Hi, folks;

I want a PIR sensor to turn on a VCR or Camcorder, to catch someone
who's messing with someone's brakes and other car internals at a not
very watchable location (When problems happen, he's away on trips -
pretty sure he knows WHO, but wants it on tape before the jerk manages
to kill him.  Pre-emptive Strikes aren't really an option here <G>)

I need something that can be rigged to start recording when power's
turned on, and then later you can pull / review / whatever the tape;
I'll put a solenoid with a flag for him to be able to see a "Review the
tape" flag.  (Mousetrap with a solenoid to the trigger is cheap and is
good enough here to pop up a flag <G>)

Suggestions on hacking an existing cheap VCR would be fine, my worst
case scenario here is that I put some foam blocks up against the Play
and Record buttons on the VCR and just turn power on - or solenoid that
with a 1/4 second delay off a 555 on power-up - Anyone with better
ideas, warnings, caveats, whatever?  He doesn't like spending money, "of
course".  (He's spent quite enough on repairs though...)

  Mark

--
I re-ship for small US & overseas businesses, world-wide.
(For private individuals at cost; ask.)