Video Surveillance Glossary of Terms [M]

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• » Matrix switcher [top]
  When a CCTV system needs to route one camera input to many monitor outputs, it utilizes a device called a matrix switcher.
  
• » Mimic panel [top]
  This panel displays a site’s layout, including the location of surveillance cameras.  When the panel is interfaced with a switcher, it can be used to switch any specific camera to the monitors. 
  
• » Minimum scene illumination [top]
  This information (found on a camera’s data sheet) displays the minimum light level the particular camera needs in order to provide an acceptable monitor picture.
  
• » MJPEG (Motion JPEG) [top]
  Even though it’s not as efficient as MPEG-4, the MJPEG is still an effective way of creating video from the sequencing of JPEG images.  The video from store security cameras often uses this method when being formatted. 
  
• » MMS (Microsoft Media Services) [top]
  MMS is the first streaming protocol created for the Microsoft Windows Media Player. 
  
• » MOD (Minimum Object Distance) [top]
  This refers to the closest an object can be to the vertex of the lens and still be in focus. The wider the lens angle, the smaller the MOD.
  
• » Monochrome [top]
  Monochrome means having a single color, or black and white for television.
  
• » Motion Detectors [top]
  These devices are used to detect motion on security cameras.  Simple motion detection triggers the camera to either record or set an alarm.  Motion detection by frame region instructs the camera to respond only if a certain area of the screen/frame detects motion.  Finally, advanced motion detection analyzes the type of motion to see if it warrants alarm (such as crossing into a secure area).  One benefit of motion detectors is that cameras only record when motion has been sensed, which saves disk space.
  
• » MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) [top]
  One of the most common coding standards for internet transferable video images, the MPEG format is playable on nearly all free and payware video players.  MPEGs use lossy data compression. MPEGs first predict the initial picture content, and then code differences between that and the copy, as well as any extra information.
  
• » MPEG-4 [top]
  MPEG4 has a newer codec and supports 3D content, low bit rate encoding, and support for Digital Rights Management, which controls the use of copyrighted digital work.  MPEG4 is used for web streaming media, broadcast television, videophones, and CD distribution.  MPEG-4 is widely used in video surveillance, and has recently been improved to the AVC standard.
  
• » MTBF (Mean Time Between Failures) [top]
  MTBF measures the average time that a device works properly without failure; unfortunately, it’s usually measured in hours.  An hour measurement does not translate well to the average consumer looking for life expectancy in years.
  
• » Multicast (or Multicasting) [top]
  This term refers to the Internet protocol that allows a single IP address (the host) to send a packet to multiple destinations at once with a single, local transmit operation.  It also is used in video streaming to enable the broadcasting of video to multiple recipients at once. 
  
• » Multiplexer [top]
  A video surveillance device with multiple video inputs and one video output is called a multiplexer.  Multiple security cameras are connected to it and their images can be presented on one monitor.  A front panel displays the buttons that toggle each camera, and the signal from one camera or a combination thereof can be displayed.  Multiplexers are simpler to use as compared with similar procedures on a DVR which normally requires a system login, operating a keyboard and controlling a mouse.

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