Abstract: A digital image recording and reproducing apparatus includes a serial-to-parallel converter connected between an image memory and a data memory, for converting serial image data from the image memory into parallel image data, and a parallel-to-serial converter connected between the image memory and the data memory, for converting parallel image data from the data memory into serial image data. The serial-to-parallel converter is operated when the image data are to be transferred from the image memory to the data memory, and the parallel-to-serial converter is operated when the image data are to be transferred from the data memory to the image memory. Since the data can be transferred from the data memory to the image memory with a minimum number of bits required to allow displayed images to be recognized, the time required to reproduce images is shortened, and hence the image retrieval time is also shortened.

Abstract: A still image signal reproducing apparatus repeatedly reads still image data recorded in an image data recording medium such as an optical disk to successively generate still image signals represented by the data, and still images indicated by the still image signals are successively displayed at high speed on a television picture monitor so that the user can browse the displayed still images for retrieval of a desired still image. When the desired still image is recognized, the user instructs the apparatus to stop the retrieval process. Then, the apparatus automatically displays a previous still image which is a preset number of still images in advance of the presently displayed still image, so that the desired image can quickly be retrieved regardless of the response time of the user.