Little digital video camera
This ittty bitty DV camera could be used where photography is not permitted by authorities. It's $147.00.
# The Tiny DV Camera Recorder
# Thumb size alloy housing
# Manually and sound activated recording
# Web camera for online video chat
# Support AVI video format
# Low illumination, high resolution image with 2000K pixels
# High speed recording and quick light response
# 30 frames per second for 640*480 video output
# Built-in Li rechargeable battery lasting for 2 hours
# Provide 2G Micro SD card and Support up to 8G memory card
# Easy operation with LED indicator
# Support USB 2.0
# Flexible installation with clip and bracket
# Support JPEG picture format
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Homeland Security will love that. Guantanamo Bay is lovely this time of year.
Ya, this thing is very stealth. No way you would get stopped with a device that has such an obvious lens on it. A cell phone would do better.
And I got really excited when I saw 'DV' because in my world, DV is actually an awesome video format, low compression and high quality 720x480 (NTSC).. sigh.. Anything non-HD these says is 20 fps smearing low bit rate compressed YouTube looking crap.
No one cares about the quality of the recorded image, only the novelty of the moment.
I like the ID badge spy cam they sell better:
http://gadget.brando.com.hk/prod_detail.php?prod_id=00682&cat_id=024&dept_id=001
Easy enough to disguise inside the husk of a cheap clip on MP3 player, for example.
I like their spy pen better
http://gadget.brando.com.hk/prod_detail.php?prod_id=00751&cat_id=024&dept_id=001
...or by the authorities.
Mark F. said:
Oh wait, it's itty-bitty? I guess that means the authorities will give you a pass if you are caught using it where you shouldn't... That sounds like a good plan.
On a serious note, this thing looks only slightly smaller than the Flip video MinoHD camera, with lower specs (sixty minutes of 1280 x 720 resolution at 30 frames per second; 16:9 widescreen) and a similar price ($209).
Actually, this camera records 640x480 @ 30fps (aka DV), that resolution is equivalent to a TV resolution of 720x480 (aka NTSC).
It may not be a fantastic quality, but it will be enough that if I ever need quick video documentation of an unplanned "important moment", it will suffice.
The 'Windows Only' part would be the only deal-breaker for me, though I suppose I could get by without the web-cam feature.
I prefer their Wireless Portable Video Door Phone Set.
http://gadget.brando.com.hk/prod_img/zoom/GGSPY004900_01_L.jpg
wtf?
I mentioned this in a previous post, but you can get a servicable mini video recorder for extremely cheap by hacking a CVS disposable camcorder.
These things are available for about $20 a pop, and they can be hacked to be reusable and cut down to be very compact. They're popular among people who want to cram a camera into a small space, like an RC car or model rocket - I'm sure one could be shoehorned into an iPod case or an Altoids box for sneaky videography. You could make like 6 of them for the price of one of these commercial cameras.
http://camerahacks.wikispaces.com/Camcorders
Threads like this always remind me of one of my favorite Star Trek quotes:
"The more they overcheck the plumbing, the easier it is to stop up the drain."
Scotty in Star Trek III
Yeah, this is more like the Flip Ultra I got for Xmas, but about 1/3 the size and more features for about the same price.
I'm guessing the quality isn't going to be stellar.
We are all spies now.
Personally, I think it's not bad. The more little lights we can turn on in dark corners, the less governments and other organisations can get away with.
Wherever cameras are banned, then sooner or later someone's going to be behaving in a manner they don't want recorded. All the more reason to have concealable kit for that very purpose. Whilst I shall have to investigate these "CVS disposable camcorders", not everyone has the ability or inclination to hack up their own mini-Witness.
"I guess that means the authorities will give you a pass if you are caught using it where you shouldn't."
this is what a dead society sounds like.
Why would the authorities ban cameras unless they're planning on doing something wrong?
(Also, it's "The more they overtake the plumbing, the easier it is to stop up the drain." The term "overtake" is a Britishism equivalent to "overhaul".)
I wonder if there's a high resolution slow framerate mode? I'd love to have one of these things on my car, to catch people who bang my parked car, and just in case I'm in an accident. People out there are freakin *liars*. I'd also like to have my own record for when I'm stopped by the police. There are some bad apples wearing uniforms out there.