Abstract: An image signal reproduction apparatus and an image signal reproduction method that can reproduce video signals at high speed with stability. A skip decoding field counter is set on the basis of a factor by which the reproduction speed is multiplied and the number of fields included in one frame image. When decoding of coded data corresponding to one frame to be decoded is completed, it is judged whether the skip decoding field counter is larger than zero or not. When the counter is larger than zero, the number of fields corresponding to a picture to be skipped is subtracted from the counter, and when the picture to be skipped is I or P coded data, the decoding is instructed, while when the picture is B coded data, the skipping is instructed. These processes are repeated until the counter becomes 0 or smaller.

Abstract: An image signal reproduction apparatus and an image signal reproduction method that can reproduce video signals at high speed with stability. A skip decoding field counter is set on the basis of a factor by which the reproduction speed is multiplied and the number of fields included in one frame image. When decoding of coded data corresponding to one frame to be decoded is completed, it is judged whether the skip decoding field counter is larger than zero or not. When the counter is larger than zero, the number of fields corresponding to a picture to be skipped is subtracted from the counter, and when the picture to be skipped is I or P coded data, the decoding is instructed, while when the picture is B coded data, the skipping is instructed. These processes are repeated until the counter becomes 0 or smaller.

Abstract: There is provided a correlation degree operation apparatus in which the search area is readily extensible, in which a high-speed process can be assured even though the search area is extended, and which can be formed in a simple arrangement. The search area memory stores the picture element data of a search area including ((m.times.M).times.L) candidate blocks. The correlation degree operation unit executes an operation of a degree of correlation between a reference picture block and each of the candidate blocks, with the use of picture element data supplied from the search area memory, this operation being executed by a pipeline process for each candidate block group composed of (M.times.L) candidate blocks. The search area memory has the function of supplying four picture element data at the same clock cycle. This enables the correlation degree operation unit to continuously execute the pipeline processes for the candidate block groups.