Hidden / spy camera & mic for documentary at DVinfo.net

Jackie Morton · April 11th, 2009, 12:06 PM

Guys, I'll be going into an unfriendly part of the world to hopefully capture some great footage. I'll be bringing an HV30 for when I can pose as a tourist, but what can I use in places where no cameras are allowed? Is there a way to hide an HD camera in a hat, bag, etc? And how about sound - someone said I should use a wireless lav mic with a recorder in my bag?

Dean Sensui · April 11th, 2009, 01:36 PM

Sounds risky.

If you do develop a rig, I'd recommend testing it by walking around inside Wal Mart or some other large store which prohibits filming.

If you can get past them then maybe you can get away with it in an unfriendly country.

If it doesn't work in Wal Mart, you'll just get banned from the store, rather than get "Locked Up Abroad".

Jackie Morton · April 11th, 2009, 01:59 PM

To clarify: the HV30 is for when I can get away with walking around in beach shorts with a big smile and film stuff. For hidden filming, I need to use one of those spy cams. I need advice on this as well as the sound.

Dave Stern · April 11th, 2009, 04:24 PM

check Security Cameras & Security Camera Surveillance Equipment, CCTV, DVR you will find many cameras and similar for 'undercover' work.

Craig Parkes · April 12th, 2009, 12:30 AM

For HD Work the Sony HVR-MX1 is a new 'pencil cam'. It's not huge, but not tiny either, but does record HD resolution, could be useful for some situations.

David W. Jones · April 12th, 2009, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jackie Morton

Guys, I'll be going into an unfriendly part of the world to hopefully capture some great footage. I'll be bringing an HV30 for when I can pose as a tourist, but what can I use in places where no cameras are allowed? Is there a way to hide an HD camera in a hat, bag, etc? And how about sound - someone said I should use a wireless lav mic with a recorder in my bag?

Where would you hope to ever show this doc without releases?

Steve House · April 12th, 2009, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jackie Morton

To clarify: the HV30 is for when I can get away with walking around in beach shorts with a big smile and film stuff. For hidden filming, I need to use one of those spy cams. I need advice on this as well as the sound.

In most of the truly unfriendly areas of the world, arriving in country and appearing at customs carrying what appears to either be espionage equipment or journalist's gear (without journalist's credentials and minders) could be rather hazardous.

April 11th, 2009, 12:06 PM	#1
Jackie Morton Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Buffalo, USA Posts: 63	Hidden / spy camera & mic for documentary Guys, I'll be going into an unfriendly part of the world to hopefully capture some great footage. I'll be bringing an HV30 for when I can pose as a tourist, but what can I use in places where no cameras are allowed? Is there a way to hide an HD camera in a hat, bag, etc? And how about sound - someone said I should use a wireless lav mic with a recorder in my bag?

April 11th, 2009, 01:36 PM	#2
Dean Sensui Inner Circle Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 2,054	Sounds risky. If you do develop a rig, I'd recommend testing it by walking around inside Wal Mart or some other large store which prohibits filming. If you can get past them then maybe you can get away with it in an unfriendly country. If it doesn't work in Wal Mart, you'll just get banned from the store, rather than get "Locked Up Abroad". __________________ Dean Sensui Exec Producer, Hawaii Goes Fishing

April 11th, 2009, 01:59 PM	#3
Jackie Morton Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Buffalo, USA Posts: 63	To clarify: the HV30 is for when I can get away with walking around in beach shorts with a big smile and film stuff. For hidden filming, I need to use one of those spy cams. I need advice on this as well as the sound.

April 11th, 2009, 04:24 PM	#4
Dave Stern Major Player Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Northern New Jersey Posts: 391	check Security Cameras & Security Camera Surveillance Equipment, CCTV, DVR you will find many cameras and similar for 'undercover' work.

April 12th, 2009, 12:30 AM	#5
Craig Parkes Major Player Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Auckland, New Zealand Posts: 444	For HD Work the Sony HVR-MX1 is a new 'pencil cam'. It's not huge, but not tiny either, but does record HD resolution, could be useful for some situations.