Useful terms
Analog Data
Data that is recorded in a form that is similar to its original structure as a continual stream.
Application
The use of a technology to achieve a specific objective.
Bandwidth
The difference, expressed in Hertz between the highest and lowest frequencies of a range of frequencies.
Binary
Means two. It is a numbering system with two possible states, on or off as designated by 0 and 1.
Binary Code
A way of representing text or computer processor instructions by the use of the binary numbering system.
Bit Binary Digit
The lowest denominator in a computer system. A bit has two settings, on or off, normally represented as a ‘1’ for on or a ‘0’ for Off.
Broadband
The capability of digital technology to combine & transport multiple forms of communications media, including audio, text, data, music, video and other formats.
Byte
A group of 8 adjacent bits which represents a character, e.g. a letter or a number.
CAT5 or CAT5
UTP Category 5 unshielded twisted pair wire. Physical media used to connect devices (e.g., PCs, printers, servers) together.
COAX Coaxial Cable
A cable consisting of one conductor, usually a small copper wire within, and insulated from, another conductor of larger diameter, usually a copper tubing or copper braid.
Connectivity
Connection to any kind of IP network including a public IP Network such as the Internet or a private LAN or WAN.
CPE
Customer Premise Equipment is telecommunications equipment that is owned by the customer and maintained at their site.
Encoder
If you have existing analog cameras. A video encoder will allows you to covert your analog images into digital images.
Ethernet
Used to interconnect PC, printers on a local area network. Transmission speeds vary from 10 Mbps to 1Gbps.
Firewall
A device (hardware and software) which protects a user’s internal network from an outside “hostile” network. Commonly used when a business connects to the Internet.
High Definition (HD)
Quality images: IP Cameras deliver high definition images.
Internet
The public Internet is comprised of millions of users, systems, and applications interconnected using a common protocol/language (TCP/IP).
Internet Service Provider
A company who allow access to the Internet via dial-up, DSL, or cable modems.
Intranet
A private network that uses Internet technologies (like TCP/IP and the Web) for improved application implementation time, ease of use, and platform independence.
Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN)
An all digital service that can incorporate voice and data on a single service facility. You can have basic rate ISDN (BRI) or primary rate ISDN (PRI).
IP Network
An IP network is a network of computers using Internet Protocol to communicate or transfer images.
IP network-based surveillance cameras
These cameras are connected directly to your IP network.
LAN
Local Area Network, a term used for a high speed network within a building or campus.
Leased Line
A communications circuit that provides a dedicated connection between two facilities.
MB
1,000,000 bytes.
Mbps
1,000,000 bits per second a measure of speed of the transmission rate for data.
Modem Modulator/Demodulator
A device that transforms a digital signal so that it can be carried over analog transmission facilities.
Network Cameras
Network digital cameras can be indoor, outdoor, wired and wireless. They can take the form of a fixed camera, dome came and pan tilt and zoom (PTZ) camera.
Network Video
Network Video uses a wired or wireless IP network as the means for transporting digital video, audio and other data.
Open Architecture
Open system hardware can to be placed on any IP network with the ability to seamlessly integrate into existing systems.
PBX
A Private Branch Exchange is an in-house telephone switching system that interconnects telephone extensions to each other as well as to the outside telephone network (PSTN).
Point to point cabling
Analog cameras work on a point to point mode.
Point-to-Point
Refers to a communications line that provides a path from one location to another.
Power over Ethernet (POE)
The power needed to operate your cameras is carried by your data cables. Allowing you to carry data and power over the same cable.
Radio
A device that either receives transmits or transmits and receives wireless signals (electromagnetic waves).
TCP/IP Transmission Control Protocol/Internet protocol
A common communication protocol (e.g. language) and associated application suites which are used to network computers over the Internet.
Virtual Private Network (VPN)
A private network that is configured within a public network.
WAN Wide Area Network
Used when describing the interconnecting of multiple geographically dispersed sites where you must cross public rights of way.
WiFi
Wireless fidelity or broadband service, usually conforming to the 802.11a or 802.11b IEEE standards in the 2.4GHz frequency range.
WiFi hotspot
The geographic boundary covered by a Wi-Fi (802.11) wireless access point.