Instrumental Transcommunication (ITC) refers
to methods that use audio or video equipment to obtain recordings that some believe
demonstrate communication from deceased persons or other entities. One example of
ITC is Electronic Voice Phenomena (EVP). Another method that
has been developed in recent years involves techniques for making video recordings
that may include unexplained images of faces or figures. Such methods are known
as Video Instrumental Transcommunication, or VIdeo ITC.
The Klaus Schreiber Method
One of the most important and interesting
techniques for making Video ITC recordings was pioneered by
Klaus Schreiber in the 1980s. Schreiber's method involves recording
from a video camera that is pointed at a TV or video monitor which itself displays
the output from the video camera. This sets up a feedback loop between the camera
and TV which, when the camera is correctly adjusted for zoom and focus, results
in strange visual displays.
The effect generally sought is one where
swirling clouds appear. Best results are obtained when the camera is focussed just
beyond the TV screen (i.e., the image is slightly out of focus). Somewhat different
results are obtained depending on the distance between the camera and the screen
(which may be from a few inches to a few feet).
Once the desired swirling effect is obtained,
a recording is made of the output from the video camera. Usually recordings are
quite brief (generally between 30 sec and 5 minutes) because every frame of the
recording needs to be carefully examined for any possible anomalous images. Some
researchers like to speak out loud during the recording, inviting the "spirits"
to appear.
Recording Video ITC using a Video Editor
If you have a digital camcorder, the Klaus
Schreiber Method can be easily adapted for use with video capture and editing software.
To do this, follow these steps:
Connect your camcorder to the computer,
using the USB or Firewire (IEEE 1394) cable.
Open your video editing software (e.g.,
Windows Movie Maker) and select "capture video". Choose a filename for
the recording.
Set the manual focus of the camcorder
at about 12 inches (30cm). Do not use autofocus.
Hold the camcorder about 6-10 inches
(15-25cm) from the screen and point it at the preview window in your video editing
software. You should see the output from the camcorder in the preview window.
Slowly zoom in on the center of the
preview window until you see the swirling clouds, then stop zooming.
Start video capture (you do not need
to record using the camcorder, but you can also do this if you want to make a backup).
If you wish, talk to the "spirits",
inviting them to appear, or ask questions.
While you are recording, gently aim the camcorder
into the dark areas and swirling clouds.
When you have finished recording, examine
every frame of the video for any anomalous images. You can use your video editing
software to take pictures of individual frames.
If you are not satisfied with the results,
try experimening with different focus, zoom and distance from the screen..
The short video clip below demonstrates
the basic procedure. This video was made using a Sony DCR-H37E digitial camcorder,
which has a 40x optical zoom, and Windows Movie Maker.
WARNING: This video contains flashing
images
Frames from another recording I have made
are shown below.
Comments
As with Electronic Voice
Phenomena, skeptics point out that the images produced using Video ITC methods
are generally of low quality and simply reflect the tendency of the human brain
to perceive faces and figures in what are, essentially, random visual patterns (a
tendency known as pareidolia).
However, results obtained by some researchers
(especially by Klaus Schreiber) are quite dramatic,
and the phenomenon has yet to be fully explained.
. O Books.