EXIR is Hikvision's efficient infrared LED technology. A special reflector lens spreads invisible infrared light evenly across the camera's rectangular field of view, giving brighter corners, longer usable range and far less central hot-spot than traditional round-beam IR — for clear black-and-white footage in total darkness. Shop genuine EXIR cameras from ARC IP Networks, an authorised Hikvision reseller in Australia.
In this guide
- What is Hikvision EXIR?
- How does EXIR night vision work?
- EXIR vs standard infrared (IR)
- EXIR and Smart IR working together
- Understanding IR range (how far does it see?)
- EXIR vs ColorVu: two different night visions
- Do I need EXIR, and how do I choose?
- EXIR & long-range IR cameras at ARC IP Networks
- Buy Hikvision from ARC IP Networks
- FAQs
What is Hikvision EXIR?
EXIR is Hikvision's name for its efficient infrared (IR) illumination technology — the invisible light a camera switches on at night so it can keep “seeing” once ambient light disappears. The idea behind EXIR is simple: instead of a cluster of round IR LEDs that throw a bright circular beam into the middle of the scene, EXIR uses a purpose-built reflector lens over the LEDs to shape and spread the infrared light so it matches the rectangular picture the camera actually captures.
The result is night vision that lights up the whole frame more evenly, reaches further down a driveway or across a yard, and wastes less energy on light that never lands where the camera is looking. In total darkness an EXIR camera produces a clean black-and-white image; the infrared itself is invisible to the human eye, so there is no obvious glow to give the camera away. EXIR appears across Hikvision's Turbo HD analogue range and many IP cameras, including the popular turret and bullet form factors.
How does EXIR night vision work?
Every EXIR camera has an ambient-light sensor. When light drops below a set threshold the camera flips an internal IR-cut filter out of the way and powers its infrared LEDs. Objects in the scene reflect that infrared light back to the sensor, and the camera builds a monochrome (black-and-white) image from it — all without any light a person can see.
What makes EXIR different from a plain bank of IR LEDs is the optics. A moulded reflector lens sits in front of the LEDs and redistributes their output into an even, rectangular spread that lines up with the camera's field of view. That does three useful things:
- Cuts the centre hot-spot — traditional round IR over-lights the middle of the frame and leaves the edges dark. EXIR balances the light so faces and detail near the corners stay visible.
- Extends usable range — because less light is wasted outside the frame, more of it reaches the far end of the scene.
- Improves efficiency — later EXIR 2.0 designs deliver stronger, more uniform illumination from fewer, better-placed emitters.
EXIR is a night-time IR technology, not a low-light-colour one. For colour after dark Hikvision uses different approaches — see EXIR vs ColorVu below, or read our guide to DarkFighter ultra low-light cameras.
EXIR vs standard infrared (IR)
“IR night vision” on the box doesn't tell you how good the night image will be. The difference between traditional IR LEDs and Hikvision EXIR shows up most at the edges of the frame and at distance.
| Feature | Traditional round IR | Hikvision EXIR |
|---|---|---|
| Beam shape | Circular beam | Rectangular, matches the image |
| Centre hot-spot | Common — middle over-lit | Reduced — balanced across frame |
| Corner & edge detail | Often dark | More evenly lit |
| Usable range | Shorter for the same power | Longer — less wasted light |
| Efficiency | Lower | Higher (EXIR 2.0 improves further) |
In plain terms: two cameras can both claim, say, 30 m of IR, but the EXIR camera tends to give you a cleaner, more even picture across the whole scene rather than a bright blob in the middle.
EXIR and Smart IR working together
EXIR decides how the infrared is spread; Smart IR decides how bright it should be. On a fixed-power IR camera, anything that walks close to the lens — a person, a pet, an insect — can be blasted with so much infrared that it turns into a white, overexposed silhouette. Smart IR watches the exposure in real time and automatically dials the IR down when a subject is near, so a face at the door or a number plate at the gate stays readable instead of blowing out to white.
Many Hikvision cameras combine both: EXIR for even, long-reaching illumination and Smart IR for automatic brightness control. Together they help keep the whole scene — near and far — usable. For a deeper look at the adaptive side, read What is Smart IR.
Understanding IR range (how far does it see?)
IR range is the manufacturer's “up to” distance for a camera's infrared illumination in good conditions — you'll see figures such as up to 30 m, 60 m, 80 m or beyond, printed in the model's specs. A few things to keep in mind when you read those numbers:
- It's a maximum, not a guarantee. Real-world reach depends on how reflective the scene is — a pale wall bounces IR back well; a dark, open field absorbs it.
- Lens angle matters. A wide-angle lens spreads both light and view over a broad area, so effective range is shorter than a narrow, longer-focal-length lens covering the same distance.
- Match range to the job. A front door or entry needs far less IR than a long driveway, car park or property boundary.
Always take the IR distance from the specific model's datasheet rather than assuming. The featured cameras below list their own stated IR ranges so you can size the camera to the space. Not sure how many to buy? See best Hikvision cameras for home security.
EXIR vs ColorVu: two different night visions
EXIR and ColorVu solve the same problem — seeing after dark — but in opposite ways, and it's the most common mix-up buyers have.
| EXIR | ColorVu | |
|---|---|---|
| Light source | Invisible infrared LEDs | High-sensitivity lens + supplementary white light |
| Night image | Black & white | Full colour |
| Visible glow | None — discreet | A soft white light may be visible |
| Best for | Discreet, long-range night coverage | Capturing colour detail — clothing, vehicle colour |
| Typical use | Perimeters, driveways, yards | Entries, shopfronts, till points |
Neither is “better” — they suit different jobs. Want no visible light and long reach? EXIR. Need to tell a red car from a blue one at 2 a.m.? ColorVu. Many sites use both. Hikvision also blends the two with Smart Hybrid Light. Compare Hikvision's smart camera families in ColorVu vs AcuSense, or browse ColorVu cameras.
Do I need EXIR, and how do I choose?
If your priority is discreet, reliable night coverage over distance — a driveway, boundary, warehouse yard or car park — EXIR is an excellent, cost-effective choice, and it's built into a huge slice of Hikvision's range across analogue Turbo HD and IP. Work through three quick questions:
- How far do I need to see? Measure the distance to the furthest point of interest and pick a model whose stated IR range comfortably covers it.
- Do I need colour at night? If identifying colours matters, add a ColorVu or Smart Hybrid Light camera at that spot; otherwise EXIR's black-and-white image is ideal.
- What lens angle suits the space? Wide for a broad area up close; narrower for reach down a long run.
Not sure what fits? The team at ARC IP Networks can match EXIR, ColorVu and AcuSense cameras to your site — with genuine Australian stock and warranty. Talk to us and we'll spec it for you.
EXIR & long-range IR cameras at ARC IP Networks
Hikvision DS-2CE76U7T 8MP EXIR Turret Camera 3.6mm
8MP EXIR turret with an even, wide infrared spread and clean black-and-white night footage — a compact, discreet choice for entries and general coverage.
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Hikvision DS-2CD2T66G2-2I-6MM AcuSense 6 MP Fixed Bullet Network Camera, 6 mm, 60 m IR
6MP AcuSense fixed bullet with a stated 60 m IR range — balanced illumination for mid-length driveways and yards.
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Hikvision DS-2CD2T66G2H 6MP 2.8mm Bullet IP Camera 80m IR
6MP bullet with a stated 80 m IR range for long runs — boundaries, car parks and larger properties where reach matters.
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Hikvision DS-2CD3A46G2T-IZHS AcuSense 4 MP Varifocal Bullet Network Camera, 6-60 mm Motorised Lens, 120 m IR
4MP AcuSense motorised bullet with a stated 120 m IR range — serious long-distance night coverage for big perimeters.
View product →Buy Hikvision from ARC IP Networks
ARC IP Networks is an authorised Hikvision reseller in Australia — genuine Australian stock, Australian warranty, fast nationwide shipping and expert local advice.
Shop Hikvision →ColorVu camerasAcuSense camerasNVR recordersTalk to our teamRelated Hikvision guides
- What Is Smart IR? Hikvision Adaptive Infrared Explained
- What Is Hikvision DarkFighter? Ultra Low-Light Explained
- Hikvision ColorVu vs AcuSense
- Best Hikvision Cameras for Home Security in Australia
- Hikvision AcuSeek: AI Video Search Explained
- Hikvision Face Recognition & Facial Detection Cameras Explained
Frequently asked questions
EXIR is short for Extended Infrared — Hikvision's efficient infrared LED technology that spreads invisible IR light evenly across the camera's rectangular field of view for better, longer-range night vision.
No. EXIR uses invisible infrared light (typically around 850 nm), so there's no obvious glow to the human eye. You may notice a faint dark-red shimmer from the LEDs up close, but the illumination itself isn't visible.
No — EXIR produces a black-and-white (monochrome) image in the dark. For full colour at night you need a ColorVu or Smart Hybrid Light camera, which use a high-sensitivity lens and supplementary white light instead.
EXIR controls how the infrared is spread — evenly, matching the image shape. Smart IR controls how bright it is, automatically dimming the IR for close subjects so faces and number plates don't overexpose. Many cameras use both together.
It depends on the model — Hikvision cameras list their own IR range, from around 30 m on compact models up to 100 m or more on long-range bullets. Always check the specific model's stated IR distance and match it to your scene.
For the same power, EXIR generally delivers a more even image with less centre hot-spot and better corner detail and range than a traditional round IR beam, because a reflector lens shapes the light to match the camera's field of view.
Choose EXIR for discreet, long-range night coverage where a black-and-white image is fine (driveways, perimeters). Choose ColorVu when colour detail matters after dark (entries, shopfronts). Many sites use a mix of both.
Yes. ARC IP Networks is an authorised Hikvision reseller in Australia and stocks EXIR cameras across turret, bullet and other ranges — with genuine Australian stock, local warranty and expert advice.
Last updated: 2026-07-14 · Written by the ARC IP Networks team, an authorised Hikvision reseller in Australia.