Abstract: For recording AV data in accordance with the DVD-VR format on a DVD medium which already has AV data recorded thereon in accordance with the DVD-Video format, it was conventionally necessary to perform logical formatting of the DVD medium. The DVD-Video format and the DVD-VR format are compared regarding the sum of data sizes of a volume structure, a file structure and management information, and an area having a size corresponding to a larger sum is saved on a disc. While a program is being recorded in accordance with the DVD-Video format, VOBU information and real time data information are recorded. During the format change, the volume structure, the file structure and the management information of the DVD-VR format are recorded in the saved area. Navigation data information of each VOBU is rewritten with the real time data information.

Abstract: A recording/playback apparatus for a DVD on which a VOB and a management file of the VOB are recorded. When detecting a failure in the management file, the recording/playback apparatus changes the state of the DVD to: (a) a first state in which reading/writing of the DVD is available; (b) a second state in which reading/writing of the DVD is available but the VOB cannot be played back; or (c) a read only state, in accordance with the detected failure. When the state of the DVD changes to the second state, the recording/playback apparatus writes a new VOB onto the DVD. When the state of the DVD changes to the read only state, the recording/playback apparatus plays back the VOB recorded on the DVD.

Abstract: A decision section decides whether or not contents recorded on a HDD satisfy a predetermined condition based on contents management information indicating an attribute of the contents and an operation exerted on the contents. If contents satisfying the condition have not been compressed by a contents compress processing section, the contents are compressed by the contents compress processing section. If having been compressed, the contents are deleted by a contents delete processing section.

Abstract: For recording AV data in accordance with the DVD-VR format on a DVD medium which already has AV data recorded thereon in accordance with the DVD-Video format, it was conventionally necessary to perform logical formatting of the DVD medium. The DVD-Video format and the DVD-VR format are compared regarding the sum of data sizes of a volume structure, a file structure and management information, and an area having a size corresponding to a larger sum is saved on a disc. While a program is being recorded in accordance with the DVD-Video format, VOBU information and real time data information are recorded. During the format change, the volume structure, the file structure and the management information of the DVD-VR format are recorded in the saved area. Navigation data information of each VOBU is rewritten with the real time data information.

Abstract: A digital content reproducing apparatus includes: a recorded data reading section for reading first reproduction control information from a storage medium; a control information reading section for reading second reproduction control information from an external memory; a control information controlling section for selecting at least one of the first and second reproduction control information as reference control information; and a reproducing means for reproducing digital content recorded on the storage medium by referring to the reference control information.

Abstract: A reproduction apparatus that enables seamless reproduction by which a user does not recognize the connecting point of scenes, when arbitrary scenes in an AV data stream are connected in an arbitrary order to be reproduced. According to this reproduction apparatus, in the seamless reproduction mode, the transfer of stream data into a decoder is performed by inserting a control stream following the termination of one scene (CELL#n) and then transferring the next scene (CELL#(n+1)). When a control stream is detected in the transferred stream data, and if the scene following the detected control stream (CELL#(n+1)) begins with a B picture, a decoder does not decode this B picture.

Abstract: A recording/playback apparatus for a DVD on which a VOB and a management file of the VOB are recorded. When detecting a failure in the management file, the recording/playback apparatus changes the state of the DVD to: (a) a first state in which reading/writing of the DVD is available; (b) a second state in which reading/writing of the DVD is available but the VOB cannot be played back; or (c) a read only state, in accordance with the detected failure. When the state of the DVD changes to the second state, the recording/playback apparatus writes a new VOB onto the DVD. When the state of the DVD changes to the read only state, the recording/playback apparatus plays back the VOB recorded on the DVD.

Abstract: An active matrix substrate of a Pixel on Passivation structure includes TFTs and pixel electrodes on an interlayer insulating film over bus lines. The interlayer insulating film is formed of an organic insulating film, and the contact layer of the TFT has a double layer structure of a fine crystal silicon (n.sup.+) layer and an amorphous silicon (n.sup.+) layer the crystal silicon (n.sup.+) layer being placed on the side closer to the source electrode and the drain electrode, and the amorphous silicon (n.sup.+) layer being placed on the opposite side. This improves both the ON characteristics and the OFF characteristics of the TFT are improved, and the stable operative region of the active matrix substrate and the margin to accommodate to variations in threshold value due to aging are expanded, without substantial additional production costs and a decrease in productivity.

Abstract: A thin film transistor (TFT) has a substrate. There is provided on the substrate a gate electrode, a gate insulating layer, a semiconductor layer, ohmic contact layers, electrodes (i.e., a source electrode and a drain electrode), and a protective layer in this order. An oxidized film is provided on a channel area of the semiconductor layer. With the arrangement, it is possible, without providing a channel protective layer, to prevent undesirable etching to the channel area, thereby greatly reducing the number of defective products. Since it is not necessary to make the semiconductor layer thicker than is required, it is possible to minimize the occurrence that the TFT characteristic is affected by the projected light. In addition, it is possible to realize miniaturization and to get a great aperture ratio when used as a switching element in a liquid crystal display (LCD) device.

Abstract: A simplified method of manufacturing an active matrix substrate is disclosed. Gate wires, gate electrodes, gate insulating films, an etching stopper layer, semiconductor layers and contact layers are formed on an electrically insulating substrate. Pixel electrode material films, second electrical conductor films and second insulating films are formed successively on the substrate. The second insulating film and the second electrical conductor film are simultaneously patterned, so that source wires, source electrodes and drain electrodes are formed from the second electrical conductor film, and a protective film from the second insulating film. Then, the pixel electrode material film is patterned thereby to form pixel electrodes in a plurality of regions defined by the gate wires and the source wires.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to facilitate identifying the display color of each pixel during a test process and to apply a correction to a defective switching device in accordance with a test criterion established for each display color. On one transparent substrate, there are formed gate wiring and source wirings intersecting at right angles to each other so that insulation therebetween is maintained, and a pixel electrode and a TFT device are formed for each pixel, thus constructing one substrate member. On another transparent substrate, there is formed a counter electrode facing the pixel electrodes, and identifying means for identifying the display color of each pixel is formed on the side opposite from the side where the counter electrode is formed, the identifying means then being covered with a light-blocking member, thus constructing the another substrate member. The light-blocking member contains openings formed therethrough in portions facing the pixel electrodes.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to enhance the ashing speed of resist. A parallel plate electrode type plasma etching device is used in a mixed gas atmosphere of SF.sub.6 gas and O.sub.2 gas with the concentration of SF.sub.6 gas defined within 5 vol. % to 15 vol. %. A substrate to be treated, coated with a resist of hydrocarbon polymer is placed on a lower electrode. A high frequency electric power is applied to an upper electrode and lower electrode placed parallel to each other, and a plasma of mixed gas is generated in the reactor. A chemical reaction is induced in the resist and active ions of the plasma to vaporize and remove the resist.