Abstract: The present invention includes a motion vector detector for detecting motion vectors using a first image signal of high resolution; a resolution reducer for creating a second image signal of low resolution from the first image signal; an image signal interpolater for interpolating the second image signal so that it has the same number of pixels as the first image signal, thereby creating an interpolated signal; a differentiator for determining a differential between the first image signal and the interpolated signal; and an encoder for using the motion vectors to high-efficiency-encode the differential signal. Thus, by encoding two types of image signals of different resolutions, the present invention improves the accuracy of the motion vectors during the encoding of the high-resolution signal and reduces the rate after encoding due to the encoding of the differential signal.

Abstract: A specific section provided in a track is set in a DC free state, and during reproducing, accurate tracking is conducted on the basis of the crosstalk from the pilot tone superposed in the adjacent tracks in this DC free section. Alternatively, a pilot tone is generated only in a specific section provided in the track, and when reproducing, accurate tracking is effected on the basis of the crosstalk of the pilot tone in the tracks adjacent to this section. As a result, the redundancy required for tracking is notably reduced.

Abstract: In a digital video signal recording/reproducing apparatus for recording digital VCR video and audio signals by using a rotary cylinder, for a video signal with a frame frequency fN of 30 Hz or 29.97 Hz, the rotating frequency of the cylinder is set to 2.5 times fN. On the other hand, for a signal with a frame frequency fP of 25 Hz, the rotating frequency of the cylinder is set to 3.0 times fP. As a result, as long as the cylinder diameters are identical, the relative speed of the tape and the head is the same for video signals of either frame frequency fN or fP.

Abstract: A video signal recording/reproducing apparatus which records pictures by compressing the video signal in multiple field units and reproduces an signal by the expansion process, and which continuously and repeatedly outputs each field of the reproduced television signal on the screen by use of a field detecting unit which operates to ensure that a reciprocal of a multiplication index of a desired reproducing speed is selected as a number of continuous reproductions of one field and also by use of a change-over unit for changing over the reproduced signal in field units.

Abstract: A video signal recording and reproducing apparatus wherein in the recording mode, a luminance signal and a pair of color difference signals are divided into two groups each to be alloted for each horizontal scan period. The divided luminance signal is expanded along the time axis to such an extent as to exceed slightly the horizontal blanking period and the divided two color difference signals are compressed along the time axis. The time-processed luminance signal and two color difference signals are multiplexed in time division to produce two multiplexed signals lasting for two horizontal scan periods, which are separated, processed and recorded on separate tracks.

Abstract: A block encoder comprises first block generating means for constituting a three-dimensional large-size block, and a plurality of second block generating means for dividing the large size block into small size blocks. The small size blocks of two dimensions and three dimensions are changed over adaptively in dependence on image information.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for producing a binary information by a process comprising the steps of: dividing an input binary data sequence which has a predetermined bit cell length into blocks of a first data pattern thereby forming data blocks; converting information of said data blocks of a first data pattern into data blocks of a second data pattern; integrating accumulated charges of said converted data blocks of the second data pattern; and inverting data of a block of said second data pattern at least when said integrated amount is about to exceed a predetermined finite value in the case that an amount of accumulated charge in said second block is not zero, and producing a binary balanced output code from said second data pattern and said inverted data.