Development of an Extremely Small Video Taperecorder

We have developed a video recording system for consumer use in which a color video camera and a video recorder are integrated into one handy portable unit. The unit comprises a solid-state micro CCD camera1-3 which employs a single image-sensor chip and a small videocassette recorder which can record up to twenty minutes on a video microcassette employing newly-developed high-energy tape. Figure 1 is a photograph of the new unit, which measures 191 x 171 x 60 mm and weighs two kg, including an F:1.6, 3 power zoom lens and a rechargeable battery pack which can power the unit for forty minutes.