Baby's first steps, a high school graduation or a family reunion are events we wish we could relive. With the tech inside a video camera, all of these memorable moments can last a lifetime.
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All of the components inside the camera play their own unique roles and work together to store what's happening so you can watch it later. Go to the next image to take a closer look inside.
The process that a video camera goes through to record an object is about the same as your eye sending a visual image to the brain. Light from the object travels through the lens of your eye. The lens of the camera serves the same purpose.
The same light hits a charge-coupled device (CCD). The CCD is a light sensor that records the intensity and color of the light for each pixel of the picture.
A recording head transfers the information captured by the CCD to the tape. This can be compared to your hand using a pen to draw a picture. The head is magnetic, and it records the image by magnetizing the tape in a pattern that a player can read.
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While most home video cameras today record everything digitally, you can still find a few that record to tape like this one. In place of this deck, a more modern video camera would use some kind of digital storage, like a memory card.
A small motor keeps the tape moving. A series of rollers, shown here, holds it at the right tension so it doesn't tangle or break.
The processor, which plays the part of your brain, receives signals from all the buttons and switches and sends out the necessary commands to the rest of the camera.
The printed circuit board carries information back and forth between the CCD, the processor and the recording head.
The cables are also a part of the communication system. The cables assist in carrying information to the important parts of the camera. Continue on to see other areas the printed circuit board and cables carry information.
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The printed circuit board and cables carry the picture from the CCD to the viewfinder.
The picture that you are recording simultaneously appears on the LCD screen
In addition, they connect the battery to all parts that require power. These include the CCD, the recording head and the motors.
In addition, they connect the battery to all parts that requires power. These include the CCD, the recording head and the motors. To learn more, see How Camcorders Work.