Abstract: An independent internal buffer area is provided for each of plural kinds of accesses to a hard disk, and each internal buffer is used for the corresponding access, whereby that access by a processor and access by a video processing unit share an internal buffer is avoided, and the continuity of the accesses to the hard disk for recording and reproduction can be secured. Further, since an internal buffer to be used is specified for each access to a file, the processor can randomly access a file in which video data has already been recorded or a file in which video data is being recorded.

Abstract: In a channel selection and video recording reservation of television broadcast programs, there is provided a video recording and playback device that applies a program list display device which can visually display a past video recording state and a guide of programs scheduled to be broadcast.

Abstract: A communication control apparatus connected between a transmission path and a processing unit which apparatus includes a table memory for storing the number of received frames which are in the state waiting for protocol processing in correspondence with connection identifiers, a first processor responsive to reception of a new frame from the aforementioned transmission path for making decision by referencing the memory table mentioned above as to whether or not the number of the received frames corresponding to the connection identifier of the newly received frame and waiting for the protocol processing has reached a threshold value for thereby abandoning the aforementioned newly received frame when that number has reached the threshold value and, if otherwise, placing the newly received frame in the state waiting for the protocol processing, and a second processor for executing a predetermined protocol processing on the received frame in the state waiting for the protocol processing.