How do I turn an analog camcorder into a security camera?
Greetings,
I have an analog camcorder that allows me to output audio & video through its RCA connectors. I can bring those signals into a Video Capture Card connected to a desktop pc. The problem is that the camcorder shuts down several minutes later while in the recording mode, unless there's a video tape cartridge in it. Even if I have a video tape cartridge, the camcorder will shut down once it reaches the end of the tape. Is there a way to get around that limitation so that the camcorder is always on. Is there a special type of tape cartridge that is in a infinite loop, so that the camcorder never shuts down?
Unless the camera has a mode to keep it turned out and outputting the signal, no...
...not without some tricks.
You've identified the easiest one: getting (or making) an endless loop tape. I don't know where to buy one, but it's easy to make one. The fact that this is an analog camera will help you.
Find a tape that fits this camera, preferably one that's screwed together (and not glued). Carefully take it apart. Unwind the tape and break it from the spools. Cut off a length that's clearly longer than needed (although not too long to be unwieldy). Wrap it around the spools to make a loop and cut off the exact size. Preferably using special tape that's used to repair audio or video tape (this may be hard to find, but can be purchased from specialty stores on the Internet), but a high quality celotape will do (i.e., not "magic" tape as that's too easily broken).
Carefully reassemble. While the tape you've made will have some problems (the loop may slip), it might be good enough to trick your player.
Harder, of course, is to develop an electrical or mechanical device to cycle the device's power.
However, if your camera works the following way, there's an easy solution...
If you camera can be set to be in A/V out mode when the camera receives power, just put the camera (no battery) on a device like an X10 that can be programmed to turn on the power for, say, 5 minutes (or whatever your camera's timeout is), turn off the power for a few seconds, and then turn it back on again. This will leave short gaps in your recordings, but this should be fine for your needs.
In the end, however, you're going to spend a whole lot more on making this work than it's worth. A cheap web-cam can be purchased for under $50, easy. Under $20 even. Sometimes, even under $10.
Even a digital camcorder can be found for under $100.
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