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Equipment
We all have our preferences when it comes to equipment. Some
favor analog and others favor digital, in regards to video and audio evidence
capture. We use both when possible. I've noticed a lot of groups and individuals
limit themselves because of the cost associated with equipment. In many cases you
can improvise and find alternatives to high cost equipment. For example: When I
first joined a paranormal group, they were saving for a DVR system with 4 video
cams, all viewable on one screen, the cost for this was around $1500. My
alternative to this is there are programs out their that once installed on your
computer, you can connect 1 to 4 video cams to your computer (usb, S-Video, AV
in, etc.) and you get the same result of viewing/recording up to 4 videos at
once on your computer or laptop. The program I found for this even has a motion
sensor feature where it doesn't record unless the cam detects motion with it's
very sensitive motion feature. The cost was $40 for a video card
with video in capabilities and around $150 for the program. The final cost was
around 15% of the $1500 method. Of course you need a computer with a large hard
drive to store the videos as they record, and the capability to burn them to
disc (DVD or VCD). Another alternative I ran across was Infrared
video cams. These can cost anywhere from around $100 to in the thousands. I had
an extra web cam laying around. I looked on the internet and found instructions
for converting the webcam into an IR cam basically for free. I just needed to
take the cam apart and add 2 old film negative cutouts behind the lens.
There is almost always more then one way to skin a cat, so to
speak. It costs nothing to find an alternative method, by performing an internet
search on what you want to accomplish. Always keep in mind any effects
alternatives may have on quality, which is very important in any form of
research. |
