Abstract: Provided is a generating apparatus that generates a DVD-Video volume image, and a BD-ROM volume image, that each have: a digital stream, path information, and a jump table, where in the respective digital streams, a button command to be executed by a playback apparatus, in playing back the digital stream, is incorporated. A BD-scenario generating apparatus 7 obtains path information, a jump table, and a button command, which are for the BD-ROM, by converting any one of the description schemes for the path information, the jump table, and the button command for the DVD-Video.

Abstract: In a player, for example, when a memory card is loaded as a removable medium during playback of a CD, an audio-output-source selecting unit switches the output state to playback of the memory card in normal operation. However, in a case in which a medium-loading detecting unit detects that a memory card is not loaded at the time when a request for recording on the memory card is entered during the playback of a CD, and a medium-loading-time detecting unit detects that the memory card is loaded within a predetermined time, the audio-output-source selecting unit immediately starts recording on the memory card without switching the output state to the playback of the memory card.

Abstract: A method of an embodiment of the invention optically writes a plurality of image data files on an optically writable data side of an optical disc. The method optically marks a plurality of thumbnail images on an optically writable label side of the optical disc. Each thumbnail image corresponds to one of the image data files.

Abstract: A data processing apparatus for outputting a plurality of picture data forming reproduced data to a reproduction apparatus for reproduction, the data processing apparatus having a processing circuit for judging if the reproduction rate of the picture data by the reproduction apparatus is slower than a transfer rate for transferring the picture data to the reproduction apparatus and outputting all of the picture data forming the reproduced data to the reproduction apparatus when judging as a result of the judgment that the reproduction rate is slower than the transfer rate.

Abstract: A recordable and/or rewriteable recording medium for storing still picture data, and recording and/or reproducing method and apparatus therefor. The recording medium stores still picture group information for grouping a plurality of still pictures in order to manage the still picture at a group level, and stores audio group information for grouping additional audio data added to the still picture data after the still picture data are recorded. Therefore, large-capacity still picture data and additional audio data added thereto can be recorded using a minimum amount of management information. Further, during reproduction, data can be displayed and edited in units of the respective still pictures. Also, it is possible to cope with after-recording of the audio data.

Abstract: An information recording and reproducing device allows a content having data about title, among contents recorded on a recording medium, to be contained in a frame for distinguishing the title from a background image so as to generate a framed title image. For a content without data about title, the information recording and reproducing device generates a blank frame image to show the existence of content without a title. The information recording and reproducing device further superimposes the framed title image and the blank frame image on the background image so as to make a title menu screen, and records the title menu screen on the recording medium for display to a user. This title menu screen can enable the user to easily recognize a title of a content and the existence of content without a title which are recorded on the recording medium.

Abstract: A recording medium for storing information for still pictures, and a recording/reproducing method and apparatus therefor, stores data for a plurality of still pictures and audio data added thereto in one file or a space having a logically one-dimensional order, rather than in each file, and still picture group information for separating the still picture data into a predetermined maximum number of groups in order to manage the still pictures at a group level. The still picture group information includes general information for still picture groups, and information for still pictures in each still picture group. The general information for each still picture group includes the start position of a first still picture in each still picture group, and the information for still pictures in each still picture group includes the sizes of video data and audio data for each still picture.

Abstract: A control apparatus for controlling an event in accordance with the playback of playback data includes a playback processor performing playback processing on the playback data, an acquisition unit acquiring playback section information associated with the playback data to specify a target playback section of the playback data, an end time point specifying unit specifying an end time point of the event in relation to the playback data on the basis of the playback section information, a time period specifying unit specifying a time period from the start to the end of the event, a start time point specifying unit specifying a start time point of the event on the basis of the end time point and the time period, and a controller controlling the event to be started at the start time point of the event by monitoring a playback status of the playback data.

Abstract: A combined digital versatile disc (DVD)/hard disk drive (HDD) system controls a HDD assembly and a DVD assembly comprises a DVD/HDD control module controls operation of the HDD assembly and the DVD assembly. Volatile memory communicates with the DVD/HDD control module and stores volatile data relating to the operation of the DVD assembly and the HDD assembly. Nonvolatile memory communicates with the DVD/HDD control module and stores nonvolatile data relating to the operation of the DVD assembly and the HDD assembly.

Abstract: A coding/decoding part performs codes and decodes a given signal in one of a plurality of coding/decoding modes of different bit rates; and a control part sets a predetermined bit rate to be applied by the coding/decoding part in case a given signal is output after being coded and decoded by said coding/decoding part without storage thereof in a predetermined recording medium.

Abstract: A recording/reproducing apparatus for recording as a QuickTime file a photographed motion image on a disc-like recording medium having plural recording areas different in characteristic. The plural areas include a first area guaranteeing a quick access speed and a second area which ensures a slower access speed than the first area. The recording/reproducing apparatus records a “movie” portion constituting the QuickTime file in the first area and a “media data” portion in the QuickTime file format in the second area.

Abstract: High audibility output is realized when audio output is provided in special playback. In special playback with audio output, skip/repeat control is done so that decoding and outputting of the audio data is periodically repeated/skipped during part of one frame. The output level may be corrected so as to emphasize appropriate frequency components. This realizes good audio output. In addition, the skip/repeat control and output level correcting methods are changed according to characteristics of the audio data to be reproduced. Also, this realizes good audio output.

Abstract: A video audio recording system includes an inputting means for inputting video audio information, a video audio coding means for converting the input video audio information into digital information to write into a buffer means once and reading the written video audio information sequentially to output, a signal processing means for converting the video audio information output from the video audio coding means into a recording-medium writable format to write on a recording medium, and a controlling means for controlling respective means to control a recording of information on the recording medium. The controlling means monitors a write address and a read address of the buffer means, and then brings only a writing of information into the buffer means into a stop condition if a difference between both addresses is smaller than a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: The same contents having different recording rates are recorded on a multi-layer disk. A plurality of contents or the same contents having different recording rates are independently recorded respectively in different layers of an optical disk having a plurality of recording layers. In order to record a plurality of contents or the same contents having different recording rates in parallel at that time, recording on the multi-layer optical disk is conducted by repeating an operation of dividing each content into recording units, recording a recording unit of one kind of information in a recording layer, and recording a recording unit of the other kind of information in a different recording layer.

Abstract: Video object units are generated from a program stream. The generated video object units have navigation portions respectively, and compose video objects. The navigation portions are void of ending time information and search information. The video object units are sequentially recorded on the recording disc without being buffered. Ending time information and search information are detected from the program stream. A decision is made as to whether or not the recording of video object units composing one video object has been completed. Navigation information is generated which includes the ending time information and the search information, and which corresponds to the last recorded video object. The generated navigation information is recorded on zones in the recording disc which correspond to the navigation portions of the video object units composing the last recorded video object each time the recording of video object units composing one video object has been completed.

Abstract: A system includes an integrated encoder comprising an optical storage controller for coupling to an optical storage medium, and a data encoder for coding input data coupled to the optical storage controller, a first external memory coupled to a first memory controller in the integrated encoder, and a second external memory coupled to a second memory controller in the integrated encoder. In one aspect, the integrated encoder further comprises a first memory arbiter for selectively directing access to the first external memory by the optical storage controller and the data encoder, and a second memory arbiter for selectively directing access to the second external memory by the optical storage controller and the data encoder.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing frame rates during multimedia playback are described herein. The ideal playback timing associated with video data is determined. If an actual playback timing of the video data lags the ideal playback timing, a frame rate associated with the video data is varied using a smoothing function to recover toward the ideal playback timing. An iterative frame-dropping algorithm is applied to vary the frame rate in accordance with the smoothing function. The smoothing function incorporates as a variable an average delay associated with playback of frames in the video data.

Abstract: A combined digital versatile disc (DVD)/hard disk drive (HDD) system controls a HDD assembly and a DVD assembly comprises a DVD/HDD control module controls operation of the HDD assembly and the DVD assembly. Volatile memory communicates with the DVD/HDD control module and stores volatile data relating to the operation of the DVD assembly and the HDD assembly. Nonvolatile memory communicates with the DVD/HDD control module and stores nonvolatile data relating to the operation of the DVD assembly and the HDD assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for reproducing multi-angle data in a seamless manner, even during a change of angle, and an information storage medium on which the multi-angle data is recorded. AV data divided into clips, which are recording units, is recorded on the information storage medium. Additional information regarding jump points is recorded on a space of the information storage medium other than where the clips are recorded. The apparatus for reproducing the multi-angle data includes a reading unit which reads data from the information storage medium, and a reproducing unit which reproduces the data read by the reading unit by searching for and reproducing clips corresponding to the read data when the read data is multi-angle data, and, if there is an angle change command, reproducing clips for a new angle from a jump point of the clip for the new angle.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus for decoding compression-coded video data includes at least one decoder decoding the compression-coded video data, a supply controller controlling the supply of the compression-coded video data to the decoder, and a controller controlling processing executed by the supply controller and the decoder. The controller determines the order of decoding processing performed by the decoder so that, among pictures contained in a decoding processing unit for the decoding processing performed by the decoder, I-pictures and P-pictures are decoded before B-pictures. The controller selects pictures to be output from the decoder from among the pictures contained in the decoding processing unit on the basis of a playback speed instruction provided by a playback speed instruction unit.