The Spy Camera

During day-to-day activity of our lives we are subjected to various surveillance techniques with absolutely know knowledge of it. The techniques are deliberately designed to spy on our actions without interfering with our daily schedule and getting in the way of our lives. But if so much of this filming is taking place, how come were not aware of it?

The answer is simple, Hidden Spy Cameras! These devices are slowly populating businesses and homes around the world. They come in so many models and variations there is one to suit every need. A wireless spy camera can be placed almost anywhere, from a spy pen in a pocket to a full wireless camera setup on a property.

Personal spy cameras are one of the expanding markets for spy cameras. These devices are designed for individual use. They range from micro devises you carry on your body up to the mini spy camera devices you hide in rooms., usually aimed at the surveillance of individuals or small groups, or small areas. There main uses include capturing practical jokes, monitoring small rooms, and providing mobile video recording.

A wireless spy camera of this type normally contains memory chips that hold all the information recorded within the device itself. The device will then plug into a PC; here you are free to access the recorded clip or clips as if you were accessing a normal memory stick. Some of the more expensive spy cameras come equipped with digital video players that allow you to plug in the device anywhere on the move and watch the recorded camera footage on a small screen provided on the device.

Pinhole cameras are a huge part of the spy camera market. Again these cameras due to their classic use in spy films have been dubbed as spy cameras. Normally a pinhole camera will come free standing without any form of cover, it is up to you, the user to create its housing or disguise. These cameras are small enough to fit books, files and folders located on a desk or shelve, in the back of a clock, or inside an ornament, some people have even inserted them inside cuddly toys.

What ever your chosen hiding place, insert a hole no bigger than 1mm in diameters and fix the camera lens in place viewing out of the hole. Gather up any additional wiring or recording devices connected to the camera lens and seal the container. Most pinhole cameras come equipped with a remote control to turn the camera on and off with ease.

A pre-disguised spy camera normally offer slightly less quality but are far more versatile to use. When you hear the term spy camera, this is what its all about. They come pre-packaged ready to use, and are ready to go at the press of a button. Some of the most popular pre-disguised spy cameras are..

Clock Spy Cameras

Free to mount on a wall this hidden camera video recorder can survey the whole room without any chance of being discovered.

Mirror / Picture Frame Spy Cameras

These work in much the same way as a clock camera, although not quite as mobile. The tiny lens can be hidden in elaborate frame designs.

Spy Pen Cameras

Able to record footage on the move, a click of the pen turns it on and leave you free to record the room completely unnoticed. Even the closest examination of this hidden spy camera won’t reveal its real purpose.

Many wouldn’t consider the type of cameras businesses and homes use to be spy cameras. They do however use hidden cameras, which we believe falls very much so, into the same category.

Unlike personal spy cameras, a camera designed for the purpose of property protection will not normally have built in memory chips. As these cameras are often going to be in position 24/7 they require a more complex set up. These cameras normally come equipped with a built in transmitter, and a separate receiver. The receiver has a range of plug and attachments that allow it to be connected to VCR, DVD, DVR and other recording devices.

Normally this kind of setup will contain multiple cameras covering various parts of the property. The receiver works more as a method of convenience as removing these cameras constantly to check the video footage is just inconvenient. Its important to note that the term hidden is used for these cameras but in reality there are actually just very small. The majority are placed in open view but in difficult to spot locations and the size of the camera hides its presence well.

This type of spy camera is normally a lot more bulky than personal cameras but come either has bullet shaped devices that can be mounted almost anywhere, or in plastic casings that mimic the appearance of smoke detectors, or electrical boxes. The quality is often much more superior to personal devices as the lenses can be significantly bigger as a pinhole view isn’t required.

Most of these devices are wireless spy cameras, a wireless spy camera is much easier to hide than a device with trailing wires.

Spy camera prices vary greatly, starting with the cheapest.

Spy Camera Pen

The Spy Pen is a small and self-contained device; this makes the quality limited and the prices drops significantly. Expect to pay between $35-$120 depending on quality of the pen.

Pinhole Cameras

These devices start around $45 and sail quickly up to $200+.

Mirror / Frame Cameras

These are very expensive due to the work that goes into the disguise. You have to place this device on your wall so it has to look pleasing to the eye. You can expect one of these t set you back $200-$500.

Business Hidden Camera System

A basic system with receivers, and 2-4 cameras should cost between $500 up to a few thousand dollars. Once you have all the receivers and recording devices set up a new camera is obtainable for about $150. Remember your paying for superior recording quality here, all crammed into very mini devices.

This is a variation of the personal clock camera in action. Placed inside a wrist watch it will open your eyes to come of the possibilities available and how good these devices can be.