Abstract: A buffer memory continues storing AV data having time code added thereto, which data is supplied from a time code adding unit. A drive reads the AV data stored in the buffer memory and records the AV data onto an optical disc. When an instruction to pause recording is inputted, the drive stops recording the AV data onto the optical disc, while the buffer memory continues storing newest AV data. When an instruction to resume recording is inputted within a predetermined time, the drive reads the AV data after the time of input of the pause instruction from the buffer memory, and records the AV data onto the optical disc. Thus the AV data picked up during the pause period is recorded on the optical disc. Consequently, the possibility of missing taking desired video (audio) can be reduced.

Abstract: In a picture data reproducing method of reproducing picture data recorded to a recording medium according the MPEG standard, there is provisionally stored, into a stream buffer, picture data grouped as a GOP which begins with an I picture, the picture data provisionally stored in the stream buffer is read sequentially starting with a previous picture and the read picture data is decoded in the course of a FORWARD reproduction being done, and picture data acquired from the recording medium is additionally supplied to the stream buffer. When the picture data provisionally stored in the stream buffer have been read in the decoding step to before last N frames, a predetermined amount of picture data is additionally supplied, in the data adding step, beginning at the head of a GOP including picture data in the remaining N-th frame in the stream buffer. Thus, a smooth variable-speed reproduction can be done according to the MPEG Standard.

Abstract: In an STC generating step, STCs (STC_d) delayed a time “System_delay” from STC (STC_medium) in compressed picture data read from a recording medium in the normal-speed reproduction mode is sequentially generated. In this STC generating step, there is set at shift from a variable-speed reproduction to normal-speed reproduction an STC initial value on the basis of results of comparison between PTS (PTS_s) in display picture data at the time of reproduction mode shift and {STC_medium at the shift−(delay due to the shift (shift_delay)+System_delay)}. Thus, when shifting the reproduction mode from a variable-speed one to normal-sped one in compliance with the MPEG standard, pictures can smoothly be displayed in the normal-speed reproduction mode without skipping over any displayed pictures.

Abstract: Based on a digital recorder/player taken as a basic apparatus and which accommodates a field frequency of 60 fields/sec or a frame frequency of 30 frames/sec, an apparatus is implemented to record or reproduce source video and audio signal originated from the basic apparatus and whose frequency is different from the field or frame frequency. The apparatus includes an input unit (3), processor (4) and a converter (9) provided between the input unit (3) and processor (4). The input unit (3) accepts audio data having a specific field frequency (24 frames/sec or the like) and arranged in a specific format, and make baseband processing of the audio data. The processor (4) is designed to process audio data having a basic field frequency (60 fields/sec) and arranged in a basic format. It operates with a clock corresponding to the sampling frequency to make error-corrective encoding of the audio data adapted to the basic format.

Abstract: In a packing unit (PU) composed of five sync blocks, Discrete Cosign Transform (DCT) blocks of compressed and encoded data are packed to a sync block. When same DCT blocks are not placed in a sync block, the remaining DCT blocks are temporarily placed in another sync block. In a high speed reproducing mode, a detecting portion detects whether or not the current PU mixes with data of another PU. The detected result is supplied as a flag to an unpacking portion along with a sync block. The unpacking portion removes a sync block that mixes with data of another PU. The unpacked data is supplied to a Bit Rate Reduction (BRR) decoder. The BRR decoder performs a decompressing process.

Abstract: A signal reproduced from an ADV head, which is advanced a recording head is error corrected in the ECC decoder. The compression encoding process is decompressed in the compression decoder. The output signal of the ECC decoder is input to the selector. A reproduction signal of the CNF head reproducing a recording data just after recording is supplied to a selector through a ECC decoder and a compression decoder. A bypass signal from the ECC encoder of the recording side is supplied to the the ECC decoder as it's another input. In the ECC decoder, two types of data are written to two different areas of the memory. One of the data is read out selectively and supplied to the selector. The selector is switched from the output of the ADV head to the bypass signal at an in-point. The preview operation can be attained by the picture that has been compressed and decompressed.

Abstract: A digital video signal of one frame is recorded as diagonal tracks on a magnetic tape by four recording heads. One frame is recorded as six segments (twelve tracks). Adjacent tracks is reverse azimuths. In each track of even segments, an auxiliary data sync block is recorded at the last position of a video sector v1. In each track of odd segments, an auxiliary data sync block is recorded at the beginning position of a video sector v1. Since an auxiliary data sync block is recorded at spaced positions on a tape, it can be prevented that an auxiliary data cannot be read at all on a tape scrached in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A reproducing apparatus comprises an error correcting means which includes first and second input circuits for inputting first and second coded data read out via different series separately, first and second frequency converters for converting the respective timing frequencies of the first and second coded data to higher frequencies, a multiplexer for generating third coded data by time-division multiplexing the first and second coded data of the higher timing frequencies, and an error corrector for executing an error correction of the third coded data. The apparatus further comprises a decode means for decoding the third coded data processed through error detection and correction, and a data output means for outputting the decoded data.