Hikvision Night Vision: Color at Night vs Infrared — How to Switch Modes
Color at night.
Or classic infrared.
You choose.
Hikvision-platform cameras — including our Redcore full-color and hybrid-light models — can see the night in living color, switch to invisible infrared, or decide automatically. Here's exactly how to change the mode.
The three night modes.
Which one you use depends on the job the camera is doing.
Invisible & discreet
The camera switches to black-and-white and lights the scene with infrared LEDs no human eye can see. Zero light pollution — ideal for bedrooms-facing yards, HOA-sensitive areas, and covert monitoring. Range typically 30 m (98 ft).
Color all night
A warm white light stays on (or the F1.0 low-light sensor works alone) so video stays in full color 24/7. You capture clothing colors, vehicle colors, and plate colors — the details that actually identify someone. The visible light also deters.
Best of both — automatic
The camera sits in invisible infrared until its AI detects a person or vehicle — then the white light kicks on, video flips to full color for the event, and returns to IR afterward. Recommended default on hybrid-light models.
Turn on color at night.
Works on any camera with a white-light or hybrid illuminator. You'll need the camera's IP address and admin login.
- Open the camera in a browser. Type the camera's IP address (find it in your NVR's camera list or with the SADP tool). Log in with the admin account. If the video area asks for a plugin, install it — download below.
- Go to Configuration → Image → Display Settings.
- Expand Day/Night Switch. To force color at night, set Day/Night Switch to Day. For automatic switching leave it on Auto, or use Scheduled-Switch to set exact times.
- Expand Supplement Light Parameters (name varies by firmware: "Smart Supplement Light" or "Supplement Light Mode").
- Choose your light: White Light = full color all night · IR = classic infrared · Smart = infrared until AI detects a person/vehicle, then color.
- Save. Cover the lens or wait for dark to confirm the behavior you want.
No PC? Use the recorder.
If the camera is plugged into one of our Redcore PoE recorders (or any Hikvision-platform NVR), change it from the NVR's own menu with a mouse and monitor.
- Right-click the live view and open Main Menu → log in.
- Go to Camera → Display / Image and select the camera at the top.
- Find Day/Night Switch and Supplement Light in the parameter list (tap "Advanced" or scroll on some firmware).
- Set the mode — White Light, IR, or Smart — exactly as in Method 1, then Apply.
From your phone.
On the free mobile app your system uses for remote viewing:
- Open the app and go to the device list.
- Tap the ⋯ / Settings gear on the camera (on an NVR, pick the channel first).
- Open Image Settings → Supplement Light (newer app versions show a "Night Mode" or light-bulb toggle right on the live view).
- Pick Color / Black-and-white (IR) / Smart and save.
Which cameras support color at night?
Any Redcore model with a white-light or hybrid illuminator. These are in stock:
IR-only models (RC-IP1343-U, RC-H45, RC-H65, RC-H85, RC-H87, RC-H88-A…) switch between color day / infrared night automatically — they can't hold color in darkness, but Methods 1–2 still control their day/night schedule.
Downloads & help.
Older browsers need this plugin to show live video on the camera/NVR web page (Method 1).
Stuck? Call/text 917-977-1277 or use the chat buttons at the bottom right — we set these modes up every day.
Hikvision® is a registered trademark of Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Co., Ltd. Security System Depot Inc. is an independent reseller and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Hikvision. Product and platform names are used for identification and compatibility purposes only. Menu paths reflect common firmware versions and may vary by model and firmware release.