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Glossary Of Terms (A-C) - CCTV

By: Instrom Ltd

AC

Alternating Current

ACCESS CONTROL SYSTEM

Electronic system used to allow, restrict and track the movement of people through entry/exit points in a site. This is achieved through the use of electronic individual codes, keys or cards etc, to release a locking mechanism.

ACTIVITY DETECTION

A feature built into some multiplexers, which is used to detect movement within a camera?s field of view that is then used to improve camera recording update rate.

AGC (AUTOMATIC GAIN CONTROL)

An electronic circuit that is used to boost the video signal in a camera in low light conditions. Use of this feature will usually give a ?noisy? or grainy picture. When comparing camera specifications always use data with AGC off.

ALARM INTERFACE

A facility which allows the use of external alarm equipment such as PIR?s, magnetic contacts etc to be connected to CCTV equipment so that when the alarm is activated the CCTV equipment will automatically carry out a pre programmed function such as switching to record a given camera.

ALC (AUTOMATIC LIGHT CONTROL)

A feature of an Auto Iris lens used to adjust the between peak and average voltage which will emphasise detail in bright areas (peak), or shadows (average).

ALGORITHMS

Complex mathematical formulae or rules used to solve complex problems in CCTV they are used to achieve digital compression of a video picture.

ALIASING

Also known as Moiré patterning. This is an effect that occurs when an analogue signal is sampled digitally at a sampling frequency less than twice the signal frequency. The effect can be minimised by a technique known as optical low-pass filtering.

ANALOGUE SIGNAL

A signal in which the level is represented by a directly proportional voltage. In video the cameras scene is represented by varying the voltage in the video signal where the voltage is directly proportional to the light level.

ALKALINE BATTERY

DC power source with a longer life than a standard battery. Cannot be recharged.

AMPLITUDE

Expression of the strength of a video signal at a given point. Measured in Volts.

ANGLE OF VIEW

Represents the area of a scene (maximum horizontal and vertical angle) that can be seen through a lens. Measured in degrees.

APERTURE

The light gathering part of a lens. The size of the aperture is controlled by the Iris. Aperture size is expressed as an ?f? number. The lower the ?f? number the greater the amount of light gathered by the lens.

ASPECT RATIO

The ratio between the width and height of a video picture. The standard Aspect Ratio for CCTV Monitors, NTSC and PAL systems is 4:3.

ASPHERICAL LENS

A type of lens, which has a non-spherical shape. It is harder and more expensive to manufacture, but it offers certain advantages over a normal spherical lens.

ATTENUATION

The decrease in magnitude of a signal, as it travels through a medium. Used to describe signal loss in a transmission system. Measured in decibels (dB).

AUDIBLE DETECTOR

A device used to detect sound. In CCTV system it can be interfaced with a switcher to switch on a nominated camera when the detector is activated.

AUTO BALANCE

System used in colour cameras to detect and automatically correct errors in the amplitude of colour signals.

AUTO IRIS (AI)

An automatic method of varying the size of a lens aperture to allow the correct amount of light to fall on the imaging device. The lens Includes a tiny motor and amplifier, which are used to maintain a one-volt Peak to peak video signal.

AUTO PAN

A feature of a pan and tilt head or dome, which allows the camera to pan continually between two preset points.

AVERAGE VIDEO SIGNAL

Represents the average light level of a picture and is used to open or the iris in an Auto Iris lens.

BACK-FOCUS

A fine mechanical adjustment in a camera that is used to adjust the imaging device relative to the lens to ensure that it is at the exact focal point for the lens fitted. This adjustment is especially important when fitting a zoom lens.

BACKLASH

An effect noticed in Pan and Tilt units, whereby the unit does not come to a smooth stop at the end of the pan movement. This is usually caused by play in the mechanical components of the unit or by attempting to bring the unit to an instant stop.

BALANCED SIGNAL

This is a video signal that has been converted to enable it to be transmitted along ?twisted pair? cables. Usually used where the signal has to be transmitted over long distances, which would produce unacceptably high losses in Coaxial cable.

BANDWIDTH

The frequency range required to carry an electronic signal without attenuation or loss.

BARREL DISTORTION

A distortion in a monitor due to non uniform scanning which causes the image to appear to bulge outward like a barrel.

BAUD

Data transfer rate, named after Maurice Emile Baud, Equal to 1bit per second.

BIT

Acronym formed from “binary digit”. The basic unit of information in a computer or digital system Either 1 or 0.

BLACK LEVEL

Part of the video signal, just above the sync level corresponding to 0.3v This is where black parts of an image are electronically represents.

BLANKING PULSE

A black pulse added to a monitor signal during the fly back period to make the return trace video signal invisible on the screen.

BNC

Standard connector used to connect coaxial cables to CCTV equipment or each other.

BRIDGING SWITCHER

Term for a multi-input sequential video switcher, which includes a sequencing output and spot output.

BRIGHTNESS

Term for the intensity of illumination of a reproduced video picture.

BRIGHTNESS CONTROL

Control, which increases or decreases the illumination of phosphors on a monitor screen to vary the brightness.

BRAID

A group of textile or metallic filaments inter-woven to form a tubular structure, which may be applied over one or more wires, or flattened to form a strap.

BYTE

A group of eight bits.

BROADCAST CAMERA

High quality, high-resolution camera used by the professional broadcast industry.

CAD

Computer Aided Design. Method of producing complex designs using computer based software programs.

CABLE COMPENSATED AMPLIFIER

High frequency signals are attenuated when transmitted through cables. A Cable Compensated Amplifier boosts the high frequency signals depending on the cable distance. This ensures the minimum video loss.

CABLE CORE

The central part of the cable, which actually carries the video, power and control signals. This can be constructed as a single conductor, or from wire strands.

CABLE JACKET

The outer protective coating, which covers the Cable Core.

CCIR

Commitee Consultatif International des Radiocommunique. European standardisation body that has set the standards for television signals in Europe. 625 lines, 25 frames per second.

CCTV

Closed Circuit Television. Television system intended to be viewed by restricted personnel and with a dedicated purpose. Pictures from a CCTV system are not intended to be broadcast for general viewing.

CCVE

Closed Circuit Video Equipment. Alternative term for CCTV.

CFA

Colour Filter Array. Optical pixel filters used in single chip colour CCD cameras, to produce the colour components of a video signal.

CHANNEL SEPARATION

The term for the separation of signals when multiplexed at different frequencies for transmission down a single cable.

CHROMATIC ABERRATION

Optical term, which refers to the distortion of an image as a result of a scattered focal point caused by a defect in a lens. A combination of lens can be used to correct this effect.

CHROMINANCE SIGNAL

The part of the video signal that contains the colour information. In composite video The chrominance signal is multiplexed at a higher frequency than the signal and transmitted down the same cable. In S-VHS this signal is transmitted along a separate cable.

CLADDING

The outer part of a fibre optics cable. The cladding is less dense than the central core, and acts as an optical barrier to prevent the transmitted signal from leaking away from the core.

C-MOUNT

Standard lens mounting with a 17.526mm back flange (distance between the lens mount and the focal point). Normally used on 2/3? and 1? cameras and lenses.

COAXIAL CABLE

Term for cable in which two or more conductors share the same axis. Normally consists of a single inner core and an outer shield. This is the standard cable used to carry video signals in CCTV installations, because it does not produce and is not influenced by external fields.

COLOUR STRIPE FILTER

A filter that is placed in front of a colour CCD chip to break up the light into the basic colours (Red, Green, and Blue) The individual colours are then directed at different pixels on the chip.

COMMON SYNC

Device used to synchronise cameras by generating a synchronising pulse that is sent to all cameras connected to it.

COMPOSITE VIDEO

The complete video signal, comprising both the video and sync information.

CONCAVE LENS

Type of lens in which the light rays passing through it are made to diverge by the inward curve of the glass surface.

CONDUIT

Plastic or metallic pipe, which is used to conceal and protect cables and wiring.

CONTRAST

The difference in intensity between the darkest and the brightest parts of an image.

CONTRAST CONTROL

The control on a monitor used to change the contrast by varying the amplitude of the video signal.

CONVEX LENS

Type of lens in which the light rays passing through it are made to converge by the outward curve of the glass surface.

COVERT CAMERA

Type of CCTV camera, which is concealed to allow video recordings to be made without the knowledge of the subjects.

CPU

Central Processing Unit. The heart of a computer or computer based device.

CRIMPING

Term used to describe the process of joining a cable to a connector without screwing or soldering. Requires a special crimping tool to ensure a proper connection.

CRO

Cathode Ray Oscilloscope (see Oscilloscope).

CROSSTALK

Noise generated by the interference between adjacent video, audio or data signals in a multiplexed signal.

CS-MOUNT

Standard lens mounting with a 12.5mm back flange (the distance between the lens mount and the focal point) Normally used on modern ¼?, 1/3?, and ½? cameras and lenses.

Article Source:
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/gadgets_and_gizmos/article_831.shtml

How to Shop for the Best GPS PDA Accessories

By: R James Cook

Features and Price Together Are the Best Determining Factors When Shopping for GPS PDA Accessories

There have been PDA accessories ever since the first PDA was built, but GPS PDA accessories are a relatively new class of product. They have become very popular in a short time, and because of this there is a wide variety available, which which can make it hard to decide just which GPS PDA accessory you want to buy.

Once you have decided to buy one, there are a few things you should keep in mind, and a few things you should look into before purchasing a GPS PDA accessory. After all, many of the GPS products on the market can be very pricey, and you don’t want to rush out and buy one only to discover that it doesn’t fit your needs, or that another product does the same thing cheaper.

What Features Do You Really Need?

To get the most value for your money when shopping for GPS PDA accessories, first make a list of the features you absolutely cannot live without. Once you have done this, make a second list of the features that you would like to have, but don’t require. These can be things like a talking GPS, driving directions and map locations, and whether or not you want other things incorporated in the GPS PDA accessory such as a calendar or an MP3 player.

Most likely you will be able to find plenty of GPS PDA accessories which offer everything on your must-have list. This is where your other list comes in; use it to narrow down your options be eliminating the products that don’t offer the extra features you are looking for. By doing this, you can determine which features are worth the extra price to you, which will allow you to come up with a short list of the products that are the best fit for your needs.

Once You Have Found the Perfect Product

The final consideration to make sure you get the best in GPS PDA accessories is, of course, the price. Just because you have managed to find a great GPS PDA accessory which not only has all the features you need, but many of the features you want, does not mean that you can get the best in the business just because you pay an arm and a leg for it.

You will of course want to check the pricing in your local stores on the GPS PDA accessories you want, but don’t stop your search there. There are many fantastic deals on the internet, both on products you can find in the local brick and mortar stores, and on products that you may only be able to find online. One of the great things about shopping on websites like Amazon.com and eBay is that you can not only score good deals, but you can also usually find a much wider selection than is available in your local stores. The free shipping offered by many web store just makes online shopping even more worth it.

Article Source:
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/gadgets_and_gizmos/article_1026.shtml