Abstract: In an image data processing method of recording auxiliary data intended for splicing with the MPEG-2 technique to a recording medium, a VBV delay of an I or P picture is acquired from an data group led by the I or P picture and including a B picture, a VBV delay (VBV_delay_N) of a next picture is pre-acquired, the acquired VBV delay is recorded to an auxiliary recording area provided for each data group in order to record encoded image data to a predetermined recording area in a recording medium for each data group, and the pre-acquired VBV_delay_N is recorded to an auxiliary recording area for a next picture, provided correspondingly to a recording area for the next picture.

Abstract: 139 sync blocks, each having 111 bytes, are disposed on each track of a magnetic tape. Among the 139 sync blocks, 121 sync blocks each consist of a two-byte detection pattern for detecting the sync block, three-byte identification information for identifying the sync block, 96-byte main data, and 10-byte inner error correcting code added to the identification information and the main data. In the remaining 18 sync blocks, instead of the main data, 96-byte outer error correcting code is included. The outer error correcting code is provided for each group of the 139 sync blocks. Such a group of 139 sync blocks is obtained by dividing 2224 sync blocks contained in sixteen tracks by sixteen planes, 1668 sync blocks contained in twelve tracks by twelve planes, or 1112-sync blocks contained in eight tracks by eight planes. The sync blocks are arranged on the magnetic tape so that the distance between the sync blocks belonging to the identical plane is constant among the planes.

Abstract: Audio signals and video signals are recorded as follows. Three video PES packets, each being formed of one video frame, are combined to form a video editing unit. Then, the video editing unit and the associated audio editing unit are alternately disposed on a magnetic tape. The recorded PES packets are output as a TS as follows. A STC is initialized, and then, PSI packets of a PAT and a PMT are output. TS packets specially used for a PCR for storing the STC are then output at certain intervals. Subsequently, video PES packets are converted into TSs, and the output of the video TSs is started while synchronizing a time obtained by subtracting vbv_delay from the first I-picture DTS with the STC. Audio PES packets are converted into TSs, and the output of the audio TSs is started while synchronizing a time obtained by subtracting the start up delay from the first frame with the STC. Data streams are recorded in the following manner.

Abstract: Magnetic tape tracking control apparatus and method, magnetic tape format, recording medium and program for controlling tracking of tracks on a magnetic tape by a rotary head are disclosed. The magnetic tape tracking control apparatus comprises a first generating element for encoding an inputted video signal to generate the video data, a second generating element for generating search video data on the basis of the video data generated by the first generating element and a recording element for recording, on the tracks, the video data generated by the first generating element, the search video data generated by second generating element and positional information associated with a recording position of the search video data.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to perform speedy editing to produce images including desired features. A disc video monitor program 161 sets an essence mark, which is digital mark data indicating a feature of an image, in metadata related to video content data for displaying images. A video display program 172 controls the display of images based on the video content data. An essence-mark display program 171 controls the display of the temporal position of the image having the feature indicated by the digital mark data based on the metadata in which the essence mark, which is digital mark data, is set. The video-image editing apparatus of the present invention is applicable to a filming terminal device.

Abstract: Data for variable-speed reading (such as 16-times-faster reading) is distributed and recorded at positions where a trace is to be made during the variable-speed reading. When data recording is performed by an MPEG method, for example, data for generating an I picture is recorded.

Abstract: Pictures in number indicated by a value (3 in one example) of M in a GOP structure are set as one unit. AUX data (denoted by U in FIG. 32) related to those pictures, audio data (denoted by A in FIG. 32) corresponding to those pictures, and AUX data (denoted by X in FIG. 32) related to the audio data are arranged together at the head of 16 tracks that undergo interleaving. Subsequent to those data, one unit of pictures (3 pictures in one example) is arranged. An HD video signal and an HD audio signal can be recorded and played back with certainty.

Abstract: 139 sync blocks, each having 111 bytes, are disposed on each track of a magnetic tape. Among the 139 sync blocks, 121 sync blocks each consist of a two-byte detection pattern for detecting the sync block, three-byte identification information for identifying the sync block, 96-byte main data, and 10-byte inner error correcting code added to the identification information and the main data. In the remaining 18 sync blocks, instead of the main data, 96-byte outer error correcting code is included. The outer error correcting code is provided for each group of the 139 sync blocks. Such a group of 139 sync blocks is obtained by dividing 2224 sync blocks contained in sixteen tracks by sixteen planes, 1668 sync blocks contained in twelve tracks by twelve planes, or 1112 sync blocks contained in eight tracks by eight planes. The sync blocks are arranged on the magnetic tape so that the distance between the sync blocks belonging to the identical plane is constant among the planes.

Abstract: Pictures in number indicated by a value (3 in one example) of M in a GOP structure are set as one unit. AUX data (denoted by U in FIG. 32) related to those pictures, audio data (denoted by A in FIG. 32) corresponding to those pictures, and AUX data (denoted by X in FIG. 32) related to the audio data are arranged together at the head of 16 tracks that undergo interleaving. Subsequent to those data, one unit of pictures (3 pictures in one example) is arranged. An HD video signal and an HD audio signal can be recorded and played back with certainty.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image data processing method of recording image data coded with the MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) technique to a recording medium. For transition of the bit occupancy in a VBV buffer to a target value, the initial value of a bit occupany in a VBV buffer is calculated on the basis of auxiliary data read from a recording medium, a comparison is made between the target and intial values of the bit occupany, and the number of bits for assignment to each GOP of to-be-coded image data correspondingly to the result of comparison.

Abstract: The present invention is particularly applied to a video tape recorder for recording a video signal of an HDTV (high-definition television) on a magnetic tape. In the video tape recorder, the recording position of the head of each pack unit is set so as to have a predetermined relationship with the recording position determined by the corresponding time management information.

Abstract: The present invention applies to a video tape recorder that records HDTV (High Definition TeleVision) video signals, in particular, onto a magnetic tape, and records at least reproduction standard management information ETN in the order of pictures of video data to be reproduced and output in a main sector, and in the order of pictures of compressed video data in a subcode sector. Search data is recorded on the basis of time management information of video data at the time of decoding, while display data is recorded on the basis of time management information on reproduction and output of video data.

Abstract: An image data processing method is provided to process image data encoded with the MPEG technique and including data groups (Pack_V) each having an auxiliary recording area (AUX_V) provided therein, led by an I or P picture and including a B picture. In the case of a recording medium having appended thereto an insertion data group (EditPack_V_h) including a copy picture and/or stuffing byte laid before a data group to be spliced in a first splicing, a second splicing is done with the insertion data group being separated and removed. In this second splicing, unnecessary stuffing and copy picture are removed, to thereby prevent degradation of image quality.

Abstract: Audio signals and video signals are recorded as follows. Three video PES packets, each being formed of one video frame, are combined to form a video editing unit. Then, the video editing unit and the associated audio editing unit are alternately disposed on a magnetic tape. The recorded PES packets are output as a TS as follows. A STC is initialized, and then, PSI packets of a PAT and a PMT are output. TS packets specially used for a PCR for storing the STC are then output at certain intervals. Subsequently, video PES packets are converted into TSs, and the output of the video TSs is started while synchronizing a time obtained by subtracting vbv_delay from the first I-picture DTS with the STC. Audio PES packets are converted into TSs, and the output of the audio TSs is started while synchronizing a time obtained by subtracting the start up delay from the first frame with the STC. Data streams are recorded in the following manner.

Abstract: Audio signals and video signals are recorded as follows. Three video PES packets, each being formed of one video frame, are combined to form a video editing unit. Then, the video editing unit and the associated audio editing unit are alternately disposed on a magnetic tape. The recorded PES packets are output as a TS as follows. A STC is initialized, and then, PSI packets of a PAT and a PMT are output. TS packets specially used for a PCR for storing the STC are then output at certain intervals. Subsequently, video PES packets are converted into TSs, and the output of the video TSs is started while synchronizing a time obtained by subtracting vbv_delay from the first I-picture DTS with the STC. Audio PES packets are converted into TSs, and the output of the audio TSs is started while synchronizing a time obtained by subtracting the start up delay from the first frame with the STC. Data streams are recorded in the following manner.

Abstract: Audio signals and video signals are recorded as follows. Three video PES packets, each being formed of one video frame, are combined to form a video editing unit. Then, the video editing unit and the associated audio editing unit are alternately disposed on a magnetic tape. The recorded PES packets are output as a TS as follows. A STC is initialized, and then, PSI packets of a PAT and a PMT are output. TS packets specially used for a PCR for storing the STC are then output at certain intervals. Subsequently, video PES packets are converted into TSs, and the output of the video TSs is started while synchronizing a time obtained by subtracting vbv_delay from the first I-picture DTS with the STC. Audio PES packets are converted into TSs, and the output of the audio TSs is started while synchronizing a time obtained by subtracting the start up delay from the first frame with the STC. Data streams are recorded in the following manner.

Abstract: Audio signals and video signals are recorded as follows. Three video PES packets, each being formed of one video frame, are combined to form a video editing unit. Then, the video editing unit and the associated audio editing unit are alternately disposed on a magnetic tape. The recorded PES packets are output as a TS as follows. A STC is initialized, and then, PSI packets of a PAT and a PMT are output. TS packets specially used for a PCR for storing the STC are then output at certain intervals. Subsequently, video PES packets are converted into TSs, and the output of the video TSs is started while synchronizing a time obtained by subtracting vbv_delay from the first I-picture DTS with the STC. Audio PES packets are converted into TSs, and the output of the audio TSs is started while synchronizing a time obtained by subtracting the start up delay from the first frame with the STC. Data streams are recorded in the following manner.

Abstract: Audio signals and video signals are recorded as follows. Three video PES packets, each being formed of one video frame, are combined to form a video editing unit. Then, the video editing unit and the associated audio editing unit are alternately disposed on a magnetic tape. The recorded PES packets are output as a TS as follows. A STC is initialized, and then, PSI packets of a PAT and a PMT are output. TS packets specially used for a PCR for storing the STC are then output at certain intervals. Subsequently, video PES packets are converted into TSs, and the output of the video TSs is started while synchronizing a time obtained by subtracting vbv_delay from the first I-picture DTS with the STC. Audio PES packets are converted into TSs, and the output of the audio TSs is started while synchronizing a time obtained by subtracting the start up delay from the first frame with the STC. Data streams are recorded in the following manner.

Abstract: In a picture data reproducing method of reproducing picture data recorded to a recording medium according the MPEG standard, there is provisionally stored, into a stream buffer, picture data grouped as a GOP which begins with an I picture, the picture data provisionally stored in the stream buffer is read sequentially starting with a previous picture and the read picture data is decoded in the course of a FORWARD reproduction being done, and picture data acquired from the recording medium is additionally supplied to the stream buffer. When the picture data provisionally stored in the stream buffer have been read in the decoding step to before last N frames, a predetermined amount of picture data is additionally supplied, in the data adding step, beginning at the head of a GOP including picture data in the remaining N-th frame in the stream buffer. Thus, a smooth variable-speed reproduction can be done according to the MPEG Standard.

Abstract: In an STC generating step, STCs (STC_d) delayed a time “System_delay” from STC (STC_medium) in compressed picture data read from a recording medium in the normal-speed reproduction mode is sequentially generated. In this STC generating step, there is set at shift from a variable-speed reproduction to normal-speed reproduction an STC initial value on the basis of results of comparison between PTS (PTS_s) in display picture data at the time of reproduction mode shift and {STC_medium at the shift−(delay due to the shift (shift_delay)+System_delay)}. Thus, when shifting the reproduction mode from a variable-speed one to normal-sped one in compliance with the MPEG standard, pictures can smoothly be displayed in the normal-speed reproduction mode without skipping over any displayed pictures.