A ROUNDUP OF SURVEILLANCE CAMERA TERMINOLOGY

Vũ Khôi

Author at Wotech Electronics Blog

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Surveillance cameras are a common product serving many different purposes, so customers should pay attention to the technical specifications when buying. These specifications indicate the features and quality of each camera. Therefore, KBVISION would like to share with you this roundup of surveillance camera terminology, compiled to help you better understand the specifications of the cameras you choose to buy.

AHD (Analog High Definition): A technology based on an Analog platform but delivering HD-quality images with high resolution.

Alarm input: When connected to a security camera, an alarm input provides enhanced security in the form of a sensing device, typically a door contact or a passive infrared (PIR) motion detector. An alarm input can be self-powered or may require an external power supply (usually 12V).

Angle of view: The maximum scene that can be seen through the lens.

Automatic Iris Lens: With an auto iris lens, the iris is automatically controlled to adjust the amount of light entering the camera. This is ideal for installing cameras in outdoor locations, high-contrast situations, and areas with fluctuating lighting conditions.

Bandwidth: Defined as the channel capacity, or the maximum throughput on your network.

BLC (Back Light Compensation): A feature of modern CCD cameras that electronically compensates for strong backlighting to bring out details that would normally be cast in shadow.

Category (CAT) 5 Cable: Ethernet cable — Cat 5 is a twisted-pair cable that carries signals. It is the standard network cable used for most IP video systems. Cat 5 cable has a range of 100m but can be extended using LAN extenders and Power over Ethernet. Cat 5e and Cat 6 are upgraded versions of Cat 5 that allow higher network speeds.

CCD Image Sensor: A CCD image sensor is a light-sensitive imaging device found in many IP network cameras. The sensor converts light into an electronic signal. CCD sensors provide strong light sensitivity, enabling video surveillance in low-light conditions.

CCTV (closed-circuit television): Also known as surveillance cameras, monitoring cameras, security cameras, and so on. CCTV refers to the use of Analog surveillance cameras to send video signals to a specific set of monitors. Because a CCTV system is closed, only a limited number of viewers can access the footage from a single location. With the advent of IP-based surveillance cameras, Analog CCTV systems are now being replaced by improved digital technology.

Megapixel Camera: Megapixel cameras deliver exceptionally high image detail and are an ideal choice for video surveillance applications in which clearly identifying people and objects is critical. A megapixel camera also provides a wider field of view than a conventional surveillance camera and allows users to zoom in on specific parts of the scene without significantly reducing image detail.

CVI (Composite Video Interface): An interface for transmitting standard-definition video as a single channel — the video information is encoded on one channel.

Day/Night: Helps deliver sharp images in low-light and nighttime conditions. An IR-cut filter blocks infrared light to produce true-to-life color images during the day. In low light at night, the filter is removed, allowing infrared light to pass through and provide clear black-and-white images.

DNR (Dynamic Noise Reduction): A camera feature that reduces static or noise on the image, especially in low light.

DVR (Digital Video Recorder): A general term for a device similar to a VCR (video cassette recorder) but which records television data digitally onto a hard drive rather than VCR tape. A DVR looks like a VCR and has all the same functions (recording, playback, fast-forward, rewind, and pause), plus the ability to skip to any part of a program without having to rewind or fast-forward through the stream.

Ethernet: Ethernet is a standard technology for communicating over a network within a LAN (Local Area Network). Ethernet LANs use twisted-pair cables, with network devices connected to the central cable. The most common Ethernet systems are 10BASE-T and 100BASE-T10, which transmit data at 10 Mbps and 100 Mbps.

Field of View: The full coverage area provided by a network camera when viewed at full frame. The field of view can be determined by the camera type, lens, and image resolution.

Fisheye Lens: An ultra-wide-angle lens that creates strong visual distortion to produce a panoramic or wide hemispherical image.

Focal Length: The distance between the center of the lens — or its secondary principal point — and the image sensor. A shorter focal length gives a wider field of view and lower magnification. A longer focal length gives a narrower field of view and higher magnification.

Frame Rate: The number of frames per second the camera produces.

FTP (File Transfer Protocol): FTP is a network protocol used to transfer files from one computer to another, or between devices on a network. An FTP client can connect to an FTP server to access and manipulate the files stored on that server.

Image Compression: Image compression reduces the file size of video images to optimize bandwidth while streaming surveillance footage. The most common compression technologies for IP network cameras are Motion JPEG and MPEG-4. H.265+ is the latest compression technology, significantly reducing the file size of high-quality video images.

IP (Ingress Protection): A rating that assesses how well an enclosure resists intrusion by various external agents such as dust, solids, and liquids.

IK (Impact Protection): Used to define how mechanical impact protection on the enclosure is tested. IK ratings fall within a numerical range from 00 to 10 and indicate the level of protection the enclosure provides against external mechanical impacts.

IP (Internet Protocol): IP is a connectionless protocol used to transmit data across a network. Data is broken into independent packets containing the IP addresses of both sender and recipient. Every computer or network device has its own unique IP address.

IP Address: The unique address of a computer or network device connected to a network. IP addresses allow computers and network devices to locate one another and exchange data.

JPEG: JPEG is a compression method for photographic images. The amount of compression can be controlled to allow a trade-off between image quality and file size. JPEG is the most commonly used format for storing and sending images over the internet.

IR (Infra-red): Enables the camera to capture colorless (black-and-white) images at night.

IR Distance (Infra-red Distance): The distance the infrared beam reaches. It depends on the camera's LED type and the number of LEDs.

LAN (Local Area Network): A LAN is a group of computers and network devices that share common resources within a small physical area, such as an office building or a school. LANs typically provide high data transfer speeds and use Ethernet or Wi-Fi to communicate over the network.

LED SMD (Surface Mount Device): A special type of high-power LED. It is an electronic circuit manufacturing method developed to create small-scale lighting devices. Components are mounted and placed directly onto the surface, making the lighting devices compact, easy to store, and easy to transport.

Lux: Lux refers to a standard unit of measurement for illumination. In relation to network cameras, Lux is a measure of the low-light sensitivity the camera delivers.

MD (Motion Detection): In IP-based surveillance, motion detection is an IP camera application that allows users to trigger events such as recording, high-quality video streaming, and automatic alerts only when motion is detected. Motion detection helps optimize bandwidth and preserve storage space.

MJPEG (Motion JPEG): A simple compression technique used to stream digital video images across a network. Image quality is guaranteed regardless of movement, because the recorded video is a series of individually compressed JPEG images that can be extracted separately. The compression level can be adjusted to control image quality and file size.

MPEG: Refers to a set of standards for compressing audio and video. The abbreviation MPEG stands for Moving Pictures Expert Group, a group established by the ISO to set these compression standards. Each compression standard is designed for a different purpose.

MPEG4: MPEG4 is a video and audio compression technology found in many IP network camera models. The MPEG4 compression standard aims to deliver superior image quality while optimizing bandwidth.

NVR (Network Video Recorder): A network video recorder is a hardware box that receives video streams over the LAN and records them to hard disk in digital format. Recording and playback can be managed remotely from a networked PC.

Pan: An IP camera with pan capability can move back and forth horizontally to monitor wider areas. In many cases, the camera's pan function can be controlled remotely from a networked PC using video management software.

POE (Power over Ethernet): With Power over Ethernet, a network device, such as an IP camera, receives power and transmits video and data over a single Ethernet cable. This allows flexible installation in locations where no power outlet is available.

PIR (Passive InfraRed sensor): An electronic sensor that measures infrared light emitted by objects in the camera's field of view.

PTZ (Pan-Tilt-Zoom function): A feature available in many IP camera models. PTZ allows users to monitor wide areas with a single IP camera. The pan, tilt, and zoom functions can be controlled remotely, so operators can track activity and focus on specific details.

RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks): A technology that provides increased storage functionality and reliability through redundancy. The different schemes use multiple hard disk drives (HDDs) and are designated as levels from 0 to 5. A minimum of two disks is required to support RAID 0 and 1, while at least three hard drives are needed to support RAID 2 through 5. Multiple disk arrays are seen as a single disk by the operating system. RAID 5 writes data across all drives in a striped fashion and adds a parity bit for error checking. The advantage of writing data this way is preventing data loss from a hard drive failure.

Resolution: Resolution is a measure of the level of detail in an image. The higher the resolution, the more detailed the image. In the case of IP cameras, resolution is usually specified in pixels.

Server: In general, a server is a computer program, or a computer running a server program, that provides services to other computer programs. A server appliance is networked hardware that provides dedicated applications to the network, while a web server is a computer program that serves the files and html pages requested by clients.

SMD (Smart Motion Detection): A smart motion detection feature that combines AI technology to distinguish specific objects such as people and vehicles (cars), avoiding false alerts and false alarms caused by things like moving leaves, shadows, or animals.

Smart IR: An infrared technology built into some IR security cameras that automatically adjusts the IR illumination intensity as objects move closer to the camera. This eliminates overexposure and the washed-out white effect in images.

Tampering Alarm: A tampering alarm is a sophisticated application found in some IP cameras that can detect when the camera has been tampered with. The alarm can be triggered by potential tampering acts, for example if the camera lens is adjusted, obscured, or covered.

Tilt: Tilt refers to the ability of an IP camera to point up and down in the vertical plane. The camera lens can be aimed at a specific part of the scene, and in many cases the tilt can be controlled remotely.

TVI (Transport Video Interface): A standard for transmitting data in surveillance cameras.

Video Server: A video server is a computer-based device dedicated to providing online video streams. In IP-based video surveillance, a video server converts video footage from an Analog security camera into a digital IP video stream. This allows users to incorporate existing Analog cameras into an IP surveillance system.

VGA/HDMI: Image output ports that connect to a TV (HDMI) and a computer (VGA).

WDR (Wide Dynamic Range): A technology built into cameras to help them perform well in environments with large differences in lighting, so that objects can be seen in both dark and bright areas.

Wireless Network Camera: A wireless network camera can connect to a wireless network, allowing flexible installation in almost any location. In general, wireless IP cameras are recommended for areas where running cables is not feasible, and for surveillance applications where the camera will be moved and repositioned frequently.

WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access): A wireless encryption standard indicating compliance with the security protocol established by the Wi-Fi Alliance to secure wireless networks.

Zoom: The zoom function is available in many network camera models. It allows users to focus on specific details and areas of a scene and can usually be controlled remotely.

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