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CCTV Glossary
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Aberration - A term from optics that refers to anything affecting the fidelity of the image in regards
to the original scene.
AC - Alternating current.
Activity detection - Refers to a method built into some multiplexers for detecting movement within
the camera’s field of view (connected to the multiplexer), which is then used to improve camera
recording update rate.
AC/DC - Alternating current and direct current.
A/D (AD) - Usually refers to analog to digital conversion.
ADC - Analog to digital conversion. This is usually the very first stage of an electronic device that
processes signals into digital format. The signal can be video, audio, control output and similar.
AGC - Automatic gain control. A section in an electronic circuit that has feedback and regulates a
certain voltage level to fall within predetermined margins.
ALC - Automatic light control. A part of the electronics of an automatic iris lens that has a function
similar to backlight compensation in photography.
Aliasing. - An occurrence of sampled data interference. This can occur in CCD image projection
of high spatial frequencies and is also known as Moiré patterning. It can be minimized by a
technique known as optical low pass filtering.
Alphanumeric video generator (also text inserter) - A device for providing additional
information, normally superimposed on the picture being displayed; this can range from one or two
characters to full-screen alphanumeric text. Such generators use the incoming video signal sync
pulses as a reference point for the text insertion position, which means if the video signal is of poor
quality, the text stability will also be of poor quality.
Amplitude - The maximum value of a varying waveform.
Analog signal - Representation of data by continuously varying quantities. An analog electrical
signal has a different value of volts or amperes for electrical representation of the original
excitement (sound, light) within the dynamic range of the system.
ANSI - American National Standards Institute.
Anti-aliasing - A procedure employed to eliminate or reduce (by smoothing and filtering) the
aliasing effects.
Aperture - The opening of a lens that controls the amount of light reaching the surface of the
pickup device. The size of the aperture is controlled by the iris adjustment. By increasing the
F-stop number (F/1.4, F/1.8, F/2.8, etc.) less light is permitted to pass to the pickup device.
Apostilb - A photometric unit for measuring luminance where, instead of candelas, lumens are
used to measure the luminous flux of a source.
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