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CCTV Glossary
AV Channel: The channel on your TV that is usually used to watch DVDs and game consoles.
BNC: BNC is a bayonet style connector for coaxial cable that is most commonly used for CCTV installations.
CCD: CCD stands for ‘Charge Coupled Device’, which is used as a type of image sensor. CCD sensors are high quality sensors that are commonly used in portable camcorders and similar video equipment.
CCTV: Closed Circuit Television. A television system used for private purposes and not for public or general broadcast.
CMOS: CMOS stands for Complimentary Metal Oxide Semiconductor, which is used in another type of image sensor. CMOS sensors are medium quality sensors that are commonly used in digital cameras and many low-powered image device such as USB webcams. See also CCD.
Co-Axial Cable: This refers to cable that has a central conductor, surrounded by a shield sharing the same axis. The shield can be made from a variety of materials including, braided copper, or lapped foil. There are various standards for specific types of co-axial cable. The cable used for normal CCTV installations is called RG59.
DIY Security: Do-It-Yourself security. The component can easily be installed without the help of professional installers.
DVR: Digital Video Recorder. This is a device that records video signal digitally. Normally this is on a large hard drive in the machine. For this reason it is sometimes known as a hard disk recorder (HDR).
HDD: Hard Disk Drive.
Image Sensor: The light sensitive chip inside a digital camera that can read levels of light & transform them into an image.
Infra-red (IR): Infra-red Night Vision allows cameras to ‘see in the dark’. It is the method of using IR LEDs (Infra-red Light Emitting Diodes) as illumination for a camera with a sensor that can ‘see’ infra-red light. Infra-red light provides the illumination needed to capture clear images in total darkness or low-light conditions.
LCD Monitor: A monitor that uses liquid-crystal display technology. Many laptop and notebook computers use LCD displays because of their low power requirements. LUX: Unit of light measurement. 0.1 Lux (Full Moon) - 100,000 Lux (Direct Sunlight). The lower the number, the higher the sensitivity.
Pan and Tilt: A motorized camera mounting that will move a camera both horizontally and vertically via electronic signals from a remote controller
Quad Processor: A device used to display 4 cameras simultaneously on a single monitor.
RCA AV Connector: A plug and socket for a two-wire (signal and ground) coaxial cable that is widely used to connect analogue audio and video.
Resolution: Refers to the sharpness and clarity of an image.
2.4GHz: Frequency that Video signal is sent wirelessly through to the receiver which is connected directly to a TV or monitor.
Television Lines (TVL): This is a measure of the resolution of a video device. Higher number is higher resolution. 380 TVL is considered medium resolution. 480 TVL or greater is considered high resolution.
TFT Monitor: Stands for “Thin Film Transistor”. These transistors are used in high-quality flat panel liquid-crystal displays (LCD’s). TFT-based displays have a transistor for each pixel on the screen.
Weather Resistant: Weather resistant cameras are able to be used in the outdoors if shielded from direct sun, rain, temperatures, snow and wind.
Wireless - Transmission Distance: Outdoors - For open line of sight without obstruction approximately 330ft (100m). Indoors - Due to the many variables in building construction and other causes of interference, the useful range can vary but is usually between 66ft (20m) and 100ft (30m).
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