Posts Tagged ‘Spy Cameras’

Spy Gadgets in Movies Come to Real Life

Mariam Ma asked:


We have all been amazed by the spy gadgets of famous movies and TV shows. Movies like James Bond, Mission Impossible and heck, even the cartoon Inspector Gadget show us the creativity of the human mind. But do these spy gadgets really exist and is the technology available to the general public?

One of the most common scenes in movies and tv shows for going undercover is wiring up individuals for video and audio capture. Spy gadgets are routinely used by the police and private detectives for surveillance work. Here’s a list of common spy gadgets that really do exist and can be found in most home surveillance stores or that can be bought online:

Spy Button Cameras

Seriously, have you ever thought about where the camera goes when someone is being wired for video surveillance? There are cameras that have been miniaturized to be placed in buttons! These pinhole cameras are perfect for surveillance technology.

Spy Tie Cameras

Along the same lines of button cameras, there are spy tie cameras. The key to being successful in covert surveillance is being discreet and blending in. These tie cameras fit the bill on the occasions where dressing up is required. James Bond would be proud.

Cameras in your clothing and accessories are pretty common but the button and tie cameras are a notch above the stereotypical cameras in hats or glasses that people think about when doing video surveillance work. You can get even more creative with the items below.

Hidden Cameras in Everyday Objects

Having cameras in common objects where no one suspects it is vital to covert surveillance. Some very handy portable hidden camera options include those found in pens, lighters and cellphones. The great thing about these items is the fact that they are small, wireless and portable; you can place them nonchalantly anywhere, on any surface and they would go unnoticed.

Hidden Surveillance Cameras for Home

The items named above are used more for external field work. However, there are hidden cameras designed specifically for home surveillance as well. Perhaps you need to check up on the hired help, maybe you need to confirm your suspicions on a cheating spouse, or you need to know what your kid is doing while you’re away for the weekend. Whatever the reason, you can get cameras disguised in potted plants, smoke detectors, lamps and screw nails.

As you can see, spy cameras come in all sorts of interesting objects. Now you know that it isn’t only in the movies!



1 comment - What do you think?  Posted by admin - November 16, 2009 at 6:21 pm

Attention Home Spy Camera Shoppers! Read These Buying Tips First!

Nahshon Roberts asked:


The research and consulting firm of Frost & Sullivan estimated that by year-end 2007, the figures would have risen by $100 million! Indeed, nanotechnology provides for more-than-nano figures.

But before you go contributing your hard-earned money on these spying devices, be aware that there are good spy cameras and there are bad spy cameras. Threshing the chaff from the wheat can be confusing with the wide array available. But with these purchasing tips, you will be able to select the perfect home spy camera for you.

Determine your Spying Purpose

Your final choice of a home spy camera will depend on your reasons for installing it. The store can help you choose, which makes it a good idea to outline your needs based on the following criteria.

First, you have to determine the time of day the camera will be in operation. Nighttime cameras utilize different lenses than daytime cameras. Second, you have to decide where to mount the camera – outdoors or indoors. There are special considerations necessary to prolong the useful life of an outdoor spy camera.

Third, you need to settle on recording requirements. If you want recording and playback capabilities, you have to choose from a host of choices ranging from desktop personal computers to Internet feeds to your laptop. Your home spy camera can record either through manual operation, or on a preprogrammed schedule, or through motion sensors.

Fourth, determine the range of movement and field of vision you want your home spy camera to have. You can choose from wide angle cameras, zoom lenses, or a combination of both. You can also choose a movable camera to follow movement or a stationary camera to focus on one area only.

Fifth, decide on image resolution and audio capabilities. You can choose from either black and white or color images. You can also choose between an audio capable home spy camera and a non-audio capable camera. These have distinct pros and cons, so choose wisely.

Reconcile Your Needs with Your Budget

Admittedly, you would want the higher-priced spy camera. More features mean more uses, and higher quality means higher benefits, ergo higher price. However, our wants and needs even in spying requires compromises in relation to our budget. Not unless you are Bill Gates himself, of course.

With the help of a more experienced person, try to reconcile your spying needs with your spying budget. First, look for basic features that answer your spying purposes as outlined above. Second, if your budget still allows it, then ask for more features or accessories to complement your initial choice.

Third, never forget to ask for assistance in installing the spy camera; ask questions if you are unclear about installation procedures. You can have it tested in the store itself to determine working functionality. Inquire about after-sales services, if there are any, including warranties and guarantees. You do not want lemons as your surveillance system.

When you are satisfied with your choice, install the home spy camera as soon as possible. You can complement this high-tech security system with similar high-tech burglar alarm systems and low-tech alarms like a guard dog. Using these might just save your property and your life, as many satisfied users have known before you.



1 comment - What do you think?  Posted by admin - at 7:58 am

Are You an Unwilling Participant to a Big Brother-Type Environment? Then Zap Those Spy Cameras!

Nahshon Roberts asked:


Spy cameras have increasingly grown in use over the years. You see them almost everywhere – offices, libraries, traffic intersections, stores, and even homes! You can certainly appreciate the security concerns behind these high-tech installations. However, there are definitely times when you want them out of your life.

Physical Search

Physically searching the room can pose an inconvenience in time and effort. However, the benefits far outweigh the costs when you do discover and de-activate spy cameras in places where these should not be.

You have to perform a careful physical search of any room that you suspect has spying devices implanted. Usually, hidden cameras are positioned on the ceiling for greater coverage, behind paintings and mirrors, in electric fixtures like lampshades, and even in decorative touches like flower arrangements for chameleon-like blending. Other spies place hidden cameras under tables and shelves, so watch under furniture, too.

Whatever the reason for the positioning of the spy cameras, you have to search almost anything that looks suspicious, even nooks and crannies where very small spying devices can fit into. You will acquire more expertise in doing physical searches so do not get frustrated when you miss these devices and others find them.

Turning Out the Lights

Well, turning out all the lights is not for your assurance that the spy cameras will not be able to see you in the dark. There are infrared cameras that act like the military night-vision goggles, so rid yourself of this misconception.

Rather, turning out the lights enables you to locate tiny red or green LED lights. Wait for your eyes to adjust to the sensation of near-total blackness before proceeding. If there are spy devices anywhere in the room, then you will be guided by the LED light shining amidst the blackness. Just be sure to check the mirrors by shining a light on their surface; one-sided transparent mirrors are excellent hiding places for spying devices.

Watch, Look and Listen

Visual search is not enough. Quietly walk around the room and listen to any suspicious sound. Usually, spy cameras make clicking and/or buzzing sounds when they are in operation. If you remember the old-fashioned camera and the way it sounds when it is rewinding, then it is one of the sounds you must look out for.

Bird on the Wire

Look for wires that do not match any of the existing appliances. This is assuming that the spy devices are hardwired, which is becoming less common with wireless technology. Nevertheless, you can never go wrong with a thorough search.

If All Else Fails……..

Well, you can always buy a bug detector. This is a portable, relatively inexpensive and user-friendly device that can help you do a thorough sweep of the room. The dollars you spend for any of these anti-spy cameras will be well worth it. After all, is there a price for privacy and dignity?

When you do find these spy devices, you can either complain to management, or you can just cover the lenses. If you have technical knowledge, then shut off the whole thing. Just be sure not to destroy property as you are correcting a wrong here, not committing one of your own.



5 comments - What do you think?  Posted by admin - November 12, 2009 at 4:29 pm