Los Angeles Security Camera Terms

Los Angeles Security Terms

Glossary provided by Tech-Army.org

AC adaptor - Also called a power supply. All CCTV devices needs power of some sort. Each device has its own power requirements (usually 12 volts with a minimum amperage). The power coming out of the wall (in the US) is 110 to 120 AC. The adaptor converts the AC power to DC power and will adjust it to a specified amperage. The power supply should be included with each item - you usually don't have to buy these separately.

alarm input - An input connection to a security VCR or DVR that triggers the unit to start recording if the alarm is triggered.

analog - There are two main ways of doing things electronically, analog or digital. An analog signal can be represented as a series of sine waves. The term originated because the modulation of the carrier wave is analogous to the fluctuations of the human voice or other sound that is being transmitted.

analog system - Most cameras used in cctv applications are analog. Security VCRs, switchers, multiplexers and quads also are analog devices. Any cctv system that consists of analog devices are considered analog systems. Compare to 'digital systems'.

angle of view - For security cameras, this refers to the angular range in degrees that you can focus the camera on without distorting the image. When focusing close up, you can generally see a wide angle of view. If the focus is distant, the angle of view is smaller or narrower. security cameras

apurture - The opening of a lens which controls the amount of light let into the camera. The size of the aperture is controlled by the iris adjustment. By increasing the f stop number (f1.4, f1.8, f2.8, etc.) less light is permitted to pass into the camera.

armor dome camera - These cameras are designed to resist vandalism by using a hi-impact reinforced polycarbonate dome casing. security cameras

audio - Most cameras capture 'video' only (what you can see) - some come with audio too (sound). You can add a microphone to a security system to capture audio if needed. To record the sound, your recording device needs to support audio (must have at least one audio input). security cameras

auto electronic shutter - The ability of the camera to compensate for moderate light changes in indoor applications without the use of auto iris lenses

auto iris control - A lens in which the aperture automatically opens or closes to maintain proper light levels on the faceplate of the camera pickup device.

auto gain control - An electronic circuit used by which the gain of a signal is automatically adjusted as a function of its input or other specified parameter.

back light compensation - A feature on newer CCD cameras which electronically compensates for high background lighting to give detail which would normally be silhouetted.

bullet camera - A type of camera with a bullet like shape. Can be used inside or out. Some come with infrared lighting.

These are just a few of the terms, please see our website www.LosAngelesCCTV.com for a complete list of CCTV and Security Camera System Terms.