One-way Glass

[Gonnagetfrazzled]

I am attempting to make a Nanny-cam and need a small amount of one-way glass/plastic. I have looked online but cannot find anywhere that produces it let alone sells it.

Does anyone know of any sites or companies I can email regarding this?

Thank you

 

[nstreet]

I know this isn't what you asked for, but how about trying one of these. They are also available in clock faces etc.http://www.gadgetstuff.com/gifts-gadgets/Hidden-Security-Camera.asp

 

[AdamW]

Howabout car window-tint on colourless glass? The mirror-finish stuff produces a one-way glass effect: looks like a mirror on one side, produces a darkened purplish image on the other side.

Obviously this wouldn't be ideal if you wanted a normal-looking mirror, as glass+window tint would look a bit cheap.

Of course, anyone must be thoughtful of where they are using such an item. If this is intended for the safety of your children when there is a nanny then I doubt any courts would have a quibble with this. If it is for a, shall we say "dual purpose", then you could end up in a whole lot of trouble.

Then there is the whole issue of whether or not visible cameras would be more effective for the purposes you intend...

 

[Gonnagetfrazzled]

I don't have an ulterior motive although am amused by the prospect of being arrested and disowned by my family.

How clear is the "Mirror-finish" stuff from the transparent side?

 

[AdamW]

Hehe, wasn't suggesting you did, but you know that someone will read this and get an idea! I will never forget the case of a famous american rock'n'roll star who got arrested after someone found the hidden cameras in the ladies' restroom of his nightclub. The excuse he gave was "I was trying to figure out how they got through so much toilet paper".

From what I have read, car window-tint film generally lets around 60-80% of light through, so on the camera it would be bright enough to be able to identify faces and see what is going on. The best way to see what mirror tint looks like from the clear side is if you see someone unloading a van with such a tint on the tailgate, take a peek. It all looks a bit purple from the clear side.

 

[Tom.]

If you don't trust your nanny, you shouldn't be spending money on cameras, you should be getting a new nanny.

That said, there are plenty of security consultants that will offer good advice on what you would like to do. The best options are disguising cameras in box files (through the little hole at the bottom of each file).

You could also install a fake IR sensor for your household alarm, with a camera hidden in there. It doesn't have to be in the milky window bit, a small hole drilled below, where the LED normally sits, would suffice.