A spy video camera, also known as a nanny cam, is basically a video camera that is made to be concealed discreetly or made to look like another object, allowing you to place it in plain sight without worrying about anyone getting suspicious. Some of the ways that spy cameras can be concealed are in buttons, alarm clocks, pens, smoke detectors, flashlights and even air fresheners.
Applications for Spy Cameras
Spy cameras are often used as an extra layer of security by law enforcement officers, business owners, federal agents and even newspaper journalists who need to gather information. Parents often conceal them as a way to keep an eye on eye on the nanny or babysitter, and even the caregiver who helps take care of their elderly parents or loved ones. If you own a business and want to see what your employees are doing when you aren’t around, you can install a spy camera to record their activities and see if anyone is stealing, gossiping or doing something that they shouldn’t be doing it. Since the laws regarding terminating employees can be a little confusing, it’s recommended that you check your local employment laws before setting up any kind of hidden or open surveillance. Spy cameras can also be used for less serious purposes. If you’re planning an impressive practical joke and want to share it with others or relive the moment, a hidden spy camera will be your best friend.
Kinds of Spy Camera
What you’ll be using the camera for will determine the type of spy camera that you’ll be getting since not all of them work the same way. Some have to be connected to another device in order for any of the images they receive to be recorded, which can be done with a hidden wire or a wireless transmission. There are also spy cameras that can record images and electronically send them to an SD (secure digital) card.
Different spy cameras come with different features. If you want to capture audio as well as visuals, you’ll want to find a camera with a built-in microphone. You’ll also be able to find cameras that can record in the dark through the use of integrated infrared technology. Different cameras also have different resolution and quality capabilities that determine how smooth or choppy the recorded video feed looks. The area that a camera can adequately cover also differs among different spy cameras.
Aside from the type of spy camera that you’ll want to get to suit your needs, you should also look into the legal aspects of using a spy camera. You can’t place them anywhere you please, at least not without breaking the law and possibly facing jail time if the charges are serious enough. For example, you can’t place a spy camera in a bathroom, restroom, dressing room or anywhere else where a person has a reasonable expectation of privacy. Cameras that have microphones in them are subject to federal and state wiretapping laws. If you’re thinking about purchasing a spy camera, you might also want to sit down with a qualified and experienced legal advisor who specializes in privacy laws just to make sure you won’t be infringing on anyone’s rights.
