Everywhere we go today we are constantly under surveillance by cctv networks. Video Sniffin' is way to turn these security devices into your own environmental television studio by plucking the wireless signals from the air and capturing them to your own recording device. Why bother to buy a camera when there are so many already within the environment?

The key piece of equipment is the wireless receiver. These normally operate on 2.4Ghz accross 4 channels (switchable on the receiver). This needs to be powered by battery or battery pack and attached to a recording device such as a video camera or a VCR via a composite cable. Alternatively if you're just nosey you can attach a screen and just watch what people like to keep an eye on with their cameras. Note: its easier to go out and find the cameras using a monitor.

Wireless cctv receivers come in many shapes and sizes but all basically work the same way. Some have switches to change channels, some have tuning dials. If you bought a camera and receiver from China on ebay (like the one on the right in the picture) it's likely you have got a 1.2Ghz receiver which won't pick up standard 2.4Ghz cameras, but if you bought one then you can bet that so have other people so you can use this receiver to pick up signals on that frequency.

Your wireless receiver will need to be powered as you walk the streets trying to sniff out 'hotspots' - the places where you can pick up cameras. Some require 12 volt, some only 9 volt. You may need a battery pack as pictured which you can purchase from electronic stores or build yourself. The longer the life of the batteries the more time you can spend sniffin' the streets for 'hotspots'.

A couple of rubber bands help keep things secure and tidy making it easy to slip the wireless receiver and battery pack into a coat pocket. The more hidden the equipment the more unnoticed you will be... until you start walking round and round in circles backwards looking into your bag or inside your coat trying to figure out the location of the latest cctv camera you have just picked up. Note: sometimes you can pick these cameras up from as far as 50 metres away.

Connect one end of the composite cable to the (yellow) video connector on the wireless receiver.

Connect the other end of the composite cable to the (yellow) video connector on the video camera, VCR, gameboy or monitor that you are using.

The equipment isnow all connected. If you are using a monitor then all you've got to do is turn the monitor and the receiver on. Then off you go to find those 'hotspots'. However If you are using a video camera then there's a bit more to do before you can get an image in the viewfinder or on the LCD screen.

To get an image on your video camera you must first Insert a tape.

Then turn the power switch on the video camera to VCR mode normally used for playback.

Press 'record' buttin on the video camera's VCR playback controls. This puts the video camera into 'record/pause' mode. Note: you can't record using the normal red 'record/pause' button as you are in VCR mode. You should now be able to see whatever image is being picked up by the wireless receiver in the viewfinder or on the LCD screen.

You can now control what you record by using the 'play/pause' button on the VCR playback controls on the video camera. Press 'play/pause' to start recording and 'play/pause' to pause recording. When you have finished recording press stop. To re-engage recording mode press record. Note: you cannot record in 16:9 when recording in VCR mode on a video camera.

You are now ready to pick up the wireless signals bouncing around the streets of your town. I normally find it best to sniff out the 'hotspots' using a monitor first, flicking through the channels as I walk. You will soon become very experienced in deciphering what the flickers and glitches mean. They tell you how close you are to the camera that is sending the signal. It's a bit like playing 'hotter/colder'. The best areas for wireless cameras are small businesses who have gone for cheap cctv installs in their shops and offices, wireless cameras are also popular in homes, gardens and garages. Be prepared to walk for long periods and sometimes finding nothing but TV channels (yes it picks up wireless digital TV too). It's a bit like fishing. Its addictive when you get a bite. If the camera id fitted with a microphone then you can pick up he audio too by connecting the audio channel (either moni red or stereo red/white from the receiver to the video camera). Note: be aware of the legal restrictions of using cctv networks in your country.

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1. Hi Daveonzo, I`m a Brazilian PHD student and I`m studing the impacts of videosurveillance in people everyday life. I`m in London this week and I would like to interview you if possible. My email is lucasmelgaco@gmail.com. Thanks, Lucas
   -lucasmelgaco
2. nice
   -koga