security

Have you ever looked into a surveillance camera and wondered who was watching you? Well, even if you haven't, you should know that the camera mounted to the ceiling may well be a dummy. In fact, we carry loads of dummy surveillance cameras designed to deter would-be intruders by giving the feeling that they are being watched. This is a great item for mom-and-pop stores on a budget, families with concerns about trespassers, schools with concerns about delinquent behavior, and more.

Who Knew is an ongoing weekly series featuring some of the items that you wouldn't typically find in your average camera store. But then again, we're not your typical camera store. 

Want to remain hands-free while you record video footage? A few weeks ago I wrote about camcorders that you can wear. One was a helmet cam, another was a pen that records video and the third was a pair of sunglasses that capture video. Those posts generated quite a bit of reader interest in other forms of wearable camcorders, so I decided to write about some more of these increasingly popular items. 

Ever since nanny-cams grabbed the spotlight, video surveillance has hardly been the monopoly of law enforcement. Cameras masquerading as common household objects can be bought by anyone. This raises the question: sure it's a hidden camera, but is the outward product functional? Can the clock with a clandestine camera tell time? As a value-oriented consumer, I want the cover story to be genuine, not a prop. It turns out the answer depends on the product.