Can anyone tell me what is a good hidden body cam to start out with? I would like to get started on this but I am confused by all of the selections ranging from very cheap to very expensive.

Hi there,

Most video shoppers I work with use the Lawmate PV500, in one of its various incarnations. That is also the equipment that we loan to shoppers who do shops for us. It's fairly easy to use and you can use either a shirt button attachment or glasses attachment with it.

Good luck!

Jenna
Lead Video Scheduler
Measure Consumer Perspectives

Gmombarb,
Most video MSCs expect you to use a PV-500 with the upgraded camera. The standard camera that ships with the unit does not provide the resolution that is industry standard. For details, you may want to go to the video shopping network, vsn, at
[www.videoshoppingnetwork.org]

It is run by six of the largest video MSCs.

Thank you for the information. I needed somewhere to start.

@walesmaven wrote:

The standard camera that ships with the unit does not provide the resolution that is industry standard.

Interesting tidbit I learned at the IMSC conference. Apparently the standard cameras are rated at the lower resolution but many of them will actually record in the higher resolution. I *think* I got that from Kathy but it could have been someone else. Not suggesting that someone use the standard camera as a primary by any means, but great to know that you could possibly use your standard cam as a backup.

I wouldn't recommend using the glasses if you have never video shopped before. The button cam is by far the easier choice because it allows you to keep the camera on the target while turning your head to look at what they may be demonstrating. The glasses do have some applications, just save them for after you have more experience.

That being said, the button runs the risk of aiming in the wrong direction, pointing up at the ceiling or the floor instead of where it should be. Whatever gear you end up purchasing or using, it's always best to practice (a lot) with it to make sure you are capturing the images you intend to capture. :-)

If you have video shopped with the glasses and have some suggestions it would be great if you share them. Since glasses are sometimes more expensive than the button cam, I'm sure we would all like to be able to compare and contrast them for potential new video shoppers.

I used the glasses for my first video shop. The MSC suggested it. It was a dental shop, I was not the patient . I talked to the dental people a lot and as I spoke to them, I crooked my head a little as I looked at them. I crooked my head because the camera is located on one side of the glasses and I wanted my object dead center. Just like the button camera, which I now use, the only trick is to practice, practice, and then practice again before shopping.

Thanks everyone for all the great information!

The button cam and the eye glass cam have different strengths and weaknesses, which pretty much determine where each may be best used.

In new home and apartment shops, as well as most car dealer shops, for instance, the objective is to be able to keep the target SA in the frame, but to be able to turn your head to look at some object that the target is pointing out. So, the button cam, mounted to a shirt, is typically required so that the target remains in the frame at least 75-90 percent of the possible time. (Time spent sitting in a car, for instance, does not count for "framing" purposes.) Some types of shops both do not require the shopper to look away from the SA to appear to act normally, and/or require framing a target who may be behind a rather high counter, or in a booth or be standing outside of the shopper's car window. In there cases, the glasses mounted cameras give real advantages. These include, bank or retail "drive thru" transactions, hotel check-in/check-out, automobile rental counters,medical/dental offices, and some other retail applications where the objective may be to scan the products on a display including very high and/or very low shelves, for instance.

As far as I can tell (and this includes discussions with dozens of video shoppers and most of the active video managers/schedulers) the button camera, shirt mounted, definately will get more shops assigned. As the industry broadens its scope (new client types emerge) I can imagine more parity in assignments where the glasses cam will be preferred. But we are a long, long way from that day. In the mean time, many video MSCs will loan a glasses camera for the relatively few shops that really require it.

For shoppers who really need to wear their prescription glasses, substituting clear lenses with the cam attachment is not going to work, though. You can have a set of glasses fames with the camera fitted with your prescription lenses, but, in my case, that would bring the total cost of the glasses cam option to above the current price of the button cam.

Is it just me, or a glasses cam seem like it would be much easier to use than a PV-500? I'm a little intimidated by all of the wiring required, where I've found glasses cams that have a microSD card on board.

I've never used a glasses cam but I would love to try it.

@AlexG wrote:

Is it just me, or a glasses cam seem like it would be much easier to use than a PV-500? I'm a little intimidated by all of the wiring required, where I've found glasses cams that have a microSD card on board.

I was thinking the same thing. I feel stupid for asking but where/how do you wear the PV-500 without someone noticing? Something inconspicuous like the glasses sounds better for video shopping. Would appreciate any opinions/answers on this one

I thought the glasses cams still required the use of the PV-500? They just plugged in the same as the button cam does. I could be wrong though. I stick my PV-500 in my pocket and wear my shirt untucked.

I'm not really knowledgeable about this. I googled what the PV-500 looked like and that is why I'm confused. What actually has the video component on it? Am I making sense? The item looks really visible to me. Does one have to purchase additional equipment in addition to the PV-500?

The PV-500 is very easy to conceal. It is nver the rig that causes shoopers to be ID-d. It's a poor or bungled back story.

The PV-500 is very easy to conceal. It is never the rig that causes shoopers to be ID-d. It's a poor or bungled back
story.

Time to start reading the many threads here from experienced video shoppers.

@dixiewhiskey wrote:

I'm not really knowledgeable about this. I googled what the PV-500 looked like and that is why I'm confused. What actually has the video component on it? Am I making sense? The item looks really visible to me. Does one have to purchase additional equipment in addition to the PV-500?

You have the PV-500, which is the DVR (digital video recorder), which is smaller than a pack of cigarettes. It's the part that actually takes what the camera gives it and turns it into a digital video which is then stored on the SD card. The button cam is the most popular camera type. It's basically a sensor on the back of a fake button on your shirt. There's a wire about the size of a standard earbud cable that connects the button cam to the DVR. All in all, as wales stated, it's very easy to conceal.

I don't know much about glasses cams. I assumed they were similar to the button cam, in which there was a pinhole camera hidden on the glasses somewhere and a wire the came out of the back and plugged into the DVR like a button cam. Since I have a shaved head, that wire would be slightly difficult to conceal, so I've never really looked into them. Obviously I could be wrong about them, I just assumed that was how they worked and didn't look into them anymore.

The problem with the glasses camera for new home, car shops, etc., is that when the target points something out you have to turn your head to look at it, and the camera goes away from the target. With the button camera, your body remains facing the target, and you can turn your head to view what they pointed out while the camera continues to record the target.

For the reason that James just stated, the video MSCs do not want the glasses cams used for new home and apartment shops, becasue the whole purpose of these is to keep the target in the frame! For any video shop where that is primary, a shopper using the glasses cam will lose out to one with a button cam every time! In addition, it is harder to conceal the wires that run from the glasses cam to the PV-500 recorder device becase part of the wiring is not covered by clothing. With the button cam, unless the shopper does something very wrong, all of the wires are concealed by clothin quite easily.

Finally, the video from the glasses cam tends to be "jerky" due to head movements. Editors and clients alike, have complained of vertigo and headaches from trying to watch long shops (longer than about 15 minutes) from the glasses cam.

Of course there was one new home shop I did where the target kept moving on me. I got paid for it so I don't think he spotted me as a shopper. After the first couple of times, I gave up trying to follow him with my body and would turn the opposite way to get him back in the picture. Sometimes we have to get creative.

I've worn both the button cam and the glasses. Above conversations tell you how to wear the button cam.

With the glasses, there is a wire from the part of the eyeglasses that goes down down the back of your neck to wherever you have your DVR. It is probably not a setup for men, unless you have lots of hair, because it is the hair that hides the wiring. The DVR setup is the same as with the button cam. As said, I used it in a dentist officer where I was still and the dentist was in the same spot (working on a grandchild). So there was not much turning of the head. Either the button or the glasses would have worked in that situation. Hope that helps!

@dixiewhiskey wrote:

@AlexG wrote:

Is it just me, or a glasses cam seem like it would be much easier to use than a PV-500? I'm a little intimidated by all of the wiring required, where I've found glasses cams that have a microSD card on board.

I was thinking the same thing. I feel stupid for asking but where/how do you wear the PV-500 without someone noticing? Something inconspicuous like the glasses sounds better for video shopping. Would appreciate any opinions/answers on this one

Actually your dental visit is one of those ideal for glasses. At one time I had a route of FF videos, the glasses would have worked well with them. Sometimes I could see things the client would want to view, but registers or other equipment would block the body cam. While a bored customer looking around wouldn't draw attention, one trying to be a contortionist might.

@walesmaven wrote:

The button cam and the eye glass cam have different strengths and weaknesses, which pretty much determine where each may be best used.

In new home and apartment shops, as well as most car dealer shops, for instance, the objective is to be able to keep the target SA in the frame, but to be able to turn your head to look at some object that the target is pointing out. So, the button cam, mounted to a shirt, is typically required so that the target remains in the frame at least 75-90 percent of the possible time. (Time spent sitting in a car, for instance, does not count for "framing" purposes.) Some types of shops both do not require the shopper to look away from the SA to appear to act normally, and/or require framing a target who may be behind a rather high counter, or in a booth or be standing outside of the shopper's car window. In there cases, the glasses mounted cameras give real advantages. These include, bank or retail "drive thru" transactions, hotel check-in/check-out, automobile rental counters,medical/dental offices, and some other retail applications where the objective may be to scan the products on a display including very high and/or very low shelves, for instance.

As far as I can tell (and this includes discussions with dozens of video shoppers and most of the active video managers/schedulers) the button camera, shirt mounted, definately will get more shops assigned. As the industry broadens its scope (new client types emerge) I can imagine more parity in assignments where the glasses cam will be preferred. But we are a long, long way from that day. In the mean time, many video MSCs will loan a glasses camera for the relatively few shops that really require it.

For shoppers who really need to wear their prescription glasses, substituting clear lenses with the cam attachment is not going to work, though. You can have a set of glasses fames with the camera fitted with your prescription lenses, but, in my case, that would bring the total cost of the glasses cam option to above the current price of the button cam.

Thank you for the detailed information, I am really interested in doing some video shops, but I can't wear blouses, do you have any suggestions for the more ample sector?

Doesn't walking around shirtless make you memorable?

bgriffin - you are SO naughty!

pammie8223 - search this forum for some other threads that may help. There are special shirts, like polos, you can buy or have altered to accommodate the equipment. Also, there are some video shopping seminars coming up that may interest you. My initial invitation came from Intelli-Shop.

@bgriffin wrote:

Doesn't walking around shirtless make you memorable?

Well, I would definitely think so, especially since she says she is part of the "ample sector."

pammie,
There are several "amble" video shoppers using the button cam successfully. Using a shirt in the appropriate size (2,3,or 4x) they mount camera at a lower button hole and adjust the mount to capture the subject appropriately.

Pammie - You just have to find a blouse one size larger than your actual size and not think about how it looks. I am "ample sized" too and Kathy got my shirt in the women's section at Walmart. I never thought about the polo's but will probably try one of those too. I had my button cam placed a notch lower than usual because of all the "pointing up". Then it just came down to positioning the button (using Kathy Harts patented shirt) and practicing around the house a lot. Now as then, I can say, I love it!