To catch a thief, Advice needed

[Dave]

We have a thief working at our company. He is very reliable and because
of this, I think we can catch him on video.

What I want to do is install a hidden camera with a recorder and set
out some bait in front of the camera. Of course, my budget is limited,
so I am looking for advice on how to do this the most inexpensive and
easy way.

Everything I have seen at the security websites are overkill. I only
need a single channel of video, with the capability to record at least
1 week, but preferably 2 weeks with good resolution and at least 1
frame per second.

I am also wondering about installing the camera. I need a small
camera, but good image quality in order to identify the culprit. But I
have to hide the thing of course. I was thinking about using a fake
mirror (mirror glass) but I'm not sure where get something like this.
Or maybe one of those fake clocks or something with a built in
camera....

Thanks for any help....
Dave

 

[Robertm]

We have a thief working at our company. He is very reliable and because
of this, I think we can catch him on video.

What I want to do is install a hidden camera with a recorder and set
out some bait in front of the camera. Of course, my budget is limited,
so I am looking for advice on how to do this the most inexpensive and
easy way.

Everything I have seen at the security websites are overkill. I only
need a single channel of video, with the capability to record at least
1 week, but preferably 2 weeks with good resolution and at least 1
frame per second.

I am also wondering about installing the camera. I need a small
camera, but good image quality in order to identify the culprit. But I
have to hide the thing of course. I was thinking about using a fake
mirror (mirror glass) but I'm not sure where get something like this.
Or maybe one of those fake clocks or something with a built in
camera....

Thanks for any help....
Dave

There was a thief who frequented a local coffee shop and dipped into the jar
where customers would put quarters for the morning paper. The owner of the
store bought some UV dusting powder and dusted some coins in the jar. Then
he put a UV lamp near the checkout register. When the thief paid for his
morning coffee, his hands glowed. Perhaps you don't need something as
elaborate as a camera.

Bob

 

[Robert L Bass]

There was a thief who frequented a local coffee shop and dipped into the

jar where customers would put quarters for the morning paper. The owner of
the store bought some UV dusting powder and dusted some coins in the jar.
Then he put a UV lamp near the checkout register. When the thief paid for
his morning coffee, his hands glowed. Perhaps you don't need something as
elaborate as a camera.

One of the employees at a friend's pharmacy many years ago was stealing
other people's lunches. One day the proprietor placed a little ipecac in
his sandwich and waited... :^)

 

[Joe Lucia]

You should be able to find a Web Camera with included software that
allows time-lapse or motion-activated recording with your PC. I just
saw one at Fry's Electronics that was intended for just this, it had
Infrared LED's so it could see in the dark and a looong usb cable to
your PC. Because it's Wired I expect it would be decent video. It was
about $200.

 

[[email protected]]

well you will need digital recording for that time, check out the GE
VDR for a VCR priced DVR with Removable HDD. OR, check out the AvTech 4
channel DVR, they run anywhere from $250-500 depending where you buy
it, and if you get one with LAN or not.

Then just buy a pinhole board camera, any manufacturer, BW if low light
or if you need a wide angle lens, as those cheaper color pinhole
cameras typically are 1/4" and not wide angle..

For a huge line of hidden cameras, check this link.
http://www.spytown.com/covertcameras.html

Personally I typically only use the GE hidden cameras and they have
some high quality ones, but there are lots of choices on that site for
other options.

Rory

 

[[email protected]]

http://www.spytown.com/ge-interlogix--digital-recording--vdr.html

AvTech without LAN is normally found in Sams Club, etc.

 

[Bill]

You can use a regular VCR along with an inexpensive camera. So just need to
get a camera which will connect to a VCR.

Search google.com for the words...
security camera price
(Using the word price finds web sites which have items for sale on-line.)

http://www.google.com/search?num=20&hl=en&lr=&safe=off&q=security+camera+price&btnG=Search

 

[Silicon Sam]

I have a 960 hour capable VCR that I would sell cheap. Been taken
off a job long ago. Been sitting in my office for a few years now.

Raymond

 

[Bob La Londe]

well you will need digital recording for that time,

WHAT!? When you figure a cheap 24 VHS VRT records 20 frames per seond in 24
hr mode I don't see why they wouldn't record at a couple frames per second
for over a week. Also a few VRTs record at VRT rate for nearly 40 hrs on a
T-160.

This guys is on the cheap. I tend to ignore customers who are on the cheap,
but a few really have a niche where it is appropriate.

--
Bob La Londe

Win a Spinnerbait Tackle Kit

Spinnerbait Tips & Tricks Contest
Through the Month of September 2005

http://www.YumaBassMan.com

 

[[email protected]]

The VDR is a VCR but it has a Hard Drive, same price as a Time Lapse
VCR.

A normal VCR wont cut it.

 

[Les George]

We use a device called a Memocam. It is a combined camera (with motion
detection) a PIR recorder and digital recorder all in one.
http://www.memocam.com/

We have found them excellent for certain situations.

Les

 

[Dave]

Hey Thanks Rory. That GE VDR seems quite reasonably priced at $298
shipped. I am wondering if I can just stuff a standard 5.25" EIDE hard
drive in it? The one with a pre-installed drive is way over priced if
it's just a matter of installing a standard computer HDD.

The smoke detector camera looks like a good choice. I noticed there
are some choices to be made with regards to the camera though. Maybe
you have some advice. The standard camera comes with a selection of
2.5, 4, and 6 mm lenses, but then there are optional 8mm and 12mm
lenses. I'm not sure what lens would work best. I am trying to cover
just one corner of a small room (25'x25') and I don't have a need for a
wide angle shot. I won't have control over the lighting, but it would
usually be lit to a level where a person can get around without
stumbling. The thief works during the daytime, and there are a couple
windows in the room. So color or B/W? I'm not sure. My main goal here
is to get a good identification image of this guy the first time
around.

Thanks
Dave

 

[[email protected]]

Just get the lens kit and you can change them if needed. 4 or 6 mm
would probably do once you dont need the whole room. Also depends where
you are mounting the camera and the distance from the camera to the
view area, and width of the view area. (FOV)

Color is nice, but if you are unsure of the lighting level then you
would best with BW.

The VDR can use regular IDE drives, the slower the better. Unformated
also, dont do anything with them.