GB2243710A

GB2243710A - Camcorder

Info

Publication number: GB2243710A
Application number: GB9100841A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kuen Pyo Hong
Original assignee: Samsung Electronics Co Ltd
Current assignee: Samsung Electronics Co Ltd
Priority date: 1990-04-30
Filing date: 1991-01-15
Publication date: 1991-11-06
Anticipated expiration: 2011-01-15
Also published as: GB2243710B; KR940007471B1; GB9100841D0; KR910019407A

Abstract

A camcorder comprising a twin deck video recorder 3 and a camera in the same housing. Each of the decks 3-1, 3-2, is connected for recording the output signal from said camera or a playback signal from the respective other deck, under the control of an input signal selection means 2 and an output signal selection means 4. <IMAGE>

Description

CAMCORDER The present invention relates to a camcorder; that is, a video tape recorder (VTR) with an integral video camera. In particular, it relates to a double deck camcorder which accommodates two video tape recorder decks in a single housing or case with the aim of providing compatibility with respect to various different tape formats.

A conventional camcorder comprises a single video tape recorder deck, a camera and a viewfinder. The latter enables a user to watch record image signals (i. e. being recorded from the camera) or playback signals from the video tape recorder through an external monitor.

However, it is not possible, for example, to record on an 8 m/m video tape in a VHS-Full system or to record/reproduce on a VHS-C tape in a BETA system; two camcorders or an additional video tape recorder are required.

One previous proposal entails provision of an input terminal for camera image signals in a double deck video tape recorder. This is disclosed in United States Patent No. 4, 768, 110. In that case, however, the camera and the double deck video tape recorder must be provided as separate items, making the apparatus inconvenient to carry.

The present invention has an object to provide a double deck camcorder which combines a double deck video tape recorder with a camera in a single housing or case to provide the aforementioned compatibility.

According to the present invention, there is provided a camcorder comprising in a single housing; a camera; a video tape recorder comprising two decks each connected for optionally recording as required, the output signal from said camera or a playback signal of the respective other deck; an input signal selection means; and an output signal selection means.

These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a detailed circuit diagram representing a double deck camcorder according to the present invention.

In Figure 1, a double deck camcorder comprises a camera 1, an input signal selection circuit 2, a double deck video tape recorder 3, an output signal selection circuit 2, a double deck video tape recorder 3, an output signal selection circuit 4, a viewfinder 5, and a monitor 6. The camera 1, the double deck video tape recorder 3, and the input and output signal selection circuits 2 and 4 are all accommodated in a single housing or case. The camera 1 includes a camera part 1-1 including a lens, a camera component, and an amplifier, the camera also comprising a signal processor and an input port 1-2.

An image sensor is associated with the lens part to convert light detected from an image into corresponding electrical image signals. The amplifier and signal processor are connected to the output terminal of the image sensor for making gamma and flare compensations to the electrical image signals. The input port is provided for receiving audio and video signals from an external source. The input signal selection circuit 2 is connected to both output terminals of the camera part 1-1 and the input port 1-2, and includes two switches SW1 and SW2. The output terminal of the camera part 1-1 is connected to respective first terminals (a) and (d) of the switches SW1 and SW2, whilst the output terminal of the input port 1-2 is connected to respective second terminals (c) and (f) of the switches SW1 and SW2.

The double deck video tape recorder 3 includes separate video tape recorder decks 3-1 and 3-2 which are connected to the output terminals of the switches SW1 and SW2. Each video tape recorder deck includes a deck mechanism, a signal processor, a servo-motor and a controller, similar to the construction of a conventional video tape recorder. The video tape recorder decks 3-1 and 3-2 are selectively adapted for VHS or 8mm tapes and may be identical to or different from each other according to the intended purpose and use of the equipment. The output terminals of the video tape recorder decks 3-1 and 3-2 are respectively connected to third terminals (b) and (e) of the switches SW1 and SW2 so as to drive the decks successively.

In order to provide the image and audio signals, which are received from the camera part 1-1 and the external input port 1-2, to the viewfinder 5, a switch SW3 in the output signal selection circuit 4 is connected to the output terminals of the switches SW1 and SW2 of the input signal selection part 2. If a terminal (g) of the switch SW3 is selected, the signal to be recorded the video tape recorder deck part 3-1 is selected for viewing through viewfinder 5. If a terminal (h) is selected, the signal to be applied to the other video tape recorder deck 3-2 is provided to the viewfinder 5.

A switch SW4 of the output signal selection circuit 4 is connected to the output terminals of the video tape recorder' decks 3-1 and 3-2 and also to the switch SW3.

The switch SW4 selects one of the playback signals from the decks and an output signal for the viewfinder 5.

The monitor 6 is connected to the output terminal of the switch SW4. The monitor 6 may for example be an external monitor or a TV monitor. The switches SW1 and SW2 in the input signal selection circuit 2 and the switches SW3 and SW4 in the output signal selection circuit 4 can be controlled manually or automatically, e. g. by means of a microcomputer MICOM.

The light entering through the lens of the camera part 1-1 is converted to the electrical image signal by the image sensor. This image signal is applied to both terminals (a) and (b) of the switches SW1 and SW2. On the other hand, the video and audio signals arriving through the external jack part 1-2 are applied to both terminals (c) and (f) of the switches SW1 and SW2.

In one position of the switches SW1 and SW2, the image signal provided through the camera 1 is applied to each of the separate video tape recorder decks 3-1 and 3-2.

Thus, the image signal applied to the decks can be recorded and subsequently played back from same. If the terminal (a) of the switch SW1 is selected, the input signal from the camera part 1-1 is recorded on video tape recorder deck 3-1, whereas if the terminal (c) of the switch SW1 is selected, the signal from the input port 1-2 is recorded on that same deck.

As indicated above, operation of the switches SW1 and SW2 can be carried out manually or automatically by using the MICOM. The output signals of the video tape recorder decks 3-1 and 3-2 are respectively applied to the terminals (b) and (e) of the switches SW1 and SW2, so that after the video tape recorder 3-1 completes a playback operation, the other video tape recorder 3-2 can subsequently be operated in record or playback mode. Thus, successive operation of the respective video tape recorders provides the additional advantage of extended recording time. The output of one of the recorder decks can also be input to the other to be recorded by same.

The image signals from the camera part 1-1, the video or audio signals externally applied to the input port 1-2, as well as the outputs of the video tape recorder 3-1 and 3-2 are selected by the switch SW3 of the output signal selection circuit 4 and displayed through the viewfinder 5. One of the output signals for the viewfinder 5 and the output signals of the video tape recorder decks 3-1 and 3-2 can then be selected by the switch SW4 and provided to the monitor 6. Therefore, the record or playback signal is displayed on the monitor 6. In fact several record or playback signals can be simultaneously displayed through several channels of the monitor 6.

As mentioned above, the present invention provides compatibility with difference tape formats because the camera, the double deck video tape and the input and output selection circuits, although not necessarily the viewfinder and the monitor, are all incorporated into a single housing or case. Furthermore, after one video tape recorder deck completes a recording, the other deck can then be successively operated in record mode, thus prolonging the period over which recording can be continued. Moreover, the present invention minimizes the power consumption by providing the power only to that part which is selected by the input and output selection circuits.

The invention is in no way limited to the embodiment described hereinabove. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiment as well as other embodiments of the invention within the scope of the appended claims will now become apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the above-recited description of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS.

1. A camcorder comprising in a single housing; a camera; a video tape recorder comprising two decks each connected for optionally recording as required, the output signal from said camera or a playback signal of the respective other deck; an input signal selection means; and an output signal selection means.

2. A camcorder according to claim 1, further comprising a viewfinder for viewing an input signal to said video tape recorder and a monitor for monitoring a signal applied to the viewfinder and for monitoring a playback signal from the video tape recorder.

3. A camcorder according to either preceding claim, wherein said input signal selection means includes two switches for selecting a deck of the video tape recorder which is connected to receive an image signal from the camera or video and audio signals externally applied through an input port.

4. A camcorder according to claim 3, wherein said output signal selection means includes a switch connected to both the camera part and to the input port, for providing respective output signals to said viewfinder, and another switch for selecting one of output signals of said video tape recorder decks and a signal applied to said viewfinder.

5. A double deck camcorder in a single housing comprising; a camera for generating video image signals and external audio signals; a double deck video tape recorder for recording the output signal from said camera or a playback signal of each deck; a viewfinder means for monitoring an input signal of said double deck video tape recorder; a monitor means for monitoring an input signal of said viewfinder means and the playback signal of said double deck video tape recorder; an input signal selection means for selecting an input signal from the double deck video tape recorder; and an output signal selection means for selecting an input signal from said monitor means and said viewfinder means.

6. A double deck camcorder according to claim 5, wherein said input signal selection means includes two switches for selecting a video tape recorder to which the image signal or the video and audio signals through an external jack part are provided respectively through said camera part to be recorded and to drive successively two video tape recorders of which output terminals are respectively connected to the others input terminals in turn.

7. A camcorder substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.