The Camera CCU connects various elements of the HD imaging chain, capturing and processing video signals from the camera head for display on the monitor, as well as for transfer to existing recording and printing devices

In addition to processing digital HD images, the Camera CCU should be capable of either down-converting HD signals to SD or up-converting SD signals to HD. This allows SD printers and capture units to continue being used with the HD system. It also allows images from one format to be viewed, with some limitations, on displays of a different format. In this way, compatibility of the HD system with both SD and HD components extends the capabilities of facilities that still rely on SD components for some applications.

In typical surgical settings, a mixture of SD and HD imaging components is likely to be found. The HD Camera CCU must offer flexible output options to ensure that these devices can continue to be used with HD equipment. The CCU should be able to accommodate both SD and HD input and, conversely, it should have two digital video outputs—DVI (digital video interface) for the HD signal, and SDI (serial digital interface) for the SD signal.