TP-Link VIGI C420I 2MP IR Turret IP Camera, 2.8mm Wide-Angle Lens, PoE, Human & Vehicle Detection, H.265+

The TP-Link VIGI C420I (2.8mm) is a professional 2MP IR turret network camera designed for reliable video surveillance in commercial and business environments. As part of TP-Link’s VIGI professional surveillance lineup, the C420I focuses on consistent image quality, intelligent detection, efficient video compression, and flexible installation without reliance on version-specific hardware claims.

At its core, the VIGI C420I features a 1/3-inch progressive scan CMOS image sensor capable of delivering a maximum resolution of 2 megapixels (1920 × 1080). This Full HD resolution provides clear and usable video for monitoring entrances, corridors, offices, retail areas, and other spaces where dependable visual coverage is required.

The camera is equipped with a 2.8mm fixed focal length lens with an F2.2 aperture, offering a wide field of view well-suited for general-purpose surveillance. With its wide-angle perspective, the camera minimizes blind spots and reduces the number of cameras needed to cover a given area, making it a practical choice for both indoor and sheltered outdoor installations.

For night-time and low-light operation, the VIGI C420I integrates infrared (IR) illumination with an effective range of up to 30 meters, operating at an 850nm wavelength. When ambient light levels drop, the camera automatically switches to IR mode using its IR cut filter, ensuring continuous monitoring in complete darkness. Smart IR technology helps prevent nearby objects from appearing overexposed while maintaining visibility of subjects farther from the camera.

Image quality is enhanced through SmartVid image processing technologies, including Wide Dynamic Range (WDR) and 3D Digital Noise Reduction (3D DNR). WDR helps balance scenes with strong contrast between bright and dark areas, while 3D DNR reduces noise and pixel distortion, particularly in low-light conditions. Additional image enhancement features such as Backlight Compensation (BLC), Highlight Compensation (HLC), and infrared overexposure prevention contribute to stable and natural-looking video.

The VIGI C420I supports advanced smart detection features to improve monitoring accuracy. The camera can intelligently classify humans and vehicles, allowing alerts to focus on relevant activity rather than background motion. Supported smart events include intrusion detection, line-crossing detection, region entering detection, region exiting detection, object abandoned detection, object removal detection, abnormal sound detection, people detection, and vehicle detection. Basic events such as motion detection, video tampering detection, and illegal login alerts are also supported.

Video encoding is handled using efficient compression formats, including H.265+, H.265, H.264+, and H.264. H.265+ significantly reduces storage requirements and network bandwidth usage compared to older standards, making it suitable for long-term recording and multi-camera deployments. The camera supports both main stream and sub-stream encoding, enabling flexible configurations for recording and remote viewing.

The VIGI C420I supports frame rates of up to 30 frames per second, depending on configuration. Supported resolutions include 1920 × 1080, 1280 × 960, and 1280 × 720, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of network video recorders and monitoring systems.

From a networking standpoint, the camera features a 10/100 Mbps RJ45 Ethernet interface with Power over Ethernet (PoE) support and full ONVIF Profile S compatibility, allowing seamless integration with TP-Link VIGI NVRs and third-party surveillance systems. It supports common network protocols such as TCP/IP, UDP, HTTP, HTTPS, RTSP, DHCP, DNS, NTP, SSL/TLS, FTP/SFTP, RTP, and IPv4.

Audio monitoring is supported via a built-in microphone, capable of recording sound within approximately a 15-foot radius of the camera. Audio is compressed using G.711 (alaw) with environmental noise filtering for clearer audio capture.

Physically, the VIGI C420I features a compact turret-style housing constructed from durable plastic. It supports manual angle adjustment with 360° pan, 85° tilt, and 360° rotation, allowing precise positioning during installation. The camera operates reliably in temperatures ranging from -30°C to +60°C, making it suitable for demanding environments.

The TP-Link VIGI C420I (2.8mm) is an ideal solution for businesses seeking a 2MP IP turret camera with intelligent detection, efficient compression, dependable night vision, and flexible installation for professional surveillance applications.