not tried the 2387G3 yet. It's got the same 1/1.8" sensor as the 2387G2H which was minimum 0.0008, but has a minimum lux of 0.0005 matching the 2387G2 with its 1/1.2" sensor. Minimum illumination on the spec sheet doesn't give the full story and I'd be interested to see how well visible noise can be controlled during low light.

The existing 2386G2 only have a 1/2" f1.6 sensor. The new 2386G2H (not available to me yet) use the 1/1.8" f1.0 sensor. Unfortunately unlike the new ColorVu's, the 4MP 2346G2H will only have a 1/3" f1.0 sensor.
 
I want to replace myself at home 2387G2 and G2H ones with G3. But first i have to test side by side at company :D
 
I want to replace myself at home 2387G2 and G2H ones with G3. But first i have to test side by side at company :D
Yeah it would be good to see 2387G2 vs 2387G2H vs 2387G3 in the same environment/lighting conditions.
 
Yeah it would be good to see 2387G2 vs 2387G2H vs 2387G3 in the same environment/lighting conditions.
Ask, and you shall receive... :D

We set up a 2387G2 (2.8mm), 2087G2H (4mm) and 2387G3 (2.8mm) to record outside of the office over the weekend as a quick test.

Unfortunately, we didn't have a 2387G2H (2.8mm) here that we could use for the perfect comparison, but hopefully, the 4mm mini bullet still gives a decent idea of how the picture varies.

It's also worth noting that these were set up inside the office, looking through a window, so the views are not identical and the extra layer of glass will very likely be impacting picture quality.

All three cameras are using their default video and image settings, other than Video Quality, which was set to highest, with the built-in LED disabled.

As you can see, the G3 image is sharper and brighter all over, but most notably the road signs, tree and car park in the foreground:

DS-2CD2387G2-LU - 2.8mm - person.jpg


DS-2CD2087G2H-LIU - 4mm - person.jpg


DS-2CD2387G3-LIS2UYSL - 2.8mm - person.jpg
 
Thanks Kyle, do you have short video comparisson by passing vehicle where you or someone else stand at? Im interested in blur reduction at 3.0
 
The G3 image has a lot more visible noise than the G2.
That's what I found. The old G2 a bit softer but practically noise free. The new G3 sharper but noisier.
Im interested in blur reduction at 3.0
There was a lot of hype about that in the presentation. They showed the previous generation with someone walking past to show the motion blur, then they repeated it with the Gen 3. Unfortunately it was clear that when they did it with the Gen 3, the person was walking noticeably slower, so hardly a scientific test. I'm not seeing a major difference but perhaps the blur reduction is only present when using slow shutter speeds and mine are at 1/50 sec on a night.
 
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Thanks Kyle, do you have short video comparisson by passing vehicle where you or someone else stand at? Im interested in blur reduction at 3.0
Yes, here you go:

As mentioned, the settings will almost definitely need tweaking, and hopefully, we'll see improvements with firmware updates, but here are the default exposure and DNR settings used on the G3 camera for this recording:

Exposure settings.png
Exposure settings.png
 
I notice that g3 handles car lights better. But overall i believe it would be better if g3 had 1/1.2. 2387g2 is absolute beast
 
As mentioned, the settings will almost definitely need tweaking, and hopefully, we'll see improvements with firmware updates, but here are the default exposure and DNR settings used on the G3 camera for this recording:
The current firmware which appears to be the first release is nearly 4 months old now. It's strange that there are no updates yet. The audio input is awful. With the Environmental Noise Filter OFF it's bearable, however with it on it's unusable (sounds far worse through Hik-Connect than it does in local web browser)
 
Almost same price today in my country, the 2087G2 and 2087G3, but as I can see above it's no worth to replace for a more glossy picture.
And there is also here on G3s, a most serious problem, the one of the Dual VCA. Same with the 10 months old problem of G2s(G5s)
No way...
 
Hi @Kyle, do you have plans to stock the 4mm versions of the new G3 mini bullets ? The base plate of of the old 20x7G3 is too big and while the G2H would fit, the comments about the image quality posted at the time put me off.
I'm not sure whether the G3 is any step up from the G2H. Maybe the 6MP might be compromise, but it's not available in UK (yet) .
 
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