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The latest trends in video and audio surveillance equipment for covert surveillance operations

October 27, 2006
By:  Lynn Bryant

Advancements in video and audio surveillance equipment always peak the interest of police and private investigators. Utilizing the latest police surveillance equipment and tools not only make their lives a little easier, but often assists them at being more effective in the detection and fight against crime.

This article looks at some of the latest tools currently being used by law enforcement personnel in both the video and audio surveillance categories.

New audio surveillance technology

Audio surveillance equipment is used to monitor a room, an individual person, or a telephone conversation. In order to perform audio surveillance you need both a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter, which is often referred to as a bug, is what is hidden in the room, on a person, etc. in order to capture the audio sound which is in turn transmitted to the receiver unit for review. Transmitters come in various shapes and sizes and often come disguised as everyday objects such as pens, glasses, calculators, etc.

  • Transmitters -- A company called Eye Spy sells a device called Enigma, which is actually a mobile phone. The phone itself acts as the transmitter and it is activated simply by dialing its number. The transmitter is so highly sensitive it can pick up even the slightest of whispers within a significant range around the phone itself. This unit can be taken into a meeting or left hidden in a single location for future activation. Once activated, it gives security personnel thousands of miles away the ability to receive the audio transmissions. All that needs to be done to activate the transmitter is to dial the phone's cell number.
     
  • Recorders -- In order to record the audio transmissions from the transmitter device that is being used, a recorder is needed to capture and store the sound. Eye Spy has a very large selection of recording devices. One unique tool they offer is a pen microphone. These devices are amazing. The device looks just like a pen, but comes complete with a high tech digital audio recorder built right in. It is ideal for recording meetings or interviews. Once the meeting is complete, you can simply download the mp3 files to your computer through a built in USB connection.

New video surveillance technology

Just as with audio surveillance equipment, video surveillance equipment comes in all different shapes and sizes for a variety of covert surveillance situations. Eye Spy sells a variety of covert camera devices. We will just be looking at one of their offerings, the Tie Camera.

Eye Spy's Tie Camera appears just like a normal necktie, but has a pinhole camera concealed inside. The Tie Camera is designed to work with their Micro Digital Video Recorder. Together both work as a completely self-contained unit, which delivers amazingly clear images even in low light situations.

There are many more unique surveillance tools available through the Eye Spy website. By visiting their website, you will be able to evaluate and learn more about the latest audio and video equipment for covert surveillance.

About the Author
Lynn Bryant is a successful freelance writer and contributor to Video-Surveillance-Guide.com.  Your definitive guide to video surveillance equipment, CCTV cameras and wireless security systems for home and business.

Also See:  [ Laws on hidden video cameras -- are hidden cameras legal? ]
[ Both sides of the controversy surrounding public video surveillance ]
[ Options, uses, and concerns regarding miniature surveillance cameras ]

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