High Definition CCTV

First post here, so please don't flame me

Say if I take a compact HD camcorder that can output a 720p image via analogue component such as the Sony HDR-HC1, what would be stopping me from putting it in a large, heated camera housing and using it as a CCTV camera?

Power could be provided if the HD camcorder was connected to the mains all of the time, and video could be send down 3 coax cables with appropriate phono plugs on the end.

One thing with the zoom though, I presume a button on the camera controls the optical zoom? x12 optical zoom should be plenty for the application required, however the problem is remotely controlling it - would it be possible to 'pop' the zoom hardware switch off and run two wires or something to a controller that could send a voltage up each wire like on one wire if you want to zoom in and another if you want to zoom out?

Please help me by leaving any comments etc that you want to, and as for the monitor (television) its going to be a samsung 50" 1080p one as soon they hit here in the UK, (maybe a1080p camera instead of a 720p one too if moneys available)

[sbowler]

Isnt that a rather expensive way of using a camcorder, just shop for a top quality CCTV.

[ijd]

more money than sense springs to mind

[vonhosen]

What are you going to store the images on ?

I have got an Ati AVIVO graphics card that has component input, so I'll use that and the capture software to record direct to the hard disk and use that as a dvr.

Not THAT expensive when you think about it, a top line sony 480 line single 1/3" CCD Standard Definition costs £300 without the lens, so add another £50for that and it costs £350. HD is only just over twice as much...

[Legendary]

We need more quality CCTV for those porn videos to be leaked

Like Danni Minogue stuff.

HC1 is 1080i not 720p
HC1 has a lanc socket that can control zoom and focus remotely

By the way 'legendary' one always feels that the 'CCTV' porn footage of the likes of DM and AT and PH is all staged for publicity, doesn't alter the fact that the rest of it is of unwitting eastern europeans who generally have no choice in the matter. The track marks and cigarette burns kind of spoil the viewing experience for me.

[JagoPlasma]

Eden, Sony normally have a plug in for remore control of zoom/rec funtions, try looking at accessories for that camera.

also i take it your using it as CCTV to give to the police if a crime is commited? bare in mind that alot of courts/police stations only have facilities for VHS or if your lucky DVD. so you have to think about the end result....

i know for a fact a certain police organization dont accept CCTV unless it is in a usable format to them or "if they want it really badly"