Wearable 3G CCTV system lets you snoop sort-of discreetly, be totally creepy

We've certainly seen our share of wearable cameras and CCTV gear, but a company in England called WCCTV is aiming to combine the worst qualities of each with the 3G Covert Backpack, a torso-mounted vest with built-in camera and 3G modem. We're not exactly sure how "covert" a giant vest with a camera sticking out of it is, but assuming you make it into your mark's back-alley lair, the vest will transmit audio and video over 3G to your handlers, as well as your GPS-tracked location. If things get hairy, there's a panic button -- but it's located on the right shoulder, so smacking it is just about as discreet as yelling for help into the camera. Of course, you could always just chuck the enormous waist-mounted battery pack and control unit at your assailants while you wait for help to arrive -- or you could slip any number of video-capable cellphones into your shirt pocket and, you know, actually be discreet.

[Via picturephoning]

[Spyvie @ Feb 8th 2008 4:22PM]

This needs a "Machine Gun Jublies" option.

[skulldriveshaft @ Feb 8th 2008 6:26PM]

It should also come with another option:

"Double D Cup" Holders

That's where any criminal is going to be looking, and you get a CLEAR image to use as evidence.

Why else did they put the camera there?

Hiding in plain sight.

[blackfeather @ Feb 11th 2008 1:08PM]

"Is it cold in here, or are you just wearing pinhole cameras on your nipples?"

[LondonConsultant @ Feb 8th 2008 4:29PM]

I wouldn't be surprised if the West End's traffic wardens started wearing these...

[Adam @ Feb 8th 2008 4:36PM]

"Heavy is good...Heavy is reliable...if it does not work, you can always hit him with it." -Boris

http://www.livingwithanerd.com

[Flashpoint @ Feb 8th 2008 4:45PM]

A pushup bra with an SSD

[trevor @ Feb 10th 2008 12:00AM]

Still, you've got to appreciate a CCTV system of this... caliber? (Holds pinky up to mouth)

[Mtirv @ Feb 8th 2008 5:12PM]

Convenient place to put the cameras.

[Jason Cox @ Feb 8th 2008 5:44PM]

You know, put that system into some Dragon Skin armor and you've got a sale.

[sTEVEN @ Feb 8th 2008 8:23PM]

make it cover the whole torso, and make it bulletproof

[Benjy @ Feb 8th 2008 10:51PM]

Laugh all you want at this, but I personally think anyone who rides an MTA public bus in the city of Baltimore, Maryland these days should be equipped with one of these as standard issue! Besides all the handy panic features, the audio and video of you being beaten down by the roving gangs of kids will be irrefutably admissable in court!

[Ranger @ Feb 8th 2008 10:55PM]

There's something you're all overlooking.

Say I grab myself sports jacket. I cut a hole in it, just the right size for the camera. I then grab a fake name plate or something to make it fit in a little more. The battery pack might make a little bulge though.

"If things get hairy, there's a panic button -- but it's located on the right shoulder, so smacking it is just about as discreet as yelling for help into the camera"

Brush some dandruff off, complain about an injured shoulder while messing around, adjust your clothing, "accidentally" shoulder into something...

[Julian Bond @ Feb 9th 2008 3:08AM]

All CCTV cameras should be public webcams. Including these.

[Ali Williams @ Feb 9th 2008 4:29AM]

Other companies in the UK have been doing this for a while like Stryker who do a similar sort of product.

[CanCar @ Feb 9th 2008 9:33AM]

The company says that its WCCTV 3G Covert Backpack is ideal for agents who need evidential quality recording of suspects on the move. The backpack houses all of Wireless CCTV's body-worn technology in a covert package.
www.investingstocks.org

[Wwhat @ Feb 9th 2008 4:31PM]

You'd be surprised how often such hidden portable cameras are already being used by the 'authorities', seriously.

[Greg @ Wireless CCTV @ Feb 15th 2008 5:10AM]

Hi,
I must admit this post is quite funny and I had a good laugh reading it. I obviously see the point made here > the Camera Vest is not the most optimal covert solution, but in order to show the different elements that have been integrated in the Body-Worn solutions I had to go for a visual of the overt Camera Vest solution. What am I to show when it's completely covert ;-)
The 3G Covert Backpack is one possible covert integration but Wireless CCTV can develop many different bespoke solutions.
http://www.wcctv.co.uk/Downloads/WCCTV_Covert_Backpack.jpg

By the way, some Street Wardens are using this kit in a consciously ostentatious way:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7016380.stm

And if you want to read about the available body-worn solutions:
http://www.wcctv.co.uk/downloads.aspx?page=419

Cheers

Greg, Marketing Manager at Wireless CCTV