Description
Core Product Summary
The Hikvision DS-4008HCI is an 8-channel hardware video-compression card for PC-based digital video recorder systems. It accepts analog CCTV video and audio, compresses the streams on-board, and provides the encoded video for recording, display, and application integration through the Hikvision SDK.
The card uses the PCI 2.2 standard and supports H.264 (MPEG-4 Part 10) video compression and OggVorbis audio compression. It records up to real-time 4CIF resolution and supports variable bit rate and frame rate, motion detection, and OSD, logo, and mask overlays. The DS-4008HCI provides a full SDK and demonstration source code for integration into custom DVR or video-management software.
Key Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Hikvision |
| Model | DS-4008HCI |
| Product type | Hardware video-compression card |
| Video channels | 8 |
| Audio channels | 8 |
| Video compression | H.264 (MPEG-4 Part 10), real time |
| Audio compression | OggVorbis, real time |
| Maximum recording resolution | Real-time 4CIF |
| Video input | BNC, 1.0 Vp-p, 75 Ω |
| Audio input | BNC, 2.0 Vp-p, 1 kΩ |
| Maximum frame rate | 25 fps PAL / 30 fps NTSC per channel |
| Supported recording resolutions | 4CIF, DCIF, 2CIF, CIF, QCIF |
| Bit rate | 32 Kbps to 2 Mbps per channel |
| Bus interface | PCI 2.2 |
| Operating systems | Windows 2000, XP, 2003, Vista; Linux |
| Minimum system memory | 256 MB or above |
| Power consumption | Less than 7 W |
| Operating temperature | −10 to +50 °C |
| Operating humidity | 10–90% RH |
| Software development | Full SDK and demo source code |
The DS-4008HCI provides eight video and eight audio channels, with two DB-15 female input connectors for the external video and audio signals.
Engineering Selection Highlights
- Eight video and eight audio channels → the card is selected for an 8-camera analog CCTV installation with matching audio inputs.
- Hardware H.264 compression → video encoding is performed by the card rather than relying solely on host-PC processing.
- PCI 2.2 interface → the host PC must provide a compatible PCI slot and use the appropriate Hikvision card driver and SDK version.
- Up to real-time 4CIF recording → the target recording resolution and frame rate must be planned within the card’s documented 4CIF capability.
- 32 Kbps to 2 Mbps per-channel bit-rate range → recording storage and network requirements should be sized according to the configured bit rate.
- Two DB-15 female input connectors → camera and audio wiring must be adapted to the card’s external connector arrangement.
- SDK and demo source code → the card is suitable for integration into custom DVR, surveillance, or video-management applications.
System Compatibility & Integration Requirements
| Item / Dependency | Verified Compatibility or Requirement | Practical Note |
|---|---|---|
| Host bus | PCI 2.2 | The card requires a compatible PCI slot in the host PC. |
| Operating system | Windows 2000, XP, 2003, Vista; Linux | The installed OS must be supported by the matching Hikvision driver and SDK. |
| Host memory | 256 MB or above | The host system must meet the documented memory requirement. |
| Video input | 8 analog video channels, BNC, 1.0 Vp-p, 75 Ω | Analog camera signals must be connected through the card’s input arrangement. |
| Audio input | 8 audio channels, BNC, 2.0 Vp-p, 1 kΩ | Audio sources must match the documented input level and impedance. |
| Software integration | Hikvision SDK and demo source code | Custom applications use the SDK to access the card’s compression and playback functions. |
| Compression format | H.264 video and OggVorbis audio | Recording and playback software must support the encoded stream formats. |
Hikvision identifies the DS-4008HCI as a PCI 2.2 compression card and provides SDK support for application development.
DS-4008HCI
DS-4008HCI
Dimensions, Mounting & Connection Notes
| Item | Connection Data |
|---|---|
| Card format | PCI 2.2 expansion card |
| External input connectors | Two DB-15 female connectors, DB1 and DB2 |
| Internal input option | Internal pin connectors DB3 and DB4 |
| Video input | BNC, 1.0 Vp-p, 75 Ω |
| Audio input | BNC, 2.0 Vp-p, 1 kΩ |
| Power consumption | Less than 7 W |
The DS-4008HCI uses two external DB-15 female connectors to carry its eight video and audio input channels. It also provides optional internal pin connectors, DB3 and DB4, for video and audio input.
Detailed Product Overview
The Hikvision DS-4008HCI is a PCI compression card that converts eight channels of analog CCTV video and audio into compressed digital streams. Its hardware-compression design uses H.264, also identified as MPEG-4 Part 10, for video and OggVorbis for audio. This makes the card suitable for PC-based DVR systems where analog cameras remain in use but recording and management are handled by software on a host computer.
The card supports recording up to real-time 4CIF resolution. Available recording resolutions include 4CIF, DCIF, 2CIF, CIF, and QCIF, and the maximum frame rate is 25 fps in PAL systems or 30 fps in NTSC systems per channel. The per-channel bit rate can be configured from 32 Kbps to 2 Mbps, with support for variable bit rate and frame rate. These settings determine the balance between image quality, recording duration, storage consumption, and network or playback demands.
Video enters through BNC connections specified at 1.0 Vp-p and 75 Ω, while audio inputs are specified at 2.0 Vp-p and 1 kΩ. The card provides two DB-15 female connectors, DB1 and DB2, for the external eight-channel video and audio inputs. It also includes optional internal pin connectors, DB3 and DB4. Physical integration therefore requires the correct adapter or breakout arrangement between the camera cabling and the card’s connector interface.
The DS-4008HCI is installed in a PCI 2.2 slot and is supported on Windows 2000, XP, 2003, and Vista, as well as Linux. The host system requires at least 256 MB of memory. Hikvision provides a full SDK and demonstration source code, allowing developers to build DVR, playback, and video-management functions around the card rather than using only a fixed standalone recorder interface.
Surveillance functions include motion detection and support for OSD, logo, and mask overlays. These are configuration-level features of the card and its associated software, so their behavior in a completed system depends on the application implementation and the selected recording settings.
Applications & System Role
The DS-4008HCI sits in the capture and compression layer of a PC-based analog CCTV system. Analog camera video enters the card, is digitized and compressed using H.264, and is then made available to DVR software for recording, display, playback, and event handling.
Its eight-channel capacity makes it a fit for small to medium analog surveillance installations where a standard PC provides the recording platform. The motion-detection, OSD, logo, and mask functions support configured surveillance behavior, while the SDK allows the card to be incorporated into custom security or monitoring software.
FAQ
What is the Hikvision DS-4008HCI?
The Hikvision DS-4008HCI is an 8-channel PCI video-compression card for PC-based analog CCTV and DVR systems.
How many cameras can it capture?
It supports eight analog video channels and eight audio channels.
What video compression does it use?
It uses real-time H.264, also described as MPEG-4 Part 10, video compression. Audio is compressed using OggVorbis.
What is its maximum recording resolution?
The card supports recording up to real-time 4CIF resolution. It also supports DCIF, 2CIF, CIF, and QCIF recording modes.
What type of PC slot does it require?
It requires a PCI 2.2 slot.
Which operating systems does it support?
It supports Windows 2000, XP, 2003, and Vista, as well as Linux.
Does it include software-development support?
Yes. Hikvision provides a full SDK and demonstration source code for integrating the card into custom DVR or video-management applications.
How are cameras connected to the card?
The card provides two DB-15 female connectors for its eight video and audio input channels, with BNC-specified video and audio signal levels.
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