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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 -
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.
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.
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.
J
JPEG
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.
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 -
M
Megapixel
A unit of measurement equal to 1 million pixels.
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.
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”.
P
Parallel Circuit
A type of wiring having components connected across the same two points, creating multiple paths for current to flow. (see Series)
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.
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.
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.
S
Series (wiring)
Type of electrical circuit in which components are connected end-to-end to form a single path for electric current to flow. (see parallel for other circuit type)
Snapshot
A screenshot taken of a camera's image.
SNMP
Simple Network Management Protocol -
Subnet Mask
T
TVI
Transport-Video Interface - A type of analog video format that allows HD video.
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.
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.
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 -
X
XLR
External Line Return -
Y
Z
Zip File/Folder
A type of archive file format that contains compressed data.