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Glossary of Terms

Reading technical support articles can be daunting if you do not know all the terminology. Speco attempts to provide clarity within the article, but in those instances a terms needs to be defined, the Glossary of Terms is designed to support.

 


A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - J - K - L - M - N - O - P - Q - R - S - T - U - V - W - X - Y - Z


 

 

A


Access Control
Access Control (ACS) is a set of software and hardware security tools that provide restriction and registration of the entry and exit of objects (people, vehicles) in a given area thru the access points: doors, gates, checkpoints.

Amplifier

 

Analytics

An analysis of patterns, statistics or data by a system or program often used to find specific or meaningful data more easily.

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B


Bandwidth

The maximum allowable rate of data transfer across a network or given path.

Bitrate

A measurement of how much data is flowing or processed within a given time. Typically measured in bits per second.

BLC

Backlight Compensation - Balances exposure between the foreground and background. Brightens the darkest area of the image.

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C


CCTV

Closed-Circuit Television - Also Referred to as Video Surveillance. The use of video cameras to transmit a signal from one point to another, to a limited number of monitors viewing the feed.

Cloud

A service that provides servers to be accessed over the internet.

CMS

Content Management System - Computer software to help users easily create, modify, or manage their systems video files.

Compression

The process of reducing the size of a computer file for storage or transmission.

CVBS

Composite Video Baseband Signal - A type of analog video format.

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D


DDNS

Dynamic Domain Name System - Automatically updates a DNS. Useful when a system doesn't have Static IP address.

DHCP

Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol

Digital Deterrent

A Speco patented term for an advanced technology integrated into video surveillance systems designed to proactively deter crime before it occurs. Digital Deterrent creates an environment that discourages criminal behavior, enhances security, and provides peace of mind for property owners. It acts as a first line of defense, reducing the likelihood of crimes such as theft, vandalism, and trespassing. 

DLL

Dynamic Link Library - 

DNS

Domain Name System - Translates a domain name into an IP address.

DST

Daylight Saving Time - The practice of advancing the clock forward an hour for seasonal time keeping purposes.

DVR

Digital Video Recorder - A device that typically utilizes analog cameras and records video in a digital format to a storage device.

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E


Encrypted

Information or data that is concealed or hidden by encoding or converting it into a code so that it can only be read by those with proper authority.

Ethernet

Used to connect devices within the Local Area Network.

Export

Taking data or information from a system or a program.

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F


Facial Detection

An algorithm used to detect faces (ANY faces) in the video image

Facial Recognition

Compares detected faces against a database for identification purposes

Firmware

Software built into the hardware that provides instructions and a level of control over the device

Fisheye

Extreme wide-angle optic lens. Typically covers a range of 180-degrees or more.

FOV

Field-of-View - An area of an image that is observable at any point in time. Typically measured in angular degrees. 

FPS

Frames-per-Second - A unit to of measurement for Frame Rate

Frame Rate

The rate at which frames, or images, are displayed. The higher the frame rate, the smoother the video will appear.

FTP

File Transfer Protocol - 

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G


Gateway

Hardware or software that allows devices on one network to communicate with devices on another network.

GUI

Graphical User Interface - A visual platform where users interact with various graphical elements like icons, buttons, and menus to navigate and control the system efficiently.

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H


HDD

Hard Disk Drive - A data storage device that utilizes magnetic storage on several rotating disks.

HDMI

High-Definition Mulitmedia Interface - An audio/video interface used to transmit video data and digital audio data.

HFR

High Frame Rate - Typically refers to content recorded above 24 FPS. 

HLC

Highlight Compensation - Helps decrease the brightness and glare of the brightest areas of the image. 

HTTP

Hypertext Transfer Protocol - An application-layer protocol mainly designed for web browser and web server communication.

HTTPS

Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure - A Secure version of HTTP. Utilizes encryption and authentication.

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I


Impedance:

Resistance to AC current and is frequency dependent.  Typically 4 to 8 Ω (ohms). Cannot be measured with a multi-meter.

Import

Uploading data or information into a system or program.

Infrared (IR)

A wavelength of light just outside the red end of the human visibility spectrum range. Typically used in cameras to see in the dark.

IP Address

A unique number used to identify each device on a network.

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J


JPEG

 

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K


KGB 

Known Good Board - A part that is confirmed to be functional.

KBB

Known Bad Board - A part that is confirmed to be faulty.

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L


LAN

Local Area Network - A group of devices that are connected together within the same general location, such as a home or office.

LPR

License Plate Recognition

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M


Megapixel

A unit of measurement equal to 1 million pixels.

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N


NTP

Network Time Protocol - A networking protocol that synchronizes a systems clock to the networks time.

NVR

Network Video Recorder - A device that typically uses IP cameras and records video in a digital format to a storage device.

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O


ONVIF

Open Network Video Interface Forum - A generic 3rd party protocol that allows devices to connect to other 3rd party devices.

OSD

On-Screen Display - A menu that overlaps the main image/screen that allows the user to quickly see data and/or choose specific options.

OTA

Over-the-Air - The distribution of information wirelessly, generally in reference to “updates”.

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P


PIR

Passive Infrared Sensor

Pixel

The smallest element of a digital image. 

PnP

Plug and Play - A device or software that contains a set of rules to configure a device upon activation without the need for user interference or manipulation. 

Port Forward

A procedure that allows external devices to access other devices or services on a private network.

Protocol

A standardized set of rules and instructions made for networking devices to safely and effectively communicate with each other.

PTZ

Pan-Tilt-Zoom - The three basic movements a camera can make. Horizontal Panning, Vertical Tilting, and Zoom.

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Q


QSG

Quick Start Guide - A handy document designed to assist users in quickly setting up and using a product or service. It can be used as an alternative to a detailed user manual for a more streamlined and efficient start-up process.

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R


RAID

Redundant Array of Independent Disks

Rated Power:  

Nominal (or even continuous) power and peak (or maximum short-term) power a loudspeaker can handle  (This refers to the maximum input power a loudspeaker can handle before sustaining damage, rather than the sound output it produces. It is important to note that this rating does not necessarily need to match the power rating of the amplifier.)

Reboot

To shut down and power on a unit. A power cycle.

ROI

Region of Interest - Allows a camera to focus on a specific area on its image. The camera will attempt to improve the image quality of the selected area, while decreasing the quality of the unselected area.

RTMP

Real-Time Messaging Protocol

RTSP

Real-Time Streaming Protocol - A networking protocol made specifically to stream media data.

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S


Snapshot

A screenshot taken of a camera's image.

SNMP

Simple Network Management Protocol - 

Subnet Mask

 

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T


TVI

Transport-Video Interface - A type of analog video format that allows HD video.

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U


UPnP

Universal Plug and Play - A networking protocol which allows devices on the same network to easily discover each other and establish proper communication between such devices.

UPS

Uninterruptable Power Supply 

USB

Universal Serial Bus - Connects a computer or other device to an external peripheral device.

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V


VGA

Video Graphics Array - An old display Standard. Utilized a 15-pin connector.

VMS

Video Management Software - Computer software to help users easily create, modify, or manage their systems video files, as well as manage additional systems settings.

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W


WAN

 

Water Mark

An image, design or pattern intentionally inserted onto another image intended to make copying the original image harder.

WDR

Wide Dynamic Range

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X


XLR

External Line Return - 

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Y


 

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Z


Zip File/Folder

A type of archive file format that contains compressed data.

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