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Makers and Making: remote control spycam?
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Oct 25th 2009
I'm trying to figure out how to make one of the mini spycams like the one here: http://cgi.ebay.com/New-wireless-spy-color-audio-Camera-System-adapters_W0QQitemZ160371619238QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item2556e4b5a6
remote controlled via wireless keyfob or even an old cheap remote control car control. I'm trying to make this cam completely hidden and wireless, so I'd have to use the 9v adapter, but I don't need it on all the time. I'm trying to find out which one of my friends is stealing from me, but they're pretty observant and would notice wires, cameras, etc.
I might even consider using one of the "keyfob" or "gum pack" "dvr" cameras found pretty cheap on Ebay. I read the hack about using a motion detector, but that's pretty bulky when it's finished, although a motion detector that would be small and stop recording after a set time, say 20 minutes or so, would be great. Overall, if I could set it up to turn on (and preferably off) via keyfob or some sort of remote, that would probably be the best bet. If I use the one with a receiver, I can set it up to record automatically to my hard drive when it's powered on (tv card comes in handy), or if I get one of the mini dvr types (more likely) I can always view it on my computer later, and most of them have 4-8Gig recording and LION batteries.
Most important is that this setup be fairly cheap and small. My soldering skills aren't fantastic, but I can do a bit. I've even thought about getting some clearance Halloween toys that have the motion detector and using that since they seem to be a fairly small circuit and run on low current. Ugly doesn't matter, because I'll be installing this into an object to camouflage it, but small and cheap DO matter. If there were some way to remotely power it up and also have the record function attached to the motion detector, even better, but either will suffice. I plan on installing this into either a small alarm clock or a wall hanging of some sort.
remote controlled via wireless keyfob or even an old cheap remote control car control. I'm trying to make this cam completely hidden and wireless, so I'd have to use the 9v adapter, but I don't need it on all the time. I'm trying to find out which one of my friends is stealing from me, but they're pretty observant and would notice wires, cameras, etc.
I might even consider using one of the "keyfob" or "gum pack" "dvr" cameras found pretty cheap on Ebay. I read the hack about using a motion detector, but that's pretty bulky when it's finished, although a motion detector that would be small and stop recording after a set time, say 20 minutes or so, would be great. Overall, if I could set it up to turn on (and preferably off) via keyfob or some sort of remote, that would probably be the best bet. If I use the one with a receiver, I can set it up to record automatically to my hard drive when it's powered on (tv card comes in handy), or if I get one of the mini dvr types (more likely) I can always view it on my computer later, and most of them have 4-8Gig recording and LION batteries.
Most important is that this setup be fairly cheap and small. My soldering skills aren't fantastic, but I can do a bit. I've even thought about getting some clearance Halloween toys that have the motion detector and using that since they seem to be a fairly small circuit and run on low current. Ugly doesn't matter, because I'll be installing this into an object to camouflage it, but small and cheap DO matter. If there were some way to remotely power it up and also have the record function attached to the motion detector, even better, but either will suffice. I plan on installing this into either a small alarm clock or a wall hanging of some sort.
Oct 25th 2009
You can try a simple "Cheap" approach I did, I took an old webcam (that still worked) and I removed the housing so it was much smaller, then I took an empty router box (any empty box that could sit on a shelf unnoticed or that wont draw attention) mount the webcam in the box and cut a small hole (just big enough for the camera to have a good view of the outside of the box)) for the camera to "look" out of. then connect the camera to your PC (You can get extension cables to hide it under carpeting if needed) and install this program >>>http://dorgem.sourceforge.net/ << the program is no longer supported but it still works great, it will detect motion and only record if there is enough motion in the viewing area of the camera, so the camera can be on all the time and only record when there is motion. It worked great for me catching the one coming into my office and stealing from me.
Oct 25th 2009
The only drawback there is I've got a mixture of carpeting and tile, and the room in question is tile and quite a distance from the computer. Wired would definitely be noticed. I could probably use that program with wireless, but I've still got the problem of short battery life.
Oct 25th 2009
If you mount a wireless camera inside something that already has a power cable (clock, stereo, whatever) you can tap that inside the chassis. No suspicious wiring at all!
If you change the cable, you could probably supply power to a camera mounted in a speaker or something similar. Something like phone cable which has four conductors in a single sheath could carry both sound and power so the speaker could be make to still work.
If you change the cable, you could probably supply power to a camera mounted in a speaker or something similar. Something like phone cable which has four conductors in a single sheath could carry both sound and power so the speaker could be make to still work.
Oct 25th 2009
There are also those ethernet over power outlet adapters that might be of use. But really you just need to mount a mini wireless spycam inside something and connect it to your computer and use a bank of 9volt batteries or a wall wart for power, then use software on your computer to recognize motion to record video.
Or get better roommates.
Or get better roommates.
Oct 25th 2009
I don't have roommates, just friends that come over occasionally, and the last get-together had about 6-7 friends, and that's when a few items went missing.
I suppose I could use some form of setup to run the 9vdc off of 110vac, or use a device that already uses a transformer for dc, preferably 9-12v. The only drawback is that this apartment has a serious lack of outlets. If it weren't for strip surge protectors I wouldn't be able to use half of my electronics. Luckily, the wiring can stand up to the amperage....
I really don't understand why premade motion detector-activated spycams are so much more expensive than non-activated. I can pick up a wireless spycam WITH audio, adapters to run the cam off of a transformer or 9v battery, receiver, RCA cables, the whole setup for $38 or less, but a motion activated wireless WITHOUT sound is normally $170 without any extra accessories.
I like the speaker idea, never thought of that. With the proper mods, I could put a power converter inside my stereo, add a plug for the power, swap cables and done. The only thing suspicious would be the speaker wire that's visible since mine are the simple two-strand factory wires, but I could swap all the wires so they'd match. Or I could simply say my cat chewed the wires and that's all I had to replace it with.
Most of the wireless cams have an estimated battery life for use, wonder how much more I could squeeze out of it with the rechargeable batteries designed for digital pics, if they even make those in 9v. Or even a regular rechargeable 9v, as rechargeables have always lasted longer than alkaline batteries for me.
I suppose I could use some form of setup to run the 9vdc off of 110vac, or use a device that already uses a transformer for dc, preferably 9-12v. The only drawback is that this apartment has a serious lack of outlets. If it weren't for strip surge protectors I wouldn't be able to use half of my electronics. Luckily, the wiring can stand up to the amperage....
I really don't understand why premade motion detector-activated spycams are so much more expensive than non-activated. I can pick up a wireless spycam WITH audio, adapters to run the cam off of a transformer or 9v battery, receiver, RCA cables, the whole setup for $38 or less, but a motion activated wireless WITHOUT sound is normally $170 without any extra accessories.
I like the speaker idea, never thought of that. With the proper mods, I could put a power converter inside my stereo, add a plug for the power, swap cables and done. The only thing suspicious would be the speaker wire that's visible since mine are the simple two-strand factory wires, but I could swap all the wires so they'd match. Or I could simply say my cat chewed the wires and that's all I had to replace it with.
Most of the wireless cams have an estimated battery life for use, wonder how much more I could squeeze out of it with the rechargeable batteries designed for digital pics, if they even make those in 9v. Or even a regular rechargeable 9v, as rechargeables have always lasted longer than alkaline batteries for me.
Oct 26th 2009
txironhead sez: "Most of the wireless cams have an estimated battery life for use, wonder how much more I could squeeze out of it with the rechargeable batteries designed for digital pics, if they even make those in 9v. Or even a regular rechargeable 9v, as rechargeables have always lasted longer than alkaline batteries for me."
Why bother with 9v batteries? Their AH rating is pathetic. Do you need 9 volts? Buy a battery holder and populate it with AA cells - that will last vastly longer than one of those puny 9v batteries.
Why bother with 9v batteries? Their AH rating is pathetic. Do you need 9 volts? Buy a battery holder and populate it with AA cells - that will last vastly longer than one of those puny 9v batteries.
Oct 27th 2009
most wireless cameras would come with a wall wart that converts 110ac to 4.5 to 6 volts dc, most other household appliances such as digital alarm clocks, or cable converters, would have circuitry that would run on those power levels, you can just buy a cheap wireless cam, cut the wall wart off of the power cord, open up your digital alarm clock, and find a source to connect for power using a multimeter or voltmeter, then solder you cameras power cord to those points, then place the camera inside the housing (remove the camera housing itself if it makes a better fit) drill a small hole for the camera to see out of, and use the application I suggested above and you should be all set with your own wireless spy cam, and the software will only record when there is motion and it resides in your system tray so no one would even notice it is running.
If you could do this, then that would take care of all the power and cable issues and also hiding the camera from view.
My. 02
If you could do this, then that would take care of all the power and cable issues and also hiding the camera from view.
My. 02
Oct 27th 2009
"Why bother with 9v batteries? Their AH rating is pathetic. Do you need 9 volts? Buy a battery holder and populate it with AA cells - that will last vastly longer than one of those puny 9v batteries."
The wireless cams with receivers run on 9v. The DVR spycams run on LION batteries, probably much lower voltage.
The wireless cams with receivers run on 9v. The DVR spycams run on LION batteries, probably much lower voltage.
Oct 27th 2009
a quick search of dealextreme.com came across:
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.17780
and
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.19632
and
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.15125
In steadily more expensive versions. The top one is wireless, and can run on batteries. The middle one has a remote, but no motions sensor, and the bottom one seems to have all the bells and whistles.
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.17780
and
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.19632
and
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.15125
In steadily more expensive versions. The top one is wireless, and can run on batteries. The middle one has a remote, but no motions sensor, and the bottom one seems to have all the bells and whistles.
Oct 27th 2009
First off, thanks for the link, the following is in no way meant to be disrespectful or rude, I just had to comment on the "look" of the item, and I am seriously considering buying it.
"Absolutely innocent looking stylish wooden tissue paper box"
Okay, two blatant tags and a green LED (no, that's not suspicious) on a hideous box that dispenses what looks like toilet paper on a roll instead of tissues.....that is a really ugly setup.
On the plus side, it should be very easy to take apart the "discreet" box and insert the camera and circuit into something that matches my decor instead of my Aunt Doris' house, and everything's there, remote, rechargeable battery and all. And the price is actually pretty good. Thanks!
$33 for the first one with night vision is a fantastic price, might actually consider that one and just do the wall wart adaption, although it didn't seem to get great reviews, as long as I can tell who the culprit is it'd be worth it.
"Absolutely innocent looking stylish wooden tissue paper box"
Okay, two blatant tags and a green LED (no, that's not suspicious) on a hideous box that dispenses what looks like toilet paper on a roll instead of tissues.....that is a really ugly setup.
On the plus side, it should be very easy to take apart the "discreet" box and insert the camera and circuit into something that matches my decor instead of my Aunt Doris' house, and everything's there, remote, rechargeable battery and all. And the price is actually pretty good. Thanks!
$33 for the first one with night vision is a fantastic price, might actually consider that one and just do the wall wart adaption, although it didn't seem to get great reviews, as long as I can tell who the culprit is it'd be worth it.
Oct 28th 2009
No offence taken - I completely agree, the middle one is butt-ugly, but I figured this being a maker forum that you would think exactly what you did - hey, I can take that apart and put it in something else....
Keep looking on that site - there was a ton of stuff just from the search term "spy camera" (the spycam employee badge was intriguing...). most just record to micro SD, but some transmitted as well. I think there was a USB powered one as well, that with a small PC (hey! I remember someone was selling a linux based server the size of a wall wart...) you could be streaming to the internet...
Keep looking on that site - there was a ton of stuff just from the search term "spy camera" (the spycam employee badge was intriguing...). most just record to micro SD, but some transmitted as well. I think there was a USB powered one as well, that with a small PC (hey! I remember someone was selling a linux based server the size of a wall wart...) you could be streaming to the internet...
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