ColorVu White Light Spill & Smart Light Mode
Purpose
ColorVu cameras use a white light to give full colour footage at night. On a side or rear elevation, that light can shine onto a neighbouring property all night, which is a common cause of complaints. This document covers how to stop that using Smart supplement light mode, how Smart mode is triggered, and the settings to use so it works reliably.
First used on the side camera at Tavernor's after the white light was shining onto the neighbouring property.
Smart mode is only available on Smart Hybrid Light models, which have both IR and white LEDs. Check the datasheet for "Supplement Light Type: IR, White Light" and "Smart Supplement Light". A camera with white light only has no IR to fall back to.
The Three Supplement Light Modes
| Mode | Night behaviour | Image | Neighbour impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| IR Light | Infrared only, invisible to people | Black and white | None |
| White Light | White light on all night | Full colour | Visible light, can shine onto neighbours |
| Smart | IR by default. White light switches on when a person or vehicle is detected, then switches off and returns to IR when they leave | Black and white until triggered, then colour | Only lights up during a detection |
IR Light and Smart both run in black and white at night. The difference is that Smart switches to the white light and colour footage when a person or vehicle is detected.
What Triggers the White Light in Smart Mode
Smart mode does not work on its own. The white light is switched on by a detection event on that camera, filtered to Human and/or Vehicle. This is the same Motion Detection 2.0 (AcuSense) detection used for recording and alerts.
- With no event configured, the camera has nothing to tell it when to switch, and it stays in IR (black and white).
- With the event set to Human and Vehicle, the white light comes on only when a person or vehicle is detected in the detection area.
- Set the event first, then set Smart mode.
The event can be Motion Detection, Line Crossing or Intrusion Detection. For most installs, use Motion Detection with Human and Vehicle ticked (see below).
Setup — Step by Step
Step 1 — Set up the detection event (do this first)
Menu names vary a little between firmware versions. On most recorders: System → Event → Normal Event → Motion Detection (or Main Menu → Camera → Motion).
- Select the channel
- Tick Enable Motion Detection
- Set Detection Target to Human and Vehicle (both ticked is fine)
- Draw the detection area over the part of the scene you want to trigger the light. Keep it inside the property boundary. Do not include roads, foliage, windows or the neighbour's garden
- Set Sensitivity. This is 0 to 100, and a higher value triggers more readily. Start around 60 and adjust after testing. If the scene has lots of movement, do not set it too high
- Set the Arming Schedule so it covers the night hours (all day is simplest)
- Save
No linkage action needs to be ticked for the light. Confirmed on site at Tavernor's: Smart mode triggered from the motion area, Human/Vehicle target and arming schedule alone.
The Human/Vehicle filter only works if the recorder and camera support Motion Detection 2.0 (AcuSense). On a recorder that does not, ticking Human/Vehicle may have no effect and the camera can trigger on all movement. Check the model before relying on this.
Step 2 — Set the light mode
On the camera's image/day-night settings (NVR: Camera → Image or Camera Parameters Settings; if the NVR menu does not show these options, log into the camera's own web page and use Configuration → Image → Display Settings → Day/Night Switch):
| Setting | Recommended value |
|---|---|
| Day/Night Switch | Auto |
| Sensitivity (0 to 7) | 4 as a starting point. This controls how much the ambient light must change before the camera switches between day and night mode. Sources describe the direction differently, so test it on site and adjust if it switches too early or too late |
| Filtering Time | 5 seconds |
| Smart Supplement Light | On. This lets the camera adjust light strength for objects close to the camera and reduces overexposure |
| Supplement Light Mode | Smart |
| Light Brightness Control | Auto |
Step 3 — Reduce spill further (optional)
- With Light Brightness Control on Auto, the white light level (1 to 100, default 50) caps the maximum brightness. Lower it if the light still reaches the neighbour when triggered
- Aim the camera and draw the detection area so the light is not pointing across the boundary
- Use a privacy mask over any neighbouring windows in the camera's view (see Camera Configuration & Image Settings)
Step 4 — Alternative: Line Crossing or Intrusion Detection
If basic Motion Detection gives too many false triggers (shadows, headlights, insects), use Smart Event → Intrusion Detection or Line Crossing Detection with the Human/Vehicle target filter instead. These give more control: minimum and maximum target size, how much of the object must enter the area, and dwell time.
Note: on AcuSense DVRs, Motion Detection 2.0 and perimeter protection (line crossing and intrusion) cannot both be enabled at the same time. Choose one per recorder.
Testing
- Wait for night mode (or cover the lens to force it) and confirm the image is black and white with no visible white light
- Walk into the detection area. The white light should come on and the image should switch to colour
- Leave the area. The light should go off and the camera should return to IR after a short delay
- Check from the neighbour's side that the light is not visible when idle, and check how far it reaches when triggered
- Leave it overnight and review the recordings and the light behaviour the next day for false triggers
Troubleshooting
| Problem | Likely cause and fix |
|---|---|
| White light never comes on | No detection event enabled on that channel, Human/Vehicle not ticked, detection area does not cover where you walked, or the arming schedule does not cover night hours. Check Step 1 |
| Light comes on constantly | Detection area too large or includes the road or trees, sensitivity too high, or insects and spiders near the lens (they are attracted to the light). Reduce the area and sensitivity, clean the lens and housing |
| Light triggers on everything | Recorder does not support Human/Vehicle filtering (not AcuSense), or Basic Motion is picking up image noise in low light. Use Intrusion or Line Crossing, or check the recorder model |
| Light stays on or behaves oddly | Check the Day/Night Switch is set to Auto and not Night, and update to the latest camera firmware |
| No Smart option in the menu | Camera is not a Smart Hybrid Light model, or the option is only on the camera's own web page rather than the NVR menu |
Offering the Choice at Install Stage
Going forward, offer the customer both options when specifying ColorVu cameras:
- White Light: full colour all night, strongest deterrent, visible light
- Smart: black and white until a person or vehicle is detected, then colour. Better where neighbours are close or the customer does not want lights on all night
Record the choice on the job sheet.
Sources
Settings above are based on Hikvision's published information and installer guides. Menu names and some defaults vary by model and firmware, so confirm on site.
- Hikvision — Smart Hybrid Light Cameras with ColorVu (Europe product page)
- Hikvision — Configure Motion Detection Alarms (Detection Target, sensitivity 0 to 100)
- Hikvision — AcuSense DVR datasheet (Motion Detection 2.0 and perimeter protection cannot run together)
- DVRCMS — How to Configure the Light Settings on Hikvision Cameras
- SecurityCamCenter — Camera Supplement Light Instructions for Hikvision Cameras
- CCTV Outlet — How to Enable Hikvision Smart Hybrid Light Cameras