Recording Audio

Hello All,

I understand most of the details concerning giving notification before
audible recordings of conversations. I also know that it depends on the
state you live in and/or federal laws concerning the issue.

However, I would like to read some opinions and comments on the following.

Large visible signs posted on the outside of the building declaring that:

AUDIO RECORDING ARE
BEING MADE IN THIS AREA

Microphones would be placed at various location with a multi-channel
recorder running inside the building.

Basically, I am asking if anyone here has done this or knows something
similar that has been done successfully or not. And what pitfalls that
maybe lurking in the background ready to pounce.

Thanks in advance for any respectful comment.

Les

 

Sunoco (Sun Oil Co.) monitors and records audio in ALL their C stores.
Exxon, Diamond Shamrock too, just to name a few I've worked in and around.
The posting is critical, and I believe all employee's must sign
acknowledgement as well. It does depend on the State as well, but from my
experience, as long as it's used in crime prevention/intervention, and not
malicious intent, Most Attourney Generals are understanding of the intent of
it's use. Now Linda Tripp wasn't preventing or interviening with a crime,
that's malice. Two party consent is required in most States. (that's why the
decal gets posted)

Jack

 

Just recently, my customer and I were both warned by our respective
attorneys that posting a sign is not enough regardless of opinions that
signage is sufficient. If given a test upon walking into any store as to
what they had posted in their window most people would not pass. It is to
easily said that "I didn't see the sign". Posting a sign will not keep the
lawsuits away. No matter what you do will not keep the lawsuits away and it
usually means you defending your innosence rather than them proving your
guilt. Are you the user of this equipment or the provider of the equipment?
Not that is matters because everyone gets invited to the lawsuit picnic
anyway.

In my particular situation, the attorneys adviced us that a sign, multiple
is better, was necessary, a plaque at each desk, and verbal statement saying
"I think it best that this conversation be recorded", the client would than
activate the recording device (in this case a button a each desk) and then
again state "this conversation is being recorded for accuratcy". At this
point the other person has the option of continueing the conversation or
not. Both attorneys felt that this would be the most defendable. I realize
this is not realistic for criminal activity and I don't do audio as a
standard practice. I also had third party indemnification in the
installation agreement and had the customer name me additional insured on
his liability policy.


Bob4Secur

 

It depends on the state first.
Then it depends on what you are recording.

For instance... for telephone calls specific rules apply such as
prenotification or ongoing "beep" tones during the conversation.

For a public place in general clear posting at ALL entrances tot he area,
and notification of on-site personal should usually suffice. In non-public
areas all bets are off.

 

Thanks to all that have replied.

Now on a technical note. I know that I can get a mic mixer but that would
mean that multiple conversation would be on one channel. So it would be
preferred to have each mic recorded separately.

Does anyone know of a good multi-channel audio recorder for say 4 to 6 mic
inputs???

Thanks in advance.

Les

 

ABLE1 wrote

You might find something here:
http://www.louroe.com/products.asp
js

 

Already looked there but did not find a multi-channel recorder. Did find a
6 mic mixer that give just one output to record. Would prefer that the
mic's were recorded separately since multiple conversations can happen at
the same time. It would be difficult to isolate each conversation.

Any other thoughts?????

 

alt.security.alarms

How about a DVR with audio inputs?


-Graham

Remove the 'snails' from my email

 

Doesn't a DVR only have one(1) audio input??? Or am I missing something???

 

ABLE1 wrote

Here are some good DVR's with 4 audio channels:
http://www.vsscctv.com/SpecSheets/ETZ-cutsheet.pdf
js

 

Ok, Thanks I will look into that.

 

alt.security.alarms

Some have four or eight, call your supplier.





-Graham

Remove the 'snails' from my email

 

Ok, that is something I didn't think about. I will look into that as well.
Thanks.

 

they differ, most well known brands in the US only have 1 input,
though you can take the single output and you will get all audio mics
into one. If you need them seperate then you would need to get a DVR
with more than one input, just splice each wire into each audio input
on the DVR.

Louroe is ontop with basestations, though you dont neccassarily need a
base station, you can also just join them all into one if you wanted
say to listen to all in the audio input of a TV or CCTV monitor.

Rory

 

Well the desire would be to have a channel per mic. If two conversations
are going on at either end of the building they could both be captured
independently. Otherwise, on a single channel you would have a very hard
time understanding what was being said at either.

Les

....

 

Possitivly illegal in Pennsylvainia violates wiretap law.

--
Nick Markowitz Jr.
Owner
Markowitz Electic Protection
Private Industry Fire Investigator.

Contributing Editor Pa. Firemans Magazine
Staff Editor www.securitymission.com
Senior Correspondant www.1strespondernews.com
Exclusive Correspondant www.nbfd.us
Contract Broadcast Engineer WAVL 910 AM apollo Pa.

"To error is human to realy foul things up requires a computer"

 

Nick,

I take it that you have had some experience with this issue in the state of
PA. Would you care to elaborate?? All input welcome.

Thanks,

Les

 

Ok, I realize that this would be legal point for discussion in a court of
law. However let us consider the primary reason for posting large signs and
installing the required equipment would be NOT to record a utterance of any
voice but only background noise. In other words to make an area of
silence where those that were in the area were being advised by the signage
to keep their lips sealed.

I understand that this would be a fine line of interpretation of the law and
may be on the losing side. And I also realize that nobody here is a lawyer
or judge but I am only looking for some opinions.

Again thanks in advance for the comments.

Les

 

I can tell you this much you would be on losing side in Pa.
even our state police are not allowed to record voice on there cruiser
cameras and Pa. was among last state to allow caller ID on phones. druggist
down street from me was convicted of violating the wire tap law for having
a linemens butt hooked set up to a pay phone even when he was trying to get
the goods on some drug dealers.
what makes things worse we are a commonweath.
I can list you case after case were buisness owners have gotten in serious
trouble with cameras and audio.
Had one of my customers had a union grievence fled on him becuase cheapy
cameras he bought had audio and arbitor demanded theybe shut off or labor
complaint would go forward.


--
Nick Markowitz Jr.
Owner
Markowitz Electic Protection
Private Industry Fire Investigator.

Contributing Editor Pa. Firemans Magazine
Staff Editor www.securitymission.com
Senior Correspondant www.1strespondernews.com
Exclusive Correspondant www.nbfd.us
Contract Broadcast Engineer WAVL 910 AM apollo Pa.

"To error is human to realy foul things up requires a computer"

 

alt.security.alarms

A pharmacist? I could see why someone would get in trouble for
tapping a pay phone.

Let me ask you this... Are you violating law every time you are
looking for a line to punch down on at the demark? I have stumbled
across some pretty weird conversations accidently!


-Graham

Remove the 'snails' from my email