Hanwha TNM-C4950TD/KEX Bi-Spectrum AI Thermal Multi-Sensor Camera
The Hanwha TNM-C4950TD/KEX is a hardware-module bi-spectrum camera that pairs a VGA thermal sensor with an 8MP visible sensor in a single IP device — giving you simultaneous thermal detection and 4K-class evidence-grade video without deploying two separate cameras or two separate IP licenses. Designed for perimeter defense, critical infrastructure, and industrial environments where standard cameras miss heat signatures in darkness or obscured conditions, this is the model to reach for when thermal anomaly detection and high-resolution identification need to coexist on the same field of view.
Overview
The TNM-C4950TD/KEX (often searched as TNM C4950TD/KEX) belongs to Hanwha's Hanwha Vision Wisenet T Series — a line purpose-built for bi-spectrum deployment at perimeter and critical-asset locations. The camera delivers dual-channel video from one device at one IP address: the thermal channel flags heat anomalies and intrusion events while the visible 8MP channel captures identification-grade footage for investigation. Both channels run simultaneously at up to 30 fps across all supported resolutions, eliminating the frame-rate trade-offs common in single-sensor multi-mode cameras.
For sites requiring government compliance, this unit is TAA compliant, making it eligible for federal, state, and defense procurement programs.
Key Features
- Bi-Spectrum Dual Channel — One Device, One IP: A VGA thermal sensor and an 8MP visible sensor feed two independent video streams through a single PoE+ connection. You get thermal detection coverage and visual verification in one cable run — relevant when trenching or conduit capacity is constrained at the perimeter.
- 8MP Visible Sensor at 30 fps: The 8MP visible channel runs at full frame rate across H.265, H.264, and MJPEG, providing 3840×2160-class detail for post-event review. On a perimeter fence line or vehicle gate, this is the resolution that makes license plate and facial detail recoverable from a single fixed camera position.
- 13.5mm Fixed Thermal Lens + 10.9–29mm Motorized Varifocal Visible Lens: The thermal side uses a fixed 13.5mm lens — no moving parts, no drift — keeping thermal coverage stable after commissioning. The visible side uses a motorized varifocal lens spanning 10.9mm to 29mm, adjustable remotely without a lift or ladder after initial install. That zoom range lets you tighten the visible channel on a specific lane or entry point while the thermal maintains broader scene coverage.
- AI-Based Per-Person Detection: On-board AI analytics individually detect and track each person in the scene — not just motion blobs. In crowded or multi-person scenarios (loading dock, access corridor, large outdoor yard), per-person tracking enables accurate occupancy counting and targeted alarm logic that a standard motion-trigger cannot provide.
- Thermal Anomaly Detection: The thermal channel monitors temperature change across the scene, not just motion. Hot surfaces, overheating equipment, or fire-precursor heat signatures trigger alerts before a visible-light camera would see anything. Useful in server rooms with perimeter cameras, utility yards, or industrial facilities where equipment failures produce heat before smoke or flame.
- WDR (120dB): The visible channel's 120dB WDR handles scenes with simultaneous bright exterior light and shadowed interiors — a common problem at monitored entry gates and loading docks where a rising sun or vehicle headlights blow out standard sensors. At 120dB, both the lit and dark regions remain usable in a single frame without HDR motion artifacts.
- WiseNR II Noise Reduction + WiseStream III Smart Codec: WiseNR II actively suppresses sensor noise in low-light conditions on the visible channel, maintaining detail in shadow areas. WiseStream III is Hanwha's dynamic compression technology — it adapts bitrate based on scene complexity, reducing bandwidth and storage load in low-activity periods while preserving full bitrate during motion events. On a 24/7 perimeter deployment across multiple cameras, WiseStream III can meaningfully reduce recorder storage requirements.
- H.265 Compression: H.265 cuts storage and bandwidth requirements roughly 40–50% compared to H.264 at equivalent visual quality. On a multi-camera perimeter system running 24/7, the savings on NVR storage sizing are direct cost factors — especially when combined with WiseStream III adaptive bitrate.
- Day/Night with ICR: An IR Cut filter (ICR) switches automatically between color day operation and monochrome night sensitivity, maintaining accurate color rendering in daylight without a fixed color cast degrading night detection.
- IP66 / IK10 Rated Enclosure: IP66 means the housing fully resists dust ingress and sustained water jets — appropriate for exposed rooftop and perimeter wall mounts in any weather. IK10 is the highest vandal-resistance rating, meaning the enclosure withstands 20-joule impact — the equivalent of a deliberate strike with a tool or thrown object. For a perimeter camera at a vulnerable access point, IK10 is the correct spec to require; lower IK ratings leave the sensor exposed to targeted tampering.
- PoE+ (802.3at) Powered: Drawing power via standard PoE+ eliminates a separate power supply at each camera location. PoE+ (802.3at) provides up to 30W at the switch port — sufficient for the dual-sensor module's processing and motor drive without requiring 802.3bt (PoE++) infrastructure. Any compliant 802.3at switch port supports this camera.
- TAA Compliance: The TNM-C4950TD/KEX carries TAA (Trade Agreements Act) compliance, a procurement requirement for many US federal agencies and contractors. If your project requires TAA-compliant video security hardware, this model qualifies without a waiver.
Integration & Compatibility
The TNM-C4950TD/KEX integrates into any ONVIF-compatible network video recorder or VMS. For full AI analytics functionality — per-person tracking, thermal alarm rules, and WiseStream III adaptive bitrate — pair with a Wisenet-native NVR or a VMS with Hanwha plugin support. The motorized varifocal visible lens can be adjusted remotely through compatible VMS interfaces, avoiding on-site access after initial commissioning.
For IP camera infrastructure planning, this camera's PoE+ requirement means you need 802.3at capable PoE switches — budget approximately 25–30W per port for this device in your switch power calculations. Review your switch's per-port and total power budget before deploying across a multi-camera perimeter segment. Consult a thermal camera deployment guide to confirm thermal lens field-of-view coverage at your target detection distances — 13.5mm on a VGA thermal sensor provides a narrower thermal FOV than wide-angle thermal lenses, which affects scene coverage at the perimeter baseline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the difference between the thermal channel and the visible channel on the TNM-C4950TD/KEX?
A: The thermal channel uses a VGA-resolution thermal sensor with a fixed 13.5mm lens to detect heat signatures — useful for perimeter intrusion, hot-surface anomalies, and low-visibility detection in total darkness. The visible channel uses an 8MP sensor with a motorized 10.9–29mm varifocal lens for identification-grade color and monochrome footage. Both channels stream simultaneously as separate video feeds from one device at one IP address.
Q: Does the TNM-C4950TD/KEX require PoE+ or will standard PoE work?
A: This camera requires PoE+ (802.3at), which delivers up to 30W. Standard 802.3af PoE (max 15.4W) is not sufficient for the dual-sensor module. Confirm your switch ports are 802.3at rated before deployment.
Q: Is the TNM-C4950TD/KEX TAA compliant?
A: Yes. The TNM-C4950TD/KEX is TAA (Trade Agreements Act) compliant, making it eligible for US federal and government procurement programs that require TAA-compliant hardware.
Q: What compression formats does the TNM-C4950TD/KEX support?
A: The camera supports H.265, H.264, and MJPEG. H.265 delivers the best storage efficiency and is recommended for 24/7 recording. WiseStream III smart codec further reduces bitrate during low-activity periods without sacrificing quality during motion events.
Q: What is the vandal resistance rating of the TNM-C4950TD/KEX?
A: The enclosure is rated IK10 — the highest impact protection rating — indicating it withstands 20-joule impacts. Combined with IP66 weather sealing, it is suited for exposed perimeter positions where tampering is a risk.
Q: Can the visible lens on the TNM-C4950TD/KEX be adjusted remotely after installation?
A: Yes. The visible channel uses a motorized varifocal lens (10.9–29mm), which can be adjusted remotely through compatible VMS or NVR interfaces. The thermal lens is a fixed 13.5mm and does not require adjustment after mounting.
The TNM-C4950TD/KEX is one of the few bi-spectrum units that runs both the VGA thermal and the 8MP visible channel simultaneously at 30 fps without dropping to a lower resolution on either stream — that matters when your alarm logic depends on thermal triggering a visible-channel clip for review, and you cannot afford to have the visible channel in a degraded state at the moment of detection. The motorized varifocal on the visible side (10.9–29mm) is a practical field advantage: you can dial in the zoom remotely after the mount is set, which matters when the installation point is at height or in a restricted access zone.
Technical Highlights:
- Dual 30 fps Streams: Both thermal (VGA) and visible (8MP) channels sustain 30 fps simultaneously — no frame-rate penalty on either channel during active recording, which protects forensic clip quality during alarm events.
- WiseStream III + H.265: The combination of H.265 baseline compression and WiseStream III adaptive bitrate means storage consumption scales with actual scene activity. On a low-traffic perimeter zone (most of the time), bitrate drops significantly; during an event, full quality is maintained. Net effect across a multi-camera perimeter recorder: meaningfully smaller storage footprint than H.264-only deployments.
- IK10 + IP66 Enclosure: IK10 at 20-joule impact tolerance is a hard requirement for any camera positioned at a perimeter fence line or entry point where a motivated subject could reach the housing. IP66 covers the weather side. Both ratings together mean the housing is appropriate for unprotected exterior positions without an additional protective cage.
Deployment Considerations:
- PoE+ (802.3at) is required — verify each switch port can deliver the full 30W before deployment, and audit total switch power budget if deploying multiple units on the same switch. An underpowered port will cause intermittent restarts or degraded performance, not a clean failure.
- The thermal channel's 13.5mm fixed lens produces a narrower thermal FOV than wide-angle thermal options. At longer perimeter baselines, you may need multiple units or a supplemental wide-angle thermal sensor to avoid detection gaps between camera positions — plan the thermal coverage map before finalizing mount locations.
This unit is well-positioned for utility infrastructure perimeters, government facility fence lines, and industrial yards where thermal anomaly detection (equipment overheat, fire precursor) needs to coexist with evidence-grade visible footage on the same pole or wall mount — one cable, one IP, two distinct detection modalities.
