Security Camera Glossary and Terminology of 2023

What is AGC (Automatic Gain Control)?

The internal electronic circuit of the camera automatically adjusts the video signal level depending on the lighting conditions of the installation.

What is ARP (Address Resolution Protocol)?

This protocol is used to associate an IP (logical) address with a hardware MAC address (physical). A request is broadcast on the local network to discover the MAC address for an IP address.

What is ALC (Automatic Level Control)?

Adjustments (Peak and Average) in the DC optics allow the lens to react mainly to light peaks (peak) or too-dark images (Average). If it is well regulated, it helps to adjust the Backlight or Backlight.

What is Autofocus?

The lens guarantees the sharpest image possible thanks to continuous automatic focus adjustment.

What is Autotrack?

A patented technology that integrates motion detection in the dome camera allows the footprint of a person in general and their tracking.

What is Analog Camera?

These cameras have less capacity than IP because the viewing possibilities have more limitations.

What is Antialiasing?

In some systems, partial pixelation correction by mixing or interpolating a pixel with its neighbor, to make the image more pleasing to the human eye. It implies a reduction of the contrast of the image and its fidelity.

What is BLC (Back Light Compensation)?

The function of some security cameras with which the device digitally analyzes the scene and automatically adjusts the brightness and contrast of the image so that dark areas are seen more clearly.

What is a Bullet/Domo Camera?

They can be used for the interior and exterior. Bullet cameras are usually very resistant to the outdoors and have a wider range of features since they are prepared for the elements, so they are recommended for viewing large spaces such as patios, exteriors, or parking lots outdoors.

What is Contrast?

Defines the ability to distinguish between the lightest and darkest details in an image.

What is CCTV (Closed-circuit Television)?

Surveillance System Used to view images/videos in private and not for public use.

What is Cladding?

In fiber optics, the outer part of the fiber optic cable is less dense than the central part, which acts as an optical barrier to reduce the loss of light energy.

What does Clock mean in Camera Security?

Commonly used to describe the type of signal used for the synchronization of data transmission.

What is CMOS (Complimentary Metal Oxide Semiconductor)?

Solid State Switching Device, Type of Cameras Video Image Sensor.

What is C-MOUNT? 

Mounting type for CCTV cameras. A C-mount lens can be used on a CS-mount camera with a 5mm adapter ring, but a CS-mount lens cannot be used on a C-mount format camera.

What is Codification? 

In multiplexer terminology, it indicates that a video recording has a mark on the frame that prevents its manipulation.

What is a CPU (Central Processing Unit)? 

The mainboard contains the programming of the systems. Microprocessors are also called that.

What is Chrominance?

Part of the video signal contains all the color information.

What is CS-MOUNT?

Mounting type or standard for lens thread in CCTV cameras.

What is DAT (Digital Audio Tape)?

Support is used to store a large amount of digital information in a small space.

What is DD (Direct Drive or DC-Drive)?

Autoiris lens model that does not contain electronics to control the diaphragm. It must be used with a camera equipped with iris motor control.

What is Definition?

The ability of a camera, monitor, or video recorder, to faithfully reproduce the captured images.

What is DSP (Digital Signal Processing)?

Specialized microprocessor with architecture established for the operational needs of fast digital signal processing.

What is DTMF (Dial Tone Multi Frequency)?

The transmission systems are used by some manufacturers to handle telemetry.

What is Duplex?

In the terminology of CCTV Equipment, it indicates that they can perform two functions simultaneously, for example, a Duplex DVR can show live videos on the monitor and record at the same time.

What is DVST (Digital vídeo Storage transmisión)?

Equipment that can compress video images into fractions for transmission over communications networks or for digital recording.

What is DVR (Digital Video Recorder)?

This device transforms analog video signals from security cameras into digital format, suitable for storage on a hard drive. It also helps the user in managing the stored video files, as well as provides the settings for motion detection and PTZ security camera control.

What is Focal Distance?

It is measured in millimeters, it is a direct relationship between the angle of vision that is obtained. A short focal length means a wide angle of view, and a long focal length means a small angle of view.

What is FC (Foot Candle)?

American method for measuring light, 10fc=1 lux.

What is FoV (Field of View)? 

Field or Angle of View. The image area is produced by a camera and lens combination.

What is Frame?

1 frame is made up of 2 fields in analog video, and in digital it is like a static photo. In the analog CCTV or television standard, video has 30 frames per second.

What is FPS (Frame-per-Second)?

Refers to the number of frames per second at which the video is displayed or recorded.

What is Frame Store? 

Ability to digitally record or keep video information in memory.

What is Front Porch?

A portion of the composite video signal is located at the start of the horizontal pulse and the start of the corresponding sync pulse.

What is FSK (Frequency Shifted Keying)? 

A form of signaling implemented in some coaxial telemetry devices. It is based on manipulating the frequency of a signal.

What is Gen Lock?

A generic term indicating the synchronization of the camera (externally or internally).

What is IP Camera?

The IP camera captures analog images and then digitizes them, encodes them, and sends them to the NVR or computer.

What is an Infrared/Night Vision Camera?

They are cameras that communicate through a wireless network, avoiding the use of video cables to the DVR or NVR, they have advanced security to allow access only to authorized personnel.

What is Photocell?

Electronic elements are used to recognize and sense the levels of intensity or presence of light. It is generally used to detect low light levels to activate or not activate Infrared illuminators.

What is PTZ Camera?

From “Pan, Zoom, and Tilt”, they are capable of panning, tilting, and magnifying, up to 360° movement of the space in which they are installed. In addition, they can vary their angles to record objects that are above and below the camera, to enlarge and view in detail. 

What is Progressive Scan?

This technology scans the entire image, line by line, at 16-second intervals. In this way, the images obtained are not divided into different fields as occurs with interlacing.

What is Resolution?

Measurement of the smallest detail that can be displayed in an image. In analog systems, the measurement is made in TVL (TV lines).

What is Video Compression?

Methods that allow the initial size of a digitized image to be reduced by applying algorithms that eliminate “supposedly” redundant information at the expense of the quality of the final image.

What is a WiFi Security Camera?

They are cameras that communicate through a wireless network, avoiding the use of video cables to the DVR or NVR, they have advanced security to allow access only to authorized personnel. It is worth mentioning that WIFI cameras continue to use a power voltage to be turned on, the video quality depends on the wireless network coverage capacity and bandwidth that we have on our site.

What is WDR (Wide Dynamic Range)?

The function of some cameras is intended to provide sharp images also in backlight cases where the illumination intensity can vary excessively when there are both very light and very dark areas at the same time in the camera’s field of vision.

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