- Monday, 30 November 2009
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Journalism is a trade rather than a profession, a bit like bricklaying
Spy pen tips up just in time for new Bond Film
DIAMONDS MAY BE Forever, but we reckon only Dr No could turn his nose up at the newly released Marlin SpyPen, which comes with its own hidden digital video camera, the world's smallest digital video recorder (DVR) and even a fairly powerful hidden microphone.
The gadget-laden pen, which can apparently be hooked up to any standard PC via a USB 2.0 port, comes in 2Gb and 4Gb flavours and can purportedly record real-time, full-colour digital video in AVI video format.
And like James Bond in a souped up Aston Martin, the SpyPen can also apparently reach some pretty impressive speeds boasting a Read/Write of 900K/700K per second, a resolution of 300k pixels and a mic which can record conversations from over 4.5 metres away. Not too shabby Q!
Weighing about the same as an anorexic Bond girl - about 30 grammes - and measuring just 15cm x 1.5cm, the pen doesn’t need drivers and its rechargeable lithium battery can be topped up directly from a USB port, apparently lasting for up to two hours on a single charge.
Offering a quantum of solace in the economic climate, you also won’t need goldfingers or big wins at Casino Royale to afford it either. The 2Gb version costs £40 squids (or Octopussies), whilst the 4Gb version will cost would-be spy punters £50. It’s apparently supported on Windows 98/98SE/ME/2000/XP as well as Mac OSX and Linux too. µ
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Video Review here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obTrhupnqYY


Hilarious :D
Can it actually write? It would look really stupid to have a pen that cannot write :)
I want one, but I can't see having it shipped overseas.
Shipped from Hong Kong, if I recall correctly.

It works well, although the video codec used isn't supported by Windows Media Player (and the driver CD I got had nothing of any use on it). Things like MPlayer work fine.

Works fine as an ordinary memory stick on a PC, but when I try to plug it into a Macbook Pro, it isn't recognised and it locks the pen up completely - you have to let the battery go flat before it'll work again (reset button doesn't help).

And, yes, you can write with them, although they're a bit fat and heavy to be completely inconspicuous. The little blue light needs a bit of tape over it too if you wanna be stealthy!
You can see actual footage of the Spy Pen at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6qT0eeZb3Q
It comes it different resolution, most common is 352x288 but there is a 640x480 now available. the other important info is the fps (frames per second). It can vary from 12 to 24 fps(best). Get more info at:
www.TowerSecurityCameras.com
The reset button does work but you need to get it right.
Use a paperclip and insert at right angles. press firmly, but not too hard. You will feel a click.
That is it.
Any tips on making it work on a Mac?
Spy Pens don't work on a MAC but you can view the Video file on a MAC by transfering the video file from PC to a MAC with a USB memory stick then you may need to download VLC Media Player for MAC to view the AVI file