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Scott talks about the problems associated with sending large video files.  Some options are discussed including Skype and FilePhile as well and Case Management Software.  There’s some discussion on Databrokers as well.

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This episode is sponsored by USAPI and GoToMeeting.com

GotoMeeting  Hold your meetings online for just $49/mo. Try GoToMeeting FREE for 30 days

In this episode, Scott explores generalization as opposed to specialization.  Consider his long standing position on being specialized, it’s a tough proposition to endorse.  Check it out.

There’s also some discussion of Spoofcard.  It’s a great tool but use it wisely and always be aware of your local laws.

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Check out the new forums on the site.  Create your username and password on the site to access the forum.

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This episode is sponsored by USAPI and GoToMeeting.com

GotoMeeting  Hold your meetings online for just $49/mo. Try GoToMeeting FREE for 30 days

I’ve seen lots of questions about how to send large files lately.  Here’s my take on the  subject.  As mentioned, my favorite service can be test driven here. You’ll have to listen to the podcast or just trust me.

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This episode is sponsored by USAPI and GoToMeeting.com

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Happy New Year everyone.  Thank you for listening and thank you for supporting the show.  Can you do me a favor and leave a comment on itunes?

Resolutions-We all make them this time of year.  My resolutions this year, for business, are to do more marketing, rework my website and buy new gear.  I’d like to get active in local business groups too.  What are your resolutions?

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There’s been quite a bit of discussion on minimum charges and surveillance billing.  Here’s my opinion.

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Since I posted the review of the 808 Key chain Spycam last week, I’ve gotten quite a few calls and emails about the root directory and setting the time and date.  Give this short update a listen to get the scoop.

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There’s been a lot of discussion in PI forums about the keychain spy cams.  This episode is my attempt to explain what they are, the different versions and how they work.  Much of my source material was taken from here.  Big thanks to the author for the work in figuring these things out and allowing me to use the material.

Here’s the link to my Youtube page where some sample videos can be viewed.  Keep in mind these are highly compressed by Youtube.

My ebay seller where I’ve had good luck purchasing the keychain spy cam for $15.  Keep in mind you’ll have to supply your own micro SD card.

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Usage notes:

HOW TO TAKE A VIDEO
1. Start with the camera off (or press the reset button to turn it off).
2. Press the power (on/off) button.  This turns the LED and the camera on.
3. Press and hold the mode (video/image) button.  The LED flashes 3 times then the LED goes off.  The camera is recording video and audio.
4. Press the mode button to stop video recording.  The video recording stops, the video is written to a AVI Flash memory file, and the LED turns on.
5. Press and hold the power button.  The camera and the LED turn off.

HOW TO TAKE A PHOTO
1. Start with the camera off.
2. Press the power button.  This turns the LED and the camera on.
3. Press the mode button.  The LED briefly goes off, then on.  The camera took a photo and wrote it to a JPG Flash memory file.  Repeat step three to take more photos.
4. Press and hold the power button.  The camera and the LED turn off.

Setting DATE and TIME

HOW TO SET THE DATE TIME – Use one of these methods and maybe try them both.

The Internal Flash Camera
The camera keeps the date and time as long as the battery is not dead.  It stamps the date time in the upper left corner of all video, and the date time property of all AVI and JPG files.

If you don’t set the date time, 1980 Jan 1 will be used.

For example, to set the date time to May 13 2009 at 3:10pm:
Connect the USB.  Create a time.txt file in the flash root with one line inside in this format:

2009.05.13 15:10:00

Disconnect the USB.  The camera will read the file, change the camera date time, and delete the file.

The Micro SD Camera (#3)
David contacted a seller to get these instructions.
Bob has give me a more detailed instructions.
For what you call the #3 camera – settime.txt and time.txt files don’t work at all.  It has to be a file named tag.txt reading EXACTLY this way:

[date]
2009/10/22
03:45:00

There has to be a space after the first line AND AFTER THE SECOND LINE.  And the time stamp starts when the key chain camera is powered on with this file on the root – not when the file is created – so create it with a time a minute ahead and then disconnect it from the USB (the proper way) and power up the keychain cam at that time.

Sample Video
Morning Video
Daytime Video

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This episode is chock full of good stuff on a variety of topics.  Give a listen to The American PI podcast and tell em you heard about it from The Curbside Investigator.  Big thanks to some of my biggest fans.  That’s right, I’m talking about the Australian PI’s.  They’ve been with me since the beginning and I appreciate it.  Follow me on Twitter at TheCurbsidePI or check the link at the Curbside Investigator site. Use Dropbox to transfer and sync large files.  Saving online video.  Take a look at Keepvid and netvideohunter.  Also look at Firefox extensions Downloadhelper and Screengrab.  To save date and time, try vDTS8888 or dvcsetup.  Vobmerge will join videos and avs4you will convert AVI to DVD.  What’s your thoughts on surveillance with busses, bikes and carpool lanes?  I’ve shared mine.  You share yours.

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Scott Stys

The Curbside Investigator

You might have noticed that in the last month, I haven’t done a whole lot of Podcasting over at The Curbside Investigator.  That’s because my caseload has increased dramatically, and I’ve had very little time to research any of the topics I’d like to discuss.  Getting caught up on work means I get to take care of the Podcasts as well and I’ve been looking at a few different sites that should help you get things done.

More and more, I find that information is openly posted on social media sites such as Facebook, MySpace and others.  This information used to be difficult to obtain and now, our subjects are handing it over to us!  The trick is in knowing how to get the information from the internet onto our PC’s.

Download helper sites such as Keepvid.com and Youddl.com allow you to insert a URL and then download and in the case of Keepvid, convert the Flash file to Mpeg format.  These are great sites to download video from any computer at any time.  They don’t require installation of software or any user account.  Both are worth bookmarking.

Firefox extensions are another option, particularly if you use Firefox as your main browser; and you should.  Extensions are plug-ins that increase the functionality of Firefox in specialized ways.  The Firefox video download helper works great and not only saves video, but audio and image galleries as well.

With so many free options out there, I don’t see a reason for a paid solution to saving online videos, however if that’s how you roll, take a look at CamStudio, Replay AV and WM Recorder.  Between these three, you should have all your needs taken care of.

Do you have any favorite solutions for downloading online video?  Have you run into any problems?  If so, let me know.  I appreciate any and all feedback.  You can find out more about the Podcast by visiting the Podcast page on the USAPI website, or go to http://www.curbsideinvestigator.com and you can email me at scott@curbsideinvestigator.com

**UPDATE**  08/11/09  It looks the the Youtube video reference in this episode has been removed along with the entire account.  Good work everyone but I would have loved to have read the comments before it disappeared.  Keep me posted if you see anything like this again.

———–

A listener asked about resources for new PI’s and how to offer Professional Services.  Here’s my take.  Another listener clued me into a youtube video by an Arizona PI.  Check it out for yourself and see if you can count how many mistakes are made.  This one brought tears to my eyes.  I’m not sure if I was sad or if the laughter caused it.

Surveillance gone wrong

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