OT - security systems

This will probably be comething Google will answer for me, but I thought I'd throw it out here anyway in case one of you bright people can help.

I need to purchase some personal security systems.

Specifically, I need a sound recorder of some kind, ideally a very small one that I can carry with me at all times - this is essentially so that in the event threats are made by a specific person, I will be able to hit "record" and preserve it easily (as opposed to having to fiddle with my mobile phone to do it). A dictaphone would be the obvious, easy way - but would be too big to easily carry around everywhere.

If I could get some kind of "bug" that I could set to only start recording when it detects volume above a certain level that would also be very useful, as any threats are likely to happen in a limited area.

Secondly, I am interested in purchasing some kind of camera system that, again, would be able to get a record of incidents/threats. I think movement activated might be the best. It would need to be unobtrusive so size is very important.

There are no legal issues with this as all recording will be done in the privacy of my own home, and I will not be recording any internet or telephone traffic of any sort.

The big problem is price - I need to do this on a real budget. I don't get paid for a few weeks so I have a little while to check the market out, but if anyone has any specific ideas for devices, or other security methods to record threats and related incidents, please let me know ASAP.

Thanks guys.

I don't know if you're able to do it with yours but I can map the recorder on my cellphone to a button, so I'd just have to press the same button twice to get it started.
There are some pen-sized recording devices out there..

can't help you on the video side at all.. I've no clue.

There are fairly wide range of "spy cam" kinds of devices. Many of them are small, easily hidden lenses that attach to regular digital video cameras, which can be kept in a purse or pocket. As for motion or sound activated options, that will probably cost a great deal. However, it should be possible to find a relatively small, inexpensive video camera with several hours of battery life and recording space.

many web cams come with a software that starts recording upon movement detection. perhaps you'd like to check out thinkgeekfor such toys. <!-- s --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_e_wink.gif" alt=";)" title="Wink" /><!-- s -->

perhaps you'd like this one?
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or this...
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/security/ab57/">http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/security/ab57/</a><!-- m -->

<!-- s --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_e_biggrin.gif" alt=":D" title="Very Happy" /><!-- s -->

Min, yeah, my phone is a standby (though I need to set it up for quick recording rather than the usual pressing through several menus) but it's not something I can easily keep on me 24/7. The situation I am currently in, as I see it, I don't just need to have something in my pocket that's handy . . . if I get up to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night, I need to have my recording device on me. Something smaller than "pen size" that could be worn as a necklace/pendant was what I was originally thinking.

Mal, the problem with something like a "spy cam" attached to a regular digital recorder is the amount of maintanance - constant changing of batteries, wiping of memory cards, etc. The most recent incident happened one or two weeks ago; a totally unexpected incident lasting under a minute at about 6pm and then a predictable incident that lasted from 10pm to about 2am. Before that, the previous incident was back in April. So I'm trying to work out something a little more long term, that, ideally, I can pretty much plug in and forget . . . as opposed to having to check 90 times per incident, if you know what I mean. It's certainly an option, though.

Kah - those devices look great; the watch in particular as I don't like wearing watches but I can certainly adapt, and presumably it can be activated in a fairly unobtrusive manner. The camera is a bit on the pricey side but looks like exactly the sort of thing I'm looking for - a movement activated camera I can plug in and forget about, pretty much, until it's needed.

Funny how you can live with someone for 28 years thinking "He's kinda nuts, but hey, not to a really extreme degree" before the penny finally drops and everything becomes clear.

Update.

I foolishly spent the little cash I had on a short, inexpensive holiday. And didn't get those cameras and such.

Things had calmed down.

Anyway. The shit hit the fan tonight. I'm currently locked in a room with a low quality computer mic and a hastily downloaded dictation program trying to record wtf is happening. Reasonable chance of someone being killed; I have to stay behind a locked door because my presence will inflame the situation. Details will probably follow as soon as things have calmed down enough for me to make them funny. Cross your fingers that I post later tonight.

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Update.

Two police here. (Both very attractive.)

Not speculating on what is likely to happen.

Further update. The "perpetrator", one of my brothers, as it were, is a highly convincing person. Despite the fact that, as well as all the screaming and such, he assaulted and threatened to kill our other brother - he managed to convince the police that he was the victim and living in fear.

Hilariously, the police suggested it would be best if he moved out . . . we all told them he's been saying he'll move out for years and we've all been praying and/or begging that he will.

It's come to my attention that he has made threats to kill (directed to the same person) when calm, as well. He is also now utterly convinced that he can maniupate and use the police as he sees fit - I don't know if this is because of how things went on Thursday, or if he is simply so deluded that he thinks he is "in the right".

It has also been brought to my attention that he has made some very sinister comments regarding ownership of the house.

There is a reasonable possibility that he will read this post; I know for a fact he used to monitor my web usage and logged every single site he visited. As such I don't want to get into too many details. Suffice to say that I'm really kicking myself that I didn't have the cameras and such set up before this most recent incident. I've hardly eaten or slept in five days.