Hydra series low-light camera system

Select the model by balancing image resolution, optical zoom, low-light sensitivity, frame rate and the available installation space. The HY5230 provides 2MP imaging with 30x optical zoom in the smallest 382 x 276 x 168mm enclosure, making it suitable where lower weight and size are important. The HY5236 increases zoom to 36x and colour sensitivity to 0.005 lux, while the HY5240 extends optical zoom to 40x. The HY5340 combines 3MP resolution, 40x zoom and 60fps operation for additional detail without moving to 4K. The HY5840 provides 8MP 4K UHD imaging and 40x zoom, although its maximum frame rate is 30fps and its monochrome sensitivity remains TBA.

The Hydra5000 range supports colour imaging down to 0.005 lux on the HY5236, HY5240, HY5340 and HY5840, while the HY5230 is rated at 0.01 lux. Monochrome sensitivity is 0.0001562 lux for the HY5230 and 0.000039 lux for the HY5236 under the stated test conditions. The HY5240 and HY5340 are specified for 0-lux monochrome operation when IR illumination is active. A factory-fitted module combines three 850nm IR bars with three white-light LED bars and automatically links the illumination pattern to the zoom setting. Its wide, medium and narrow beams are rated at 53°, 14° and 10°, with a stated range of up to 500m. HY5840 zero-light performance should be confirmed before it is specified because its monochrome sensitivity is still listed as TBA.

The camera requires a 46–50VDC supply and can draw up to 2A, so the power system should be sized for the maximum operating condition rather than the static figure alone. Typical consumption is 5–10W when static with the lights off and 15–20W when static with the lights on. Maximum consumption is 96W, while the optional PoE++ IEEE 802.3bt connection supports operation up to the stated 70W PoE limit. Network connectivity uses 10/100 Base-T(X) Ethernet with a primary stream bitrate of up to 16Mbps and secondary streams of up to 4Mbps each. Switch uplinks, recorder throughput and storage should therefore be calculated from the number and bitrate of enabled streams. Adequate headroom is also required for camera movement, lighting and other peak-load conditions.

The direct-drive mechanism covers pan and tilt speeds from 0.05°/s to 540°/s, allowing the same platform to perform slow observation movements and rapid preset changes. Pan and tilt positioning resolution is 0.01°, supporting accurate return to defined areas of interest. Both axes permit continuous 360° rotation, with a software-enabled tilt endstop at ±90° when the application requires a conventional operating envelope. Up to 500 presets and eight programmable tours can be stored, while automatic parking is user defined. The absence of gears and belts reduces drivetrain complexity and supports quiet movement, which is useful for covert monitoring, broadcast environments and installations close to occupied areas.

The enclosure is rated IP67 for ingress protection and IK10 for impact resistance, with an operating and storage range of -30°C to +60°C. It also supports 0 to 100% relative humidity and is tested to EN 60068-2-52 salt-spray Severity Level 1. Construction uses passivated die-cast aluminium, powder-coated epoxy paint, a scratch-resistant glass window and a user-operated silicone wiper. The HY5230 weighs up to 7.5kg, while the other variants weigh up to 9.5kg and require a larger swept volume. Mounting uses a 4-inch PCD with four M8 clearance holes, and the camera can be installed upright or hanging. Structural support, cable routing and site-specific wind loading should still be assessed separately before installation.

The Hydra5000 supports IP video integration through ONVIF Profiles G, S and T, together with a 10/100 Base-T(X) Ethernet interface. H.264, H.265 and MJPEG compression are available, with one primary stream and three secondary streams for different recording, viewing or analytics requirements. Network security functions include SRT, HTTPS/SSL, IP filtering, 802.1X, user authentication and access login controls. Integrated analytics cover motion, object and face detection, ANPR, vehicle speed, intrusion, line counting, directional movement, defocus detection and object blurring. Before deployment, compatibility should be checked for the intended ONVIF profile, analytics metadata, alarm handling and recording format rather than assuming that every function will be exposed identically by each video management platform.

An optional factory-fitted 512GB Micro SD, SDHC or SDXC device provides local recording when network connectivity is restricted or temporarily unavailable. Actual retention time depends on the selected codec, image resolution, frame rate and bitrate, which can reach 16Mbps for the primary stream. Eight privacy-mask regions are available, each defined by an eight-point polygon, and analytics can also blur selected people, vehicles or both. Eight motion-detection regions and functions such as intrusion detection, object detection and virtual line counting can generate event-driven workflows. A single opto-isolated alarm input and normally open volt-free output allow external sensors or site equipment to be connected, subject to the 24VAC/48VDC and 100mA output rating.

The Hydra5000 range is form-and-fit interchangeable with Hydra3000 and supports both upright and hanging installation. Its current mounting arrangement uses a 4-inch pitch-circle diameter with four M8 clearance holes. The selected orientation is software configurable, allowing the displayed image and motion-control behaviour to be set for the installed position. Replacement planning should still include checks for enclosure clearance because the HY5230 and the larger HY5236-to-HY5840 models have different swept volumes. Power supply capacity, PoE budget, network settings, connector arrangements and accessory compatibility should also be verified, as mechanical interchangeability does not automatically confirm full electrical and system compatibility.