Hidden Cameras

Buying a spy camera? This is important!

Want to keep an eye on someone or something? We understand that. This means that the suspicions you have can be recorded on a hidden camera. The visual confirmation you need when it comes to crime. This is an excellent way with a spy camera. Without anyone noticing. By a camera that is hidden or completely invisible.

When is the use of a spy camera legal? What product features do you pay attention to when buying a spy camera? And how do you install a spy camera? We are happy to show you around. This makes it easier to make a purchase decision.

Do you want to take advantage of the deterrent effect of visible security cameras? Then go to this page about surveillance cameras.

Using a business spy camera

As a manager in an organization, it feels terrible to have been cheated on. At the same time, you know that something can be done about it and that you need evidence. You do not want to throw a relationship of trust with employees to the disposal of a suspicion. Additionally, you may be considering filing a lawsuit. Evidence is required to do this in a legally professional manner. With a spy camera it is possible to collect this evidence. With this you show theft, embezzlement or other criminal activities.

Laws and regulations regarding hidden cameras at companies are quite strict. And differs from a visible camera. This is mainly due to the preliminary process. The conditions set by the Dutch Data Protection Authority:

• Make other efforts until you choose a hidden camera

The Dutch Data Protection Authority sees a hidden camera as a last resort. This should therefore not stand alone. Only when you have deployed all other possible means can you switch to a hidden camera.

• Temporarily using a hidden camera

It is not intended to remain a hidden camera. When a calamity has been resolved, remove the hidden camera again.

• Save images temporarily

Never keep images longer than necessary. 4 weeks is the maximum. Once an incident has been recorded, an employer may keep the images until an incident is handled.

• Breach of privacy as small as possible

When placing a hidden camera, you infringe someone's privacy. Unfortunately nothing can be changed about this. To minimize this damage, it is necessary to use the camera only for what you need it to be. So only focused on a specific location or a specific object. You map this out with an data protection impact assessment (DPIA) . Does the DPIA show that a hidden camera is a major infringement? Then there is an prior consultation with the Dutch Data Protection Authority necessary.

• Record use of spy camera in regulation

You lay down the rules of camera surveillance with regulations. You put this in a business document and save it, so that these regulations are described and can be viewed later.

• Inform data subjects afterwards

Camera surveillance is an invasion of the privacy of those involved. A temporary means of solving a problem. Have the underlying issues been resolved? Then it is necessary to inform those involved. Communicate when images were recorded and what was done with these images.

• Consult with the Works Council (OR) about the use of hidden cameras

The Works Council: a participation and participation body within the company. A works council consists of employees who consult with the employer on behalf of the personnel about company policy and personnel interests. The Works Council is also discussing the use of hidden cameras. Include it in the agenda and minutes as a later burden of proof.

• Report to the Dutch Data Protection Authority

Report a hidden camera to the Dutch Data Protection Authority. The Dutch Data Protection Authority assesses whether sufficient account has been taken of the above points.

Want to know everything about camera surveillance in the workplace ? Go to Autoriteitpersoonsgegevens.nl .

Specifications of a hidden camera

Spy cameras have all kinds of different specifications. It is not always easy to determine exactly what you need. That is why we discuss the most important features, so that you immediately understand what you need.

Battery life spy camera

The battery life of hidden cameras ranges from one hour to several months. Where the actual consumption depends on the amount of recordings that are made. When the system films a lot, the battery or accumulator will drain faster.

Is a camera positioned incorrectly? Then you record images that you don't actually need. Think of the public road or a neighbor walking by to walk the dog.

By placing a hidden camera in the right place, you focus on what is important to record. This often results in a series of recordings lasting a few seconds. As a result, a battery or accumulator lasts longer than expected. After all, the system is on standby for the rest.

Hidden camera image quality

Spy cameras have excellent image quality. Because even the most advanced techniques can now be produced on a smaller scale. The minimum is 720p and there are even hidden cameras with 4K image quality. Despite the extra storage space required for sharper images, even high image quality systems are still extremely affordable. Where the smallest details are visible and digital zooming is no problem.

That's great! Because especially when you need evidence, it is important that you record this clearly. This makes it even more convincing.

Do you want to record at night? Then choose a spy camera with infrared lighting (IR). With IR there is plenty to see, even when there is little artificial light, in the dark or at dusk.

HD is more than sufficient for most applications. Is it necessary to take sharper images? Then go for Full HD or Ultra HD spy cameras.

Image quality	Resolution	Pixels	Total
HD (High Definition)	720p	1,280 x 720	An estimated 1 million pixels.
Full HD	1080p	1,920 x 1,080	An estimated 2 million pixels.
Ultra HD	4K	3,840 x 2,160	An estimated 8 million pixels.

What is the quality difference? Test it out with a video on YouTube. This gives a good idea of ​​the image quality you can expect from your spy camera.

Viewing angle of a spy camera

The viewing angle of a spy camera determines what exactly is in the picture. With two eyes, a human has a viewing angle of approximately 160 degrees. With a larger viewing angle, more comes into play. Some spy cameras have a viewing angle that is lower than the human field of view. Think carefully about what you want to portray exactly and from which location you will do this. It would be a shame if a hidden camera misses certain events due to the wrong viewing angle.

Test a spy camera thoroughly and view the images it takes. This gives even more certainty about what exactly you are recording and whether this is sufficient.

Do you want to view multiple locations at the same time? And more certainty that you can fully visualize an object, person or animal? Consider using multiple hidden cameras at the same time.

Filming through glass with hidden camera

Filming through glass does not always produce the best image quality. Instead, use a waterproof camera and place a hidden camera in a location where it is not visible.

Is there no other option? Realize that with conventional spy cameras it is not always possible to film through glass. The image quality is often below expectations or is vague.

Some tips:

• Clean the camera lens and glass thoroughly.
• Turn off the light in the room where your camera is located. This prevents the reflection of artificial light against glass.
• IR illumination direction also provides reflection. Turn off IR lighting if possible or use a camera where this function is not available. Solve this by placing artificial light outside.
• Shooting in the dark? Place IR lighting outside when you film from inside. This way you prevent the light from reflecting against the glass and it is possible to see enough at night. In that case, a hidden camera must of course have night vision. Otherwise there is nothing to see at all.
• Place a camera as close to the glass as possible. This limits the amount of reflection.
• Make sure your hidden camera is concealed. A spy camera should be as small as possible and preferably completely invisible.

There are hidden cameras with which it is possible to film through glass. For example, it is possible to film a hidden camera behind the windscreen or from the parcel shelf. Filming from behind a window is also no problem. The cameras are specially designed for this.

Save images with hidden camera

You can store security images in various ways with a spy camera. Many cameras have built-in memory or a removable SD memory card. The disadvantage is that the hidden camera and the memory card can be taken with you. Therefore there is a risk of losing images.

In addition, the memory is often quite limited, sometimes it is full after a few hours. Sometimes recording equipment is separate from the hidden camera and there is a wired or wireless connection over which the images move. With this type of storage, there is often more data to store than when recording equipment is built into a hidden camera.

Fortunately, more and more systems with cloud storage are possible. A spy camera automatically saves the images via the internet. Even if someone takes a hidden camera or switches it off, the images are saved. A system that is of course much more reliable. You only need a subscription with Dropbox or another party.

Does a camera only record in motion? Then this saves a lot of memory. In addition, with many systems it is possible to automatically transfer images if they exceed a certain amount. Most current images are after all the most important.

This is the data usage to count on:

Resolution	Data usage and storage capacity
HD - 720p	Relatively economical: 0.9 GB per hour. *
Full HD: 1080p / 2K	Common for video files: 1.5 GB / 3 GB per hour. *
Ultra HD - 4K	Uses a lot of data and storage: 7.2 GB per hour. *

* This is a guideline to keep in mind. The number of spy cameras and other technical specifications such as compression also have an influence.

Another question or suggestion to improve this information? Send a message to support@sitcon.nl or call +31 306 303 631 . We love to spar with you and are happy to show you the possibilities.