Product SKU: iDS-TCW403-BI-G
Product Overview
The Hikvision iDS-TCW403-BI/G is a 4 MP intelligent container number recognition bullet camera designed for ports, freight terminals, container yards and logistics environments where automated container identification and reliable video evidence are required. Its 1/1.8-inch progressive scan CMOS sensor captures up to 2688 × 1520 resolution, while the 2.8–12 mm motorised varifocal lens allows the scene to be adjusted from a wide 113.5° horizontal view to a tighter 39° view. Dedicated smart functions support both container number recognition and ISO number recognition. DarkFighter low-light performance, 140 dB WDR and up to 40 m infrared illumination help maintain usable images across challenging day and night conditions, while IP67, IK10 and NEMA 4X protection suit demanding outdoor logistics installations.
Key Capabilities
Container Number Recognition
Dedicated recognition functions allow the camera to identify container numbers in supported logistics and freight-monitoring applications, helping automate container tracking and visual verification.
ISO Number Recognition
The camera also supports recognition of ISO identification information associated with shipping containers, adding further structured data to supported container-management workflows.
DarkFighter Low-Light Imaging
DarkFighter technology supports clear imaging in very low light, with colour sensitivity down to 0.001 lux and black-and-white sensitivity down to 0.0001 lux before infrared illumination is required.
140 dB Wide Dynamic Range
140 dB WDR helps retain container markings and surrounding scene detail when strong sunlight, headlights, shadows or other high-contrast lighting conditions are present.
2.8–12 mm Motorised Varifocal Lens
The motorised varifocal lens provides flexible framing from a broad overview to a tighter recognition zone, making installation and lane optimisation easier.
40 m Infrared Illumination
Built-in 850 nm infrared illumination reaches up to 40 metres, supporting container recognition and video capture through low-light and night-time operating periods.
Best For
- Container Yards: Automated container and ISO number recognition supports container entry, exit and inventory workflows.
- Ports & Freight Terminals: Outdoor protection and intelligent recognition suit heavy-duty logistics environments with continuous container movement.
- Warehouse Logistics: Useful at loading zones and transfer points where container identification needs to be linked with recorded video.
- Gate & Checkpoint Monitoring: Motorised framing allows the camera to be adjusted around container lanes and controlled vehicle approaches.
- Harsh Outdoor Sites: IP67, IK10 and NEMA 4X moderate anti-corrosion protection support demanding exterior installations.
Why Choose the iDS-TCW403-BI/G
The iDS-TCW403-BI/G is purpose-built for container logistics rather than general CCTV alone. Its dedicated container number and ISO number recognition functions allow recognised identification data to be combined with 4 MP video evidence, while the motorised 2.8–12 mm lens makes it easier to optimise the scene for a specific container lane. DarkFighter performance, 140 dB WDR and 40 m IR help maintain recognition performance through difficult lighting conditions, while Gigabit Ethernet, RS-485, Wiegand, alarm and audio interfaces provide integration flexibility. Available through Security Wholesalers, it is particularly well suited to ports, freight depots and logistics operators needing automated container identification from a rugged outdoor camera.
Buyer Decision Tips
Buyer Tip: Container recognition performance depends heavily on installation geometry. Position the camera so container markings occupy sufficient image detail and are not regularly blocked by vehicles, trailers, gate equipment or extreme viewing angles.
Buyer Tip: Hikvision’s current datasheet specifies up to 40 m infrared illumination for this model, rather than the 30 m figure sometimes used in older or reseller product titles. Use 40 m as the current published IR specification.
Key Features & Technical Specifications
| Product Type | 4 MP intelligent container number recognition bullet camera. |
| Model | iDS-TCW403-BI/G. |
| Image Sensor | 1/1.8-inch Progressive Scan CMOS. |
| Maximum Resolution | 2688 × 1520. |
| Main Stream Frame Rate | 50 Hz: up to 25 fps at 2688 × 1520; 60 Hz: up to 30 fps at 2688 × 1520. |
| Lens | 2.8–12 mm motorised varifocal lens. |
| Horizontal Field of View | 113.5° to 39°. |
| Vertical Field of View | 58.4° to 22.7°. |
| Diagonal Field of View | 141.3° to 44.3°. |
| Focus | Auto. |
| Iris | DC-drive auto iris. |
| Aperture | F1.38. |
| Minimum Illumination | Colour: 0.001 lux at F1.2 with AGC on; B/W: 0.0001 lux with IR. |
| IR Range | Up to 40 m. |
| IR Wavelength | 850 nm. |
| Wide Dynamic Range | 140 dB. |
| Image Enhancement | 3D DNR. |
| Smart Recognition | Container number recognition and ISO number recognition. |
| Video Compression | H.265, H.264 and MJPEG on supported streams. |
| Video Bit Rate | 32 Kbps to 16 Mbps. |
| Video Streams | 3 streams. |
| Ethernet Interface | 1 × RJ45 10/100/1000 Mbps self-adaptive Gigabit Ethernet port. |
| ONVIF | Profiles S, G and T. |
| On-Board Storage | microSD/SDHC/SDXC up to 512 GB. |
| Additional Storage | Local storage, CVR, NVR and ANR support. |
| Audio I/O | 1 line input and 1 line output. |
| Alarm Interfaces | 1 input terminal, 1 output terminal and 2 relay ports. |
| RS-485 | 1 interface. |
| Wiegand | 1 interface supporting CardID 26-bit, SHA-1 26-bit and Hikvision 34-bit. |
| Power Supply | 12 VDC to 24 VDC, 1.25 A, maximum 15 W. |
| PoE | IEEE 802.3at Type 2 Class 4, maximum 15 W. |
| Material | Aluminium alloy. |
| Protection Rating | IP67. |
| Impact Protection | IK10. |
| Anti-Corrosion Protection | NEMA 4X; Hikvision moderate anti-corrosion protection classification. |
| Operating Temperature | -30°C to 70°C. |
| Operating Humidity | 95% or less, non-condensing. |
| Dimensions | Approximately 428.5 × 120 × 138 mm. |
| Weight | Approximately 3 kg. |
| Included Mounting Accessory | DS-1232ZJ-T/BJH cardan joint. |
Ideal Use Cases
Container Yards
Dedicated container and ISO number recognition can automate identification as containers move between storage, loading and dispatch areas.
Ports & Freight Terminals
Rugged outdoor construction, DarkFighter imaging and motorised framing suit continuous container movements in large freight environments.
Logistics Gatehouses
Container recognition can support controlled entry and exit points where identification data needs to be associated with recorded images.
Intermodal Facilities
Useful where shipping containers are transferred between trucks, rail and storage areas and consistent automated identification is required.
Coastal Logistics Environments
NEMA 4X moderate anti-corrosion protection adds suitability for supported environments where corrosion resistance is an important installation consideration.
Choosing the Right Model
- Choose the iDS-TCW403-BI/G if: Your project specifically requires automated container number and ISO number recognition rather than conventional CCTV or ANPR alone.
- Choose a general ANPR camera if: The primary task is recognising vehicle licence plates rather than shipping-container identification codes.
- Use the 2.8–12 mm motorised lens if: The lane geometry requires flexible framing during commissioning and the container identification area falls within the available field of view.
- Check installation geometry carefully if: Containers will pass at varying angles, distances or heights, as reliable recognition depends on clear and sufficiently large identification markings in the image.
FAQs
- What does the Hikvision iDS-TCW403-BI/G recognise?
The Hikvision iDS-TCW403-BI/G is designed for container number recognition and ISO number recognition in supported container-monitoring applications. It combines a 4 MP imaging system with dedicated recognition functions so the camera can capture container identification information while also recording conventional video for review and evidence. - What resolution and lens does the iDS-TCW403-BI/G use?
The camera uses a 1/1.8-inch progressive scan CMOS sensor with a maximum resolution of 2688 × 1520. The current datasheet lists a 2.8–12 mm motorised varifocal lens with a horizontal field of view from approximately 113.5° at the wide end to 39° at telephoto, allowing the scene to be framed to suit the container lane. - How far does the infrared illumination reach?
Hikvision specifies built-in 850 nm infrared illumination up to 40 metres for the current iDS-TCW403-BI datasheet. This is greater than the 30 m figure in the supplied title. The camera also uses DarkFighter low-light technology and is rated down to 0.001 lux in colour and 0.0001 lux in black and white before infrared illumination is required. - What interfaces does the iDS-TCW403-BI/G provide?
The camera provides a Gigabit RJ45 Ethernet interface, one RS-485 interface, one Wiegand interface, one audio input and one audio output, plus alarm connectivity including one input terminal, one output terminal and two relay ports. These interfaces support integration with compatible traffic, access and logistics systems. - Can the iDS-TCW403-BI/G be installed outdoors?
Yes. The iDS-TCW403-BI/G is specified with IP67 weather protection and IK10 impact resistance. Hikvision also lists NEMA 4X moderate anti-corrosion protection for the current model family. For Security Wholesalers installations, the mounting position, cable entry and supporting structure should still be selected for the actual outdoor environment. - What power and storage options does the iDS-TCW403-BI/G support?
The camera can be powered from 12 VDC to 24 VDC or by PoE using IEEE 802.3at Type 2 Class 4, with maximum power consumption of 15 W. It also includes a built-in memory-card slot supporting microSD, SDHC and SDXC cards up to 512 GB, together with CVR, NVR and ANR storage support.
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