Abstract: In a home audio visual network including a plurality of devices coupled via an IEEE 1394 bus, a system for accessing a media changer mechanism of a multi-item media player. The multi-item media player stores a plurality of media items and can play any of the plurality of media items. A media changer mechanism having a plurality of slots for storing the plurality of media items is included within the multi-item media player. A computer system is built into the multi-item media player. A software based media changer model executes on the computer system, and in turn, causes the computer system to implement a method of accessing the media changer mechanism. In so doing, the computer system interfaces with a plurality of devices coupled to the multi-item media player via an IEEE 1394 communications link of an IEEE 1394 based network and provides a standardized command set for the media changer mechanism.

Abstract: A transfer protocol in a transfer system adapted for transferring compressed audio signals in a compressed form for recording on a recording medium is disclosed. The management data for managing compressed audio signals recorded on the recording medium are generated responsive to the information sent from the server in order to generate the management data without exchanging the management data between the server and the client. A transfer system in which, if data are previously recorded on the recording medium loaded on the client side, the management data can be edited for additionally recording data on the recording medium without modifying the compressed audio data and management data already recorded on the recording medium, is also disclosed.

Abstract: A transmission system for transmitting compressed audio data selected by a user from compressed audio data stored in a server to a client located remote from the server. If the state of the recording medium loaded on the client side is normal and/or the money deposited on the client side is sufficient to permit charging the user, the selected compressed audio data starts to be transmitted from the server. If the state of the recording medium loaded on the client side is not normal and/or the money deposited on the client side is insufficient to permit charging the user, transmission of the selected compressed audio data from the server is inhibited. This prevents incorrectly billing the client.

Abstract: Double error correction is attempted on the data for which error detection is once performed on compressed data both in the error detecting circuit and in the error correcting circuit after it is read out in sectors from the target disc medium and the reliability of the data recorded on the disc medium is judged according to the pointer C2PO indicating that the error cannot be corrected even with the double correction processing, whereby a disc playback apparatus can be provided which is able to judge the state of data errors without executing the expanding processing of the compressed data.

Abstract: The present invention provides a focus servo circuit which can quickly and surely close the focus servo loop by discriminating fluctuation of initial position for starting the focus search operation generated by thickness of disc, surface deflection of disc and mechanical center position of objective lens or the like and then changing the focus search method depending on the result of discrimination.

Abstract: In the present invention, a user can set the order of playing-back programs recorded in a program region, with interactive playback then being possible by recording the playback order of programs set by the user in a management region.Preferred playback is possible in the present invention by recording playback conditions such as volume, fade-in, fade-out and equalization etc. for each program to be played back in the management region. Further, in a multi-access mode, program numbers capable of providing quick playback are managed in the management region. Playback is then possible directly after a user has selected a program by storing the beginning parts of program number capable of quick playback managed in the management region directly after installation of the recording medium.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for recording digital data utilizing a digital recording system having a recording area. The method includes a recording step and an erasing step. The recording step includes recording a first digital sequence in the recording area. The first digital sequence is then both preceded by and followed by a non-recordable area. The erasing step includes erasing the first digital sequence, as well as both non-recordable areas from the recording area, pursuant to a command to erase the first digital sequence. A start address and an end address is kept in a management area of the recording medium for each digital sequence stored in the recording area. When a command to erase the first digital sequence is received, a magnetic head and an optical pick-up sequentially erase from an address following an end address of a preceding sequence to an address preceding a start address of a succeeding sequence.

Abstract: Simple execution of reproduction/processing etc. of data recorded on a recording medium that does not use a plurality of recording/playback devices.

Abstract: A broadcast reception apparatus can detect a changed reception channel without using an extra memory. A signal from an antenna (1) is supplied to a tuner (2), and the tuner (2) is connected with a reception channel preset device (3) and a channel setting device (4). A signal received by the tuner (2) is supplied to a PDC decoder (6) and a decoded television program ID is supplied to a control microcomputer (7). A network code in the television program ID is supplied to a comparator (72), and a network code provided when LUF="1" is detected is supplied to a memory (73). Compared results are supplied to a controller (74) which sequentially outputs a channel selection control signal to the channel setting device (4) if the compared results do not agree. If the compared results agree, a signal representing the reception channel provided at that time is supplied to a television program reserve circuit (71).

Abstract: A recording current setting method comprises the steps of: recording signals on a tape by changing, by steps, recording current for the tape; detecting a reproduced signal level at each recording current; and determining an optimal recording current from a middle point between a first recording current at which a reproduced signal level first exceeds a threshold level as a result of increasing, by steps, the recording current and a second recording current at which a reproduced signal level first exceeds the threshold level as a result of decreasing, by steps, the recording current. An information signal recording apparatus using the method is also disclosed.