Abstract: A DVD audio data structure following high-sound-quality specifications is realized, making the best use of the audio data structure standard in DVD video. A first sample data string created by digitizing a first channel audio signal at a first sampling frequency in a first number of quantization bits, a second sample data string created by digitizing a second channel audio signal at a second sampling frequency in a second number of quantization bits, and header data including timing data to synchronize the first sample data string with the second sample data string are recorded on a recording medium.

Abstract: The erasion level appending range of a file is instructed. According to this instruction, the erasion level is set. When this setting range does not agree with the cell unit of the current cell, the current cell is divided to set a sequence of divided cells. Playback management information of each of the divided cells and current cell is re-created, and erasion level information is appended to playback management information of the divided cell that belongs to the appending range.

Abstract: An erase prohibition setting unit sets erase prohibition in accordance with an instruction. When the range is not set in units of cells of the current cell, the current cell is divided by a cell separator to set a sequence of advanced cells. A reconstruction part reconstructs management information for playing back the advanced cells and current cell, and appends erase prohibition information to the management information for playing back the advanced cells that belong to the range.

Abstract: An erase prohibition setting unit sets erase prohibition in accordance with an instruction. When the range is not set in units of cells of the current cell, the current cell is divided by a cell separator to set a sequence of advanced cells. A reconstruction part reconstructs management information for playing back the advanced cells and current cell, and appends erase prohibition information to the management information for playing back the advanced cells that belong to the range.

Abstract: An information medium configured to record, as a file, music contents which contain audio-compressed music data distributed from a music distribution system. In the system, music data obtained by transcoding the audio-compressed music data, and the original compressed audio data, can be stored in a single file. The system can store information for applying a usage rule having the same contents as a contents usage rule appended to the music contents to the transcoded music data.

Abstract: An erase prohibition setting unit sets erase prohibition in accordance with an instruction. When the range is not set in units of cells of the current cell, the current cell is divided by a cell separator to set a sequence of advanced cells. A reconstruction part reconstructs management information for playing back the advanced cells and current cell, and appends erase prohibition information to the management information for playing back the advanced cells that belong to the range.

Abstract: An information recording medium of this invention has a first area which records common information which can be commonly played back by a plurality of types of information playback apparatuses provided by different manufacturers or distributors and complies with common standards, a second area which records specific information which can be played back by only an information playback apparatus of a specific type provided by a specific manufacturer or distributor, and a third area which records link information indicating the links between the common information and specific information.

Abstract: In audio contents which have cells for defining an audio title playback unit and whose actual playback sequence is determined by defining the playback sequence of the cells, cell information to specify the cells is provided with identification information to identify the types of the cells according to the difference in the contents of the data included in the cells. One type of the contents of the data in the cells is for obtaining the length of the silent period of time. The identification information corresponding to the cell indicates a silent cell.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method comprising inputting predetermined information including a plurality of data packet, using a plurality of pieces of key information which differs with each data packet to encrypt the inputted predetermined information, and recording the encrypted predetermined information into a recording area of an information recording medium. There is also disclosed a method comprising reading the predetermined information stored in the recording area of the information recording medium, and using the plurality of pieces of key information which differs with each data packet to decrypt the read predetermined information.

Abstract: In a signal processing system in which a data block containing encrypted main data and error correction codes is formed of symbols of M rows×N columns (M×N), one row is divided into R frames, a synchronous signal is added to each frame, data of each frame is modulated by a modulator, and the data is recorded on a recording medium or transmitted on a transmission path, an encrypted key encrypting the main data is modulated by a modulator other than the modulator of the data block signal. Copying of a recording medium, on which information for which copyright protection is required is recorded, can be easily prevented.

Abstract: An information recording medium of this invention has a first area which records common information which can be commonly played back by a plurality of types of information playback apparatuses provided by different manufacturers or distributors and complies with common standards, a second area which records specific information which can be played back by only an information playback apparatus of a specific type provided by a specific manufacturer or distributor, and a third area which records link information indicating the links between the common information and specific information.

Abstract: In order to use video contents created according to DVD video in DVD audio, audio and video sub-directories are located under a root directory. The video sub-directory includes video contents and their management information. The audio sub-directory includes audio contents and their management information. The video management information can only access the video contents. However, the audio management information can access not only the audio contents but also the video contents.

Abstract: Stream object SOB is made up of one or more stream packs S_PCK, each of which is made up of a pack header and stream packet S_PKT. The pack header includes predetermined time information SCR, and the stream packet includes one or more application packets AP_PKT appended with predetermined time stamps ATS. The application packet which is input to a streamer upon recording such stream object is time-stamped by a local reference clock corresponding to the predetermined time information.

Abstract: An information storage medium has a logical space managed by a first file system, and the logical space has a space for storing a file used to designate a space area of a second file system, which is different from the first file system.

Abstract: An information medium configured to record, as a file, music contents which contain audio-compressed music data distributed from a music distribution system. In the system, music data obtained by transcoding the audio-compressed music data, and the original compressed audio data, can be stored in a single file. The system can store information for applying a usage rule having the same contents as a contents usage rule appended to the music contents to the transcoded music data.

Abstract: An information recording method for recording information on a recording medium, including providing a recording medium having first and second areas, the first area for recording and reproducing video information, the second area for recording manager information, the manager information referred to when the video information is reproduced, the video information including an object file for storing movie and/or still video objects, the manager information including video manager information related to the movie and/or still video objects, the object file including manufacturer's information which includes manufacturer ID and manufacturer's data, recording the movie and/or still video objects in the object file, recording the video manager information in a third area in the second area, recording the manufacturer ID in a fourth area in the object file, and recording manufacturer's data of a specific manufacture corresponding to the manufacturer ID in a fifth area adjacent to the fourth area.

Abstract: Data is recorded in a data area of a disk in a hierarchical structure of program chains, programs, cells and packs, each pack is constructed by a pack header for identifying the pack and a packet having a data stream recorded therein, the packet has a packet header having a stream ID indicating at least a private stream and a sub-stream ID indicating the classification of the private stream described therein, and the classification indicates packet data of Dolby AC3 audio data, packet data of linear audio data, packet data of sub-picture data, or packet data of computer data.

Abstract: A recording medium has a management area and a data area. Information pertaining to recording reservation is recorded in the management area so as to be displayable in the form of an image. A recording/playback apparatus for recording and reproducing information with respect to the recording medium reads out information pertaining to recording reservation from the recording medium and executes reservation recording on the basis of the information that is read out.

Abstract: Data is recorded in a data area of a disk in a hierarchical structure of program chains, programs, cells and packs, each pack is constructed by a pack header for identifying the pack and a packet having a data stream recorded therein, the packet has a packet header having a stream ID indicating at least a private stream and a sub-stream ID indicating the classification of the private stream described therein, and the classification indicates packet data of Dolby AC3 audio data, packet data of linear audio data, packet data of sub-picture data, or packet data of computer data.

Abstract: An erase prohibition setting unit sets erase prohibition in accordance with an instruction. When the range is not set in units of cells of the current cell, the current cell is divided by a cell separator to set a sequence of advanced cells. A reconstruction part reconstructs management information for playing, back the advanced cells and current cell, and appends erase prohibition information to the management information for playing back the advanced cells that belong to the range.