By: SpygearGadgets
AUG 6
You've probably heard of nanny cameras, or seen them in movies - but chances are you may not have actually seen one in person. Nanny cams come in all styles and designs, which leads many people to ask, how do nanny cameras work?
A nanny camera or nanny cam (also known as a "hidden camera" or "spy cam") is a camera that you place in your home or apartment to see what's going on when you aren't there. While many people use nanny cams to keep an eye on their babysitter or nanny, there are many other things people use nanny cams for as well.
Some people use a nanny camera for home security, to find out if someone breaks into their home. Others want to know that their kids get home from school safely. Some people just want to see what their pets are up to while they're at work too. The uses are almost endless.
A nanny cam can be disguised as an ordinary object like a clock radio or a bluetooth speaker, or they can be a device that isn't meant to be hidden at all, like a regular security camera. Your specific surveillance needs will dictate the style of nanny camera that you get.
One of the most popular types of nanny cams in 2022 are WiFi streaming hidden cameras. These particular cameras live stream video directly to your smartphone or computer (depending on the model), allowing you to easily see what's going on in your home or office in real time.
WiFi nanny cameras work by connecting to your existing WiFi network in your home, just like your smartphone does. Once you connect the camera to your network, this allows the camera to securely broadcast your video, so you can monitor your camera feed when you're on the go.
Your nanny cam live feed is password protected, so only you will be able to watch it. You can give your camera login information to a spouse or friend as well, so multiple people can watch the camera feed, if needed.
The other type of nanny cam is one that simply records to a memory card. These are also known as non-WiFi cameras, self-recording cameras, or "all in one" nanny cams. These cameras are usually a little easier to set up than live streaming nanny cams. Most of this type just need a memory card - just plug it in, and the hidden camera is ready to go.
Since these nanny cams don't stream live, the way you watch the video is by removing the memory card, and inserting it into your PC or Mac computer for playback. This type of nanny cam is good for when you want to see what went on - but you don't need to see it live (or you don't have WiFi available to live stream video).
When you're looking for the best nanny camera, you may be surprised to learn that there is no "one size fits all" solution. Every situation is different, so the best nanny cam for one person might not be the best for another.
For this reason, we carry a wide selection of nanny cams to suit many different situations. For example, we have AC powered hidden cameras that are idea for around-the-clock surveillance, where there is an AC plug nearby, and where portability isn't really a high priority.
For those who do need portability or may be moving their nanny camera around a lot, we have battery powered cameras as well, which allow greater flexibility in placement.
Depending on where you place your camera, you'll want something that blends in. A nanny cam disguised as a coffee maker would look out of place in the living room, and a teddy bear nanny cam probably would draw unnecessary attention in your home office.
One final consideration is where you're going to place your nanny camera. While it is currently legal to put nanny cameras in your home in all 50 states in the US, there are certain rooms where you want to be cautious or refrain from placing nanny cams.
Putting a nanny cam in a place where people have an expectation of privacy is not a good idea in most situations. Places like bedrooms, changing rooms, and bathrooms are all places you should avoid placing nanny cameras, as people expect privacy in these areas.
Stick to areas like a living room, hallways, home office, or other "common areas" of the house to place your nanny cam.
Originally Published August 6, 2018. Last Updated November 5, 2022
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