Camcorders for the Paranormal investigator

-Cap’n Casper

Judging by the images we see on the cable ghost hunting shows and many clips from local investigative groups, there is some need for a short discourse on camcorder choices that are best suited to the situations encountered during a paranormal investigation. When choosing equipment, we need to remember the types of situations that will be encountered. The paranormal investigation is the perfect place to remember that newer is not always better.

Camcorder choice is vital in ensuring that we get the images we need when we need them. Not every brand is suited to this kind of work, so we must take into account the features that will be of the most benefit to us in our work. The key features I look for in a camcorder are light sensitivity and ease of use. We need a unit that can capture a good image in all different kinds of lighting conditions and is sensitive to infrared light, as well as being easy to use and configure in the dark.

Sony has typically been the brand of choice due to their venerable NightShot® system, but not all Sony models are up to the task. We will look at a few of the cameras employed by KCPS to get an idea of what to look for in a camera.

The workhorse of our video equipment is the Sony TRV108. This camera is a number of years old now, but its low-light sensitivity is outstanding. It is a Hi8 camera, so the output resolution is not nearly as crisp as that of a MiniDV, but its ease of use and low-light handling make it more than valuable. It is a bit of a large camera, but spends most of its time on a tripod. Audio recorded from the TRV108 is clear, albeit a bit noisy. This model is equipped with the original Sony nightshot and a ¼” sensor. The ¼” sensor in the TRV108 is the primary source of the light sensitivity. Remember, the smaller the sensor, the more light it must have to provide a good image. The TRV108 is also very easy to use, set it up in the light, and use it in the dark.

A quick word about the NightShot® system: when not in use, the camera places an infrared-blocking filter in front of the imaging chip. This allows the camera to faithfully reproduce colors in the recorded image. As these sensors are naturally quite sensitive to infrared light, if this sensor was not in use the resultant image would display strange colors and tones. When switched into NightShot® mode, the filter is removed from the light path to allow the imaging chip to take full advantage of both ambient and infrared illumination, and an infrared LED is activated when entering NightShot® mode to provide illumination on the subject. Different Sony models accomplish the movement of the infrared filter in different ways, as we will see. 

The TRV108 has the added benefit of a mechanically-actuated infrared-blocking filter. Ours is modified so that the filter can moved from the light path without putting the camera into NightShot® mode. This allows the TRV108 to film in full color while still being extremely sensitive to infrared light, and instead of a green image, infrared scenes are rendered in black and white. This allows the camera to register color when white light is used while still providing excellent low-light imaging. Additionally, the TRV108, TRV308, and TRV608 (which are all essentially the same camera with a few different features) can be procured for a relatively small investment (between $100 and $200) on eBay®.

There are two major drawbacks to the TRV108. First, they are old and as such, tend to develop mechanical issues if not maintained properly. They can tend to be a bit finicky at times, so should not be entirely relied upon. Video resolution aside, the other major flaw is the lack of a data interface. In order to capture video from the TRV108, a TV card or camcorder with a DV pass-through must be used.

All in all, the TRV108 has been an outstanding performer for KCPS. If anyone is interested in the NightShot®, just send me a message and I will post some instructions.

Our number 2 unit is the Sony TRV70. This is a MiniDV camcorder with a plethora of features that I most likely will not ever use. It is however, a solid unit and is well suited for a variety of tasks. This camera is equipped with a 1/3.6″ advanced HAD CCD and Carl Zeiss lens. This imager is slightly larger than the TRV108 however the low-light performance is not as good as the TRV108 due to software exposure control. The TRV70 captures an excellent, high-resolution video image. It can also capture 2MP stills to the onboard memory stick, and has a built-in flash. In NightShot®, a good image requires a supplemental infrared source such as the HVL-IRM or HVL-IRH2. The TRV70 has both NightShot® and Super NightShot®.  The infrared filter is removed from the light path via an electromechanical actuator, and I have not yet endeavored to modify it as I did the TRV108. This will most likely be done in the future, as it gives more shooting options. The TRV70 uses touch-screen operation, so no fumbling in the dark for buttons, but it has many features so be sure to familiarize yourself with their locations.

What’s the difference between NightShot® and Super NightShot®? I’m glad you asked! Super Nightshot® adds a dynamic shutter control in order to maintain brightness levels. The camera automatically adjusts the shutter speed to compensate for light levels. This sounds good, but in completely dark or very dark conditions without infrared lighting, the shutter speed becomes so long that the recorded image gets quite sluggish and nearly unusable. Super NightShot® therefore, is to be avoided.

Overall, the TRV70 is an excellent camera for nearly every situation. It sports a load of features and captures a superb image. The TRV70 originally sold for about $1000, but I was recently able to purchase one with a load of accessories for $175 on eBay. This price is not typical, however. The TRV70 usually runs about $200 to $400 used.

The last ditch in our camera bag is the Sony HC26. This camera is only good for documenting well-lit areas, mainly for a daylight tour of a site. The light sensitivity stinks, the optics are mediocre, and the NightShot® Plus is a joke. Even though it is a miniDV, the HC26 has only a 1/6″ sensor. Its size is really the only positive of this camera, as it is small enough to put in a jacket pocket. The HC26 is easy to use, but not worth it most of the time.

NightShot® Plus is a newer system on the Sony cameras that allows color as well as infrared sensitivity, not unlike the modification I have made to our TRV108. The biggest difference is that the HC26 requires so much illumination to properly expose the scene, that the NightShot® is not all that useful to begin with.

The bottom line on cameras is this: The larger the sensor, the better the light sensitivity (to a point). The ultra-compact cameras are usually to be avoided, as they are not built for image quality and performance, but for convenience. The TRV108/308/608 line, while older and Hi8 are excellent for great low-light performance. They can be had fairly cheaply, but are more prone to mechanical issues due to their age. The TRV70 is an excellent choice for a moderate investment, and can be used in many situations. Keep in mind that many of the cable shows are spending big dollars on cameras, but they are not always the most effective. Because we are using our videos to refer back to, we want to strive to get the best image possible in any given situation.

I have not yet tried the newest hard drive cameras, as I have not seen the required feature set. Before making any equipment purchase, do your research and be sure of what you are buying.

Thanks for taking the time.  –Cap’n