Video Surveillance and CCTV Flashcards

What camera resolution is generally recommended for reliable facial identification in a video surveillance system according to ASIS and IPVM guidelines?

Answer: 100 pixels per foot (PPF) or higher

Facial identification (recognizing a specific individual from a database) typically requires 100 PPF or higher, while facial detection requires approximately 40 PPF.

Which IP camera compression standard provides the BEST image quality at the lowest bandwidth compared to older MPEG-4 and H.264 formats?

Answer: H.265 (HEVC)

H.265 (HEVC) offers approximately 50% better compression efficiency than H.264, delivering the same image quality at half the bit rate or better quality at the same bit rate.

What is the primary advantage of Wide Dynamic Range (WDR) cameras in physical security applications?

Answer: They capture usable images in scenes with extreme contrast between bright and dark areas

WDR cameras use multiple exposures or sensor technology to capture detail in both very bright (e.g., exterior windows) and very dark areas simultaneously within the same frame.

For a CCTV system used as evidence in US criminal prosecution, which chain of custody practice is MOST critical?

Answer: Documenting all access to and handling of recorded media from capture to court

Maintaining a documented chain of custody for video evidence — recording who accessed it, when, and for what purpose — is essential for its admissibility in US court proceedings.

What is the minimum recommended video retention period for a general commercial facility's CCTV system under most US security best-practice guidelines?

Answer: 30 days

ASIS and most US security guidelines recommend a minimum 30-day retention period for general commercial facilities, though specific industries (healthcare, financial) may have longer requirements.

Which camera type is BEST suited for monitoring large open areas such as parking lots while simultaneously providing enough detail to read license plates?

Answer: Multi-sensor camera with separate channels

Multi-sensor cameras combine multiple focused sensors in one unit to simultaneously provide wide-area overview and high-resolution detail, solving the zoom-vs-coverage tradeoff.