Spy Cam Help?

Question

I have a camera and i have it on record hiding in between something is there a thing (wireless) that i can hook up to my camera so i can see video on computer. I have a regular camera Sony brand. Or Should i just watch the video when i get home. I am practincing on my house. I have own vet shop. And want to see from there. Any tips would be fine.

Answer 1

Since camcorders don't have much storage capacity, and because they are typically relatively large, long term use as a "spy cam" - I prefer to call them a "Closed Circuit Television - CCTV - system) is not generally a good long-term solution.

There are wired and wireless computer-network based cameras available:

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There are also non-computer networks cameras available (wire and wireless) that can feed into a Quad-splitter or Digital video recorder. Typically, you can add the DVR to a computer network. Both the Quad splitter and DVR can handle one or more cameras. Generally 4, but up to 16, I think.

Most of the DVRs have a feature where they only record at full-motion when an alarm has been triggered or if the user specified area of on-screen motion detection detects motion. Because you can add the DVR to a computer network (you assigne it an IP address), it can be accessed remotely - It is strongly suggested that you password protect this access with something that is not a dictionary word.

The way mine is set up is normally, the DVR records 1 frame every four seconds - but when certain areas detect motion, the DVR starts recording full motion and keeps doing that for 15 seconds after the motion is not longer detected.

The irony on "wireless" cameras is they actually use more wires than a wired camera...

With a wired camera, you run a single cable from the camera to the Quad splitter or DVR and there is a power lead for low-voltage power. Total: 2 cables.

With a "wireless camera", the camera needs low-voltage power, it transmits the video (and possibly audio) wirelessly to the camera's base station, then the base station needs low voltage power and connects with another cable for the video - and maybe audio - Total: 3 or 4 cables.

In either case, the DVR set up will allow you to review activities that tripped the motion detector only or alarms or watch everything that has happened (in "time lapse" + full motion). The DVR can use a 250 gig (sometimes larger) internal hard drive that can store 1-5 weeks of video depending on how often the full-motion trigger gets pulled and other settings...

Other considerations: The CCTV security system is only as good as the weakest link. If power is cut, all items connected to the CCTV security system - cameras, DVR, etc, need to be on a battery backup that will last for a period of time after the power is cut. Get a good sized battery-back up system.

Get a monitor or two for local viewing - you do not have to be on a computer when you are in your office in order to see what the DVR is recording. A 15"-19" flatpanel TV works fine - use an auxilliary RCA video-in jack.

If the CCTV system is set up properly, your insurance company may also provide a discount to you.