What does "latency" refer to in the context of CCTV systems?

Latency in the context of CCTV systems refers to the delay that occurs between an event happening and its subsequent display on the monitor. This is a critical factor in surveillance systems, as high latency can affect the effectiveness of real-time monitoring. For example, if an event occurs and there is a noticeable delay before it appears on the display, security personnel may not be able to respond quickly enough to address any issues or threats.

Understanding latency is vital for designing and implementing effective CCTV systems, as lower latency translates to more immediate awareness of incidents as they transpire. Factors contributing to latency in CCTV systems include video compression methods, network transmission speeds, and the processing power of the monitoring equipment. Therefore, minimizing latency is essential for providing real-time situational awareness in security applications.