How to Use a Panasonic Palmcorder As a Security Camera
If you are looking for a relatively easy and inexpensive way to set up a security system in your home or office, one option is to use your video camera as a recording device. If you have a Panasonic Palmcorder that is enabled for use as a Web camera, you can perform the tasks necessary for that setup and then record using the video-editing software already installed on most computers. While this method does work, you'll have to get creative to make it discrete enough to fool people whom you wish to monitor.
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Instructions
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1
Install the USB drivers that will allow your computer to recognize your Palmcorder. Put the installation CD supplied with the Palmcorder into the disc drive and follow the on-screen installation prompts. Once the driver is installed, reboot the computer.
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2
Switch the Palmcorder to camera mode by clicking the "Camera" button on the back of the device.
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3
Connect your Palmcorder to the computer by plugging the USB cable into the Palmcorder and then plugging the other end of the cable into an open USB port on your computer.
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4
Click the camera's "Menu" button; then select "Camera Functions" by scrolling the scroll wheel and clicking down on the scroll wheel to select it. From the Camera Functions menu, click "Camera Setup" followed by "Web Camera," and then click "ON."
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5
Position the Palmcorder in an inconspicuous location
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6
Open Windows Movie Maker on your computer. From the Movie Tasks pane, select "Capture from Video Device." The Video Capture wizard opens. Click "Next" and type a name for your file in the “Save As” box. Accept the default video settings and click "Start Capture" on the next page. The Palmcorder will begin recording until you terminate the operation.
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7
Minimize the Windows Movie Maker window by clicking the "-" button near the top of your screen. Since you are using the camcorder/webcam as a security device, you don't want people seeing that you're recording.
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8
Reopen Movie Maker and click "Finish" to stop recording. The video file will be saved in the folder you specified in Step 6. Since video takes up a great deal of space, try to review and delete these files regularly to free up space on your hard drive. Each video file will likely take up several gigabytes of disk space.
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Tips & Warnings
If you are concerned about battery life, connect the A/C cable to your Palmcorder and plug it in to an outlet so the device does not lose power while recording.
References
- Photo Credit John Foxx/Stockbyte/Getty Images
