Mixed Deck — All CCTV Topics Flashcards

When mounting a dome camera on a suspended ceiling, which hardware is most appropriate?

Answer: Pendant mount with ceiling adapter

A pendant mount with ceiling adapter provides the structural support and proper angle adjustment needed for suspended ceiling installations.

Which detector is most commonly integrated with CCTV to trigger motion-based recording?

Answer: Passive Infrared (PIR) detector

Passive Infrared (PIR) detectors sense heat signatures from moving people and are widely used to trigger CCTV recording when motion is detected in a protected zone.

Which camera form factor is most suitable for discreet indoor surveillance where the camera should be nearly invisible?

Answer: Pinhole camera

Pinhole cameras use an extremely small lens opening that can be concealed behind a tiny hole in a wall, ceiling tile, or everyday object, making them nearly undetectable.

In a modern IP surveillance system, what is the primary function of a PoE switch?

Answer: To supply power and data to IP cameras over a single Ethernet cable.

A Power over Ethernet (PoE) switch is a network switch that has Power over Ethernet injection built-in. It is used to connect and power PoE-enabled devices, such as IP cameras, using a single Ethernet cable for both data transmission and electrical power.

Which cable type is preferred for PTZ camera control signals over long distances?

Answer: RS-485 twisted pair

RS-485 twisted pair cable is the standard for PTZ control signals because it supports long-distance, noise-resistant differential signaling.

What is 'covert' CCTV, and when might it be used?

Answer: Hidden cameras used for specific investigations where visibility would compromise the operation

Covert CCTV involves concealed cameras used for specific investigations where the presence of visible cameras would prevent the activity being investigated.

Which factor most directly determines how many IP cameras can share a single network switch port via a PoE splitter daisy-chain?

Answer: The total PoE wattage budget of the switch port

Each PoE port has a maximum watt output; the total power draw of all daisy-chained cameras cannot exceed that port's wattage budget.

What does 'frame rate' mean in the context of CCTV recording, and why does it matter?

Answer: The number of images captured per second, which affects how smoothly motion is reproduced in playback

Frame rate determines how many images are recorded per second; higher rates produce smoother video with less motion blur, which is important for identifying fast-moving subjects.

Which standard defines minimum image quality requirements for CCTV footage used in forensic evidence in the US?

Answer: IEC 62676-4 (international standard for CCTV video quality)

IEC 62676-4 defines image quality requirements and performance criteria for CCTV cameras in surveillance applications, and is referenced by US practitioners for forensic-grade imaging standards.

A CCTV operator notices a colleague saving personal copies of surveillance footage to a USB drive. The correct action is to:

Answer: Report the behavior to a supervisor immediately

Unauthorized copying of surveillance footage is a serious data breach and must be reported to a supervisor immediately.

What is 'de-warping' in the context of fisheye CCTV cameras?

Answer: Software correction that transforms the distorted fisheye image into normal perspective views

De-warping software corrects the circular fisheye distortion by mathematically transforming the image into one or more rectilinear perspective views for easier monitoring.

What does 'cable dressing' refer to in a professional CCTV installation?

Answer: Neatly organizing, bundling, and securing cables for a professional and maintainable finish

Cable dressing involves neatly routing, bundling, labeling, and securing cables using ties, clips, or trays to create an organized, professional, and maintainable installation.

During a routine maintenance visit for a large outdoor CCTV system, which of the following tasks is MOST critical for ensuring consistent image clarity, especially for cameras housed in protective domes?

Answer: Cleaning the exterior and interior of the camera dome/housing.

Over time, dust, pollen, water spots, and insects can accumulate on the exterior of the camera housing or dome, obstructing the lens and causing blurry or unfocused images. This is a fundamental physical maintenance task essential for maintaining image clarity. While other tasks are important for system health, a dirty lens directly and immediately impacts the primary function of the camera.

What is the purpose of an 'IR cut filter' (ICR) in a CCTV camera?

Answer: Automatically switch between blocking and passing infrared light depending on lighting conditions

An ICR mechanically moves an IR-cut filter in front of the sensor during daylight for accurate color reproduction and removes it at night to allow IR light to enhance low-light sensitivity.

A financial institution requires a video storage solution for its 64-camera system that prioritizes high data redundancy and can withstand the failure of up to two hard drives simultaneously without any data loss. Which RAID level best meets this requirement?

Answer: RAID 6

RAID 6 extends RAID 5 by adding a second, independent parity block. This dual parity allows the array to remain operational and rebuild data even if two member drives fail at the same time, making it ideal for critical applications requiring high fault tolerance.

What is the function of an OSD (On-Screen Display) menu in a CCTV camera?

Answer: To allow configuration of camera settings such as brightness, white balance, and exposure directly on the monitor

The OSD menu allows installers and operators to configure camera parameters like brightness, contrast, and white balance directly through the camera's video output.

What does the term 'focal length' refer to in CCTV camera lenses?

Answer: The distance from the lens to the image sensor where parallel rays converge

Focal length is the distance from the optical center of the lens to the image sensor when focused at infinity, determining the field of view.

What does 'cybersecurity hardening' of an IP CCTV system typically include?

Answer: Changing default passwords, disabling unused ports/services, applying firmware updates, and network segmentation

Cybersecurity hardening involves multiple practices including changing default credentials, disabling unnecessary network services, keeping firmware updated, and isolating cameras on a separate VLAN.

In a multi-camera CCTV system, what is a 'camera tour' or 'guard tour' feature used for?

Answer: Automatically cycling through a sequence of camera views on a monitor

A camera tour automatically rotates through selected camera views on a monitor at set intervals, helping operators monitor multiple areas without manual switching.

What is the fundamental difference in how a Digital Video Recorder (DVR) and a Network Video Recorder (NVR) handle the video encoding process?

Answer: A DVR encodes video at the recorder, while an NVR receives an already encoded stream from the IP camera.

The key distinction is where encoding occurs. In a DVR system, analog cameras send raw video signals over coaxial cable to the DVR, which then encodes the signal into a digital format for storage. In an NVR system, the IP cameras encode the video themselves and transmit a ready-to-record digital stream over the network to the NVR.