CCTV Digital Basics

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 Unit 1 – Defining Digital

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 CCTV Digital Basics

Unit 1 – Defining Digital

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 Unit 1 – Defining Digital

Objectives
After completing this unit, you will be able to:

Describe the components of digital imagery

Describe two factors that can impact pixel resolution

Define a “bit” and how it is used in digital video

Define a “byte” and how it is used in digital video

Identify the differences between digital and analog

signals.

Describe at least three advantages of digital vs.

analog related to CCTV

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 Unit 1 – Defining Digital

Advantages of a digital network system

 Scalability – Easily scaled from one to thousands of camera in any
increment is possible. Can do any frame rate from any camera at any
time.

 Cost efficient infrastructure – Ability to use existing wired networks

or wireless transmission. Opens new areas of access and cost
savings for installation.

 Remote access & control – Any video source can be accessed and
controlled remotely from anywhere in the world over wire/wireless
networks. Intelligence of the camera functions can be established at
the camera location (motion detection, event handling, output type,
time/date, etc.).

 Lower cost – An IP CCTV system can easily leverage from existing

network systems, business support resources, and storage
capabilities.

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 Unit 1 – Defining Digital

Analog vs. Digital

Digital Hybrid CCTV Systems
Advantages Disadvantages
 Clear, precise and discrete signal  Video signal conversion required:
values, which allows for customized analog-digital-analog
image quality options  Digital components typically more
 Ability to manipulate and compress expensive than analog
the signal data for duplication,  System still requires some dedicated
transmission and storage flexibility transmission path
 The ability to send signals through  Transmission distance limitations
non-dedicated transmission media  Video storage limited by hard drive
 Flexibility in the storage, file transfer, space
copying and archiving  System expansion my be limited by
 Simultaneous record and playback dependent components (i.e. need to
 Fast and detailed search capabilities buy more switchers)
 Non-degradation of recorded video  More users on system may slow IPS
with use/playback speed.
 Digital recording can incorporate  May not be real time video
encryption
 Low maintenance on digital record
components

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 Unit 1 – Defining Digital

Analog vs. Digital

Analog CCTV Systems
Advantages Disadvantages
 Uses traditional video cameras,  Requires dedicated
transmission methods, and VCR transmission path
recording  Transmission distance
 Relatively inexpensive to build a limitations
system  Time consuming video searches
 Simple and familiar to use  System expansion my be limited
 Modular configuration to by dependent components
add/replace components  Video tape and recordings wear
 Provides real time, full video out/degrade with use
resolution  Higher maintenance of VCR
 Bulky storage requirements of
tapes
 Inflexibility in use of recorded
video

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 Unit 1 – Defining Digital

Analog vs. Digital

100% Digital CCTV Systems
Advantages Disadvantages
 Digital signal throughout system,  Network congestion and
and all the benefits of a digital bandwidth limitations
signal  Expense of components (may be
 No dedicated cabling required, offset by savings in cabling)
uses existing computer networks  Same security concerns as any
 Easily scalable system computer network system
 Non-centralized control centers  Competing proprietary standards
 “Virtual hard disk” possible
 System redundancy network
provides

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 Unit 1 – Defining Digital

What is Digital?
DIGITAL
 Information represented in discrete or specific values

 ON or OFF states
 Binary Code is digital values of either 1 or 0
 Bit – smallest form of digital information – a single place
value made up of a 1 or 0 (on or off)

ANALOG
 Information represented as continuous or proportional values

 Subtle variations can be within the information

 Ability to produce great amount of detail (wanted or unwanted)
 Susceptible to unwanted variations

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 Unit 1 – Defining Digital

Analog vs. Digital Wave

Analog
Signal

Digital
Signal

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 Unit 1 – Defining Digital

Analog to Digital Conversion

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 Pixel Information
 Pixel Size – defines image resolution

 Pixel Bit Depth – defines brightness or chroma (color) resolution

1 5 8
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 Unit 1 – Defining Digital

Bit Depth

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 Unit 1 – Defining Digital

Digital Primary Colors

32 5 Bit

Red
15 Bit
X 32 5 Bit Color

Green

X 32 5 Bit

= 32,768 colors
Blue

(10111 / 10011 / 01010)

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 Unit 1 – Defining Digital

Bits
 BITS – Smallest form of digital data, represented by 1 or 0
values (ON or OFF)
 Data transmission is usually in Bits = bits per second (bps)
 Modems: 28.8 Kbps, 33.6 Kbps, 56 Kbps
 LAN networks: 10 Mbits/sec., 100 Mbits/sec., 1 Gbits/sec.

0 (on)
0 (on)
1 (off)
Bit values
0 (on)
1 (off)
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 Unit 1 – Defining Digital

Bytes
 BYTES – A grouping of bits to make a total value that
could represent a number, word, calculation or a color
 Transmitting Bytes = Bytes per second (Bps)
 File sizes & storage media expressed in Bytes
 Files: 15 KB, 12 MB
 Hard drive: 40 GB.

Byte Value
0 (on)
Grey
10100 0 (on)
1 (off)
0 (on) Bits
1 (off)
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 Unit 1 – Defining Digital

File sizes
 For each video frame captured, a video file is created. That file size is
dependent upon the following:
 Total number of pixels on CCD based upon its dimension (ie. 768
x 492 = 377856 pixels)
 Pixel Bit Depth as determined by the Digital Signal Processor (i.e.
8 bit)

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 Unit 1 – Defining Digital

File sizes & video

 Images per Second (ips)
 Video captures a certain number of individual files or
images every second
 This rate of image capture has a big impact on the data
volume to be transmitted and stored.

2 ips

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 Unit 1 – Defining Digital

Answer the review questions

for Unit 1

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 Unit 1 – Defining Digital

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