MIT researchers show that sound can be recovered from silent video by analyzing tiny vibrations in objects such as a potato chip bag. It works even with consumer cameras by using rolling shutter.
Why Hacker News points people here: HN commenters cite it as the classic demonstration of audio recovery from video in surveillance and privacy discussions.
“it can be possible to extract audio from video, by careful processing of the small motions the sound induced in objects in the frame”HN comment, 2017
“it can be possible to extract audio from video, by careful processing of the small motions the sound induced in objects in the frame”
Recovering sound from tiny motions in video, even consumer cameras
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"security cameras outside of stores" would be in public areas, yes? The Lifehacker link you pointed to says "Generally speaking, you have the right to record video in all public spaces without need of consent." Now for the fun part - it can be possible to extract audio from video, by careful processing of the small motions the sound induced in objects in the frame. See this video . High-speed camera is best, but at the end they show how a regular consumer-level camera can also be used.
Cites itlawryMar 2015
“it's still possible to extract audio from the video you are streaming”
Sound recovery from silent video
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Remember even if you mute your microphone, it's still possible to extract audio from the video you are streaming: this video
Cites itanfractuosityJan 2018
“They show audio captured from a 60fps video from a DSLR exploiting the rolling shutter.”
Audio captured from 60fps DSLR video via rolling shutter
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See this - this video They show audio captured from a 60fps video from a DSLR exploiting the rolling shutter. I'm not sure if you can use less than 60fps though?
Cites itehsankiaOct 2018
“You can do it with video too, even”
Recovering audio from video
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You can do it with video too, even: this video Also, this is only tangentially related, but you can also see through walls using WiFi: link
Cites itbbbobbbJul 2020
“Here similar experiment, 6 years ago”
Earlier similar experiment recovering audio from visual vibrations
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Here similar experiment, 6 years ago: this video If you think that actual government agency cannot do even more easily with better equipment in 2020 you're kidding yourself.
Cites itspyderFeb 2026
“any vibrating reflective object like a potato chips bag can become a microphone”
Potato chip bag becomes a microphone via high speed camera
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with a high speed camera any vibrating reflective object like a potato chips bag can become a microphone: this video
