Terminology
Equipment Definitions
Audio Equipment: Audio recording devices account for more than 60% of evidence gathered on most investigations so this will constitute the most important of the gear used. Audio recordings have been found to provide reliable evidence for more than 50 years.
Digital Audio Recorders: These devices have become the mainstay for audio recording due to their size, price and ease of data transfer, file usage and data analysis. The main drawback is how data is recorded. Incoming signals are sampled at some frequency, that is, a snapshot is taken of the signal at a high rate of speed. The intervals between samples, even though very small, is filled in by the software. So, the recording is not truly real time.
Magnetic Tape Recorders: These units take the sound input, convert them into an analog signal and records that signal onto magnetic tape. This method would be the most pure of audio events being recorded. Major drawbacks to this method include analysis, transfer of data and the many mechanical components involved in making these machines function.
Visual Recorders: Pictures or video provide the most striking of evidence, but capturing them is even more rare than audio evidence. There are four categories of video recording: visual light, that is the range of light we humans use to see, ultra violet, which is the range that is above our vision; near-infrared, which is sometimes called low light; and infrared, which is below our range and is really heat energy. At this point, the first three categories are recorded with either digital or analog,whether still or moving recording. Infrared is captured by a special instrument and converted into a visual representation.
Film Cameras: These cameras use a photo sensitive film to record light received and focused on it. The range of sensitivity is dependent on the optical filters and the type of film used. Then the film is chemically processed to obtain a picture. One of the main advantages of this type is it produces a negative, a reverse visual picture that can be used to produce as many reproductions as needed without quality loss. The disadvantage is that the picture has to be processed before seeing the results. A potential drawback is the film itself. It is subject to aging and poor photo development which may end up obscuring whatever evidence you may have captured.
Digital Cameras: These devices capture visual images by means of a photo sensitive plate that converts the light received into a digital value. They do have an advantage of instant viewing of the picture and a multitude of options. The drawbacks are processing time which may prevent rapid multiple photographs. All the options can be a drawback as well as the incorrect option may have been selected and the opportunity may be lost. Another potential problem could be the ease of manipulation of the picture. Unless the integrity of the original is maintained, the validity of the evidence may always be in question.
Tape Video Records: Also called Camcorders . These record the images on magnetic tape that comes in several formats. The VHS is the largest of the cassettes but provides the greatest picture density or quality. This is aging technology and support and sales are diminishing. They are not the most nimble of units and may produce quite a bit of noise during operation. Transferring the data to a computer can be a bit tricky and time consuming.
Digital Video Recorders: These recorders utilize the same technique to transfer visual input into digital data. They have the typical variety of modes as the camera. They have as well a number of different recording media. Disks, tape and drives are usually found in these models. They are quiet and very portable. Units with visual and low light capacities are available and usually very affordable.
Detection Equipment: In paranormal research, investigators have tried to keep up to date on technological advances so new equipment is appearing in the tool kit. But proven gear is still on site and provides the investigators clues about the nature of the activity. Typical equipment includes environmental sensors for temperature and humidity and equipment for detecting electromagnetic fields. Electromagnetic fields, or EMF are produced by electricity in motion. Just about anything that plugs in or uses batteries will produce an EMF. Variations or changes in the field provide the investigator a point to look into.
Thermometers, Pyrometers and Temperature Sensors: These are just as they say, they detect the temperature and changes in temperature in objects and environment.
EMF Meter: These units detect and measure the presence and strength of electromagnetic fields. They typically have a meter for indication and selectors for choosing scale. They might have an audible indication that sounds when certain strengths are reached.
K2 Meters: These units measure the same fields as an EMF Meter, but utilize LED's for strength indication and are usually silent.
Communication Devices: Various units are currently popular in the effort to communicate with any spirit(s) present. They are electronic and are thought to be easier for entities to manipulate as opposed to the older methods where a physical object had to be moved or utilized.
Spirit Box/Ghost Box: These devices use radio frequencies to provide the vocabulary the spirit may use to communicate. The box scans through AM and FM frequencies and the spirit uses the signal to chose words and phrases.
Ovilus/Puck: This unit has a memory module that contains from several hundred to several thousand words. Using EMF's , the entity can pick words from the memory to speak to the investigator.
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