In most consumer units, these adjustments are automatically controlled by the video camcorder's electronics, normally to maintain constant exposure onto the imager.

The imager is the "eye" of the camcorder, housing a photo sensitive device or devices. The imager works to convert light into an electronic video signal through an elaborate electronic process. The camcorder lens projects an image to the imager surface, exposing the photo sensitive array to the light.

The light exposure is then converted into an electrical charge. Towards the end of the timed exposure, the imager will convert the accumulated charge into a continuous analog voltage at the imager's output terminals.

The third piece, the recorder, is responsible for writing the video signal to a recording medium, such as magnetic videotape. The recording function involves many steps of signal processing, and historically, the recording process introduced some distortion and noise to the stored video, such that the playback of stored signal may not retain the same detail as the original live feed.

All but the most primitive of video camcorders will also need to have a recorder controlling section which will allow you to control the camcorder. You can also switch the recorder into playback mode for reviewing your recorded footage.

The image you recorded doesn't need to be limited to what appeared in the view finder. For a documentation of events such as those used by the police, the fields of view will overlay such things as the time and date of the recording along the top and bottom of the image.

As you can probably tell now, a high definition video camcorder is very complex indeed. There are several other parts involved as well, although the above are the most important. A HD video camcorder is very complex in build, making it something that is more than worth the time it takes to create.