Abstract: A disk recording device includes an encoding unit, a control unit, and a structure which encodes a video signal in analog format and records it upon a DVD. Furthermore, the control unit includes a bit rate control unit which controls the bit rate during encoding by the encoding unit to any one of a plurality of video recording modes whose bit rates are different, a bit rate changeover control unit which selects one or more of these video recording modes and controls the timing of the changeover between them, and a ROM in which control data for the video recording mode is recorded in the format of a data table. The bit rate changeover control unit inputs the appointed time period for video recording the video signal, and the capacity which can be recorded upon the disk, and calculates the timing for the changeover between video recording modes.

Abstract: A composite electronic apparatus that prevents misoperation of a remote control device and provides easy remote control operations for electronic devices is provided. When a DVD mode switching key is pressed, for example, in this composite electronic apparatus, a DVD recognition LED is turned on. When a VCR mode switching key is pressed, a VCR recognition LED is turned on. In addition, when one of action command keys is pressed, the DVD recognition LED or the VCR recognition LED indicating an operation target is turned on in accordance with information indicating a transmission mode stored until the action command key is operated.

Abstract: A disc reproducing apparatus connected to a monitor of an image output system controls image display on the monitor. According to information about an instruction given by a user through operation of a remote controller or a front panel key, an MPU sets one of a screen display mode and a screen blanking mode. If the screen display mode is set while audio information is reproduced, a control unit permits a video driver to output a display signal to the monitor. If the screen blanking mode is set while audio information is reproduced, the control unit outputs a inhibit signal to the video driver so as to inhibit output of the display signal to the monitor. When a CD is played, a display image on the monitor is thus erased by output of the inhibit signal as requested according to an externally provided instruction.

Abstract: A portable DVD player or optical disc player instructs an interior selection state to an output selector and outputs an internal signal to an output terminal. Whether a lock slide switch is in the exterior selection state or in the interior selection state is displayed via OSD for a first or second time period. It is possible to let the user check whether the lock slide switch is in the exterior selection state or in the interior selection state without providing a synchronization detection circuit for detecting the synchronization of a video signal output to an output terminal and an OSD image generation circuit for generating a video signal corresponding to an OSD image overlaid on the image of a video signal before the output terminal.

Abstract: An optical disc playback apparatus having DTS sound incompatible function is provided, which apparatus is capable of automatically playing back the Dolby sound without selecting the Dolby sound in the menu setting, when an optical disc including the DTS content is played back. When the playback of the optical disc including the DTS content is started, DTS compatibility judging means judges whether or not the setting function of the apparatus is set in the DTS sound compatible state. In the case when the result of judgment indicates the DTS sound incompatible state, Dolby sound selection means carries out a control in such a manner that a Dolby sound is compulsively selected, so that the Dolby sound is output instead of the DTS sound. Accordingly, a user is able to listen a comfortable sound and no operation for selecting the Dolby sound is required as for the type of sound to be listened, thereby enabling the usability to be enhanced in the operation of the apparatus.

Abstract: A disk recording device includes an encoding unit, a control unit, and a structure which encodes a video signal in analog format and records it upon a DVD. Furthermore, the control unit includes a bit rate control unit which controls the bit rate during encoding by the encoding unit to any one of a plurality of video recording modes whose bit rates are different, a bit rate changeover control unit which selects one or more of these video recording modes and controls the timing of the changeover between them, and a ROM in which control data for the video recording mode is recorded in the format of a data table. The bit rate changeover control unit inputs the appointed time period for video recording the video signal, and the capacity which can be recorded upon the disk, and calculates the timing for the changeover between video recording modes.

Abstract: A composite electronic apparatus that prevents misoperation of a remote control device and provides easy remote control operations for electronic devices is provided. When a DVD mode switching key is pressed, for example, in this composite electronic apparatus, a DVD recognition LED is turned on. When a VCR mode switching key is pressed, a VCR recognition LED is turned on. In addition, when one of action command keys is pressed, the DVD recognition LED or the VCR recognition LED indicating an operation target is turned on in accordance with information indicating a transmission mode stored until the action command key is operated.

Abstract: A portable DVD player or optical disc player instructs an interior selection state to an output selector and outputs an internal signal to an output terminal. Whether a lock slide switch is in the exterior selection state or in the interior selection state is displayed via OSD for a first or second time period. It is possible to let the user check whether the lock slide switch is in the exterior selection state or in the interior selection state without providing a synchronization detection circuit for detecting the synchronization of a video signal output to an output terminal and an OSD image generation circuit for generating a video signal corresponding to an OSD image overlaid on the image of a video signal before the output terminal.

Abstract: An optical disc playback apparatus having DTS sound incompatible function is provided, which apparatus is capable of automatically playing back the Dolby sound without selecting the Dolby sound in the menu setting, when an optical disc including the DTS content is played back. When the playback of the optical disc including the DTS content is started, DTS compatibility judging means judges whether or not the setting function of the apparatus is set in the DTS sound compatible state. In the case when the result of judgment indicates the DTS sound incompatible state, Dolby sound selection means carries out a control in such a manner that a Dolby sound is compulsively selected, so that the Dolby sound is output instead of the DTS sound. Accordingly, a user is able to listen a comfortable sound and no operation for selecting the Dolby sound is required as for the type of sound to be listened, thereby enabling the usability to be enhanced in the operation of the apparatus.

Abstract: In optical disc apparatus, time data recorded on an optical disc is read out, and a read-out time at this timing is compared with an immediately previous display time. Only when the read-out time is within a time range that is obtained by adding a predetermined time to the immediately previous display time, the display time is updated and the updated display time is output. When the read-out time is outside the time range, the display time is not updated and the immediately previous display time continues to be output. Even in case where the read-out time is outside the predetermined time range, when read-out times are stored a predetermined number of times and time continuity exists in the read-out times, the display time is updated to the latest one of the plural stored read-out times, and the updated display time is output.

Abstract: Equipment for DVD includes a flash memory in which key data associated with information on a DVD is recorded in advance, and accesses the information on the DVD using the key data read from the flash memory. The key data is recorded in advance in a specific area of the flash memory, and random data is written in advance around the key data. The key data refers to an encryption key for equipment for encrypting and recording information on the DVD or a decryption key for equipment for decrypting the information read from the DVD. Such a key is recorded, buried in the random data.

Abstract: A disc reproducing apparatus connected to a monitor of an image output system controls image display on the monitor. According to information about an instruction given by a user through operation of a remote controller or a front panel key, an MPU sets one of a screen display mode and a screen erasure mode. If the screen display mode is set while audio information is reproduced, a control unit permits a video driver to output a display signal to the monitor. If the screen erasure mode is set while audio information is reproduced, the control unit outputs a mute signal to the video driver so as to inhibit output of the display signal to the monitor. When a CD is played, a display image on the monitor is thus erased by output of the mute signal as requested according to an externally provided instruction.

Abstract: In optical disc apparatus, time data recorded on an optical disc is read out, and a read-out time at this timing is compared with an immediately previous display time. Only when the read-out time is within a time range that is obtained by adding a predetermined time to the immediately previous display time, the display time is updated and the updated display time is output. When the read-out time is outside the time range, the display time is not updated and the immediately previous display time continues to be output. Even in case where the read-out time is outside the predetermined time range, when read-out times are stored a predetermined number of times and time continuity exists in the read-out times, the display time is updated to the latest one of the plural stored read-out times, and the updated display time is output.

Abstract: A video tape recorder operating apparatus operates a video cassette recorder comprehending a recorder body and a remote controller. A first key group including a pause key and a VCR/TV switchover key is provided on the recorder body 10 for instructing the basic operations thereof, and a second key group including a menu-mode key and a select key is provided on the remote controller 18 for instructing secondary operations, such as menu display in the menu mode and the selection of processes itemized therein, which are different from the basic operations. With this apparatus, the first key group can be empowered to instruct the secondary operations.