How to Make a Spy Camera

Many parents are unsure or nervous about leaving their kids with a babysitter or a neighbor. In the beginning when you can't completely trust the babysitter with your child, you can experience some mixed feelings. But there is a way out of living in doubts and suspicion, a spy camera. A tiny technological wonder that can record conversations and videos of all the activities that occur in and around your home. However, instead of spending tons of money for purchasing and then installing it in your room/house, why not get your own spy camera? It doesn't take that much time, money, or skills to hook up a spy camera in your home. The following article will show you necessary steps on how to make a spy camera at home. Just follow the instructions and find out if the babysitter or neighbor is doing something wrong behind your back.

Using USB Webcam to Make Spy Camera

Making a portable spy camera doesn't require much time. All you need are some materials and the right guidelines (which are mentioned below). Plus, you don't have to spend hundreds of dollars just to have a hidden camera in your house.

Materials Needed

• USB webcam
• USB extension cable
• Screwdriver and pliers
• Hammer, drill and chisel
• Scotch tape and super glue
• Old power cord from cell phone
• Alarm clock, desk lamp, or cell phone charger

For the spy camera, using a webcam will be very easy to recognize. That is why we'll separate the circuit board along with its lens and the cable from its plastic enclosure. You need to make sure that the end cable and the camera lens stay fixed with the circuit board.

• The webcams available in stores either have screw-on case or are glued. The ones with screws are easy to work with, however if you do purchase one that doesn't have screws, you'll need to break it open.
• Wear protective eyeglasses and hand gloves, take a screwdriver, pliers, and/or knife to open the casing of the webcam. A screw-on webcam lens is fitted with a 12mm thread mount (standard for any CCTV lens). Open the case very gently and try not to break or make any cracks on it.
• Make sure that the camera you purchase has a wide angle lens as well. This will help you zoom in/out and get a wider angle of the room or house as well.
• Now we have to find a new case for your spy camera. Select a desk lamp, alarm clock, or even a cell phone charger/power supply as they have enough space to hold the camera.
• For the purpose of the article, we will go with the cell phone charger. Take a chisel and hammer to carefully open it. Make sure you don't break the cell phone charger case (the insides and cord doesn't matter).
• The flat metal pins which plug to the outlet are screwed to the transformer, and is perfect as it gives your spy cam a "real" charger look. Just unscrew them, place the spy cam in, and screw the metal pins back on.
• If the charger you choose doesn't have the screw-on metal pins, you can take the metal pins off with the pliers and glue them back on the case once you're done.
• Figure out a way to position the circuit board and also where to drill a hole for the lens. Remember, the most important aspect is to make it look as real and as natural as possible.
• Drill a 5 - 8mm hole and see if it provides you a good view angle for the camera. If not, then drill it slightly bigger.
• Place the camera lens inside the cell phone charger case. Use scotch tape or super glue to secure the parts properly.
• Now connect the webcam's USB end to a USB extension cable. This way, you can easily place your spy camera away from the computer (depending on how long the USB cable is).
• To test your new spy camera, plug it to the computer. The webcam usually comes with a CD for installation, launch it.
• Place the spy camera on the floor or on the table. Go online to find a motion activated spy system and run it in the browser (no need to download).
• You will have to create a new account and click on "record" once you're prompted.
• In just few seconds, the spy cam will start monitoring. All you have to do is walk in front of your camera and see if the cam has started recording the snapshots.
• Do this a few times to make sure the snapshots come right away. As for the video, there will be around 10 - 15 minutes delay.

There you have it; your spy camera from a webcam is ready. If you already have a spy camera or are planning to install one, check all the state, local, and federal laws about the use of surveillance cameras. Many states in the U.S. prohibit the use of spy cameras, as long as they are used in specific locations where reasonable privacy is required. Using a spy camera in bathrooms, bedrooms, or fitting rooms are considered as video voyeurism and the images/videos you take can be admissible as evidence in court. It is your responsibility to educate yourself about these and other laws before you take any further steps.