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 ia 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 LEDS 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 tranmitters 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 and the CA-100.
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?
Safe for B/W cameras to operate between -23°C to + 50°C
or -10ºF to +122ºF
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.
| 
