Are you about to go on vacation? You’ll want to keep your home safe while you’re gone. Here is a step by step guide on how to make a spy camera.
Do you think there’s something going on in your home that you don’t approve of? Are you hiring a new babysitter and want to make sure they’re the right choice? Or are you about to go on a vacation and want to keep your home safe while you’re gone?
Then a hidden spy camera might be the right answer for you.
But buying a spy camera from a store can be expensive. Luckily, there are plenty of ways that you can make a spy camera on your own. Read on to learn our tried and true method for how to make a spy camera.
Be Aware of the Legality
Before you embark on this DIY mission, you need to be aware of the laws where you live. Most states have laws that allow you to record the things that go on in a public space or your own home.
You aren’t legally allowed to record anyone in a place where they expect privacy, like in the bathroom or a personal bedroom. And recording someone at the office probably won’t fly. So unless you’re ready and willing to take on a legal battle, avoid filming anyone in these places.
As long as you know and understand the legalities of filming people without their permission, you’re good to go.
Gather Your Equipment
Now that you know what you are and aren’t allowed to film, let’s take a look at the gear you’ll need to make your own spy camera.
For this DIY experiment, you’ll need an external webcam, an innocuous household object, some small weighted items, and hot glue. Also, you’ll need a computer to keep your videos stored.
When you’re selecting your webcam, you’ll want to make sure that it’s one with a high resolution. If the image is grainy, you’re not going to be able to tell who is doing what in your video. Look for something with a video capture rate higher than 720p.
It’s also a good idea to find something with an auto-focus and light adjustment technology. If you want to get super high-tech with it, get something that has a motion sensor.
Any computer that is compatible with your webcam will do here. Just make sure that you have a long enough cord that it won’t be too obvious or a webcam that can connect wirelessly.
If you’re worried about a serious crime, consider getting a professional spy camera, like ones you can find from this company.
Pick a Location
Before you get started, you want to decide where you want to film. You want it to be in an area where you’re going to see the most action, but you don’t want it to be obvious.
Remember, when you’re choosing this spot, don’t place it in your bathroom or in someone else’s personal bedroom.
Choose a Hiding Spot
Next, we’re going to look at what you can use to hide your camera in. Of course, you could always use your plain webcam, but that would be a little obvious, right?
Instead, all it will take is a little bit of finesse to turn that webcam into a secret spy camera.
Find an object in your home that would make a good place for a spy camera. Think about things that people don’t expect like:
- Picture frames
- Small decorations
- Clocks
- A pencil sharpener
For the rest of this DIY tutorial, we’re going to tell you how to make a spy camera out of a pencil sharpener. This is an object that people visiting your home aren’t likely to use and it has a convenient hole for the camera lens that no one is going to look at and question.
Mount the Camera in the Object
This is the tricky part. You’ll want to be as careful as you can be and take your time so you don’t destroy your webcam by accident.
You start by taking off the outer shell of your webcam so that you can see the circuit board attached to the lens. If you bought a small enough webcam, this little piece will be able to fit just about anywhere and now that it’s flat and much smaller, you won’t have trouble disguising it.
Then you’ll want to take out the insides of your pencil sharpener. Remove the motor, the wires, and the cord from the inside.
Point the lens towards the hole and carefully fix the circuit board to the inside of the sharpener, taking care to ensure that the lens is where the hole is. You’ll also want to keep the glue as far away from the lens as you can, as any glue will cloud or completely break the glass or plastic.
Weigh It Down
On the off chance that someone tries to pick up your “pencil sharpener” and finds it too light, they’ll know there’s something fishy with it. So use up the extra space by gluing fishing weights on the inside to give it the right feel.
Also, if you think it might move around, glue the whole apparatus down to the table you want to use.
Connect to Device
Then, thread the cable that connects your webcam to your computer through the back and cover it with something. If you chose a plug-in pencil sharpener, it won’t look suspicious for it to have a cord hanging out the back. Just make sure it doesn’t obviously connect to the computer.
From there, all you have to do is put your spy camera in the right spot, turn it on, and ensure it’s recording before you leave the room!
Beyond How to Make a Spy Camera
We hope this tutorial for how to make a spy camera has helped you figure out how to stay in the know on a budget. Everyone deserves the right to stay safe and feel as though they have control over their own home. This spy camera is easy to make and even easier to use!
To find out how to protect yourself online, check out this blog post next!