I've never done any video based shopping, but it has always caught my attention as a possibility.
So here's my question for the video shoppers who've been doing it for a while.
Has the nature of it changed over the years?
My question is prompted by newer and newer surveillance technology and the increasing use and prevalence of these devices.
Easier? cheaper (starting costs)? etc?

I'm not the expert to ask on this. I have done 2 types of video shops now. One is a car wash and the other was a fast food place. Both were simple enough. I bought video glasses off amazon (maybe $50 total). Mine recorded in 15 minute intervals. Probably would not be ideal for the video apartment shopping stuff where you get taken on a tour and need longer recording.

Depends on the industry being shopped.

I took the plunge and bought a PV-500 getup when there were a number of apartment jobs with really big bonuses. That investment has paid off 6x for the year, so I am happy to sit back and wait for other triple-digit gigs to show up on my radar.

The new homesite shops don't pay enough for the amount of work, so I'm sticking with apartments. Those jobs require a top-line recorder like the PV.

I have no interest in lower-paying jobs that could be done with a cheaper recorder. You can pretty much be sure file transfer times will take longer than expected, reducing the value of the shop.

I have done several hundred video shops of various types. The nature of video shopping is about the same today as it was 16 years ago. The improvements in the technology and equipment are the main changes. If you are going to video shop seriously, you need a PV-500.

I've video shopped new homes, car dealerships, furniture stores, and apartments for seven years. I agree with AZwolfman regarding PV500. I had 3 failed shops out of 600+. I'm a PT shopper.

Is a first generation PV500 with 480x640 resolution still an acceptable recorder for most companies? I have a PV500L2 that has a broken battery lock and need to replace it. I found the older model PV500 and wasn't sure that was still OK.

I see there are a few different pv-500 models;

*Lawmate PV-500 ECO 2 (PV-500ECO2-BU19+): Released on September 19, 2024, this is an analog button camera DVR kit.

*Lawmate PV-500 NEO Pro: Released on March 4, 2020, this is a WiFi-enabled, HD 1080P touch-screen model.

Decisions, decisions...

The first generation PV500 (ECO 1).had a setting where you could record in 480 pixel or 720 pixel resolution. I liked that the file segments were up to 19 minutes when recording at 720p, and this is the reason I tried in vail to find a good used first gen (ECO 1). I used the first gen that I bought new in 2012 until I got a new PV-500 NEO Pro WiFi in June of this year. Before you make your decision, you may want to read my comparison review that I will try to copy and paste into this thread.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/13/2025 03:03AM by AZwolfman.

PV-500 NP Pro Wi-Fi (AMAZON $540.79 w/tax) I have used this new rig on only 8 video shops (all new homes) so far. The following are my observations based on the short time I have used this rig.

Pros:
More secure camera/mic connector; heavy duty wire/cable
Mic integrated inside camera box; no need to pin mic to shirt
Can control DVR functions via cable, touchscreen, or smartphone app
Smartphone app allows live viewing what is being recorded as well as settings.
DVR Can stop and start recorder from phone app; great for shops with many short interactions (like casinos)
Choice of 30 or 60 FPS @ 720 pixels;
My 7-hr battery from my old PV-500 ECO1 works with the PV-500 NP Pro
USB connection allows reasonably fast files transfer to pc, about 10 mb/s.
Item specs list color night vision; I have not tested this yet.
Video and sound quality are fantastic and noticeably better than the old ECO version.

Cons:
Initial Wi-Fi connection is difficult and complicated to perform.
Smartphone app requires several specific difficult-to-remember steps to connect to DVR’s Wi-Fi.
Wi-Fi connection from DVR to phone app is difficult and stubborn to make.
Maximum file segment is limited to 10 minutes; max micro SD card is 32Gb (about 5 hours).
If camera plugged in, recording automatically begins the moment DVR powers on.
Nearly impossible to plug camera into DVR without flashlight and magnifying glass.
Touchscreen is not sensitive enough to reliably control settings. It works best to use smartphone app.
Uses Micro SD memory card instead of regular SD card
None of my button cameras are compatible with the PV-500 NP Pro
Side power and record button is tiny and recessed making it difficult to use and Extremely difficult to know if DVR is actually recording when it is in pocket (could feel switch on earlier DVRs and know Up=off and Down= record).
Less covert DVR belt holder, because VGA type cam connector protrudes about 2†from DVR.
1080 pixels can only be 25 or 30 FPS
Records in MOV format; no option to change.

[www.youtube.com]
â— Solid blue LED - power on (Hold 3 seconds)
â— Solid red LED - recording on (Hold 1 second)
â— Blinking orange LED - device searching for Wi-Fi connection
â— Solid orange LED - device is connected to Wi-Fi
â— Solid green LED - the device is charging.
â— Green LED goes off - the device is fully charged.