Certainly! Your experiment sounds intriguing, and I appreciate your focus on simplicity and reliability. Setting up a fully analog camera system with motion sensors and direct recording to a hard drive is indeed doable. Here are some recommendations for achieving this: Analog Cameras: Look for analog security cameras (also known as CCTV cameras) that support BNC connectors. These cameras will provide the analog video feed you need. Consider bullet or dome-style cameras based on your preference for indoor use. Motion Sensors: You can add motion sensors to trigger recording when movement is detected. These sensors will connect to your camera system and activate recording when necessary. DVR (Digital Video Recorder): Invest in a standalone DVR with BNC inputs. This device will handle the analog video signals from your cameras. Make sure the DVR has enough channels to accommodate your five cameras. Hard Drive: Connect an external hard drive (preferably with USB 3.0 for faster data transfer) to the DVR. Most DVRs allow you to save footage directly to an external drive. Ensure the hard drive has sufficient storage capacity to store the recorded video. Consider a 1TB or larger drive. Software and Playback: You mentioned using VLC player, which is a great choice. You can connect your external hard drive to your laptop and play back the recorded footage directly using VLC. No need for Wi-Fi or Bluetooth-just a simple wired connection between the hard drive and your laptop. Camera Synchronization: To keep your cameras in sync, ensure they are all connected to the same DVR. The DVR will handle the synchronization and recording process. Adjust motion sensor sensitivity and recording settings to match your experiment’s requirements. Bulk Purchase: For bulk purchases, consider checking online retailers or wholesalers. Amazon offers a variety of analog security cameras, and you can explore other specialized suppliers like CCTV Camera World2 ... amzn.to/4eZI3MO Remember to check compatibility between the cameras, DVR, and motion sensors. Also, consider the resolution and night vision capabilities of the cameras based on your apartment’s lighting conditions. With careful planning, you can achieve your desired setup without unnecessary complexities. Good luck with your experiment!

@@ENMOOZ wow what a thorough response, thank you so much! I am excited to research this later and see what I can get from Amazon. It would basically achieve the essence of journaling one's life at home, albeit without pencil and paper.