Handheld pda video accessory

A portable video accessory apparatus ( 10 ) is adapted to be mated to a handheld computer ( 30 ), such as a personal digital assistant (PDA) ( 30 ). The video accessory apparatus ( 10 ) adds a video playback and recording functionality to the PDA ( 30 ). The video accessory device ( 10 ) is capable of controlling the playback and recording of small form factor optical (SFFO) discs thereby causing the PDA ( 30 ) to act in the capacity of a 'smart' display module. A video engine ( 12 ) of the video accessory ( 10 ) may be realized with a small form factor optical (SFFO) disc drive capable of playing back optical discs on the order of 25 to 50 mm in diameter. The small form factor video engine ( 12 ) is of comparable dimensions to the PDA device ( 30 ), allowing the two devices, once mated, to have the look and feel of a single integrated unit.