5-Minute Tech Quiz

1. Metadata information is used by analog CCTV cameras to provide line sync.

a. True

b. False

2. Which of the following is an example of video analytics?

a. Object tracking

b. Motion detection

c. Face recognition

d. All of the above

e. None of the above

3. Which of the following is an advantage of replacing an analog VCR with a DVR?

a. Reliability

b. Archival storage space

c. Faster video searches

d. All of the above

e. None of the above

4. Which of the following codecs are used with most analog VCRs?

a. JPEG

b. MPEG

c. Wavelet

d. Any of the above

e. None of the above

5. Edge recording refers to a CCTV camera’s ability to view images across the entire lens area.

a. True

b. False

6. Which of the below can affect the recording capacity of a DVR?

a. Image resolution

b. Activity

c. Hard drive size

d. Any of the above

e. None of the above

7. Like their NVR siblings, all DVRs require a network connection.

a. True

b. False

8. Analog CCTV cameras never digitize the image.

a. True

b. False

9. A DVR requires the use of:

a. digital cameras.

b. digital recorder.

c. digital network.

d. All of the above

e. None of the above

10. Increasing the hard disk size is the only way to increase video image storage for a DVR.

a. True

b. False

11. What type of connector is used to connect analog CCTV cameras to a DVR?

a. BNC

b. RJ-45

c. RJ-31X

d. Any of the above

e. None of the above

12. Video analytics can allow you to track motion and direction.

a. True

b. False

13. NVRs can replace analog matrix switching equipment.

a. True

b. False

14. DVRs can easily be used to upgrade existing VCR systems.

a. True

b. False

15. A DVR that provides for both analog and digital CCTV camera connections is called a:

a. dual-use DVR

b. hybrid

c. mirrored drive

d. Any of the above

e. None of the above

5-Minute Tech Quiz Answers

1. b

2. d — Video analytics can include all of these. It allows the system to alert an operator when an event occurs that is outside of the programmed parameters.

3. d — Additionally, a DVR can allow the video images to be viewed remotely over a net-work.

4. e

5. b — Edge recording is the ability of a digital camera to store video at the camera for later retrieval or transmission over a network.

6. d

7. b — DVRs can be standalone, as a VCR replacement, or may be connected to a network.

8. b

9. b — A standalone DVR does not require any digital equipment other than the built-in digital recording circuits and can be used as a direct replacement for a VCR using existing analog CCTV cameras.

10. b — You can also vary the image resolution, images per second, and recording motion to increase storage capacity.

11. a

12. b — By tracking both motion and direction, you can count the number of people in an area or be alerted to improper entries and exits.

13. a

14. a

15. b

What’s Wrong with This?

Wally `Larman was asked to install three analog CCTV monitors on an existing DVR system in a large commercial warehouse. Wally ran RG-59U cable and connected the monitors as shown in this diagram, but when he turned the monitors on, the images were poor and ghostly. Wally checked the cables and terminator switches but could not find any problems. Can you see what Wally did wrong and what he must do to correct the problem?

Answer to: What's Wrong with This?

Wally’s problem is caused by the way he connected the monitors. Wally daisy-chained the monitors, which can cause problems due to excessive cable length, noise or interference. This type of problem may not always exist when the system is initially installed, but may appear over time as the equipment ages. To correct this problem, Wally should home run each cable and install a video amplifier to distribute the video signal to each monitor. This will provide each monitor with a high-quality independent video signal that is unaffected by the cables for the other units.