Security Camera Glossary

4K — A horizontal display resolution size of around 4,000 pixels. Several standards exist, but 3840 × 2160 is the dominant consumer industry standard.

8K — The successor of 4K resolution. 8K resolution refers to display resolutions containing approximately 8,000 pixels.

A/V — Audio / Video.

AC Adaptor — A power supply that converts AC power to DC power and adjusts it to the specified amperage required by CCTV equipment.

AES — Auto electronic shutter. A camera feature that helps compensate for moderate light changes without using an auto iris lens.

Alarm Input — A connection from an alarm or sensor that can trigger a CCTV device to start recording when activated.

Analog — A method of representing data by measuring a continuous physical variable, such as voltage or pressure.

Analog System — A CCTV system made up of analog devices such as analog cameras, VCRs, switchers, multiplexers, and quads.

Angle of View — The angular range in degrees that a camera lens can capture without distorting the image.

Aperture — The opening in a lens that controls how much light enters the camera. Aperture size is controlled by the iris adjustment.

Armor Dome Camera — A dome camera with a high-impact reinforced polycarbonate casing designed to resist vandalism.

Auto Electronic Shutter — A CCTV camera feature that helps compensate for moderate light changes without using an auto iris lens.

Auto Iris Control — A lens feature that automatically opens or closes the aperture to maintain proper light levels.

Auto Gain Control — An electronic circuit that automatically adjusts signal gain based on input or another specified parameter.

Auto White Balance — A color camera feature that monitors light and adjusts color balance so white areas remain accurate.

AVI — Audio Video Interleave, an audio-video standard designed by Microsoft.

Balun — A transformer that allows CCTV video to be transmitted farther by converting unbalanced signals to balanced signals.

Black Level — The brightness level at the darkest point of a video recording.

BLC / Backlight Compensation — A camera feature that helps compensate when a subject has strong background light and would otherwise appear silhouetted.

Bullet Camera — A camera with a bullet-like shape. Bullet cameras may be used indoors or outdoors, and some include infrared illumination.

C-Mount Camera — A standard-body camera designed to accommodate interchangeable custom lenses.

CAT5 — Category 5 cable, commonly used in networking applications.

CAT6 — Category 6 cable, commonly used for network cabling and IP camera installations.

CCD — Charge-Coupled Device. A camera image sensor technology often associated with higher image quality than older CMOS sensors.

CCIR — A standard related to analog security camera recording and DVR capabilities.

CCTV — Closed-Circuit Television. A secured video system in which camera footage is transmitted to selected recording or viewing equipment.

CMOS — Complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor. A technology used in integrated circuits and image sensors.

Cable — Wiring used to connect electronic devices and transmit signals such as video, power, data, or audio.

Compression — The process of reducing the size of video or image data for storage or transmission.

Concealed Cabling — Routing camera video and power cables through a mounted bracket or protected path to reduce exposure to weather, tampering, or visual clutter.

Covert — A hidden or discreet camera application where the person being recorded may not know the camera is present.

Day / Night Camera — A camera designed to operate in both daytime and low-light or nighttime conditions, often by switching modes as lighting changes.

Digital — A method of representing information using discrete values, commonly used in modern IP camera and NVR systems.

DVR — Digital Video Recorder. A recording device commonly used with analog CCTV systems.

Frame Rate — The number of video frames recorded or displayed per second.

Fisheye Camera — A wide-angle camera that can capture a broad view, often used in open interior spaces.

Infrared — Light outside the visible spectrum used by many security cameras to capture black-and-white footage in darkness.

IP Camera — A network camera that sends video over an IP network rather than a traditional analog CCTV connection.

Iris — The lens component that adjusts the amount of light entering the camera.

Lens — The optical component that focuses light onto the camera image sensor.

Lux — A measurement of light level. Lower lux ratings generally indicate better low-light camera performance.

Megapixel — One million pixels. Used to describe the resolution of digital security cameras.

Micro Camera — A very small camera often used in covert or space-limited applications.

Mini Camera — A compact camera often used when a full-size camera is not practical.

Monitor — A display used to view security camera footage.

Motion Detection — A feature that begins recording or alerts users when movement or image changes are detected.

Mounting Bracket — Hardware used to install cameras on walls, ceilings, poles, or other surfaces.

MPEG — Motion Picture Experts Group. A common standard for compressing audio and video files.

Multiplexer — A device that accepts multiple camera inputs and displays or records them through a single system.

Network IP Camera — A camera that uses a network connection and IP address to transmit video through a network.

Network Video Recorder — An NVR is a storage and management device that records surveillance footage from IP cameras onto hard drives.

On Screen Display — A camera feature that allows users to adjust camera settings through an interface displayed on-screen.

Outdoor Camera — A camera designed with a weatherproof housing for outdoor installation.

Overwrite Protection — A feature that prevents selected recordings from being overwritten when storage is full.

Pan-Tilt-Zoom Camera — A PTZ camera can pan side-to-side, tilt up and down, and zoom using a controller or software interface.

Pin-Hole Camera — A covert camera with a very small lens that can see through a small opening.

Plug and Play Cable — A cable that combines power, video, and sometimes audio wiring with pre-attached connectors.

Power Over Ethernet — PoE allows supported IP cameras to receive power and transmit data over a single Ethernet cable.

Post-record — A DVR or NVR setting that records for a specified time after a motion event has occurred.

Power Supply — A device that provides required electrical power to CCTV or camera equipment.

Pre-record — A motion recording feature that saves footage from a short period before the motion event was triggered.

Quad — An analog device used to display four camera views on a single monitor.

RG59 — A common coaxial cable used in CCTV applications.

RG59 Siamese Cable — A cable that combines power and video wiring for CCTV camera installations.

RCA — An electrical connector commonly used in audio and video applications.

Real-Time Recording — Recording at a frame rate that appears smooth and continuous, commonly 30 frames per second per camera.

Remote Surveillance — The ability to view cameras from a remote location through phone line or internet transmission.

Resolution — The amount of detail a camera can capture or a monitor can display.

RS-485 — A communication protocol that allows users to change certain camera settings remotely.

Smart Search — A DVR or NVR feature that lets users search for changes in a selected area of recorded video.

Sun/Rain Shield — An adjustable shield that helps reduce glare or water on the camera housing.

S/N Ratio — Signal-to-noise ratio. A measure of how much signal noise a camera can tolerate while still providing a useful image.

Switch — A device that can show multiple camera inputs on a monitor one at a time or allow camera view selection.

Tamper Detection — A notification feature that alerts operators if a camera angle is changed or the view is blocked.

Time-Lapse VCR — A VCR that records at slower frame intervals to extend recording time on tape.

Transformer — A device that transfers electrical energy between circuits and can change voltage, current, or phase characteristics.

Twisted Pair — Two independent cables twisted together to help reduce external signal interference.

Varifocal Lens — A lens with adjustable focus, either manual or automatic.

VCR — Videocassette recorder, an older electronic device for recording and playing back video.

VHS — Video Home System, a videocassette recording format introduced in the 1970s.

Video Capture Card / DVR Card — A computer card used to create a video recording computer. Compatibility issues make these more complex than standalone recorders.

Video Gain — An increase in video signal power by an amplifier.

Video Input — A connection on a controller or recorder where a camera can be connected.

Watch Dog Timer Circuit Protection — A protection feature that automatically reboots the DVR computer if problems are detected.

Waterproof — A device that can be immersed in water and still function properly.

Weatherproof — A device that can be installed outside and withstand harsh weather and temperatures. Weatherproof does not necessarily mean waterproof.

Wireless Camera — A camera that transmits video and audio data to a receiver without running traditional signal wires.