A Split Second
The main distinction between standard household VCRs and time lapse VCRs (usually used for security surveillance) is that with time lapse, the machine can be programmed to record for only a small amount of time (sometimes a second or less--depending on the particular model) before the record mode turns off. The VCR then waits a given amount of time before it records again. Hence, time has lapsed (or passed) between recordings.
Hundreds of Hours
The amount of time that the VCR is in "lapse" mode before it records again can be set by the user (depending on the model). Some machines offer a variety of time intervals that you can choose from. Consequently, due to only a fraction of time being recorded in a certain time period (for example, one second of recorded time in every minute of actual time), time lapse VCRs can survey a much larger time frame than standard VCRs, as they only record a fraction of that real time. A regular VHS T-160 tape, for example, can record for up to eight full continuous hours when used in the "extended play" (EP) mode with a regular VCR. With a time lapse VCR, however, the same tape has the capacity to survey a time period of up to 960 hours. It should be noted that audio has to be turned off for the tape to last this amount of time, and generally, the recording quality has a lower standard when set for more than 40 hours.
With Security Devices
Certain time lapse VCR models can be connected to alarm systems or motion sensors to cue them to start and/or stop recording. This way, one doesn't have to spend time needlessly scanning tape but can quickly fast-forward or rewind to an "event" that needs to be viewed. Secondly, with only "events" being filmed, the video tape covers an even longer time span than before. In some cases, digital time lapse VCRs record the information directly onto a hard drive.
Tags: amount time, time lapse, lapse VCRs, time lapse VCRs, before records, before records again
