Jargon Buster

Auto Focus (AF)
To produce a clear image the camera lens must be in focus. Auto focus lenses are used when a camera must produce a clear image of a subject at varying distances. Typically these lenses are use in static cameras in corridors or on Pan Tilt zoom cameras

Auto Iris (AI)
An auto Iris lens contracts an internal iris to restrict the amount of light being sensed by the cameras light sensitive electronics. A contracted iris will allow less light to be sampled by the camera and therefore relay a viewable image in very bright conditions. A dilated iris will allow more light through and therefore produce a viewable image in low lighting conditions. Auto irises are used on cameras where the aspect has varying lighting conditions.

Back Light Compensation (BLC)
This feature is used when a camera has a subject that has a strong light behind.

Broadband
An internet connection with a higher connection speed than a modem. The greater the broadband connection the higher fps you will see on the camera you are viewing.

Cable containment
Will you require the cable to be hidden in plastic trunking or can it be run above a false ceiling, or is no containment required at all?

Frames Per Second (FPS)
A moving picture is made up of a number of still frames. These are displayed in sequence to produce the effect of a moving image. The UK standard is PAL and PAL is 25 frames per second. All PAL cameras sample at 25 fps. A Digital recorder will sample images from multiple cameras at a certain fps. If there are multiple cameras attached to the digital recorder the sampling fps of the card will be split against the number of cameras you have. Therefore for a 4 cameras system with a recorder sampling at 100 fps you can expect 25 fps (realtime) recording of each camera.

Hard Disc
All the Video data is recorded onto Hard disc Drives.  The data can be stored for 30 days at the chosen frame rate. After 30 days the data is automatically overwritten therefore providing you with a constant record of 30 days footage.  No need to change video tapes anymore! This also means that the Digital recorders comply with the data protection act.

Low Lux
Low Lux cameras can sample an image at very low light. These cameras can also detect infra red light allowing for the use of infra red illuminators.

Realtime Display
When viewing your PCDVRs monitor, you can either view it as per the recording frame rate or optionally have a real time display card installed which allows you to view in real time. i.e. if you had a 25fps PCDVR recording 4 cameras, the images you would see would be at 6.25fps per camera. With a real time display card this converts the viewable video to 25fps per camera (Realtime)

More Information Please!
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