Abstract: Decoded is a first stream carrying moving-picture signals coded with a first coding scheme with a first intra-picture coding and an inter-picture coding technique, thus generating decoded moving-picture data. Picture-type information on each frame or field picture of the decoded moving-picture data is generated. The picture-type information indicates a first picture type or a second picture type. The first picture type is for each picture coded with the first intra-picture coding technique whereas the second picture type is for each picture coded with the inter-picture coding technique. The decoded moving-picture data is encoded with a second coding scheme with a second intra-picture coding technique, thus generating a second stream. Auxiliary information areas are created in the second stream. Each auxiliary information area is accessible in relation to each picture of the decoded moving-picture data. The picture-type information is inserted into the auxiliary information areas.

Abstract: A recording medium has a data region, a management region, and a directory region. The data region is used to store file data. The management region is used to store management data representing which portion of the data region is used by the file data. The directory region is used to store file management information about the file data in the data region. The file data, the management data, and the file management information are governed by a file system. According to a predetermined function, new management data is converted into first check data representative of a uniquely decided value. According to the predetermined function, new file management information is converted into second check data representative of a uniquely decided value. The first check data and the second check data are recorded on a specified area in the recording medium.

Abstract: A data recording apparatus is disclosed comprising memory circuits for storing video and sound data, and an error check code generation circuit for generating check codes for the data. The check code data is stored in a data block including the data and the check code data generated in accordance with the data. The apparatus includes an interleaving portion for reading the data and check code data for every stored data block and interleaving a predetermined number of the data blocks to provide an editing unit. The apparatus further includes a recording portion for recording the interleaved data blocks on a magnetic tape through helical scanning of every editing unit. The data may include video data and corresponding sound data. The video data is recorded on the magnetic tape on consecutive (t−p) tracks and the sound data is recorded on the magnetic tape on consecutive p tracks.

Abstract: Digital signals are recorded in sequential tracks on a tape-form recording medium. In the case where the digital signals are recorded in accordance with a first recording format, at least first digital signals for normal reproduction are recorded in a single area of the first format on each track. In the case where the digital signals are recorded in accordance with at least a second recording format, at least the first digital signals are recorded in a specific area among divided areas of the second format, the divided areas being rewritable independently on each track, the specific area being common for both the first and second formats. And, second digital signals for special reproduction are recorded in previously determined areas among recording areas on each track, the recording areas being common for both the first and second formats.

Abstract: A format for the recording of trick play signals is proposed in which trick play segments comprising sync blocks of information of a trick play signal are recorded in groups of p successive tracks. At least first and second trick play signals are recorded on the record carrier. The first trick play signal is meant for reproduction in a reproduction apparatus at a reproduction speed n1 times the recording speed with which the trick play signals are recorded on the record carrier. The second trick play signal is meant for reproduction in the said reproduction apparatus at a reproduction speed −n1 times the recording speed. The first trick play signal is recorded using a first head having a first azimuth angle and the second trick play signal is recorded using a second write head having a second azimuth angle different from the first azimuth angle.

Abstract: A format for the recording of trick play signals is proposed in which trick play segments comprising sync blocks of information of a trick play signal are recorded in groups of p successive tracks. At least first and second trick play signals are recorded on the record carrier. The first trick play signal is meant for reproduction in a reproduction apparatus at a reproduction speed n1 times the recording speed with which the trick play signals are recorded on the record carrier. The second trick play signal is meant for reproduction in the said reproduction apparatus at a reproduction speed n2 times the recording speed. Both trick play signals are recorded such that upon reproduction at said speed n1 times the recording speed m1 sync blocks of information of the first trick play signal and m1 sync blocks of the second trick play signal are read from the record carrier during one revolution of the head drum in the reproduction apparatus.

Abstract: First data blocks are reproduced from a recording medium. The first data blocks contain respective identification information pieces for discriminating the first data blocks from each other. A decision is made as to whether or not each of the reproduced first data blocks is correct in response to the identification information piece therein. Each reproduced first data block which is decided to be not correct is discarded. Second data blocks are generated from the reproduced first data blocks which are not discarded. The second data blocks differ in size from the first data blocks.

Abstract: Input picture information is divided into first and second division-resultant signals. Y-signal DCT blocks, Cr-signal DCT blocks, and Cb-signal DCT blocks are generated from the first division-resultant signal. Y-signal DCT blocks, Cr-signal DCT blocks, and Cb-signal DCT blocks are generated from the second division-resultant signal. Dummy DCT blocks are generated which are distinguishable from the Y-signal DCT blocks related to the first and second division-resultant signals. The Y-signal DCT blocks, the Cr-signal DCT blocks, and the Cb-signal DCT blocks related to the first division-resultant signal, and the dummy DCT blocks are grouped into macro-blocks each having two Y-signal DCT blocks, one Cr-signal DCT block, one Cb-signal DCT block, and two dummy DCT blocks to modify the first-division-resultant signal into a first modification-resultant signal.

Abstract: A digital signal recording and reproducing method and apparatus that record and reproduce sequentially a normal reproducing digital signal and a multiple kind special reproducing digital signal on and from a tape-like recording medium. The data rate of the normal reproducing digital signal is detected. According to the detected data rate, either of the normal reproducing digital signal or special reproducing digital signal is selected. The selected digital signal is recorded at the predetermined location on a recording medium for recording the special reproducing digital signal. The sequentially recorded digital signal is reproduced, and each reproduced signal is detected either the normal reproducing digital signal or the multiple kind special reproducing digital signal. The digital signal detected as either of the digital signals is outputted separately.

Abstract: Digital signals are recorded in sequential tracks on a tape-form recording medium. In the case where the digital signals are recorded in accordance with a first recording format, at least first digital signals for normal reproduction are recorded in a single area of the first format on each track. In the case where the digital signals are recorded in accordance with at least a second recording format, at least the first digital signals are recorded in a specific area among divided areas of the second format, the divided areas being rewritable independently on each track, the specific area being common for both the first and second formats. And, second digital signals for special reproduction are recorded in previously determined areas among recording areas on each track, the recording areas being common for both the first and second formats.

Abstract: A method of recording video data and the accompanied sound data capable of editing the video data and sound data track by track without editing gaps is disclosed. The track format includes a first block of tracks for video data and a second block of tracks for sound data for a predetermined number of frames. Another method of selectively recording one of a plurality of kinds of video data having different amounts of data per frame or field and the accompanied sound data (NTSC and PAL for example) is provided. In this method, the video data and sound data are recorded with a recording and editing unit which is a determined by a common multiple of the selected one of kinds of video data among the amounts of data of the different kinds of video data.

Abstract: In a recording and reproducing apparatus, time stamps are generated which represent moments of arrival of sequentially-inputted packets of data respectively. The generated time stamps are added to the sequentially-inputted packets respectively, and thereby the sequentially-inputted packets are converted into second packets respectively. The second packets are recorded on a recording medium. The second packets are sequentially reproduced from the recording medium. The time stamps in the respective reproduced second packets are detected. A detection is made as to whether each of the detected time stamps is correct or wrong. When a wrong time stamp is detected, a reproduced second packet is discarded which relates to the detected wrong time stamp.

Abstract: A digital signal is recorded along tracks on a recording medium. Each of the tracks has plural areas. A portion of the digital signal which is recorded on a first area out of the plural areas includes information for reproduction of the digital signal. The information is recorded also on at least one of second areas out of the plural areas. The second areas are greater in size than the first area. The information includes, for example, subcode header information.

Abstract: Audio packets are separated from an input stream of packets including audio packets and video packets. The audio packets relate to audio information. The video packets relate to video information. The video packets are separated from the input stream of packets. The separated audio packets are recorded on first tracks among an array of tracks on a recording medium. The first tracks are spaced by equal intervals corresponding to a given number of tracks. The separated video packets are recorded on second tracks among the array of tracks on the recording medium. The second tracks differ from the first tracks. The first tracks are scanned, and the audio packets are reproduced from the first tracks during high-speed playback. An output stream of packets is generated in response to the reproduced audio packets during the high-speed playback.

Abstract: A method for recording and reproducing digital signals in and from a recording medium is provided. The digital signals are to be recorded in any given k-th mode of N-kind digital signal transmission modes of mutually different packet sizes. Digital signals of p.sub.k packets with additional data are recorded on tracks of the recording medium in unit of d.sub.k data blocks. Data blocks of a multiple of the least common multiple R of the data block recording units of the respective digital signals of the N-kind digital signal transmission modes are recorded in each track. The data blocks recorded in the recording medium are reproduced. Here, N is a two or more natural number, k is 1 to N, and p.sub.k and d.sub.k are a natural number. There is a case where the digital signals are to be recorded in first and second digital signal transmission modes of two different packet sizes.

Abstract: An image information compression and decompression device produces a low frequency band signal suitable for reproduction of a standard definition (SD) image and a combined high frequency band signal which, when processed together with the low frequency band signal, can reproduce a high definition (HD) image. These signals are derived from a high definition (HD) image signal and are subjected to motion compensation prediction coding. An I picture of the HD image is divided into a plurality of band signals which are coded and quantized by a coding/quantizing circuit. Thus, an intra-plane coding of the divided image signal is performed for the I picture. For a P picture of the HD image, a low frequency band signal is derived and a combined high frequency band signal excluding the low frequency band signal is produced. The low frequency band signal and the combined high frequency band signal are subjected to motion compensation prediction coding by a motion compensation prediction coding circuit.

Abstract: A cassette loading device of the front loading type selectively loads standard and smaller cassettes into a loaded position in a video cassette recorder, and ejects the loaded cassette from the video cassette recorder. A housing has a cassette insertion slot, a first door mounted on the housing for selectively opening and closing the cassette insertion slot, and a second door mounted on the first door for selectively opening and closing an opening defined in the first door. A pair of door lock members is mounted on the housing one on each side of the cassette insertion slot. When no cassette is inserted, the first door is locked against angular movement by the door lock members, and when a standard cassette is inserted through the cassette insertion slot, a tapered surface of each of the door lock members is pushed by the inserted standard cassette to disengage an engaging surface of the door lock member from the first door to unlock the first door.

Abstract: A tape cassette loading system of a magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus comprises a cassette tray adapted for holding a standard size tape cassette and having a depression adapted for holding a compact size tape cassette, a cassette carriage for transporting the cassette tray in a horizontal direction from an unloading position to the inside of the magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus, and an elevating mechanism for moving the cassette tray transported to the inside of the magnetic recording and reproducing apparatus in a downward direction to a loading position where the tape cassette is located ready for loading on a rotary drum assembly of the apparatus. The loading system comprises detecting switches for detecting uncorrect state of the tape cassette on the cassette tray and a controller for inhibiting the continuation of loading procedure when it is detected that the tape cassette is not properly or correctly placed on the cassette tray.

Abstract: A tape loading mechanism of a video tape recorder designed to play a standard size tape cassette and a compact size tape casette comprises a chassis carrying a pair of guide grooves at both sides of a guide drum toward a first area of the chassis on which the standard size tape cassette is held at the time of operation of the video tape recorder. The guide grooves are further extended toward a second area of the chassis defined inside the first area on which the compact size tape cassette is held. A pair of loading members are moved along the guide grooves toward their front ends close to the tape cassette when the compact size tape cassette is loaded so that loading poles in the loading members are accepted in a cutout portion formed at a front side of the compact size tape cassette.

Abstract: A mechanism for loading the tape of a standard- or compact-size tape cassette against a rotary head assembly in a compatible recording/reproducing apparatus for selective use with the two types of tape cassettes. The apparatus has a main chassis with a set of fixed positioning pins for positioning the standard-size tape cassette thereon. A floating chassis, much less in size than the main chassis, is mounted thereto for displacement in a direction normal to the principal plane of the main chassis. A pair of tape loader assemblies are mounted to the main chassis for taking the tape out from the standard-size tape cassette positioned on the main chassis, or from the compact-size tape cassette positioned on the floating chassis, and for loading the tape against the rotary head assembly. A common drive cam is coupled to both the floating chassis and the tape loader assemblies via separate drive linkages in order to cause their timed travels.