The various implementations described herein include methods, devices, and systems for implementing high dynamic range and automatic exposure functions in a video system. In one aspect, a method is performed at a video camera device and includes, while operating in an HDR mode: (1) capturing video data of a scene, including: (a) capturing a first subset of the video data with a first exposure time; and (b) capturing a second subset of the video data with a second exposure time, lower than the first exposure time; (2) combining video data of the first subset with video data of the second subset to generate an HDR frame; and (3) adjusting a duration of at least one of the first exposure time and the second exposure time based on one or more parameters of the captured video data, thereby altering a ratio of the first exposure time to the second exposure time.