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While it's cool to see this technique applied to consumer video, the general idea has been used in international espionage for a while now. In fact, Léon Therem

While it's cool to see this technique applied to consumer video, the general idea has been used in international espionage for a while now. In fact, Léon Theremin (yes, of the musical instrument) invented an early device capable of eavesdropping based on window vibrations: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L%C3%A9on_Theremin#Espionage http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L%C3%A9on_Theremin#Espionage . I also recall that this is why all of the windows in the White House are fitted with tiny devices that vibrate the windows randomly as a countermeasure.

clueless123 12y ago
As a kid (in the early 80's!) I accidentally figured this out while "hacking" a sound based "walkie talkie" with a photo cell and a LED pointed at each other through a little telescope, from my house to my neighbors across the bock. The device worked, but had a bug. a hummmm on the receiver. For the longest time I could not figure out what was the "hummm", till I noticed it was there even with the transmitter off.. and then, I heard strange voices even with the transmitter being off! Then I realized the humm was the reflection of incandescent light on the window, and the voices where the people in the room making the window vibrate too.. Ahh.. those where great fun days early on "hacker" life as a hacker. :)
- enraged_camel 12y ago
  >>till I noticed it was there even with the transmitter off.. and then, I heard strange voices even with the transmitter being off! ...and that is when little Johnny knew he had to lay off the shrooms. :P I love hearing stories like yours though. I, too, miss the child-like wonder of making discoveries. We take the physical world we live in for granted, but there's just so much out there to see and learn from.
ranran876 12y ago
Well this system would in theory bypass the White House countermeasures
AndrewKemendo 12y ago
The technologies involved are quite different and this new approach radically simplifies the logistics.

clueless123 12y ago

As a kid (in the early 80's!) I accidentally figured this out while "hacking" a sound based "walkie talkie" with a photo cell and a LED pointed at each other through a little telescope, from my house to my neighbors across the bock. The device worked, but had a bug. a hummmm on the receiver. For the longest time I could not figure out what was the "hummm", till I noticed it was there even with the transmitter off.. and then, I heard strange voices even with the transmitter being off! Then I realized the humm was the reflection of incandescent light on the window, and the voices where the people in the room making the window vibrate too.. Ahh.. those where great fun days early on "hacker" life as a hacker. :)

enraged_camel 12y ago
>>till I noticed it was there even with the transmitter off.. and then, I heard strange voices even with the transmitter being off! ...and that is when little Johnny knew he had to lay off the shrooms. :P I love hearing stories like yours though. I, too, miss the child-like wonder of making discoveries. We take the physical world we live in for granted, but there's just so much out there to see and learn from.

ranran876 12y ago

Well this system would in theory bypass the White House countermeasures

AndrewKemendo 12y ago

The technologies involved are quite different and this new approach radically simplifies the logistics.