When I first used the “new” PV-500 back in 2009 or 2010, I was overjoyed at the new compact size of the DVR that fit inside the included belt holster. It looked so much like the cell phones commonly in use at that time that I did not even try to hide it. I just tucked my shirt in loosely to cover the top where the jack plugged into the DVR.

Times have changed, and now I have to hide the DVR again, because nobody wears a small belt holster with a flip phone inside anymore. I now wear it UNDER my untucked, oversized shirt and hope the target agent does not notice. It is past time to update the DVR design so that its profile more closely resembles the shape of the most commonly used smartphones of 2016.

The PV-500 has been updated, several times, and with varying degrees of success since 2009-2010. All recent models are smaller and very easy to conceal, even with an extended battery. There are and always have been other ways to conceal the unit than those little cell phone pockets. Some guys like to use the somewhat larger, belt mounted little black bags for micro-tools to carry the unit.

That said, I own and use two pre-2010 PV-500 units with less than a 1 percent equipment failure rate. They are the industrial grade PV-500s with no possible ways to dice the video into 1000 pieces by hitting the wrong button. They easily fit into an under-arm holster (See Tunebelt on ebay) that is highly secure and totally hidden, or even into any pants pocket roomier than those on tight jeans. The holster means that I do not HAVE to wear my shirt untucked. However, since I use a shirt mount for my button camera, I find it easrier to make "on-the-fly" adjustments to camera level by having an untucked shirt. 99 percent of video shoppers wear untucked shirts that were designed to be worn that way AND be fashionable. That's how most of use have always concealed the rigs. I have been spotted a total of 3 times in 10 years and it was always because I flubbed my back story or alias information. I corresponds with several dozen video shoppers and most of the schedulers on a regular basis and have seldom heard of the shirts being a reason that a shopper was detected.

I like the idea except for one thing, my new phone is the largest phone I've had since the 1990's

I have the PV500-EVO2 [touch screen model]. I'm under a 1% failure rate. As long as you remember to start the recording using the switch on the top of the unit, and then push the "lock" button, you won't have the splintering problem or any risk of activating the touchscreen. I generally wear khakis and it fits in a front pocket with no problem. I prefer having it in a pocket rather than on my belt because it will vibrate for a couple of seconds when it starts to write a new file [if the shop exceeds 30 minutes]. If I don't feel the vibration, I excuse myself to use the restroom, reset everything, and return, casually bringing up any key points that may have been lost in the first part of the visit. Only had it happen one time, but I was able to salvage enough to satisfy the MSC and the client..

As a video editor, the new pv500evo2U is really great because you get full HD and the choice between .mov or .avi files. (I love my .mov files.)