Spy Cameras – What’s Available?
Options? What options?
You may be asking yourself, “What types of covert cameras are available for a person who is interested in surveillance?” Well it turns out that I’ve got several listed in this introductory article. Keep in mind there are many more types of spy cameras available than what I have listed here, and in the coming days and months I’ll be writing some articles about many others. I’ll also be going into more detail about these types of cameras as well, and hopefully giving you some useful information on where you might think to use them. Who knows. I might even throw in a few “technique” articles as well…
Mobile SpyCams
Bluetooth Headset Camera
Some covert cameras are disguised as bluetooth headsets and record in High Definition. Typically these are operated by various combinations of button presses, but some are voice activated. Either way, you’d be wise to practice before using them in a real scenario. Typically there is no display on these devices (that would not be very covert now, would it?) so you need to practice using them to become proficient. If you are a Macintosh user, you may want to confirm that the device is compatible with OSX, or be prepared to use a Windows computer or virtual machine to access your video and images. USB interfaces are the typical transfer method for this type of camera (and most other mobile covert surveillance equipment), but if the camera is equipped with an SD memory card you may be able to remove it and insert into a card reader on your computer.
Eyeglasses Camera
Older iterations of eyeglass cameras were not really covert at all. Most of these cameras looked like eyewear seen in 1970s era discos, or perhaps even Wall Street in the 1980s. Yes, you know the type of glasses I’m talking about, only these had a third noticeable lens for the camera located in the nose bridge of the glasses. Newer models are much more passable as trendy eyewear with camera optics that are all but unnoticeable. There are even models available that are in the form of sunglasses, like these. Even though they are much better than in previous years, you may want to still keep your distance with some models if the lens is obvious to others.
Cellphone Camera
We all know that most mobile phones have cameras built-in, but undercover cameras can be built into phone housings with the lens in a different location. For instance, the camera lens might be placed on the top edge of the unit and disguised as an earphone jack, though you probably don’t want so shove a headphone plug in there. These (like many others) are not inexpensive, so don’t throw them around like your old Samsung flip phone.
Wearable
Because of the constant reduction in size of camera technology, video and still cameras can be found in all types of wearable form factors. From ball caps to buttons, many products exist to give you an opportunity for the perfect shot. In fact, you can find some camera units that have no “disguise” and are just waiting for you to come up with some cool new form factor that no one has thought of yet! Seriously, be creative. Maybe at some point we’ll do a demo of how you can create your own form factor of spy cameras.
Fixed Position Surveillance Equipment
Wired Cameras
Certain situations may allow for fixed position surveillance cameras. These cameras are mounted in fixed locations around buildings and properties. Once installed, these cameras are typically not relocatable. Some of these cameras allow for movement in order to cover more area. Why include these as spy cameras? Because they are surveillance cameras that can be positioned in different areas that are not readily visible. Most people do not notice things that are outside of their normal field of vision. Placing a fixed position wired surveillance camera can give great video coverage while still remaining relatively undetectable. Typically, these devices are used in conjunction with a DVR recording system, though in years passed they were generally hooked into banks of VCR’s or optical disc recorders. You can even get some systems that have IR (infrared) night recording capabilities. Many models are internet enabled and can be viewed literally across the world, away from the installation site.
Wireless Spy Cameras
Similar to the wired fixed position cameras, these cameras are normally used in conjunction with a DVR system, but may also be internet enabled. These devices offer additional flexibility in positioning due to the fact that they do not require signal cables to upload video or for power.
Car Camera
When I was a kid, a television program called “COPS” became popular. If you’ve ever seen a show with an officer pulling someone over and getting a good shot of the dashboard camera, you know what I’m talking about. These cameras can be used in mobile surveillance situations and can be mounted in a variety of locations within the vehicle. Most models do not offer the ability to change the shot angles, so you have to point the car in the right direction to get the best shot.
Hidden Cameras
Some spy cameras are built into common household items and can be positioned in various places. You may have heard of “nanny cams” before, and they fall into this category. As with most other concealed cameras, your imagination is the only limitation to what you can get. I will not detail every type of hidden camera that can be purchased, but will give you just a few examples. Clock radios, smoke detectors, and even home entertainment equipment can be purchased with cameras inside.
One really interesting idea with hidden cameras is similar to what we discussed with wearable cameras. Because standalone camera modules can be purchased, you can create a custom-made enclosure to fit into the environment that you are trying to get on video. This means that anything you see around you has the potential for becoming a camera housing. Go wild with your imagination and build your own!
Conclusion
There is literally no end to the form factors that video surveillance cameras can have. Many of these spy cameras also provide still image capture capabilities, but with easy access to video editing software tools it’s easy to capture decent stills from video. Explore different websites to get an idea of what can be purchased, and perhaps even create your own if you have an idea. It isn’t all that difficult with the modules available to you today. Just look around you and see what you could put a camera into. But make sure no one will miss whatever it is if you have to remove the insides!
Got something to say? Click here to reply
