I just got a dvd handycam for x-mas and i am thinking how it will work for sasquatch research. I have night shot. Plus a record one time(single record) disk which we all should use for our research. Uneditedable.

thanks,

ken Ken Yielding

Santa says you're welcome!

Don't bet on it Ken - whilst the disk itself is not 'editable', the data can be copied to a new disk with a new (or edited) portion inserted, using the same camera to record, so that it is indistinguishable from the original, since it would bear the same RID code as the original disk.

The only way to get a patterson like film, is of course to use film !

in the meantime though - I'd be happy with good quality DV

ooooo sweeeeeeet!

i want one too, but since i just bought a digital camcorder a few months ago, and have barely used it, i cant seem to justify it in my head.

but maan, those look cool

gael

Are you sure about that Paul? You would have to be pretty handy with the hex editor to remove the metadata left by a video editing program, and I think at that point the disc image would be changed, and it might not work when burned? You could still burn a new mini-DVD, but it would bear the signs of the software on your computer, rather than from the camcorder.. Hmm..

But I think doing sasquatch research is the best possible use for one of those DVD camcorders. You can take a lot of discs with you, and you can't erase. I always thought that it (the DVD-R storage medium) was the stupidest idea for regular camcorder use (like the digital cameras from Sony that worked on the same principle, but with mini CD-Rs), but for this kind of research, it's perfect.

-robo

It could show signs of tampering if it isn't done right, but I can't imagine anyone turning the disc over to a forensic technologist like me in the first place !

One obvious way is to use two handycams - stream the (edited) video from the PC to handycam 2, then stream the video from handycan 2 to handycam 1.

the new DVD has now been recorded using the original handycam.

what has changed of course is the date/time stamp, but this can be altered at the time the video is streamed from cam2 to cam 1. The new DVD now has all the hallmarks of a DVD that has been recorded in the field, and the RID code matches the camcorder.

All you have to do is make sure no-one gets their hands on your PC, the original DVD, the transitional DVD, and you have yourself a feasible hoaxed DVD.

It isn't the way I would necessarily do it, but it is the first solution I came up with to avoid the video editing software tags.

That is cool Ken

I have an older VHS camcorder, but it's way out of date. I don't even think you can get batteries for this thing anymore. I have to plug it into the wall and have extension cords if I want to go any distance... I can forget getting a BF on it... :rolleyes: I want a new one.

I asked Santa for a new camcorder. All he brought me was 7 calendars and some pink bunny slippers



I don't know a lot about camcorders. But do want a new one soon.
I did get a new VHS/DVD player with a DVD burner, so I can record movies to DVD now. That was cool.

You could use that old VHS camera as a weapon, and hit sasquatch with it !

hmmmm

Maybe lasso him with that extension cord too and hog tie him
Paul, you may be onto something here. Gonna keep it handy. hehehehe

It could also come in handy if you happen to come across a certain 'ex-member'

Paul, no way man. I'd hate to waste my crappy little camcorder on one of them.

I keep my handy, dandy, double-barreled, rubberband shotgun close for just such an occasion

ping 'em in the patooties

Wouldn't some tag/metadata reveal that the video came over a Firewire DV stream, and not from the camera's CCD(s)? Perhaps aperture settings and other data that would be recorded on the original, but not sent over a DV stream?

But I agree, it is possible to somehow fabricate a 'perfect' digital disc that has been altered, but it would be way, way beyond the capability of most people.

-robo

It's possible - I haven't tried it.

Again, we get back to the subject of what I would like to call 'blobvids' - there is no point an investigator looking at 2nd or 3rd gen video.

The investigative team needs to see the whole setup - the original tape/media card/dvd, which, in the first instance should be cloned in a forensically sound manner by a professional.

Then it should be passed to video experts for analysis.

Ideally of course, we bypass all this digital stuff, and use film.

film in the way of video is impractical these days, but guys - if you are taking stills, please, please, please use 35mm film - you will thank me for banging on about this when you are face-to-face with a squatch and you have your canon Rebel 300 to hand and not your crappy $200 digital camera from circuit city.