# Has Anyone Placed Recording Devices in "Haunted" Houses? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 6, 2007, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-placed-recording-devices-in-haunted-houses/391019 "2007-02-06T01:07:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2007, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-placed-recording-devices-in-haunted-houses/391019/1 "2007-02-06T01:07:24Z")
Inspired by those idiotic “Ghost HUnter” TV shows (like “TAPS”); my question: why clamber around old houses, castles, hospitals, etc., in hopes of catching a glimpse of a ghost? Why not set up a series of detectors (temperature, optical cameras, microphones, and set them in place for a long period-like 1-2 years. Would’nt that be the easiest way to prove the existence (or non-existence) of these entities? If so, what were the results? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2007, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-placed-recording-devices-in-haunted-houses/391019/2 "2007-02-06T01:52:01Z")
I have seen that done many times. Unfortunately, you can’t prove a negative so not capturing a great image of a ghost might mean the ghost is shy of cameras, the camera couldn’t record the ghost correctly due to its supernatural properties, or it was just pointed in the wrong place. What you will usually see, especially with audio recordings of “haunted” places, is that there will be some slight pop, hiss, or distorted voice-like aberration that gets picked up for whatever reason and it is replayed in every way possible until the searchers are convinced they have a ghost recording. The same thing happens with the video recording as well. Here is one strange and spooky site with recordings: > **[Ghost Voices! EVP Voice Recordings of Ghosts!](http://www.mcmsys.com/~brammer/)** > > Voices on the Wind is dedicated to investigating Electronic Voice Phenomena, EVP in conjunction with Ghost and Haunted locations. Listen to the ghost voices we have captured on tape and converted to internet sound files. We are ghost hunters who... ---
**Author:** ![BlakeTyner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@BlakeTyner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlakeTyner)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2007, 6:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-placed-recording-devices-in-haunted-houses/391019/3 "2007-02-06T06:24:29Z")
There are so-called “ghost cams” set up in lots of locations: plain old houses, libraries, even the Queen Mary, that stream onto the internets 24/7. I can recall one from about '98 or so that had several camera angles (under beds and such) at a supposedly haunted house. Whether anybody a) watches these things obscessively; or b) has ever seen anything remotely ghostly, I cannot say. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2007, 11:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-placed-recording-devices-in-haunted-houses/391019/4 "2007-02-06T11:47:02Z")
There has been tape and video of such things. Some of them produce images and sounds, usually faint, and in the case of audio, open to interpretation as to what is actually said that has no good (non-supernatural) explanation. ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2007, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-placed-recording-devices-in-haunted-houses/391019/5 "2007-02-06T15:15:56Z")
**Shagnasty** nailed it. The problem with this method of “proving” the paranormal is that any audio or visual distortion gets leapt upon as evidence that something unexplained must be going on while the miles of tape showing nothing but an empty room are ignored. Just think about the thousands of attempts to capture audiovisual recordings of UFOs, the Loch Ness Monster, Bigfoot, etc. There hasn’t been a single case of a clear, indisputable recording of such phenomena, yet the absence of such can’t prove that they don’t exist. ---
**Author:** ![Diceman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Diceman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diceman)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2007, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-placed-recording-devices-in-haunted-houses/391019/6 "2007-02-06T17:58:11Z")
[QUOTE=ralph124c] Inspired by those idiotic “Ghost HUnter” TV shows (like “TAPS”); my question: why clamber around old houses, castles, hospitals, etc., in hopes of catching a glimpse of a ghost? Why not set up a series of detectors (temperature, optical cameras, microphones, and set them in place for a long period-like 1-2 years. Would’nt that be the easiest way to prove the existence (or non-existence) of these entities? If so, what were the results? 😃 [/QUOTE] I was watching an episode of TAPS Sunday, and they actually talked about this. The problem with leaving a video camera running all night is that someone has to go back and watch it all later. If you record 12 hours of video, then someone has to sit around the next day watching 12 hours of pretty much nothing, looking for anything unusual. As **BlakeTyner** alludes, there are several webcams set up, which almost certainly go unwatched 99.999% of the time. ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2007, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-placed-recording-devices-in-haunted-houses/391019/7 "2007-02-06T19:08:54Z")
Cynically, I would say that a genuine scientific investigation by a TV show will not take place, since it would spoil the endless line of money-making shows where people wander around and scream occasionally. I think there was one UK TV show where a pop group (Girls Aloud) were invited into a haunted house. This confirms my theory that stories of things like ghosts and the Loch Ness Monster are just perpetuated for profit. ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2007, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-placed-recording-devices-in-haunted-houses/391019/8 "2007-02-06T19:22:24Z")
There is software that can detect motion in a video, and I’m sure there is software to detect audio changes as well. ---
**Author:** ![mayfieldga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ee7513/32.png) [@mayfieldga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mayfieldga)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2023, 6:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-placed-recording-devices-in-haunted-houses/391019/9 "2023-11-06T06:31:32Z")
I hope you will use it two ways, both to enable a peaceful panning of an area and also to perhaps pick up supernatural events. I would like to see like panning from an open area toward a line of trees/woods both for a relaxing time to view and also to perhaps catch some supernatural events. I hope to be able to go to a site which has new recordings every two or three days. Oh, hoping for a more broad, larger, open area, say slowly panning down a line. Not sure of the length or pace of pan?? ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2023, 6:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-placed-recording-devices-in-haunted-houses/391019/10 "2023-11-06T06:38:48Z")
This ghost is a zombie now. Sorry ---
**Author:** ![ZonexandScout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zonexandscout/32/544_2.png) [@ZonexandScout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZonexandScout)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2023, 11:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-placed-recording-devices-in-haunted-houses/391019/11 "2023-11-06T11:59:30Z")
Right, **Beckdawrek** , but this might be a zombie whose time for resurrection has come. There are now millions of decent (or better) quality video and audio recording devices permanently installed inside and outside buildings all over the world. My own house is a good example. We have seven video cameras permanently installed inside and outside the house and they record both to internal SD cards and to a dedicated server in a spare room. A couple of them record audio as well as video. Furthermore, the previous owner passed away at the house three days before the closing on the sale of the house to my (then) GF. When I actually have a chance to look/listen at the videos, I do see some phenomena, including the ubiquitous floating orbs. And I hear sounds that I sometimes interpret as speech. But I’ve never given any weight to the idea that I have evidence of a haunting. ---
**Author:** ![md-2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9d8465/32.png) [@md-2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/md-2000)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2023, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-placed-recording-devices-in-haunted-houses/391019/12 "2023-11-06T14:14:21Z")
But if vampires can’t be seen in mirrors, presumably they can’t be video’ed either since that involves the properties of light reflection/refraction… so why would we expect ghosts and other paranormal to be any different? Zombies at least are purely physical. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2023, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-placed-recording-devices-in-haunted-houses/391019/13 "2023-11-06T15:01:17Z")
I swear I have a ghost. Right in my corner in my bedroom. No proof as yet. The dogs and one cat know something is going on in that corner. I wouldn’t begin to know how to electronically ‘catch’ it. I don’t think I wanna know really. It’s hard enough living with it now. It’s such a drama queen. If it had a picture, I can’t imagine what would happen. It’s better to be the invisible thing it is. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2023, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-placed-recording-devices-in-haunted-houses/391019/14 "2023-11-07T00:02:33Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > The dogs and one cat know something is going on in that corner. Oh, my cat can defiantly see ghosts. She can be happily lounging on the sofa when all of a sudden she goes on high alert. She will stare, unblinking, at nothing with her ears up and a bottle-brush tail. The other cat doesn’t clock it, but she cant be dissuaded. She doesn’t own any electronic, though. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2023, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-placed-recording-devices-in-haunted-houses/391019/15 "2023-11-07T02:22:30Z")
> [@md-2000](#): > > But if vampires can’t be seen in mirrors, presumably they can’t be video’ed either since that involves the properties of light reflection/refraction… Don’t be silly. My wife and I are watching the definitive documentary right now, and I assure you, Angel shows up in photos! ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2023, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-placed-recording-devices-in-haunted-houses/391019/16 "2023-11-07T02:26:21Z")
I hear Polaroid land cameras can catch ghost writing. Actually saw that story on 20/20. 🤔 ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2023, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-placed-recording-devices-in-haunted-houses/391019/17 "2023-11-07T05:47:30Z")
The decline in ghost and UFO sightings is directly traceable to the proliferation of cellphone and security cameras with excellent resolution, which have made paranormal and alien critters ultra-shy. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2023, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-placed-recording-devices-in-haunted-houses/391019/18 "2023-11-07T15:39:34Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > which have made paranormal and alien critters ultra-shy. They just want a percentage of the profits. Probably DVD and streaming, too. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2023, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-placed-recording-devices-in-haunted-houses/391019/19 "2023-11-07T17:25:07Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > The dogs and one cat know something is going on in that corner. Could be another pet or animal pee’d in that space a while back and the odor is still triggering your current pets. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2023, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-placed-recording-devices-in-haunted-houses/391019/20 "2023-11-07T17:27:39Z")
There have been instances claiming that your Tesla can identify spirits walking around graveyards. > **[People keep seeing ghosts on Tesla screens in graveyards](https://driving.ca/auto-news/entertainment/people-keep-seeing-ghosts-on-tesla-screens-in-graveyards)** > > Has Elon figured out how to communicate with the dead? > **['Ghostbuster': Chills As Video Shows Tesla Detects People in Empty Cemetery](https://www.newsweek.com/tesla-detect-people-empty-cemetery-chills-ghosts-1693834)** > > "When you don't see it on the collision detection screen anymore, it means it's now in the car with you," joked one commenter. > **[Ghost Hunting In A Tesla](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFEMdXx4P90%2F)** > > Join me and some friends as we ghost hunt in their Tesla at two cemeteries in central Florida, Woodlawn & Winter Garden Cemeteries to find out if the sensors... [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-anyone-placed-recording-devices-in-haunted-houses/391019.md?page=2)