The Many Different Uses of Hidden Cameras

While hidden cameras seem sneaky to some people, they can really come in handy in many different situations, which is probably why they've become so popular on the market. In fact, they can be used for so many different reasons; you will find numerous designs and features to choose from when shopping for a hidden camera yourself. Some are simple concepts that will capture the room or space you focus on, while others actually have built in recorders, and the ability to be viewed over the Internet in real time. So what are the reasons you might want to consider using hidden cameras?

Preventing Employee Theft

Whether you hire people to work for you in your home or at a place of business, you want to make sure that they aren't taking advantage of you. If you suspect that an employee might be stealing from you or that they are taking advantage of you in another way, you might want to consider using a hidden camera.

These cameras can capture the theft or activity on camera, which will help with legal matters or simply to confront the employee. Simply put, a camera to capture the mischief can make life a lot easier.

Protecting Your Children

You may have heard of a nanny cam before, but have you ever considered owning one yourself? Some people find this method to be sneaky but when it comes down to protecting your children, it's probably safe to say that nothing can be considered overboard.

When you have young children, it's important to realize that they can't tell you if their nanny is mistreating them in any way. When there is doubt, a nanny cam should be installed immediately.

Catching a Cheating Spouse

Let's face it, nobody wants to be deceived when they are in a relationship, especially when it comes to infidelity. The sad truth is that it happens all the time and most people never even see it coming. However, after the fact many people realize that there will little signs they chose to ignore, that could have exposed the betrayal a lot sooner.

Hidden cameras are the perfect way to catch a lover in the arms of another person, especially if you have reason to believe it's happening at home. You might even consider installing a hidden camera in the car if you have a strong enough suspicion.

Keeping an Eye on Pets

Dogs and cats can be big troublemakers. If you want to keep an eye on your pets while you're away to make sure they are safe and the house doesn't fall apart in their care, a hidden camera that lets you view things as they happen online might be just the solution for you.

They will allow you to see what's been going on at home while you aren't able to be there, making it possible to find just how the toilet paper roll ends up in the living room every afternoon.

DVR Cameras Provide a Convenient and Covert Surveillance Option

So you want to keep an eye on your property but you don't want the hassle of running wires and setting up a full sized digital video recorder. A DVR Camera may be your answer. These cleaver devices are generally disguised as everyday items but contain a working security camera and digital video recorder. They are self contained so there is no need to run wires or worry if your wireless signal is being received.

They work by means of a covertly installed camera usually a pinhole type which requires only about 1/16" hole to see through. The output of this camera is connected to an internal DVR that records onto a SD card. Many DVR Cameras can use cards with up to 32GB of memory which provides many hours of high resolution recording. You will also find many features that are available on full size DVRs such as motion detection, scheduled recording, time date stamp and remote control.

The thought that you may need to covertly record someone is not a pleasant one but sometimes it is the only way to know what has or may happen. There are many uses for these covert cameras such as keeping an eye on care givers to be sure your loved ones are treated well, being sure your employees are not stealing from you or knowing if your teenager is having people over when they shouldn't.

Not all DVR Cameras are created equal so you need to know what to look for. Today you shouldn't settle for a camera that can only record in 352 x 240 resolution which is also referred to as CIF resolution. It should also have an option to record at 640 x 480 resolution which is also known as VGA resolution and provides a better image for details when played back. Some of the newer models will record at even higher resolutions.

If the area you are going to record has adequate lighting such as an office or room with windows and daylight most cameras will provide a good picture. If however the area will have low lighting such as a large room with only one light on not much outside window light you will need a camera with better low light performance. This is usually determined by what is called a lux rating. A rating of.1 lux or lower is needed for low light performance. If you have a very dark area or no light at all you will need a camera with infrared LEDs which provide light that is invisible to the eye but not the cameras sensor.

Another feature to look at is the size of the SD card the camera can use. The sizes are stated in GB (gigabytes), 2 GB is the least amount you will need. Most DVR Cameras record in AVI format for easy playback on a computer. This type of format does not compress files so you will usually only get about 40 minutes per GB. If you use motion detection a 2 GB card may be sufficient but you may want to be sure the unit can handle larger SD cards if needed. Most cameras have the option to set the recorder to stop when the card is full or do continuous or loop recording.

So if you want a convenient all-in-one surveillance solution the DVR Camera is worth considering. They are quick to setup, not easily detected and there is no need to run wires or transmit a video signal.

Mike Ward is the owner of Security Cams, a leading distributor of security cameras and digital video recorders. For more information about security cameras, please visit Security Cams.