Spy cams - No, I'm not a spambot

knucklehead G · #1 07-22-2011, 07:35 PM

Good title if I was, right?

Figured I'd see if the vast pool of knowledge that is TB can help me here. I'm looking for a hidden camera, and I think I'm using that right. Not like a tiny one I can put in a buttonhole or whatever, but one that looks like a wall outlet or something that might reasonably be sitting around the house. No wires and I don't care about how it stores things.

I've been looking online, but a lot of these things seem like gimmicks. I've got maybe $100 to put towards this, so if its low-res and black and white, I'm fine. I just need to be able to leave it for at least ten hours and have it running, or at least on when there is motion. I'd even be okay if it just took a still photo every minute or so, really.

Does anyone have any experience with this kind of thing? My budget isn't high but my needs are simple, so hopefully its doable. Anything that hangs on the wall is out, and replacing the smoke detector would be noticed, so I'm looking for something I might randomly bring home.. a USB drive or something, maybe, that I can leave plugged into my powered-off laptop that I know sits right where I need it to all day.

Anyways. Oddball request maybe, but I appreciate any help you can give.

R. Laevinus · #2 07-22-2011, 08:06 PM

Sorry bro, can't help you...

...but can I ask why you need it? I might be able to suggest something else that could get the job done.

(That, and I'm kind of curious.)

cracked_machine · #3 07-22-2011, 08:13 PM

Yeah you make me nervous, but you can do it with a simple web cam and motion sensor setup. There's a **** load of plenty software to hook up the two out there if you look.

Just because its unlocked, don't assume someone isn't watching you. Something I've learnt from experience.

R. Laevinus · #4 07-22-2011, 08:16 PM

See, I was gonna suggest a webcam, but he says it needs to be sneaky... and he says that changing a smoke detector would be noticed, which makes me think that the target suspects surveillance... 'cause really, when was the last time YOU looked at a smoke detector?

I'm getting weird vibes, man.

cracked_machine · #5 07-22-2011, 08:24 PM

Yes! I got totally owned by a simple web cam in a data centre.

I thought:

"huh they have a sack truck in that (unlocked) caged area. Lets borrow it?!"

Next week, I had my red fingered, ugly mug emailed to my boss.
I mean it wasn't a problem. It was very, very funny.

but the point is that I didn't even see the camera! Set a tempting honey pot and the "rube" won't even see the trap.

knucklehead G · #6 07-22-2011, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by R. Laevinus

Sorry bro, can't help you...

...but can I ask why you need it? I might be able to suggest something else that could get the job done.

(That, and I'm kind of curious.)

Quote:

Originally Posted by R. Laevinus

See, I was gonna suggest a webcam, but he says it needs to be sneaky... and he says that changing a smoke detector would be noticed, which makes me think that the target suspects surveillance... 'cause really, when was the last time YOU looked at a smoke detector?

I'm getting weird vibes, man.

I'll PM you.

Also, I keep my laptop closed and use the webcam built into the monitor when I need it for Skype, so adding a new one and leaving it open would attract more attention.