Hikvision TandemVu is a single PTZ camera with two lenses working together — a fixed wide lens that keeps a constant, full-colour view of the whole scene, plus a pan-tilt-zoom lens that magnifies detail. You see the big picture and the close-up at the same time. Explore Hikvision PTZ cameras at ARC IP Networks, an authorised Australian reseller.
What is Hikvision TandemVu?
TandemVu is Hikvision's name for a dual-lens PTZ camera that combines two cameras in one housing. One lens is fixed and permanently captures a wide overview of the entire area. The second lens is a traditional pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) that can rotate and magnify to follow activity and read fine detail.
On a normal PTZ, zooming in on one corner means the rest of the scene is out of view until the camera swings back. TandemVu removes that trade-off: the fixed wide lens keeps recording the whole picture the entire time the zoom lens is busy studying a detail. In practice, that means you never miss what is happening elsewhere while you are zoomed in.
Many TandemVu models also carry Hikvision's ColorVu technology on the wide lens, so the overview stays in full colour around the clock, even at night, rather than switching to black-and-white.
How the dual-lens design works
Think of TandemVu as having two jobs handled by two purpose-built lenses at once:
- The fixed overview lens — a wide, always-on camera that watches the full scene. It provides continuous situational awareness and context: how many people are present, which direction traffic is moving, what is happening at the edges of the frame.
- The PTZ zoom lens — a motorised lens that pans, tilts and zooms to lock on to a person, vehicle or area of interest and pull in the detail an operator needs.
Both video streams are recorded together, so when you review footage you can watch the wide context and the zoomed detail side by side on the same timeline. The result is one device doing the work that previously needed a fixed overview camera and a separate PTZ mounted alongside it — with less cabling, one mounting point and a single line into your recorder.
TandemVu vs a standard PTZ
A standard PTZ is excellent at chasing detail, but it can only look in one direction at a time. TandemVu keeps that zoom capability and adds a permanent wide view on top. Here is how they compare:
| Feature | Standard PTZ | Hikvision TandemVu |
|---|---|---|
| Lenses | One (zoom only) | Two — fixed wide + PTZ zoom |
| Scene coverage while zoomed | Blind to the rest of the scene | Full scene still recorded |
| Situational awareness | Depends on where it is pointed | Continuous, always-on overview |
| Night colour overview | Varies by model | Often ColorVu full colour 24/7 |
| Cameras needed for wide + detail | Usually two devices | One device |
| Review experience | Single stream | Overview and detail on one timeline |
In short: a standard PTZ makes you choose between the big picture and the close-up. TandemVu gives you both, continuously.
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Where TandemVu shines
TandemVu earns its keep on large, open sites where a lot can happen across a wide area and detail still matters. Common fits include:
Car parks & forecourts
Keep a colour overview of every bay and lane while the zoom lens reads number plates or follows a moving vehicle.
Perimeters & boundaries
Watch a long fence line or yard in one wide shot, then zoom straight to any point of interest without losing sight of the rest.
Large open sites
Warehouses, depots, ports, campuses, quarries and construction sites benefit from wide coverage plus on-demand detail from a single mount.
Public & retail spaces
Town squares, transport hubs and shopping precincts stay fully monitored while operators zoom in to assist or investigate.
Traffic & entrances
Roundabouts, gates and loading docks: see the whole approach and the specific vehicle at the same time.
Events & crowds
Maintain a broad overview of a crowd for context while the PTZ lens follows individuals or hotspots.
Do you need TandemVu?
TandemVu is a great choice if any of these sound like your site:
- You cover a wide open area where a single fixed camera can't see everything that matters.
- You currently run a fixed overview camera and a separate PTZ side by side, and want to simplify to one device and one mount.
- Operators need to zoom in on detail without going blind to the rest of the scene.
- You want a full-colour overview at night rather than a grainy black-and-white one.
If your requirement is simpler — a doorway, a single aisle or a small yard — a conventional PTZ or a fixed ColorVu or AcuSense camera may be all you need, and often more cost-effective. Not sure which way to go? Browse the Hikvision PTZ range or talk to the ARC IP Networks team and we'll help you match the right camera to your site.
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Frequently asked questions
Last updated: 2026-07-14 · Written by the ARC IP Networks team, an authorised Hikvision reseller in Australia.
TandemVu is Hikvision's term for a PTZ camera that pairs two lenses working “in tandem”: a fixed lens that keeps a constant wide view of the whole scene, and a pan-tilt-zoom lens that magnifies detail. You get the overview and the close-up at the same time.
A normal PTZ has a single zoom lens, so when it zooms in on one area it can't see the rest of the scene. TandemVu adds a permanent wide-angle lens, so the full scene keeps recording continuously while the zoom lens focuses on detail.
It is a single camera unit with two lenses and two image sensors in one housing. That means one mounting point, one cable run and one connection to your recorder, instead of installing a separate overview camera and PTZ.
Many TandemVu models pair the wide overview lens with Hikvision ColorVu technology, which is designed to capture full-colour images around the clock, including in low light. Colour capability varies by model, so check the specific camera's specifications.
It suits large, open areas where you need both wide coverage and the ability to zoom in — such as car parks, perimeters, warehouses, depots, campuses, transport hubs and public spaces.
In many wide-area installations, yes — a single TandemVu camera can do the job of a separate fixed overview camera plus a standalone PTZ, simplifying cabling and mounting. The right choice still depends on your site layout and coverage goals.
Yes. ARC IP Networks is an authorised Hikvision reseller supplying genuine Australian stock with Australian warranty and local support. Browse our Hikvision PTZ range or contact our team for advice.
Choose TandemVu when you need continuous wide coverage plus zoom on a large or open site. A standard single-lens PTZ or a fixed ColorVu/AcuSense camera can be a simpler, more economical fit for smaller, focused areas.
Who we are
About ARC IP Networks
ARC IP Networks is an Australian supplier of security cameras and CCTV systems, based in Blackburn, Melbourne, Victoria. We work with homeowners, installers, integrators and businesses across Australia, supplying Hikvision, Ubiquiti UniFi Protect, Dahua and Jovision CCTV.
We are an authorised reseller for every brand we sell, and the national distributor of Jovision in Australia, so you get genuine Australian stock with the full manufacturer's warranty, never grey imports, at competitive prices. Our team can help you choose the right equipment, and trade customers get trade accounts and project pricing on larger jobs.
- Genuine Australian stock with the full manufacturer's warranty
- Competitive prices, price match available
- Trade accounts for installers, integrators and MSPs
- Australia-wide delivery; showroom in Blackburn, Mon–Fri 9–5 (demos by appointment)
Need help choosing?
Tell the ARC IP Networks team what you are trying to achieve and we will recommend the right equipment and quote it as one order.