This is a STANDALONE 4K IP CAMERA — it is a complete camera by itself, but most installs pair it with a PoE NVR or PoE switch.

The DS-2CD2186G2-ISU will operate standalone — point it at the network, power via PoE or 12 VDC and configure via web browser or iVMS-4200. Most professional installs record to a Hikvision PoE NVR or a third-party ONVIF-compatible VMS.

Unsure what’s compatible? Check the Compatible Hardware section below, or contact us before ordering — we’ll confirm everything you need so nothing’s missing on install day.

01

Power over Ethernet

Run a single Cat 6 cable from the camera to any 802.3af PoE switch or NVR port.

02

Discover + activate

iVMS-4200, SADP or the NVR auto-discovers the camera on the LAN; set the admin password and assign an IP.

03

Tune AcuSense

Draw line-crossing, intrusion or region rules, enable human/vehicle filter, set event linkages.

04

Record & view

Record to NVR, NAS or microSD with ANR; view live via Hik-Connect app, iVMS-4200 or any ONVIF client.

RECORD

Hikvision M-Series PoE NVR

8-channel DS-7608NI-M2/8P with 4 TB HDD and integrated PoE — the simplest supported recorder for 4K AcuSense.

NETWORK

Cat 6 Ethernet run

Use shielded Cat 6 between the camera and the NVR / PoE switch for reliable power delivery and 4K bandwidth headroom.

EDGE STORAGE

WD 128 GB Surveillance microSD

Endurance-graded card for 24/7 continuous write plus ANR buffering if the network drops.

MOBILE VIEW

Hik-Connect cloud

Free Hikvision mobile app — live view, AI event push, two-way audio and remote playback over the internet.

Will this camera work with my existing non-Hikvision NVR?

Yes, via ONVIF Profile S/G/T and ISAPI. Most current-generation Dahua, Uniview, Milestone and Synology Surveillance Station deployments accept 4K H.265+ from this camera. For AcuSense event push on a non-Hikvision platform, verify your NVR supports Hikvision ISAPI event posting first.

How do I power it — PoE or 12 V DC?

Either. A standard 802.3af PoE switch or NVR PoE port supplies power and data on one cable. Alternatively a 12 VDC adapter in a GPO powers the camera and you run Ethernet separately. PoE is the professional default.

Does it need a subscription to work?

No. The Hik-Connect app and cloud service is free. AcuSense runs locally on the camera — it does not require a cloud AI subscription. Optional paid cloud storage is available but not required.

What microSD card should I use?

An endurance-graded surveillance microSD (WD Purple or Hikvision HS-TF-L2I) up to 512 GB. Consumer microSD cards will wear out within months of 24/7 surveillance write.

Is it compatible with Google Home or Amazon Alexa?

Hik-Connect on iOS and Android is the primary interface. Amazon Alexa voice control and Google Home view-casting are supported via Hik-Connect. Direct IFTTT or smart-home bridge scenes are not officially supported.

Can I run this over Wi-Fi?

No — this is a wired-Ethernet camera. For Wi-Fi, choose a Hikvision ezviz or DS-2CV camera variant. Wired is the professional choice for 4K AcuSense: 802.3af PoE over Cat 6 delivers reliable power and enough bandwidth for triple-stream 4K.

Hikvision calls this a “Fixed Dome” — is it actually a dome or a turret?

Hikvision's product page lists it as a Fixed Dome. Physically it's a compact eyeball body (≈ Ø121.5 mm × 97.6 mm) that most Australian installers call a turret or eyeball dome. Either term is valid; they describe the same physical SKU.

What does the IK10 rating mean in practical terms?

IK10 (IEC 62262:2002) certifies the camera body to survive a 5 kg mass dropped from 400 mm — roughly the energy of a hard kick or an impact from a thrown brick. The aluminium-alloy base and cover take the hit while the electronics stay sealed.