Abstract: Based on PIDs registered in a necessary-PID table, a second TS-packet extracting section extracts necessary packets from a second TS. Based on packets registered in the table, a detecting section detects unnecessary-packet areas in a first TS. A TS-packet overwriting section overwrites the extracted necessary packets to unnecessary-packet areas in the first TS, performs multiplexing thereof, and thereby generates a CTS, which is common to the TSs. Thereby, while a broadcast program in the first TS is viewed, image-recording of a broadcast program in the second TS can be performed. Since the configuration can be made using a separating section, a decoder, a digital interface, and the like for handling single-system TSs, reduction in the cost and size can be implemented.

Abstract: There is provided a digital video recording/reproduction apparatus which can precisely perform a reproduction process while preventing noise generation even when a program has been recorded in overwriting fashion, such being realized by detecting a discontinuous portion in the stream at the time of reproduction. A PMT_PID or an ES_PID contained in each packet of a partial TS is recorded on a recording medium so as to take a different value each time there is a discontinuity in a stream. As a result, in a reproduction process of a recording medium which has been recorded in this manner, especially when data which has been overwritten on an already-recorded medium is to be reproduced, the discontinuous portion in the stream (i.e., the recorded portion immediately following the overwritten portion) can be easily determined. Thus, a precise reproduction process can be performed while preventing noise from being generated.

Abstract: A data transmitting apparatus for transmitting data to a plurality of data receiving apparatuses comprises acquiring means, organizing means, and transmitting means. The acquiring means acquires a plurality of sets of selection data, each set of which is targeted for one data receiving apparatus model. The organizing means compares the plurality of sets of selection data and extracts common data and unique data. The common data is a portion of one set of selection data that is also contained in one or more other sets of selection data, and the unique data is a remaining portion in each set of selection data left after excluding the common data. The transmitting means transmits the common data and the unique data together to the plurality of data receiving apparatuses.

Abstract: Provided is an MPEG encoding apparatus that prevents an influence of a portion of discontinuity that occurs in a partial TS when an analog stream is switched, from being exerted on video/audio reproduction at a decoding side. A CPU 21 holds a program number of a PAT for an analog stream before switching. When the analog stream is switched, the CPU 21 reports to a PAT generating section 15 a value of the program number that is different from the one held therein. The PAT generating section 15 generates the PAT containing the reported program number. Thereafter, an input stream switching section 11 switches the input stream according to an instruction from the CPU 21. Thus, an encoding side changes the program number of the PAT every time the stream is changed. With this, the decoding side can carry out muting and stop decoding based on the program number, thereby preventing the influence of the portion of discontinuity that occurs in the partial TS.

Abstract: There is provided a digital video recording/reproduction apparatus which can precisely perform a reproduction process while preventing noise generation even when a program has been recorded in overwriting fashion, such being realized by detecting a discontinuous portion in the stream at the time of reproduction. A PMT_PID or an ES_PID contained in each packet of a partial TS is recorded on a recording medium so as to take a different value each time there is a discontinuity in a stream. As a result, in a reproduction process of a recording medium which has been recorded in this manner, especially when data which has been overwritten on an already-recorded medium is to be reproduced, the discontinuous portion in the stream (i.e., the recorded portion immediately following the overwritten portion) can be easily determined. Thus, a precise reproduction process can be performed while preventing noise from being generated.

Abstract: To provide a control program downloading method that is used by a digital broadcast receiving apparatus equipped with a storing device which stores an update program and a non-update program that compose a control program. Under control of the update program, a new update program is received and written over data stored in a part of an area in the storing device where the non-update program has been stored. At the same time, a part of a new non-update program is received and written over data stored in another part of the area in the storing device where the non-update program has been stored. Once the new update program has been completely written into the storing device, under control of the new update program, the reception and writing of the part of the new non-update program is continued.

Abstract: Based on PIDs registered in a necessary-PID table, a second TS-packet extracting section extracts necessary packets from a second TS. Based on packets registered in the table, a detecting section detects unnecessary-packet areas in a first TS. A TS-packet overwriting section overwrites the extracted necessary packets to unnecessary-packet areas in the first TS, performs multiplexing thereof, and thereby generates a CTS, which is common to the TSs. Thereby, while a broadcast program in the first TS is viewed, image-recording of a broadcast program in the second TS can be performed. Since the configuration can be made using a separating section, a decoder, a digital interface, and the like for handling single-system TSs, reduction in the cost and size can be implemented.