TX-MCDVR

COVERT BLACK - VIDEO RECORDER AND BUTTON CAMERA SET

(with and without audio)

COVERT BLACK - Law Enforcement Grade - Covert Button Camera with Digital Recorder

Ideal for law enforcement, surveillance operatives, private investigators, radio and television journalists and all professionals

Eye Spy readers often enquire about high-quality camera and film storage combinations - that are easy to use, conceal and download. One 'combination product' - COVERT BLACK recently tested by our staff - proved to be outstanding.

The quality of this colour covert button camera set is unmatched by any other system we have seen in this category. The camera is not one of the cheap button types produced in China or Taiwan with the need for an outside power source - it is manufactured in Japan, with a high resolution colour CCD camera module and a 4.3mm wide angle pinhole lens. This camera is 'plug and play' compatible with Eye Spy's superb PI Black portable digital video recorder (DVR) and is unsurpassed for set-up and ease of use. It's also compatible with all consumer VCR and DVD recorder units as well as most television sets. The DVR is small, lightweight with various options that make it the most flexible unit on the market - together they are known as COVERT BLACK.
 

THE CAMERA

The camera is suitable for a wide spectrum of placements both bodyworn and stationary. The set is ultra lightweight and very low in profile - which makes it a very modular camera that can be used beyond just shirt placements, such as in a purse, backpack, tie, hat etc. Of added advantage, it has just one tough, but very slender lead that separates into two leading to the camera and microphone (audio version). The other end of the wire fits snugly and securely into the DVR which is internally powered. It's just one reason why we were impressed.

The 450 TV lines/ 0.2 lux in this camera provides sensational footage. It performs well in low light and adjusts well to lighting changes. The set is available in either PAL or NTSC format; with or without audio. The microphone on the audio version is easy to conceal and is of the highest sensitivity, so much so it is currently being used by law enforcement undercover surveillance officers throughout the United States.

Our recommendation on placement of the camera is in the sternum area. Many surveillance operatives wrongly assume that a hat or eyeglass camera provides the best viewpoint. While a head mount does allow the user added movement of the camera, we have seen results that include too much sky and ceilings in the top half of the frame and can be jerky or blurred in replay. Additionally, it is more difficult to hide the wire from the head to the recorder. The camera's 80 degree field of vision is more than adequate. Correctly fastened in the button hole it is totally invisible.

Eye Spy's COVERT BLACK comes with a new advanced DVR, and four complete sets of matching buttons for the camera: two different sized buttons and two different types of screw heads (Phillips and Hex). The screw heads allow the user to fix the camera in a static position - thus only a 'screw' would be visible. It also includes a 9V battery connector case. Finally, extra care must be taken when handling or wearing any covert facade-type device. Like most cameras in this range, this one is not rainproof so must be treated with care and never left outdoors or exposed to the elements without the proper protective housings. It took our operative about two minutes to assemble and wear.

We also found that COVERT BLACK can operate well for mobile surveillance. This means images can be obtained through the windscreen. However, the dashboard and attitude of some driver's seats means that the camera should be raised to a higher button hole - or keep a cushion in the car!
 

DIGITAL VIDEO RECORDER (DVR)

The DVR is small enough to fit into a standard sized cigarette case and comes complete with a wireless remote control which allows the user to turn the unit on and off discretely from a pocket. This is a bonus as it can save valuable battery life when surveillance footage is not required. A superb screen is incorporated that allows users to check the footage gleaned from any operation - just in case! Why this unit is favoured by US law enforcement is easy to understand. It features not only a time and date stamp, but a millisecond display that meets law enforcement requirements. The unit saves the video files onto SD cards between 1 to 4 Gb's (optional). A 1Gb card will hold about 65 minutes of continuous video and audio. The cards are inexpensive to purchase. The rechargeable Li Ion batteries will power both the camera and recorder for 70 minutes. We recommend an optional car charger for the batteries which can be swapped out as needed - a task that takes about five seconds.
      

Playback is as simple as plugging the supplied USB cable into a computer. The computer automatically finds and detects the camera and files can be accessed like it was an external hard drive. Files can be played back with any media player such as Windows Media Player or Real Player, however we recommend the free DivX programme available from the Internet to playback the files. This programme is simple to use and compresses the files into a manageable size which can then be burned directly from the programme on to a CD for permanent storage.

Summary: That the combination unit is used by law enforcement undercover operatives in the USA is proof enough of its quality. Besides ease of use, concealment and high-quality image and audio, we were impressed by the lack of wiring required. Other combination sets can be cumbersome and difficult to wear. This set is simple and user friendly. The camera is sensational and is matched by the DVR. Uploading the footage takes seconds, and more importantly, programmes are available that will compress large files allowing the user to store hours of film on a single CD. In terms of performance and quality, the set is fantastic value. Eye Spy highly recommends this set for Covert Black for bodyworn applications.


Camera Specifications

  - 1/4" CCD imager outperforms CMOS imitations
  - Sharp high resolution 450 horizontal TV lines
  - Good low light video performance (0.2 lux)
  - Tiny size and pinhole lens perfect for covert video applications
  - Professional hidden camera kit - use as a button camera or hidden screw cam
  - Includes free power transformer, battery pack, and additional accessories

The digital recorder also works with the baseball cap, handbag, tie and earphone cameras. To purchase the button camera separately please click here. To purchase the DVR separately please click here.

WARNING: The use of covert video and/or audio surveillance may be unlawful in your state, province, or country. It is the responsibility of the purchaser to ascertain and obey all applicable local, state, and federal laws in regards to the possession and use of any or all items available. The audio version is available only to Eye Spy readers outside the United States of America.

 

Covert Black with audio

£700.00 UK/750.00 ROW

Covert Black without audio

£670.00 UK/$750.00 US