Video Camera

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Easily available & Low cost

Video cameras are now VERY cheap - check eBay for the newest products, or just convert the many scrap parts now available. The video camera may be linked wirelessly or with wires to the viewing/ recording unit.

Devils are in the details

Video cameras are deceptive by what is NOT detailed:

• Color or just B&W
• PAL (for which countries)/ NTSC?
• Infra-red response
• High & low-light level behaviour
• Electronic noise
• Optical view angles (vertical & across)
• power supply
• Optical distortion (color, contrast & definition)
• Responses to air-pollution, moisture, temperature, noise, vibration.

• Wireless links are limited by noise-protection, range, details and reliability.

Legal limitations

The usage of secret video cameras has important legal limits. Often video of public venues is legally ok, provided that (voice) sound is not recorded.

Self-protection uses

The most obvious self-protection covers your personal self and your possessions: car(s), home, etc. Video cameras can display the road behind your car - especially if you are reversing or parking.

The theft/ criminal deterrence effect may occur if the camera is publically known or obvious. You may choose to have the obvious camera to be unimportant (a dummy or secondary camera), because your main camera is hidden and not publically known.

Social protection uses

Many times you or other people will need to prove that you are or are not at a certain place, at a certain time. The recordings of the video camera will provide this, if they also record the date & time.

Archiving & recording

The technology & ease of both archiving & recording is very rapidly becoming in the reach of nearly everyone. Recording to a hard disk, which is then compressed for archival storage on DVDs is probably the preferred method.

The hard disk can be in a seperate unit, or it may even be in the form of an electronic flash disk (such as an Ipod-type recorder).

The recording software is cheap and easy now; it records only the CHANGES, so most times in a home setting, it is not recording anything.

Editing

There are many editing tools available. Digital Video Cameras may come with editing software, otherwise there are commercial and freeware alternatives.