Glossary of Common Terms Relating To Security Cameras

Auto Iris (AI) -Cameras with an Auto Iris feature, have the ability to
compensate for large variations in light levels. Particularly useful for cameras
that need to compensate for changes from bright sunlight to dark shadows.
The auto iris circuitry is normally linked to a motorised iris drive that physically
opens and shuts the iris on the lens. Closing a physical iris is a much better
way to protect a camera from being damaged by bright sunlight then simply
using electronics to reduce the signal strength.
CCD - Charge Coupled Device. One of the two main types of image sensing
device used in cameras. It operates by converting light energy into electrical
charge.
CCTV Camera - A unit containing an imaging device that produces a video
signal in the baseband form, usually with synchronization pulses and color
information (composite video).
Day/Night Camera - A camera that displays color pictures in good lighting
conditions, and automatically switches to B/W in low light conditions.

Frame - A whole video image; is composed of two interlaced fields. A CCD

chip produces 30 frames per second at NTSC system and 25 frames at PAL.

Infra Red (IR) - Low frequency light below the visible spectrum. This is often
used for covert or semi-covert surveillance to provide a light source for
cameras to record images in dark or zero light conditions.

Lux - Light unit for measuring illumination. It is defined as the illumination of a

surface when luminous flux of 1 lumen falls on an area of 1 m2. It is also
known as lumens per square meter. One lux is equal to approximately
0.09290 foot candle.

NTSC - This is standard for TV signals developed by the National Television

Standards Committee in the USA. The UK and Europe, use a similar, but ,
different standard known as PAL

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PAL - This is the standard for TV signals used in the UK. It stands for Phase
Alternating Line.

Pan and Tilt - A camera mounting device that allows movement in both side
ways and up or down.

Pixel - The smallest cell or area in a picture. The greater number of pixels, the
higher the resolution of the scene.

Resolution - Measure of a camera’s ability to reproduce details. Higher

numbers are better.

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. 470 TVL or greater is considered high resolution.

Vari-Focal s -This refers to a type of lens that has the facility to change the
focal length. This allows adjustment of the magnification and field of view of
the camera.

Zoom Lens - A lens of continuously variable focal length.

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