Hanwha Vision
South Korea's Hanwha Vision (formerly Hanwha Techwin, which grew out of Samsung's camera business) sells under the Wisenet name. The X, P, Q, A and T series step through price levels, many with on-board AI, and Wisenet WAVE is an easy-to-run VMS.
- Headquarters
- South Korea
- Positioning
- Mid-marketEnterprise
- Official website
- www.hanwhavision.com
Who it suits
Hotels and offices that want non-Chinese cameras but don't have an Axis-level budget.
Overview
Who Hanwha Vision is
Hanwha Vision is part of South Korea's Hanwha Group and is headquartered in Seongnam, near Seoul. The business started as Samsung's CCTV division, became Hanwha Techwin, and was renamed Hanwha Vision in 2023. Products are still sold under the Wisenet name. All new products meet the US NDAA requirements, which matters to organizations whose foreign partners or lenders set that condition.
Product lines
- X Series: the main high-end line, with full AI and strong image quality in difficult light.
- P Series: premium models, including high-resolution and multi-sensor cameras. In 2025 the second-generation X and P cameras moved to the Wisenet 9 chip with two NPUs: one runs detection AI, the other image processing such as noise reduction and WDR.
- Q Series: mid-range, with the right feature set for hotels and offices.
- A Series: budget cameras and NVRs that cover the essentials.
- T Series: specialist cameras such as thermal, explosion-protected and harsh-environment models.
Wisenet WAVE is Hanwha's VMS. It is easy to set up, runs on Windows and Linux, and supports other brands through ONVIF. Some cameras have WAVE embedded so they can record to an SD card without a server.
Who it suits
Hanwha Vision suits hotels, offices, hospitals and buildings that want non-Chinese cameras but cannot stretch to Axis. On the jobs we see, the Q and X lines cover most needs, with P and T used for specific spots such as wide yards or hazardous areas. A 4-5 MP camera with good WDR often gives more usable footage than a cheap 8 MP one.
Strengths
- Non-Chinese, NDAA-compliant cameras at a lower price than Axis, for organizations with partner requirements and a limited budget.
- Wisenet WAVE is easy to install, runs on Linux, and offers mobile viewing without opening ports, which suits hotels without a large IT team.
- The Wisenet 9 chip has separate NPUs for AI and for image processing, improving night and backlit images without slowing detection.
- The chip includes secure key storage certified to FIPS 140-3 Level 3, which helps protect against tampered firmware and key theft.
Things to know before choosing
- There are many series (X, P, Q, A, T) and long model codes. Check whether a quotation offers new Wisenet 9 models or older stock.
- Technicians and spares are harder to find in Laos than for Hikvision or Dahua. A failed camera may wait on shipping from Thailand, so keep spares.
- Wisenet WAVE is licensed per camera. Plan licences for future expansion and ask about version upgrade terms.
- Hanwha does not offer its own full access control and intrusion range. If you want everything in one system, you will be integrating another brand.
Using it in Laos
Hanwha Vision shows up in hotels, office buildings and foreign-funded projects in Vientiane and Luang Prabang. Stock comes from Thai distributors; common models may be on the shelf, but thermal and multi-sensor cameras usually have to be ordered.
What we recommend:
- Hotels: run Wisenet WAVE on a small server, or use cameras recording to SD card for scattered buildings, and never put cameras on the same VLAN as guest Wi-Fi.
- Backlight: lobbies with glass doors and direct sun need good WDR, a strength of the X Series.
- Power and lightning: PoE switches and recording servers on a UPS, and surge protection on outdoor camera runs.
- Spares: keep one or two spare cameras of your most-used model.
Technicians pick up WAVE quickly because the interface is easy to read.
Compared with alternatives
Axis fits better when you need the longest firmware support, a 5-year warranty, or explosion-protected cameras and IP speakers from one brand. Without a country-of-origin requirement, Hikvision or Dahua give more AI features for the same budget. For large mixed-brand systems, Milestone is a VMS that handles Hanwha cameras well.
Product lines
- Wisenet X Series
- Wisenet P Series
- Wisenet Q Series
- Wisenet A Series
- Wisenet T Series
- Wisenet WAVE
Solutions that use this brand
IP CCTV SurveillanceH.265 IP cameras with NVR/VMS, designed around what each must see: faces, plates or overview. Built for dust, rain and power dips.
AI Video AnalyticsCameras that tell people from leaves and dogs, alert on fence crossings, check PPE, count people and search footage in seconds.
License Plate Recognition (LPR/ANPR)Cameras that read plates to open barriers, log every vehicle and tie trucks to weighbridge readings. Tested on real Lao plates…
Perimeter SecurityWatch kilometres of fence with thermal cameras, AI, fence sensors and lighting, for mines, plants and substations.FAQ
Is Hanwha Vision still connected to Samsung?
No. Hanwha bought the business from Samsung in 2015 and it is now fully part of the Hanwha Group. Older cameras branded Samsung or Samsung Wisenet are the same lineage, but many of those models no longer get firmware updates and should be scheduled for replacement.
Can Wisenet WAVE take our existing cameras from other brands?
Yes, through ONVIF for video and basic events, which lets you migrate in stages. AI features of other brands' cameras may not all work. Test each model first.
Should a hotel choose the Q Series or the X Series?
Corridors, lifts and general rooms are fine with the Q Series. Use the X Series at key points such as backlit lobbies, entrances and car parks, where better AI and night images matter. Mixing like this saves budget without losing quality where it counts.
All brand names and trademarks belong to their respective owners. Mention does not imply official partnership unless explicitly stated. Products are sourced through legitimate distribution channels.
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