Spy cameras - nothing new here Hidden cameras have been around for years and have slowly made it from the upper echelons of the security services down to ordinary consumers like us. This roundup will give you a taste of what’s available right now.
Kicking off our list is the calculator spycam. It’s a desktop calculator with a very small video camera embedded in its side. It also functions as a desktop calculator making the disguise complete. Expect to get at least 25 frames per second at a 320×240 resolution. These will be able to record in multiple audio, video and photo formats including MP3, AVI, and MPEG4.
Of course, we had to include a surveillance camera watch. These wristwatches look like those straight out of a James Bond movie. Expensive looking, with the camera lens embedded in the face of the watch. One model, for example, has the lens well hidden in one of the numbers. Due to the smaller size, the video quality isn’t quite as nice as in a larger device. It is still amazing for something you can get for under $200.
No roundup of spycams would be complete without a pair of spy camera sunglasses. These should take both video and photos. You should be able to find a pair that takes at least 1.3 Megapixel shots. You should be able to find a pair for under $200.
If you need to take images or video from afar or above ground, then get an RC spy plane. This is perfect for reconnaissance. Most people wouldn’t even suspect that a remote controlled plane could take photos or record video.
There are also ground-based remote controlled vehicles (cars, trucks, etc.). Some will even transmit video wirelessly to a headset or other screen.
Perhaps you have kids and have babysitters or nannies take care of your kids periodically. Then you may want something more appropriate that would blend into a child’s bedroom or perhaps the living room. In this case, there are toys (like teddy bears!) that have embedded cameras, some of which can be hooked up to your home computer network and that can transmit live video. Then all you need to see what’s going on at home, is a computer and Web browser hooked up to the Internet.
For more specific examples of products with embedded spy cameras, take a look at this popular electronics gadget blog.
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