Hi Tanja, welcome to the Sony Forums

Something like a passive infra-red (PIR) sensor can trigger a recording device, but unfortunately the XR160E has no inputs of any kind to connect one to.

I'd imagine that, even if you did buy a remotely-controllable handycam, you would need to rig up some kind of customised connection between the PIR and the remote control handset in order to trigger the 'record' action.

If you want to look at options beyond using your current camera, let me know

Cheers

Mick

What you're looking to do isn't difficult with the right equipment and a little care setting it up. What's not quite so easy is finding the equipment... there seems quite a range of PIR-activated, photography-related gear in the US, but not so much here. This, for example, is exactly what you need to remote-trigger a handycam when movement and/or heat is detected: http://www.trailmaster.com/tm700v.php - but you'd have to mail order it, or search for something similar over here.

The good news is this sort of product has been made to fit Sony camcorders for years, connecting to the cam's D-shaped LANC socket, often marked 'AV/R' on the housing. Here's a list of suitably-equipped cams:

http://www.sony.co.uk/product/cac-other-accessories/rm-av2#/Compatibles

I'd suggest you get a flash memory handycam, so you can remove the card without having to remove the camera. Obviously waterproofing and (potentially) low temperatures are also worth considering.

Hope you find something that works

Cheers

Mick