Wired News: Crime Fighters Use Digital Video

For a while now, police have been using analog video recorders. Now, as Wired News: Crime Fighters Use Digital Video reports, they're moving to digital "TiVo-style" systems:

A TiVo-style digital video system makes it easier for officers to record law breakers and avoid frivolous lawsuits, while saving them valuable storage space unlike bulky analog tapes.

The Tyler Police Department in East Texas outfitted its 60 patrol cars with systems that take a steady stream of video. It includes a special 'pre-event' feature that automatically goes back and saves the minute of footage before an officer hits the record button to mark the video.

That "pre-event" feature is perfect for documentary-style recording. Imagine being able to hit "record" right after someone said something witty, or right after a homerun hit, or right after...whatever.