Video Help Page

Important Links: Read the white paper if you utilize digital imaging for investigative purposes!

CCTV Terminology     full list of CCTV and video terminology courtesy of March Networks

The tips listed are basic and brief. If you need assistance, don't be shy. E-mail me and we'll try to  help.

The purpose of this page is to basically help with some problems that arise while conducting video operations as an investigator, as well as showing some fundamentals of video operations, and to provide some tips for using Canon, and Sony video products, in addition to selecting, and using board cams and recorders for covert use.

First and foremost; RTFM that came with your camcorder. There are little bits of info that you will learn only by doing this. Mainly the features your camera has and how to initiate them.......

"Above all, remember Murphy's Law when it comes time to go on any surveillance or shoot "only one chance to get it  video"

"ANYTHING THAT CAN GO WRONG WILL GO WRONG, AND USUALLY AT THE WORST POSSIBLE MOMENT"

Remember: Prior planning prevents Pee Poor performance, and: Please don't make Murphy comfortable.

Video Basics

NTSC or PAL?

In the US we utilize the NTSC format for video applications. PAL is used in Asia and other overseas countries.

The main difference is the lines of resolution in the picture. PAL has higher resolution. NTSC  has less. NTSC runs on 60Hz PAL on 50 Hz Need I go on?

You cannot use PAL equipment with NTSC equipment, and vice versa. You will have display problems. Some manufacturers produce multi format recorders etc. Works well in foreign countries. If you tend to work in the US, stick w NTSC

Beware of net deals that mention the product is in PAL format in fine print. PAL will not work unless you have PAL equipment. SECAM is another format, used in France.LOOK FOR NTSC  before you buy!

Cameras

Video Cameras come in many different shapes and sizes. As an investigator, you will primarily use a camcorder, or camcorder along with a board camera, to obtain video of your subject or activity,  most of the time covertly, and sometimes in the open for say an interview etc. Selection is important, so is quality. What works on the bench may not work best in the field. Sometimes you cant go back to get your desired video. Read the specifications, look for a warranty and above all KEEP IT SIMPLE and remember you get what you pay for. Clients don't pay for "blue screens"

Try to stay with the more popular brands, as these companies spend money on research and development and tend to support their products when something goes wrong. The Sony CCD TRV Series, and the Canon ZR Series are simple to operate, and can be adapted for Investigative use. A/V (Audio Video) ports allowing easy transfer to VHS or your computer make these a popular line for many folks. The Canon ZR Mini DV series gives you the best of both worlds. You can use these units as covert mini digital recorders, and add lens converters to increase your optical zoom capabilities. Both of these manufacturers allow an external analog or "spy camera" to be utilized through the use of AV-DV Inputs, and recording through the vcr function of the camera. This eliminates having to purchase stand alone VHS/Mini8/Mini DV video recorders

Board Cameras

Board cameras are a great for temporary covert installs in many places. Pocket books, clocks , ceiling tiles, smoke detectors etc. There are 2 types CCD and CMOS. Most board cams operate on 9 or 12 volts and have fixed 3.7mm pinhole or standard lenses, have a 70 degree field of view and can identify a subject 15 feet away without any problem. Any further than 15 to 20 feet, and you end up with dormant scenery. Get physically close to your subject if you use a hidden spy camera. CCD cams cost  more than CMOS.  CMOS is cheaper but the picture quality is not as good as a CCD unit. CMOS cameras have a short life expectancy. Today's board cams are simple to operate and many come with pre wired leads so hook up is simple. Add a power supply,  A/V cable from your spy cam to the recorder  and you're ready to go, no soldering necessary.

Lens Selection

Most camcorders come with a 36,37 or 25mm lens. The important thing to look for before making a purchase is the Optical Zoom feature. A Cam with a optical zoom of say 25X will provide you with the ability to "reach out and touch someone" slightly better versus one with a 16x zoom. Don't be fooled by Digital Zoom specs. 700XDig Zoom means a slight gain in image size but poor quality for recognition purposes. Dig zoom has its advantages for some applications. For quality video documentation it usually has a lot to be desired. If you really want to enhance your cam setup effectively, try a 2X lens extender or converter, usually under 100 bucks, it will help you to "reach out and touch someone".

Power supply for the camera

Batteries, its all about batteries. Don't be a cheapskate when it comes to batteries. Often enough, when a battery dies, you will miss what you waited hours and sometimes days for. New Lithium ION technology has enhanced battery properties such as time left until dead, and longer product life. Use the larger than "what came with the camera" batteries, carry at least 3 with you, charge em  and cycle ( non lithium) them regularly. Use quality name brands if possible. Some newer SONY batteries allow you to push a soft button on the side to see how much time you have left on a battery. TIP: buy a 40 dollar DC to AC INVERTER from Home Depot or Wal Mart that will plug into your cigarette lighter for charging in the field. It will pay for itself many times over.

Power supply for your "spy cam"

Most run on 9 to 12 volts. Radio Shack and other electronic suppliers sell 8 cell AA battery packs with leads to power your spy cam. These packs will last for 6 plus hours during covert recording. 

Tip: wrap the pack with electrical tape to keep batteries from popping out of the holder. If you don't you may be hating life during playback.

Tip#2 new case? remember Murphy's Law: use fresh new batteries or you can be hating life during playback.

Tip#3 Don't use a 9 volt pack where you need a 12,and vice versa, it may cause your spy cam to become a annoying paperweight.

Making your camcorder record from your external spy cam

Take the lead or AV Cord (the one with red yellow and white leads) and connect the yellow plug to the video out cord on your external camera.( the other 2 are not needed unless you need audio). Take the small single 1/8 pin and plug it into the hole in your camcorder that is labeled AV/DV. Turn the camera mode switch to VCR then:

SONY: CCD TRV Series: press the record button on the playback control panel, and the one next to it on the right simultaneously and you will be recording. Check this by looking in the viewfinder to see if its in record mode. If you don't get an image, go into your on screen menu on the camcorder and make sure the AV-DV out feature is on or 'activated"

CANON ZR Series: Using your remote press the red "Pause Record button ONCE. Then press the play button on the side of the camera. Your camera is now recording as indicated in the view finder. If you don't get an image, go into your on screen menu on the camcorder and make sure the AV-DV out feature is on or 'activated "BE CAREFUL THAT YOU DON'T ACCIDENTALLY TURN IT OFF BY PRESSING THE VERY SENSITIVE STOP BUTTON on the side of the camera.  You may end up with a "Blue Screen"

Canon ZR 100, and up

Plug external cam into av input cable, make sure av in/out is on in main menu, Place cam into vcr mode, hit record pause on inside of door where lcd screen flips out, hit play on side of cam to start record mode

Recording video from your cam to your PC

With most newer cams, USB connections,I Link and "Firewire" make downloading video from a cam to a PC a snap

The software that came with your cam is important, it contains drivers that will allow your PC to recognize your cam once the USB or Firewire cable is connected from your cam to your PC. Always read  the manual before connecting a USB cable from your cam to a PC. Connecting the cable without having the drivers installed will cause problems later. New Stand alone DVD Recorders have  I link inputs, as well as standard composite video inputs. They're inexpensive, accept time date stamps, and free up your PC from all of the problems associated with transferring video.

How to get "Still Shots" From Your Cam

(in progress)

Time Date Generator

Older camcorders allowed the time and date to be displayed for ever until you turned it off on the cams menu.

Newer units require you to turn this function on before transfer to VHS so  the T&D will be displayed on your finished product.

Again, RTFM that came with your camcorder. There are amazing little bits of info that you will learn only by doing this.

Simple (time and date) T&D tips

On Sony products you must use the handheld remote to turn T&D on for display on playback. The button to be pushed will say date code or data code. Push it once and you will see the T/D code on your TV or monitor, or camcorder viewfinder during playback. Same thing for Canon. Remember to check and if necessary, set your cameras clock and date before heading out on a mission.  A 4-6 second time shot of an area you are in, street sign etc, always helps to justify exactly where you were.

Wireless                           

Keeping it simple means avoid going wireless unless absolutely necessary. Most often, many common or cheap transmitters are under rated as far as the distance they will transmit, get very hot during operation, and will prove MURPHY wasn't lying.( yes they can get very hot and will physically burn you) Many low end transmitters are rated in accordance with the laws of "spy shop physics" (Definition:  will defy all laws of physics, and properties of radio transmission but looks neat and will impress every kid in the schoolyard; ends up making you hate yourself for listening to the salesman and wasting money on a "blue screen" generating product). Use wireless cautiously, and only when necessary. Test your equipment before you leave for an install!

If you buy an inexpensive transmitter please try to get some kind of warranty, or exchange agreement.

A good quality transmitter will work under the right conditions. If you use a transmitter and receiver, for video, practice, and test your equipment before going in for the kill. What works on the bench won't always work in the field. If you don't test you may end up with a pretty blue screen, and a pissed off client. If you need wireless and want some good help, locate a HAM Radio operator near you. Most are delighted to help, and are knowledgeable when it comes to what will and won't work for wireless applications based on their experimentation. Right now there is a big push to sell2.4 gig transmitters. Why? because 900 MHz and other optimal frequency bands got "crowded". If at all possible try to use 440 - 900 MHz FCC approved frequencies for your wireless applications.2.4 gig is good for unobstructed stationary views, or from  a body worn cam to a body worn receiver( 15 feet) from you to your car outside.

For the technically consciences a few charts:

The choice of  coaxial cable depends on the environment in which it will be used and the electrical characteristics required. By far the most common coaxial cables are the RG59/U and RG11/U, having a 75-ohm impedance. For short camera-to-monitor distances (a few hundred feet), preassembled lengths of RG59/U with BNC connectors at each end are used. Preassembled lengths of 3, 25, 50, and 100 feet are available. Long cable runs (several hundred feet and longer) require higher quality cable such as RG11/U. Runs of several thousand feet, particularly between several buildings or if electrical interference is present, may require fiber optic cable. When the camera and monitoring equipment are in two different buildings, and likely at different ground potentials, an unwanted signal may be impressed on the video signal, which shows up as an interference (wide bars on the video screen) and makes the picture unacceptable. The chart above summarizes the transmission properties of coaxial cables when used to transmit the VIDEO signal.