Remote video monitoring glossary
Plain definitions of the terms buyers meet when choosing a monitoring service.
- Remote video monitoring
- A service where cameras at a business site are checked from a remote location, usually by software and trained people, with an agreed response when something needs attention.
- Remote guarding
- Remote video monitoring where trained reviewers act on a response plan, such as a speaker warning or a call to a site contact. Also called virtual guarding.
- Virtual security guard
- A remote monitoring service that watches business cameras and responds without a guard on site. Not the same as a consumer camera app feature.
- Talk down
- A live or recorded warning played through a speaker at the site when someone is seen in a restricted area.
- Video verification
- Confirming an alarm or alert by reviewing camera footage before contacting anyone, so responders know what is actually happening.
- False alarm
- An alert that turns out not to need action, such as an animal, weather or an expected visitor.
- Response plan
- The written list of who to contact, in what order and which actions are allowed when an incident is confirmed at a site.
- Incident record
- One record of an incident from detection through review, each action taken, acknowledgement and closure, with the clip attached.
- Coverage gap
- A period when a camera or the site connection stops sending video, so that view is not being monitored.
- NVR
- Network video recorder. The device on site that records video from IP cameras.
- DVR
- Digital video recorder. An older type of recorder used with analog cameras.
- VMS
- Video management software. Software used to view, record and manage many cameras.
- VSaaS
- Video surveillance as a service. Cloud software that records and manages cameras on a subscription.
- ONVIF
- An industry standard that helps cameras and recorders from different makers work together.
- RTSP
- Real time streaming protocol. A common way for a camera or recorder to share a live video stream.
- Analytics
- Software that detects people, vehicles or movement in video so they can be reviewed.
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