CCTV Video Storage & Retrieval Systems 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does DVR stand for in CCTV storage systems?
- Digital Video Recorder (Correct answer)
- Direct Video Router
- Dynamic Video Relay
- Dual Video Receiver
Correct answer: Digital Video Recorder
DVR stands for Digital Video Recorder, the device that captures and stores analog camera footage in digital format.
Question 2: Which storage technology is most commonly used in modern NVR systems?
- VHS tape
- Optical disc arrays
- Hard disk drives or SSDs (Correct answer)
- Magnetic drum memory
Correct answer: Hard disk drives or SSDs
Modern NVR systems use hard disk drives (HDDs) or solid-state drives (SSDs) due to their high capacity, reliability, and random-access capability.
Question 3: What is the primary difference between a DVR and an NVR?
- DVRs are larger in physical size
- DVRs process analog signals while NVRs process IP camera streams (Correct answer)
- NVRs can only store 24 hours of footage
- DVRs require fiber optic cabling
Correct answer: DVRs process analog signals while NVRs process IP camera streams
DVRs process and encode analog video signals locally, while NVRs record pre-encoded digital streams from IP cameras over a network.
Question 4: Video retention policy refers to:
- The resolution at which video is recorded
- The length of time recorded footage must be kept before overwriting (Correct answer)
- The number of cameras a system can support
- The frame rate of the video stream
Correct answer: The length of time recorded footage must be kept before overwriting
A video retention policy defines the minimum and maximum duration that recorded footage must be preserved before it can be overwritten or deleted.
Question 5: Which video compression codec is most widely used in modern CCTV IP camera systems?
- MPEG-1
- H.264 (AVC) (Correct answer)
- DivX
- RealVideo
Correct answer: H.264 (AVC)
H.264 (AVC) is the industry-standard codec for CCTV because it provides high-quality video at significantly reduced file sizes compared to older formats.
Question 6: What happens during a 'continuous loop' recording setting on a DVR/NVR?
- The system pauses recording when motion stops
- New footage overwrites the oldest recordings once storage is full (Correct answer)
- The system records only during scheduled hours
- Recording stops when the drive reaches 80% capacity
Correct answer: New footage overwrites the oldest recordings once storage is full
Continuous loop recording automatically overwrites the oldest stored footage once available storage is exhausted, ensuring uninterrupted recording.
Question 7: When calculating required storage capacity, which factor does NOT directly affect the calculation?
- Number of cameras
- Video resolution and frame rate
- Color of the camera housing (Correct answer)
- Compression codec used
Correct answer: Color of the camera housing
The physical color of the camera housing is cosmetic and has no effect on the data generated or storage requirements.
What does DVR stand for in CCTV storage systems?