Camouflage Camera

[RatCatcher]

I wish to Camouflage a camera to hide it from intruders. The camera will be set to detect motion and to record video.

I want to make sure any unnecessary lights, if there are any, are taped over. I do not expect intruders to be present in total darkness. Consequently I intend to cover the IR led/s to start with. However I would like to know if the IR led/s are at all visible when active in total darkness.

Questions:
Do the IR led/s emit any visible light.?
Does a camera display any visible light during any operational mode, including for example, if the batteries are running low?
Will exposing the lens, the motion detector and possibly the IR led/s be adequate to detect and record an intruder.

If there is a light on the camera that illuminate at all, does any of its light propagates sideways through a faceplate or void.

It is vital that a camera be invisible to an intruder.

If I get the answers I hope for I have this on my desk I will be able to return.

Product Qty. Price Total SanDisk SAMSDU64GB 64GB microSDXC Memory Card Ultra Class 10 UHS-I with microSD Adapter   1 $34.95 $34.95   BrickHouse Security BR255BBMHD Camscura Micro Hidden Camera   1 $99.95 $99.95

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[TomMac · Accepted solution]

>>I wish to Camouflage a camera to hide it from intruders. 

First as to camo... tho I would guess if properly masked off, you could paint the camera, the best option so far I've seen is below

http://fanapeel.com/thinskin-breathable-camo-wrap/

>>Do the IR led/s emit any visible light.?

Yes... the IRs are at 850nm...so when they turn on there will be a lightly glowing red to the eye.

>>Does a camera display any visible light during any operational mode, including for example, if the batteries are running low?

When the batteries get low, the (right?) led on front will flash amber about every 20 secs or so

No light comes from the sides.

>>Will exposing the lens, the motion detector and possibly the IR led/s be adequate to detect and record an intruder

YES as long as your not going thru glass or another material that block the IR sense for motion AND they are in the FOV (within 15 ft range for best motion detect)

If your really trying to be covert ( over overt ) then you might be thinking more towards a hidden camera

[RatCatcher]

Thank you very much Tom Mac.

I intend to place this camera in my bedroom, in a shoe box with necessary holes cut in one end, camera flush with inside of box..

On the box I will place used underwear with some of it hanging over the end and sides of the box, but leaving a tunnel through the underwear, cone shaped to utilize enough of the field of view to identify an intruder.. I can place the base station close to the camera. I will have a short line of sight to the wireless router or I can connect them using an Ethernet cable.

I am disabled and medications have bees disappearing, either while I am sleeping (deeply) or while I am away from my room, or the house. Being disabled is a whole 'nother world. It is uncomfortable to be invisible, be thought to be very hard of hearing and assumed to be cognitively impaired. A person it is ok to steal from.

I just purchased a BrickHouse Security BR255BBMHD
Camscura Micro Hidden Camera with memory card for $135.00. which I will return.

It just does not hold a candle to the

Arlo Security System with 1 HD Camera (VMS3130) STARTING AT $199.99

I am confident the Arlo Security System with 1 HD Camera will do the job.

Thank you again TomMac. I appreciate you taking the time to respond.

RatCatcher

[TomMac]

As long as your aware , the base station must be connected to the switch/router by the internet cable,,,

The base sets up its own wifi system so the cameras can connect to the base.

[RatCatcher]

Once again, thank you TomMac,

>>As long as your aware , the base station must be connected to the switch/router by the internet cable,,,

I get that now. I had misunderstood the specs.

>>The base sets up its own wifi system so the cameras can connect to the base.

I expect everyone in the house will be able to see the new wifi network. created by the base station. If they are interested enough they will be able to see the Arlo base station by going into "Network and Sharing Center"  in the "Control Panel", and double clicking on our "Wireless Router". If they keep going they will get to the "Camera", unless the Arlo base station has a security key.

Questions:

1.      Will the Arlo Base Station wifi network be protected by a security key after setup? I think it must.

2.      Will the Network Name and Camera Name for that matter, be changeable? Names containing Arlo, Netgear, monitoring, security, or camera would be a dead giveaway.

Thank you,

RatCatcher

[RatCatcher]

Is there a web site where I can see Morse being used instead of text to communicate? Not live but a video of a screen where a proficient Morse operator is at work. I will search youtube.

[TomMac]

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1.      Will the Arlo Base Station wifi network be protected by a security key after setup? I think it must.

2.      Will the Network Name and Camera Name for that matter, be changeable? Names containing Arlo, Netgear, monitoring, security, or camera would be a dead giveaway.

---

Yes... the Arlo wifi system is protected by a high level key and the video is also under a key  as it travels back and forth.   The only video that may not be protected is the single frame pics you see in an email that notify you have motion..( haven't checked that out yet )

You can't change the actual name of the network ( as it comes from the base and there's no access BTW, I think its called NETGEAR VBM xxxx ) But you can change the base name in the APPs and PC prgms in case you have multiple locations. exp base1 = Home, base2 = Cabin

The cameras don't appear under a scan as they only link to the base prob by the mac address.

[TomMac]

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Is there a web site where I can see Morse being used instead of text to communicate? Not live but a video of a screen where a proficient Morse operator is at work. I will search youtube.

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Many on Youtube....

I knew an oldtimer ( now gone ) that could morse at 60-80 words per min ( plain talk speed ) while having a conversation to me... Was always amazed.

Couple other guys I've met run contests in the 140+wpm range with the record being over 200wpm ( russian guy I believe)

Most of the high speed guys use typewriters to copy on as you really cant write fast enough.

To them I'm asleep at 30wpm.

BTW, that tailnote comes from a bit done on TV years back where they pitted 2 very good texters against 2 old code guys... Code guys took abt 2/3 the time.

[RatCatcher]

Are the magnets located in the back of the camera?

[TomMac]

yes, the magnets are under the rubber indented area.

[johnpico1]

Everytime I try to log-on, the screen says that it doesn't recognize my email. When I click "Forgot Password", you send me an email with a link to change my password. When I click on Netgear23 to connectr, it requires a security key. Restarting the box doesn't work. What do I need to do to access my account?

[fartoobored]

i intend to use mine to catch my wife ... while im out of the house, any ideas on how to hide?

[TomMac]

OK..... ???

nice thing about Arlo is its wireless...you have the freedom to move it any where you want

[CloudHopper]

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fartoobored wrote:

i intend to use mine to catch my wife ... while im out of the house, any ideas on how to hide?

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So that's what the Caught in the Act Videos forum is for.

[naughty]

A camera visable and out of reach says alot

[TomMac]

Choice of overt and covert... sometimes one works better than the other !

Just like bright floodlights on a sensor.

[ronocca]

Good to know that I'm not the only one whose use cases included camoflaguing the camera. My setup was detected by an intruder who saw the IR and then a second time after I moved the camera they saw the blasted flashing light when the battery was low. There ought to be a setting to not flash when low. It isn't always convenient to get to the cameras and the camera will still operate for a while after the system determines they are low. After all, anyone using the system would know they are low from the app or the web interface. The flashing led is not only not needed it renders the system useless in some cases.

I'm not familiar with IR sensors but I'm wondering why a security system would not have 700nm IR lights which most humans can't see and sensors. A 5 minute search with the Google shows many applications using non-visible IR technologies.

I would caution you on the assumption that intruders will not operated in total darkness. They won't need to; It takes far more light for the Arlo camera to see than a human needs. I tried turning off the Night Vision as an attempt at a work around. To the camera, it was pitch black. To me there was almost enough light to read a book.