Hidden Camera Introduction

A hidden camera is a still or video camera. The reason why we call "hidden" is that it is either invisible to the subject being filmed, or is disguised as another object. Hidden CCTV cameras get more and more popular for household surveillance, and can be built into common household objects such as smoke detectors, motion detectors and mobile phones, etc

Description

A hidden spy camera can be wired or wireless. The former will be connected to a TV, VCR, or digital video recorder  (DVR), whereas a wireless hidden camera can be used to transmit a video signal to a receiver. Due to the wide proliferation and lower costs of electronics devices, hidden cameras are increasingly popular.

In reality television

Hidden cameras are also sometimes used in reality television to catch participants in unusual or absurd situations. Participants will either know they will be filmed, but not always exactly when or where, or do not know they have been filmed until later, at which point they may sign a release or give consent to the footage being produced for a show. This latter sub-genre of unwitting participants began in the 1940s with Allen Funt‘s Candid Microphone theatrical short films . In 1996 the genre was given an overhaul by Travis Draft who introduced the glasses cam with his show Buzzkill. The show took hidden camera to a whole new level where the performer (Draft Himself and Cronies) were the focal point.

Legality of using hidden cameras cause controversy. Some hidden camera television shows have also led to lawsuits.