Modular camcorders are described. According to one exemplary embodiment of
the present invention, a modular camcorder includes a digital video
camera unit ("camera unit") and a portable multimedia player (PMP)
modular unit ("PMP unit"). The camera unit includes a camera means for
capturing images of an object, and a recording means for recording the
captured images and associated audio therewith. The PMP unit comprises a
display monitor (e.g., LCD) and a storage device (e.g., hard disk). In
the standalone mode, the PMP unit is an apparatus such as a MP3 player.
When the PMP unit is coupled to the camera unit via a pair of matching
connectors, the combined device becomes the modular camcorder. The pair
of matching connectors (e.g., a female/male, or male/female) is designed
such that one of them is located on the camera unit and the other on the
PMP unit.