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Surveillance Definitions
AGC - Automatic Gain Control is an electronic
system found in many types of devices. Its purpose is to control
the gain of a system in order to maintain adequate performance
over a range of input signal levels. Or An electronic circuit
that tries to keep the video signal at a constant level (1volt
peak-peak). Useful on cameras working at low light levels
AI - Auto Iris is an electronic circuit that
acts as an iris on CCD cameras by electronically shuttering the
CCD sensor. Or An automatic method of varying the size of a lens
opening in response to changes in scene illumination.
AWB - Auto White Balance is an electronic
process used in video cameras to retain true colors. It is
performed electronically on the basis of a white object in the
picture.
CCD - Charged Coupled Device: It is analog
technology. The CCD camera has a little bit higher resolution
than CMOS. The camera also functions better in low light. A CCD
camera drains a little bit more power than the CMOS cameras. It
uses 12v instead of 9v. CMOS camera is smaller than a CCD camera
and works longer with the 9v battery.
HAD CCD - Hole Accumulation Diode is a type of
CCD sensor with a layer designed to accumulate holes (in the
electronic sense), thus reducing noise level.
S to N Ratio - Signal to Noise Ratio is simply
the ratio of the signal power and noise power, expressed in
decibels (dB). Or measure of noise on a video signal. It is
represented in Decibels as the level of the video signal compared
to the level of noise present on that signal. The higher the
signal to noise ratio the better.
BLC - Balance Light Control is a method to
compensate for bright spots in a picture. It is also important to
consider whether there are bright spots in the picture such as
car headlights which can make identification of the vehicle
registration or model impossible. This can also be a major
problem where it is necessary to identify a person who is moving
from bright daylight into artificial light. This could result in
the subject becoming an unidentifiable silhouette.
OSD - On Screen Display is a method of
displaying set-up information or instructions on to a display
monitor.
Resolution - Resolution measures the cameras
ability to reproduce an image. The higher the resolution, the
better the picture quality.
LUX - LUX is the measurement of low light needed
for the camera to view and record properly.
FPS - Frames Per Second is the number of still
frames (pictures) that give the illusion of motion, which appear
in a single second of time.30fps is considered "Real Time". So
for Real Time viewing of your cameras, you need at least 30fps
for each camera.
IR - Infrared, IR LED's are used on Day/Night
cameras which allow the camera to see in the dark.
Focal Length - the distance from the surface of
a lens and its focal point.
Surveillance Questions
How do hidden cameras work? A small board camera
is built into an everyday item. The camera can be wired which
means it is connected to the DVR or VCR using a cable. The camera
can also be wireless, in this case the camera transmits a signal
to a receiver that is connected to the DVR or VCR.
Can I get audio in my
hidden camera? - No you cannot. According to United
States federal laws, audio should not be used in a surreptitious
manner. One example of surreptitious interception is audio in a
hidden camera. This includes pinhole board cameras and all covert
or hidden cameras; i.e., a clock radio. Audio in a hidden camera
or board camera is only available to law enforcement agencies.
Title 18, Section 2512.
What is the difference
between a wired and a wireless camera? - Wired cameras
have a video cable that runs from the camera to your recording or
viewing device such as a DVR, VCR or monitor. Wireless cameras
have a built-in transmitter that sends the video signal to a
receiver. The receiver connects to your recording or viewing
device.
How far can a wireless
hidden camera transmit? - Standard wireless hidden
cameras can transmit up to 1000 feet and high-powered wireless
hidden cameras can transmit up to 2000 feet.
How many wireless
cameras can you have in one location? - You can have up
to four wireless cameras in one location. You can view all
cameras at once using four receivers or you can use one receiver
and switch to each camera. You will only be able to view one
camera at a time if you only use one receiver. If you want to
install multiple wireless cameras in one location it's best to
order them at the same time so that we can put them on different
channels.
Will a cordless phone
interfere with wireless cameras? - Cordless phone that
operate on the 2.4 GHz frequency will cause interference with 2.4
GHz cameras. Interference should be minimal and usually occurs if
the phone is between the camera and receiver.
What is a 2.4 GHz
wireless frequency? - A frequency is used to transmit a
signal or data like video. 2.4GHz is the specific wireless
frequency that our transmitters use to send video signal to a
receiver. All of our wireless cameras operate on the 2.4 GHz
frequency. Range varies from 200' to 700' depending on
environmental conditions. These units are FCC approved.
Are the transmitters
FCC approved? - The transmitters used in all of our
wireless systems are FCC and Industry Canada Certified.
What is CCD?
- CCD is used in professional cameras because of it's high
resolution quality and it's ability to record in low-light
situations. CCD is basically a small silicon chip that receives
light and turns it into voltage variations which makes up an
image. It's usually measured in inches with 1/3" CCD being the
standard. They are higher priced but are great for cameras that
may require vision in near darkness.
What is a Quad?
- A Quad splits your monitor into 4 sections allowing you to view
4 cameras at once.
Will a Quad allow four
cameras to record at the same time? - Yes you can record
all four cameras at the same time. You also can record using a
switching monitor, which will record the camera that is showing
at that moment.
Do the receivers work
through walls up to two feet thick? - Yes as long as
there isn't excessive amount of metal in the wall.
Do the plug and play
connections require extra wire to run the signal back to the VCR
or TV? - Yes, you need to buy the length of cable you
need we offer the CA-25,
CA-50, CA-100 and the CA-150.
What is the difference
between a DVR and a VCR? - A Digital Video Recorder
(DVR) system records high resolution digital images to a hard
disk drive (HDD) and eliminates the requirement of maintaining
VHS tapes. Since the video images are stored digitally, the image
quality will not degrade overtime, as would a VHS tape when
recorded over multiple times. The time-saving search capabilities
of a DVR will enable the user to locate the desired video clips
via user defined parameters (camera, time, date, etc.) versus the
fast forward and rewind functions of a VCR. A DVR can be accessed
remotely from anywhere in the world using the Internet.
How many hours will a
DVR record? - The amount of time a DVR will record for
is based on the size of the DVRs hard drive, the number of
cameras recording and the number of frames per second it is
recording at. One camera recording in Real Time uses 1 GB per
day. So a 16 camera system will use 16 GB in one day.
Do I need a VCR from
you or can I use my own VCR? - You can use your own VCR
for recording. However, the VCR will have to be recording all the
time. Most VCRs can only record for about 10 hours but we have
special VCRs that can record up to 1280 hours.
What is a DVR card?
- DVR Cards enable the user to convert their computer into a
Digital Video Recorder. The DVR Card(s) is typically installed in
an available PCI slot of a computer. DVR cards are bundled with
video surveillance software which allows the user to record and
display multiple cameras simultaneously from the camera site or a
remote location.
What is a Plug and
Play connection camera? - It is an RCA Video plug and a
power plug on the camera for easy connection to VCR or TV. This
is done by running the RCA (Aux) line into the VIDEO IN of the
VCR or TV. The TV or VCR must be set on the correct channel to
view the VIDEO IN picture.
How many cameras can I
hook up to one TV? - You can hook up as many cameras as
your TV has inputs. Most TVs have 2 inputs but when using a quad
you can hook up four cameras.
Do you need a VCR to
record or will the cameras record? - You must have a VCR
or DVR if you want to record.
How long will the
camera last with a 9-volt battery? - The Cyber Eye and
BD-127 will last 5 hours.
Between what
temperatures is it safe for cameras to operate in?
It is safe for B/W cameras to operate between -23°C to + 50°C or
-10ºF to +122ºF
It is safe for color cameras to operate between -23º C to +40ºC
or -10ºF to +104ºF
It is safe to store cameras between -30ºC to +70ºC or -22ºF to
+158ºF
What is the operating
voltage of a camera? - Our cameras range from 9 volts (CMOS)
to 12volts, and also 24 volt professional models.
What is a Varifocal
lens? - A Varifocal lens is one where the focal length
of the lens can be varied. This is a fancy way of saying it is a
zoom lens. Most Varifocal lenses have, and in almost all
circumstances should have, an auto iris feature.
What is a fixed lens?
- A fixed focal length lens cannot zoom. The focus is fixed. A
fixed focal length lens usually allows more light to pass through
the lens at a given focal length than a Varifocal, or zoom lens.
This can be important in low light situations. |
